BALLOT TITLE:
An Initiative Measure Amending the City of Oceanside City Code to Allow Dogs Off-Leash at all Times Year-Round on the Oceanside Beach from Tyson Street South to the City’s Border with Carlsbad and On-Leash on the Oceanside Beach from Breakwater Way to Surfrider Way During Specified Hours
BALLOT SUMMARY - This initiative:
Amends the City of Oceanside’s City Code, Chapters 4 and 19. Adds 3 new exceptions to the prohibitions on dogs on the beach.
- Proposes to allow dogs off-leash year-round on the beach from Tyson Street south to Carlsbad.
Rationale: This beach has very little sand at this time. It is only available for use to anyone, much less future dog owners, when the tide is low (only about 11 days of the month during daylight hours). This essentially makes it a “wet sand” beach, and not everyone will be interested in it, but some will. Also, wet sand beaches clean easier naturally, though cleanup is still required.
- Proposes to allow dog on a leash on the beach from Breakwater Way to Surfrider Way
From 4:00 p.m. to the following 10 a.m. during summer months and from 6:00 p.m. to the following 9:00 a.m. during non-summer months.
Rationale: This is a very popular beach for locals and visitors. It is not the harbor beach (too much outcry from our November 2021 proposal), the San Luis Rey outlet (too much environmental concern), nor is it near the busiest part of the beach (i.e. the pier, the playground, and the parks). The times and dates in the ordinance are very similar to what other cities in San Diego County do for allowing dogs on beaches. It is very much a compromise to allow access to the full beach for year-round use – we just didn’t think it would fly with all the voters and limit the concerns directly in front of people’s residences (most of this area has vacation rentals).
- Adds new exception for service dogs for all beaches for those with a physical disability related to movement, visual impairment and/or those with a hearing impairment.
- Directs the City Council to file a required application with the California Coastal Commission within one year of initiative’s approval by voters. Will not become effective until the Coastal Commission approves it as an amendment to the City’s Local Coastal Program.
- Directs the City Council to adopt rules and regulations to maintain the beach for both humans and dogs; not inconsistent with the initiative and may relate to owner/handler responsibilities, cleanliness, signage, special events and enforcement.
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