Regulations on the Use of Conservancy Land

The Conservancy adopted regulations related to the use of Conservancy land and facilities, as shown below. The regulations become effective on July 1, 2024. The final rulemaking documents are available at https://tahoe.ca.gov/regulations-on-the-use-of-conservancy-land.

Final Text of Regulations

ARTICLE 1. Definitions.

§ 12052. Definitions.

In addition to the definitions set forth in Title 7.42 of the Government Code, the following definitions shall apply to the regulations contained in this Division.

  1. “Conservancy land” means any state-owned real property, including easements, over which the Conservancy has jurisdiction or management authority, or any real property over which the Conservancy has management authority through a current lease, memorandum of understanding, management agreement, or similar document.
  2. “Designated parking area” means an area on Conservancy land that is improved as an off-street parking space or lot and that is held open for use by the public for the parking of vehicles.
  3. “Executive Officer” means the executive officer of the California Tahoe Conservancy.
  4. “Person” means any individual, corporation, operation, club, entity, or other association of persons.
  5. “Recreation site” means an area of Conservancy land that has been designated, improved, or developed for recreational use, such as with picnic areas, day use areas, trails, or interpretive signage.
  6. “Vehicle” means a motor vehicle as defined in Vehicle Code section 415, and includes a recreational vehicle as defined in Health and Safety Code section 18010.

ARTICLE 6. Use of Conservancy Land

§ 12130. Temporary Closures of Conservancy Land.

  1. The Executive Officer or designee may close Conservancy land, or any portion thereof, to the general public when deemed necessary due to any of the following circumstances:
    1. fire, mudslide, landslide, flood, erosion, or other such dangers pose a substantial risk to public health and safety or to natural resources;
    2. a federal, state, or local disaster or emergency declaration has been made by an authorized person or public agency;
    3. resource management, restoration, maintenance, or construction activities are being undertaken that pose a potential risk to public health and safety;
    4. to prevent or reduce environmental disturbance or damage; or
    5. to protect habitat, wildlife, or other natural or cultural resources.
  2. The Conservancy shall post notice of the closure at the area to which the closure applies and on the Conservancy’s website. The notice shall identify the area(s) closed; describe the restriction(s) on use; state the reason(s) for the closure; specify the period of time during which the closure applies; and state that unauthorized entry may be considered a trespass pursuant to Penal Code section 602. In addition, the Executive Officer or designee shall report the closure at the next regular meeting of the Conservancy’s governing body.
  3. No person shall enter or remain on Conservancy land that is subject to a closure. This restriction shall not apply to Conservancy employees or designees in the performance of official duties or to emergency personnel.

§ 12131. Vehicle Parking.

  1. No person shall park any vehicle on Conservancy land except in a designated parking area and in conformance with posted signs and with the regulations set forth in this section. The Conservancy shall maintain a copy of the parking regulations contained herein at the Conservancy office and on its website.
  2. The Conservancy may prohibit, restrict, or establish time limits on parking in any designated parking area, or in portions thereof, seasonally or during all or certain hours of the day if deemed necessary for management purposes, including but not limited to consistency with surrounding uses or for snow removal or other seasonal impacts. Any such parking restriction shall become effective when signs giving notice of the restriction have been posted at the designated parking area.
  3. The Executive Officer or designee will provide a temporary exemption to the parking restrictions in this section if:
    1. The exemption is consistent with the existing purposes, uses, or management of the affected parcel;
    2. The exemption would not adversely affect the long-term value or beneficial uses of the affected parcel;
    3. The exemption does not have the potential to have a significant impact on the environment, including soil, wildlife, stream environment zone, native vegetation, or cultural resources;
    4. The exemption would provide access to Conservancy land or an adjacent parcel where no reasonable or feasible alternative exists; and
    5. The Conservancy has adequate staffing and resources to review the exemption request and monitor the exempted use.

    Any person may request an exemption by contacting the Conservancy’s Land Management Division and providing a written description of the intended exemption, including an explanation of consistency with (i) through (iv) above. The Conservancy may request additional information if necessary to make a determination pursuant to this subsection.

  4. The restrictions in this section shall not apply to Conservancy employees or designees in the performance of official duties or to emergency personnel.

§ 12132. Recreation Sites Hours of Use.

  1. Recreation sites are open to the general public from sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted. The hours of use shall be posted at the entrance to each recreation site and on the Conservancy’s website.
  2. No person shall enter or remain in any recreation site when it is closed to the public.
  3. The Executive Officer or designee will provide a temporary exemption to a recreation site’s hours of use if:
    1. The exemption is consistent with the existing purposes, uses, or management of the recreation site;
    2. The exemption would not adversely affect the long-term value or beneficial uses of the recreation site;
    3. The exemption does not have the potential to have a significant impact on the environment, including soil, wildlife, stream environment zone, native vegetation, or cultural resources; and
    4. The Conservancy has adequate staffing and resources to review the exemption request and monitor the exempted use.

    Any person may request an exemption by contacting the Conservancy’s Land Management Division and providing a written description of the intended exemption, including an explanation of consistency with (i) through (iii) above. The Conservancy may request additional information if necessary to make a determination pursuant to this subsection.

  4. The restrictions in this section shall not apply to Conservancy employees or designees in the performance of official duties or to emergency personnel.

§ 12133. Damage to Trees or Vegetation.

  1. No person shall willfully or negligently cut, destroy, injure, burn, or remove, any tree, shrub, bush, or other vegetation that is growing or standing on Conservancy land.
  2. This section does not apply to Conservancy employees or designees carrying out resource management activities, or to any person engaged in authorized fire suppression or management.