Laguna Hills City Zoning Code

To provide guidance for park and recreation design and construction of safe recreation facilities for the residents of the city.

The master plan of parks and recreation contains the conceptual guidelines for the design of facilities. In addition, an inventory of existing facilities, proposed facilities, proposed capital improvement plan priority listing for new park projects, and the retrofitting of older parks to alter and expand the facilities consistent with the goals and policies of the general plan are included. Conformance with the dictates of the Americans with Disabilities Act and any necessary equipment replacement for public health and safety purposes are included. The master plan of parks and recreation is a portion of the open space element of the city general plan.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) governs the accessibility to public parks and recreation facilities for developmentally disabled individuals. Part of the legislation’s criteria is the development and implementation of park and recreation facility design standards. New facilities are subject to these standards. Existing facilities are also subject to the ADA, however, the legislation allows different compliance periods.

The Handbook for Playground Safety provides specific play lot design including, surfacing, fall zones, buffer zones, equipment grouping, and safety requirements for equipment. Play lots within the city should be designed using this publication as a guideline.

Standards for athletic fields and courts within the city are derived from several national and state resources. The Parks and Recreation Department will provide design guidelines for facilities proposed, but not currently contained in the master plan.

The city may from time to time promulgate design standards for recreation facilities as amendments or attachments to the master plan of parks and recreation.