So after my conversation this morning with the code compliance officer, I have been informed that neither the building department or the planning department is requiring my ramp to be permitted. So I am only required to write a sworn statement telling them that this ramp is for personal use only... not commercial. I guess the true language of the ordinances is intended to prevent someone in a residential zone from starting a skatepark in their back yard. After I send this letter in, I am going to receive some sort of documentation informing me that the ramp is legal. I will both post that here as well as photo copy it and hang it out on the ramp.
Woo hoo!
To the Kern County Code Compliance Division:
I, Curtis Nemetz, intend to use the skateboard ramp on my property for personal use only. The ramp will in no way be used for any commercial use or any other use besides my family’s personal use. My property will remain locked at all times and the ramp will be unavailable for neighborhood kids or people passing by to use at anytime.
My family and I will be respectful at all times of the neighbors around us and will limit use duration and hours of operation.
My family and I will be open to communication with those around us and will be willing to cease the use of the ramp due to certain circumstances (back yard BBQ at a neighbor’s house or a sick neighbor).
It is my understanding that based on the above statement being true, I am not required to obtain any permits whether from the Kern County Building Dept. or the Planning Dept. and I am in my legal rights as a property owner to own and enjoy the skateboard ramp I have built on my property.
Thank you so much for your understanding and your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
To Officer ________:
I believe the allegations are false that state that the playground equipment (known in the skateboard world as a “skateboard mini ramp”) in my backyard is in violation with the Kern County Building Code 17.08.060.
Before constructing the playground equipment, I did extensive research on my rights and responsibilities as a homeowner in Kern County. I concluded (based on the Kern County Building Code) that my playground equipment was not in need of a permit.
I found this information in section 17.08.060- Appendix Chapter 1, Section 105.2 amended--Work exempt from permit.
Number 11. states:
"Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one and two family dwellings"
The mini ramp is not permanent. It was built entirely with screws and is has no concrete footing. It is not attached to any fences or buildings on the property.
If the playground equipment is found to violate code, I apologize for my misunderstanding of the codes and I am more than willing to take the appropriate steps to obtain a permit for my playground equipment.
I have communicated with the surrounding neighbors and expressed my willingness and desire to compromise with them and limit the amount and time duration in which my three young children and I skateboard in the backyard. I have kept a time log of the usage of the playground equipment noted above and have included a copy of that document to this letter.
For what it’s worth:
It is my personal feeling that it is not the accusers conviction or passion for California Building Codes that has led him or her to make this allegation. I do not believe that it is an issue with noise either (I have attached a document displaying decibel levels of common sounds compared with skateboarding). I believe it is a personal stigma and stereotype towards the sport of skateboarding. This is a stereotype that I believe to be unfair and untrue in my situation. I am a 30-year-old business owner, father of three, and contributor to our community such as the recent “Great American Cleanup”. I hold a master’s degree in School Counseling from Cal State Bakersfield and have a passion for providing a safe environment for my kids to enjoy the sport of skateboarding.
Thank you for your time,
Curtis Nemetz
Here is the layout of the 4 quarter pipes and the 2 flat sections. 2x4s used in the flats and 2x6s used in the transitions.
Here is the genius design of Jeff and Jim. This is when you need some nice construction gear. Its just not possible with a skill saw. There was another 2x6 placed behind these two studs but wasn't cut at the angle (you can see the screws on the side holding it).
Here is our first step. The transition was a 7'2" radius and is 3'8.5" tall (we just cut the full plywood sheet).
The decking is beveled to meet the coping perfectly.
We placed the first two layers of 3/8 inch plywood horizontally on the ramp and made sure every seam had at least one 2x6 underneath it. We offset the second layer of plywood to make sure the seams did not double up.
Here you can see the underside of the decking. 2x6 and 3/4 inch plywood. You can also see that the entire ramp is placed on 12x12 concrete blocks.
The finished product.
"The result of a rider hitting the nose or tail on another hard surface creates a sound that one might compare to the short instantaneous sound a baseball makes when hit by a bat Instantaneous sound levels for an individual skateboard making the tail popping type of sound range from approximately 65 to 71 decibels (dBA Fast) at fifty feet. This sound is very short in duration and easily controlled by the use of any basic barrier or obstruction."
"One of the goals that modern skateboarders attempt to achieve is sliding along metal surfaces in the skateboard park on their trucks. The noise can best be described as a metal grinding type of sound. Imagine rubbing two pieces of steel together. This sound can be minimized by pumping in a sand like substance into the actual metal pipes that the skateboarders ride over. r The sand or some other resilient material limits the ability of the metal to resonate sound into the community. A little engineering work up front can help to virtually eliminate this source of sound from being a concern. This sound ranged from 54 to 63 decibels (dBA Fast) at fifty feet."
"The loudest sound level predicted above is 65 dBA. This sound level is comparable to the level of a moderate conversation between two individuals. Average conversational levels have been noted in my experience to range from 59 ABA to 63 dBA."
SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS DIRECTOR'S HEARINGS Conference Room Date: January 18, 2007
Hearing Officer: James E. Ellis Staff: Kathe Malouf Kern County Roads Department: Warren Maxwell
The hearing convened at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Ellis explained the purpose of the hearing and appeal procedure; noting that existing zoning determines the use of the property and the density; and the hearing is to ensure that development is in accordance with Ordinance and PD standards.
5. Consideration of violation findings – 6625 Dogwood Avenue, Lake Isabella – Categorically Exempt, Section 15303(e) – Debbie Herrera
The applicant was not in attendance; however, had informed Staff prior to the hearing that she would be unable to attend due to her work schedule. Mr. Ellis stated he had reviewed the request and would allow the retention of the skateboard ramp during the processing of the conditional use permit; however, he would allow the skateboard ramp to be used no more than one hour per day and used exclusively by the applicant’s son.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, pro or con, hearing closed. The Hearing Officer approved the retention of the skateboard ramp while formal land use approval is being sought (Notice of Decision #10-07) subject to the submittal of surcharge fees and a signed Acknowledgment of Land Use Violation document that will allow adoption of the findings.
Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
SO DAY THREE OF THE RAMP THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. WHILE THEY NEVER CAME OUT, I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS LETTER. I CHANGED A FEW THINGS BUT OVERALL THOUGHT IT WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO COMMUNICATE MY INTENTIONS WITH MY BACKYARD RAMP.
To my neighbors,
First off, I would like to introduce myself as your new neighbor who lives on Fairway Drive! If I haven’t met you yet, my name is Curtis Nemetz and I recently purchased a house in this beautiful neighborhood. I am a first-time homeowner and have been working hard to reach this goal for many years. I’m 30 years old, have a beautiful wife and three boys under the age of 4, a part time stay at home dad, have a Masters Degree in School Counseling from CSUB, and own my own video production company (www.curtisnemetz.com). So, I’m a pretty busy guy! I don’t party and view myself as a responsible, respectful, and mature person.
You may be wondering, why am I getting this letter?
As a lifelong skateboarder who has dedicated himself to the sport, a few friends and I recently built a mini-ramp at my house. I took into consideration the proximity of the neighbors in relation to a potential ramp location as well as the overall lot size when we made our decision to purchase this house. I saw the concrete pad, with the alley behind, and the large amount of space between each neighbor on either side of us. I have been in communication with two of the neighbors and have been willing to listen and compromise. However, recently the police were called out during the middle of the day on a noise complaint about my skating.
While I believe I am fully in my rights afforded to me as a property owner and that I am in compliance with Kern County, California-Code of Ordinances 8.36.020 which states that one is permitted to make noise from construction between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm on weekdays and 8 am and 9 pm on weekends, it is still of prime importance to me that I am a good neighbor and am respectful of others that have lived for many years in this neighborhood. (There are no noise ordinances specifically stating sporting activities such as basketball, backyard pools, baseball, or other activities like skateboarding. So I am referencing the construction noise ordinance since skating the ramp is no louder than someone sawing or hammering in their backyard which is very prevalent in this neighborhood due to all the recent remodels)
The peace and serenity of this neighborhood is part of what attracted me to it. And so, I wanted to outline some of the self-imposed rules I have established so you can be assured that the peace and serenity will be kept.
It is my hope these rules will help you eliminate your anxiety about my skating activities.
Rules:
1. Skating will not only follow the 6am-9pm guidelines for noise established under Municipal Code Section 8.36.020, skating will not be done on the ramp prior to 10am and will never be done past 8pm.
2.
I will not skate on Sundays.
3. Skating will not be done after dark.
4. Skating will last no longer than 90 minutes.
5. I will not skate more than once per day.
6. While I skate I will be cognizant of those around us. This is in no way going to be a party ramp. It is, and will remain, secured and locked at all times. My sport is skateboarding, and I am in it for that end only. Not the party lifestyle it is so often stereotyped with.
7. Special circumstances (sickness, backyard parties etc…) will always be respectfully considered.
So, in summary: if you hear us skating it will only happen once per day and will not exceed 90 minutes. (Most times though we do not skate for more than 1 hour)
Further, I wanted to hand out my contact information in case we were skating and you had a problem. I promise I am a nice guy and do not fit the typical stereotype of skateboarders as aggressive or unruly. I will respond promptly and courteously when contacted.
Feel free to call or text me on my cell phone with any issues at 805-XXX-XXXX. My cell phone will be with me every time I am skating. Or you can send me an email at curtis@curtisnemetz.com.
If you still do not feel comfortable communicating with me through any of these channels and if you still wish to call the police, please give the dispatcher my number! As a cousin of a CHP officer, and a citizen of this county, I know how valuable a police officer’s time is in this economy and I would hate to have to take up the time and resources of a patrol car when a simple phone call will do the job.
I hope that these rules and communications channels I have established will not only afford me the freedoms guaranteed me as a property owner, but will also help me to be a good neighbor and remain respectful of your rights as well. I am hopeful that in partnership we can make sure to accommodate each other.
Thank you for your time and for reading this! Again, please, please, please contact me at any time. And if you’re in the area and wish to stop by and say hello please feel free to do so. Thanks!
Your neighbor,
Curtis Nemetz
