San Clemente City Council Enacts Park Ranger Safety Ordinance for Coastal Trail and Beaches

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — The San Clemente City Council voted unanimously 5–0 on second reading to enact a binding municipal ordinance creating the San Clemente Coastal Park Ranger Program, authorizing municipal rangers to enforce city park and beach codes along the five-mile coastal trail and municipal pier.

Enhancing Coastal Safety, Environmental Care, and E-Bike Regulation

The ordinance grants trained non-sworn municipal park rangers the legal authority to issue administrative citations for hazardous electric bicycle speeding on pedestrian boardwalks, unpermitted open beach fires, alcohol violations, and off-leash dog infractions in sensitive coastal sage scrub habitat. The initiative deploys all-terrain electric utility vehicles (UTVs) to provide rapid first-aid response and assistance to beachgoers.

Mayor Chris Duncan and council members affirmed that dedicated coastal park rangers preserve the family-friendly atmosphere of San Clemente’s beaches while freeing up Orange County Sheriff’s deputies for high-priority emergency calls.

Beachgoers and Downtown Merchants Support

Downtown San Clemente Business Association praised the increased ranger visibility for keeping the coastal trail clean and secure for visitors.

Surfrider Foundation commended the rangers for enforcing environmental plastic litter bans.

Ranger Patrol Schedule

Uniformed coastal park rangers begin active daily patrol operations on September 1, 2026.