by: City of Davis
Picnic Day is set for April 18 and the City of Davis remains focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for the community.
While Picnic Day is a time for celebration, it is important to remember that all local and State laws continue to apply, as they do every day, and violations may result in fines or other legal consequences.
The following are additional public safety updates and reminders to help everyone prepare and celebrate responsibly.
Safety Enhancement Zones
The Davis City Council has approved three Safety Enhancement Zones (SEZs) for Picnic Day 2026 to help deter unlawful behavior and impose higher penalties for violations that occur within an SEZ. The Council also approved a resolution to temporarily ban alcohol in parks during Picnic Day. These changes are in effect from 6p April 17 to 6a April 19 (Friday night to Sunday morning).
Zone 1: Encompasses Downtown, University, Central & West Davis
Zone 2: Slide Hill Park
Zone 3: Walnut Park
Common infractions
Along with the Safety Enhancement Zones comes a list of common infractions and misdemeanors that may occur on Picnic Day, along with their fines. Fine amounts vary based on circumstances and court determinations.
- DUI (driving under the influence) — Jail and more than $1,000 in fines
- Public intoxication — Jail with a fine up to $1,000
- Public urination — Infraction with fine up to $560
- Vandalism — Misdemeanor or felony, possibly jail
- Noise — Infraction with fine up to $560
- Open container — Infraction with fine up to $478
- Smoking in public — Infraction with fine up to $560
Don’t assume someone else has reported an issue. If you see suspicious or illegal behavior, call the Police Department right away. If you encounter a life-threatening emergency, a crime in progress, a fire or a medical emergency, immediately dial 911 or the Davis Police Department’s emergency number at 530-758-3600.
When you call 911, stay on the line, answer the dispatcher’s questions clearly and let them know exactly what is happening so responders can be sent quickly. This does not delay emergency responders, but provides additional information while they are enroute.
Picnic Day Pledge
The Picnic Day Pledge has been a longstanding part of UC Davis’ approach to Picnic Day, to help encourage responsible celebration, and in 2026, that commitment is being strengthened through a more robust, unified pledge developed in partnership with the City of Davis. This expanded approach brings everyone (students, businesses, community organizations, agencies and more) together to create a stronger sense of collective responsibility and community wellbeing.
- Campus Participation: UC Davis will encourage Greek houses and student organizations to sign the pledge, creating consistent expectations across student-led groups and strengthening shared responsibility on campus.
- Community and Business Participation: The City will invite businesses, bars, organizations, agencies and anyone interested to sign the pledge as well, expanding participation across the broader community and aligning safety commitments citywide.
- Uniformity: For the first time, a single Picnic Day Pledge will apply for interested students, community partners, members, businesses and organizations, reinforcing consistent standards and promoting a unified approach to expectations and accountability.
- Public Visibility: The City and UC Davis will publicly share the number of pledge participants to highlight how many are contributing to a safer, more welcoming environment. This visibility provides positive reinforcement and demonstrates widespread community engagement. This is currently in the works.
To sign up for the pledge visit the UC Davis page: https://picnicday.ucdavis.edu/safecelebrations.
More info:
For more information about any of these items or to learn about the City’s expanded plan for Picnic Day 2026, visit: cityofdavis.org/picnicday. For UC Davis events and activities, visit: picnicday.ucdavis.edu.
This Article was sponsored by The City of Davis.
