OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — The Oil City Council agreed to advertise a new City Parks Ordinance at its regular meeting on Thursday.

According to City Manager Mark Schroyer, the new ordinance is considered standard and is meant to update current ordinances already on the books.

“This came about because of some grant money we are trying to get for the marina project,” Schroyer said. “There are some updates that are needed for that like signage and some other regulations as part of the grant requirements. When we started to look at things, we decided to update all the park ordinances.”

While most of the provisions are standard, according to Schroyer he acknowledged a couple of pieces in it that reflect the current times.

“One is about service animals,” Schroyer said.

The ordinance requires that all domesticated animals within a recreational area must be on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and be accompanied by an adult or minor capable of controlling said animal. Within said facilities, specific areas may be posted prohibiting domesticated animals unless the animal is determined to be a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Animal owners will be responsible for the immediate cleanup and proper disposal of feces in a designated container within the recreational facility. The ordinance goes on to say that emotional support animals of any species will not be permitted without a doctor’s notice.

The other potentially controversial part of the ordinance is about the use or prohibited use of tobacco products.

The ordinance reads that no person shall smoke or chew tobacco products or use electronics nicotine delivery systems, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, and e-pipes within or immediately surrounding any recreational facility. Persons in violation of the subsection will be ejected.

The ordinance will be considered at an upcoming meeting.