FAQ Topics
Public and private boat ramps may open exclusively for the purpose of facilitating motorized and non-motorized boat launching. No gatherings of any kind at or around boat ramps are permitted, and any access to other park facilities by way of boat ramps and their parking lots must be in compliance with the Order of the Health Officer of the County of Marin Allowing Motorized Access to Certain Parks and Open Spaces, and Directing Others Remain Closed to Motorized Access. Private business and local jurisdictions operating public boat ramps may continue to limit or prevent access to their boat ramps at their sole discretion.
Campgrounds and RV parks are permitted to operate, beginning at 7:00 a.m. on June 29, 2020, subject to the applicable guidance issued by the State of California (https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-campgrounds.pdf. In addition to following the applicable state guidance, these businesses must adhere to the following limitations:
- Only designated camping/RV spots may be used.
- Each camping/RV spot may be occupied by only one household or living unit at a time.
- If camping/RV spots are immediately adjacent to one another, there must be at least one closed camping spot between each open spot to maintain adequate distance between households or living units.
You must follow Social Distancing Requirements when visiting campgrounds. Please note that campgrounds in the following Park Facilities remain closed:
- All beaches along the Pacific Ocean,
- Point Reyes National Seashore,
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area (including Muir Woods National Monument),
- Mount Tamalpais State Park,
- Tomales Bay State Park,
- Samuel P Taylor State Park,
- Chicken Ranch Beach,
- Bolinas Lagoon, and
- All Marin Municipal Water District lands.
Yes, as of June 5, 2020, charter boats may operate in the County. Charter boats include boats available for rent or charter for fishing, memorial services at sea, sightseeing, and other activities. All charter boat operations must follow all existing Health Officer Orders, including the Facial Coverings Order, and implement a Site-Specific Protection Plan. Additionally, all charter boat operations must abide by the following Industry-Specific Guidelines of the Health Officer: Charter Boat Operators, Outdoor Recreation Activity Businesses, Recreational Equipment Rental Businesses, and Childcare Establishments, Summer Camps and Sports Camps.
Yes, youth sports leagues may operate as long as they follow the Health Officer Guidelines for Childcare Establishments, Summer Camps, Sports Camps or Youth Activities. Under the current guidance, sports leagues can permit stable groups of up to 14 children/youth to engage in sports activities (e.g., practice, drills, etc.) where physical distancing of at least six feet can be maintained. However, these stable groups of 14 children/youth may not scrimmage or play games against children/youth in a different group. Any coach working with a stable group of children/youth cannot work with any other group of children/youth. Additionally, as of August 17, 2020, any child/youth participating in a sports league may participate in one other childcare establishment or youth activity during that same time period. All childcare establishments and youth activities must operate for a minimum of three weeks.
No. At this time, only children/youth (under age 18) sports leagues are permitted to operate.
Outdoor recreation facilities that are not expressly prohibited by the Order, such as golf courses, are permitted to open only if they comply with any restrictions on access and use that are established by the Health Officer, another government agency, or other entity that manages such areas to reduce crowding and risk of transmission of COVID-19.
However, golfers and golf course operators must follow the provisions outlined in the Industry-Specific Guidance of the Health Officer of the County of Marin Regarding Required Best Practices for Golf Courses and Racket Clubs located at https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/required-best-practices-golf-courses-and-racket-clubs-51520.
The new health Order supersedes the May 15 order. This Order lifts all of the Prior Order’s restrictions related to motorized access to outdoor recreation areas within Marin County (“the County”), leaving it to local jurisdictions to allow, limit or prohibit motorized access to those areas as appropriate in order to slow the transmission of novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). In addition, portions of park facilities with high-touch equipment or that encourage gathering – including playgrounds, gym equipment, climbing walls, benches – will remain closed.
Residents are strongly encouraged to verify the status of local parks and remaining restrictions with their local jurisdictions. Marin County Parks has curated a status list of its park locations in Marin County. In addition, One Tam maintains a similar page covering regional, state, and federal recreational lands.
If you will be outdoors and not in close contact with other people or using equipment that other people outside your household have touched, yes. Otherwise, no.
Fitness centers, gyms, fitness equipment at parks, climbing walls, and other recreational and fitness facilities with equipment that lots of people touch or areas where people gather close together are closed.
No. Instead, get exercise by taking a walk, going for a jog, or riding your bike. But maintain a social distance of at least six feet from people who are not members of your household when doing so. You do not need to wear a face covering while you are exercising outdoors by yourself, but you must keep one with you at all times to put on when you see someone approaching and ensure your nose and mouth are securely covered by the time you get within six feet of them.
Outdoor recreation such as swimming, sailing, kayaking or paddleboarding in the bay or the ocean is allowed by the Order. However, individuals may access the bay or ocean for such outdoor activities only if they comply with any restrictions on access and use that are established by the Health Officer, another government agency, or other entity that manages such area to reduce crowding and risk of transmission of COVID-19.
If you can access the bay or ocean in compliance with the Order of the Health Officer of the County of Marin Allowing Motorized Access to Certain Parks and Open Spaces, and Directing Others Remain Closed to Motorized Access, you can utilize the water as you would a park or trail for recreational activities.
No. Recreational areas with equipment that lots of people touch or areas where people gather close together, like playgrounds must be closed and you cannot use them while the Order is in effect.
Individuals may continue to responsibly access Park Facilities by foot, bicycle, or other non-motorized means. Additionally, a new Parks Order went into effect on June 1 that lifts all of the Prior Order’s restrictions related to motorized access to outdoor recreation areas within Marin County (for the purpose of engaging in Essential Activities including outdoor exercise) leaving it to local jurisdictions to allow, limit or prohibit motorized access to those areas as appropriate in order to slow the transmission of COVID-19. View the Parks Order for complete details.
Yes, so long as you abide by all social distancing requirements and maintain a minimum distance of six feet between individuals or groups of individuals from different households at all times. Face coverings must be worn as required by the State Order for Face Coverings. Water fountains, benches and other high-touch areas within dog parks remain off limits. Individuals accessing dog parks should plan to bring along sufficient water for themselves and their dogs to the park. Individuals accessing dog parks should minimize contact with gates and handles, and should bring along protective gear such as gloves and/or hand sanitizer as appropriate.
Also note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released guidance advising that you treat pets as you would your human family members – you must therefore limit your interactions with dogs outside of your household. If a person inside your household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.
Outdoor Businesses as defined under the Health Officer Order, including those businesses that formerly operated exclusively or primarily in public spaces, may open with all required and appropriate safeguards in place. Due to the nature of outdoor businesses operating exclusively or primarily in public spaces (i.e. outdoor boot camps, yoga in the park, outdoor photography or art classes, etc.), the number of individuals gathering for such an activity is strictly limited to 10 (including any instructors or business owners) at any given time. This size limitation is due to the fact that individuals participating in such activities remain in close proximity to each other for prolonged periods of time, which increases inherent risks even though social distancing must be maintained at all times. No equipment (i.e. mats, weights, art supplies) may be shared or provided for short-term rental. Other business reopening guidelines can be found at MarinRecovers.com
The new health Order lifts all of the Prior Order’s restrictions related to motorized access to outdoor recreation areas within Marin County (“the County”), leaving it to local jurisdictions to allow, limit or prohibit motorized access to those areas as appropriate in order to slow the transmission of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). In addition, portions of park facilities with high-touch equipment or that encourage gathering – including playgrounds, gym equipment, climbing walls, and benches – will remain closed.
Residents are strongly encouraged to verify the status of local parks and remaining restrictions with their local jurisdictions. Marin County Parks has curated a status list of its park locations in Marin County. In addition, One Tam maintains a similar page covering regional, state, and federal recreational lands.
Yes, outdoor businesses, outdoor recreation activities, charter boat operations, and other additional business currently operating may rent equipment. All rental equipment must be sanitized after each use and operators must follow the Industry-Specific Guidance of the Health Officer for Recreational Equipment Rental Businesses, Charter Boat Operators, Outdoor Recreation Activity Businesses, Facial Coverings Order, and implement a Site-Specific Protection Plan. Additionally, all charter boat operations must abide by the following Industry-Specific Guidelines of the Health Officer: Charter Boat Operators, Outdoor Recreation Activity Businesses, Recreational Equipment Rental Businesses, and Childcare Establishments, Summer Camps and Sports Camps.