Chapter 4.5 TRAFFIC

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this article. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.11 Motor Vehicle Code definitions to be used.

Whenever any words or phrases used in this chapter are not defined, but are defined in the Vehicle Code of the State and amendments thereto, such definitions shall apply. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.12 Central Traffic District.

“Central Traffic District” shall mean all streets and portions of streets within the area described as follows: All that area bounded by Seventh Street, Second Street, Pollasky Avenue, and Hughes Avenue. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.13 Coach.

“Coach” shall mean any motor bus, motor coach, trackless trolley, or passenger stage used as a common carrier of passengers. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.14 Curb.

“Curb” shall mean the lateral boundary of the roadway, whether such curb shall be marked by curbing construction or shall not be so marked; the word “curb”, as used in this chapter, shall not include the line dividing the roadway of a street from parking strips in the center of a street, nor from tracks or rights-of-way of public utility companies. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.15 Divisional island.

“Divisional island” shall mean a raised island located in the roadway and separating opposing or conflicting streams of traffic. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.16 Holidays.

Within the meaning of this chapter, holidays shall be the first day of January, the twelfth day of February, the twenty-second day of February, the thirtieth day of May, the fourth day of July, the first Monday in September, the ninth day of September, the twelfth day of October, the eleventh day of November, the twenty-fifth day of December, and Thanksgiving Day. If the first day of January, twelfth day of February, twenty-second day of February, thirtieth day of May, fourth day of July, ninth day of September, twelfth day of October, eleventh day of November, or twenty-fifth day of December falls upon a Sunday, the Monday following shall be a holiday. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.17 Loading zone.

“Loading zone” shall mean the space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.18 Official time standard.

Whenever certain hours are named in this chapter, they shall mean standard time or daylight savings time as may be in current use in the City. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.19 Parkway.

“Parkway” shall mean that portion of a street other than a roadway or a sidewalk. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.110 Parking meter.

“Parking meter” shall mean a mechanical device installed within or upon the curb or sidewalk area, immediately adjacent to a parking space, for the purpose of controlling the period of time occupancy of such parking meter space by any vehicle. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.111 Passenger loading zone.

“Passenger loading zone” shall mean the space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.112 Pedestrian.

“Pedestrian” shall mean any person afoot. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.113 Police officer.

“Police officer” shall mean every officer of the Police Department of the City or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.114 Stop.

“Stop,” when required, shall mean complete cessation of movement. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.115 Vehicle Code.

“Vehicle Code” shall mean the Vehicle Code of the State. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 2. Traffic Administration

4.5.200 Police administration.

There is hereby established in the Police Department of the City a Traffic Division to be under the control of a police captain appointed by and directly responsible to the Chief of Police. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.210 Duty of Traffic Division.

It shall be the duty of the Traffic Division, with such aid as may be rendered by other members of the Police Department, to enforce the street traffic regulations of the City and all of the State vehicle laws, applicable to street traffic in the city, to make arrests for traffic violations, to investigate traffic accidents, to cooperate with the City Engineer and other officers of the City in the administration of the traffic laws and in developing ways and means to improve traffic conditions, and to carry out those duties specially imposed upon the Traffic Division by this chapter and the traffic laws of the City. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.220 Traffic accident studies.

Whenever the accidents at any particular location become numerous, the Traffic Division shall cooperate with the City Engineer in conducting studies of such accidents and determining remedial measures. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.230 Traffic accident reports.

The Traffic Division shall maintain a suitable system of filing traffic accident reports. Accident reports or cards referring to them shall be filed alphabetically by location. Such reports shall be available for the use and information of the City Engineer. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.240 Traffic Division to submit annual traffic safety report.

The Traffic Division shall annually prepare a traffic report which shall be filed with the Council. Such report shall contain information on traffic matters in the City as follows:

(a) The number of traffic accidents, the number of persons killed, the number of persons injured, and other pertinent traffic accident data;

(b) The number of traffic accidents investigated and other pertinent data on the safety activities of the police; and

(c) The plans and recommendations of the Traffic Division for future traffic safety activities. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.250 City Engineer.

The City Engineer is responsible for the duties of traffic engineering. The City Engineer shall exercise the powers and duties as provided in this chapter and in the traffic laws of the City. Whenever the City Engineer is required or authorized to place or maintain official traffic control devices or signals, he may cause such devices or signals to be placed or maintained. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.260 Powers and duties of City Engineer: Delegation.

It shall be the general duty of the City Engineer to determine the installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic control devices and signals, to conduct engineering analyses of traffic accidents, to devise remedial measures, to conduct engineering and traffic investigations of traffic accidents, to devise remedial measures, to conduct engineering and traffic investigations of traffic conditions and cooperate with other City officials in the development of ways and means to improve traffic conditions, and to carry out the additional powers and duties imposed by the laws of the City. Whenever, by the provisions of this chapter, a power is granted to the City Engineer or a duty is imposed upon him, the power may be exercised or the duty performed by his deputy or by a person authorized in writing by him. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.270 Traffic committee.

There is hereby established an advisory traffic committee, consisting of the City Engineer, the Police Chief or, in his discretion as a Police Department representative, the head of the Traffic Division, a member of the Planning and Development Services Department, the City Attorney, and such number of other City officers and representatives of unofficial bodies as may be determined and appointed by the City Manager. The chairperson of the committee shall be appointed or removed by the City Manager. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.280 Duties of traffic committee.

It shall be the duty of the traffic committee to suggest the most practicable means for coordinating the activities of all officers and agencies of the City having authority with respect to the administration or enforcement of traffic regulations; to stimulate and assist in the preparation and publication of traffic reports; to receive complaints having to do with traffic matters; and to recommend to the Council, the City Engineer, the head of the Traffic Division, and other City officials ways and means for improving traffic conditions and the administration and enforcement of traffic regulations. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

Article 3. Enforcement and Obedience to Traffic Regulations

4.5.300 Authority of Police and Fire Department officials.

Officers of the Police Department and such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, audible, or other signal in conformance with traffic laws, except that in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police Department or members of the Fire Department may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions to the contrary contained in this chapter or the Vehicle Cede. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.310 Persons other than officials shall not direct traffic.

No person, other than an officer of the Police Department, members of the Fire Department, a person authorized by the Chief of Police, or a person authorized by law, shall direct or attempt to direct traffic by voice, hand, or other signal, except that persons may operate, when and as provided in this chapter, any mechanical pushbutton signal erected by order of the City Engineer. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.320 Obedience to police and authorized officers.

No person shall fail or refuse to comply with, or to perform, any act forbidden by any lawful order, signal, or direction of a traffic or police officer, a member of the Fire Department, or a person authorized by the Chief of Police or by law. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.330 Traffic regulations apply to persons riding bicycles or animals.

Every person riding a bicycle or riding or driving an animal upon a highway shall have all the rights, and shall be subject to all the duties, applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.340 Obstruction or interference with police or authorized officers.

No person shall interfere with or obstruct in any way any police officer or other officer or employee of the City in his enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. The removal, obliteration, or concealment of any chalk mark or other distinguishing mark used by any police officer or other employee or officer of the City in connection with the enforcement of the parking regulations of this chapter shall, if done for the purpose of evading the provisions of this chapter, constitute such interference or obstruction. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.350 Public employees to obey traffic regulations.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the operator of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United States government, the State, or any county or city, and it shall be unlawful for any such operator to violate any of the provisions of this chapter except as otherwise permitted in this chapter or by the Vehicle Code. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.360 Exemption of certain vehicles.

(a) The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking, and standing of vehicles shall not apply to vehicles operated by the Police or Fire Department, any public ambulance, any public utility vehicle, or any private ambulance, which public utility vehicle or private ambulance has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle, when any vehicle mentioned in this section is operated in the manner specified by the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call.

(b) The exemptions set forth in subsection (a) of this section shall not, however, relieve the operator of any such vehicle from obligation to exercise due care for the safety of others or the consequences of his wilful disregard of the safety of others.

(c) The provisions of this chapter regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a City department or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or repair work or to any vehicle owned or operated by the United States Post Office Department while in use for the collection, transportation, or delivery of United States mail. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.370 Report of damages to certain property.

(a) The operator of a vehicle or the person in charge of any animal involved in any accident resulting in damages to any property publicly owned or owned by a public utility, including but not limited to any fire hydrant, parking meter, lighting post, telephone pole, or electric light or power pole, or resulting in damages to any tree, traffic control device, or other property of a like nature located in or along any street, shall, within twenty-four (24) hours after such accident, make a written report of such accident to the Police Department of the City.

(b) Every such report shall state the time when and the place where the accident took place, the name and address of the person owning and of the person operating or in charge of such vehicle or animal, and the license number of every such vehicle and shall briefly describe the property damage in such accident.

(c) The operator of any vehicle involved in an accident shall not be subject to the requirements or penalties of this section if, and during the time, he is physically incapable of making a report, but in such event he shall make a report as required in subsection (a) of this section within twenty-four (24) hours after regaining ability to make such report. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.380 When vehicles may be removed from streets.

Any regularly employed and salaried officer of the Police Department of the City may remove or cause to be removed:

(a) Any vehicle which has been parked or left standing upon a street or highway for seventy-two (72) or more consecutive hours;

(b) Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. when such parking or standing is prohibited by law or resolution of the City and signs are posted giving notice of such removal;

(c) Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway where the use of such street or highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair, or construction of the street or highway or for the installation of underground utilities, or where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, is authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic, or where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, is necessary for the movement of equipment, articles, or structures of unusual size and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement; provided, however, signs giving notice that such vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the removal. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.390 Authority of police officers in crowds.

At places where large numbers of people and vehicles are to gather or have gathered, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent any police officer from prohibiting any person from parking any vehicle upon or using any street or sidewalk or from prohibiting any pedestrian from using any street or sidewalk, and such police officer shall have the authority to direct the parking of vehicles in any reasonable manner, way, or direction, and it is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person to fail to promptly obey such police officer’s order, signal, or command, regardless of any other provision of this chapter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.391 Intoxicated persons in or about vehicles.

It shall be unlawful for any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs to be in or about any vehicle to which he has right or access or control while such vehicle is in or upon any street or any other public place in the City, unless the same is under the immediate control or operation of a person not under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 4. Traffic Control Devices

4.5.400 Authority to install traffic control devices.

(a) The City Engineer shall have the power and duty to place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, official traffic control devices when and as required to make effective the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Whenever the Vehicle Code requires, for the effectiveness of any provision thereof, that traffic control devices be installed to give notice to the public of the application of such law, the City Engineer is hereby authorized to install, or cause to be installed, the necessary devices, subject to any limitations or restrictions set forth in the law applicable thereto.

(c) The City Engineer may also place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, such additional traffic control devices as the City Engineer may deem necessary or proper to regulate traffic or to guide or warn traffic, but the City Engineer shall make such determinations only upon the basis of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations and in accordance with such standards, limitations, and rules as may be set forth in this chapter or as may be determined by ordinance or resolution of the Council. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.410 Traffic control signs required for enforcement purposes.

No provisions of the Vehicle Code or of this chapter for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator unless appropriate legible signs are in place giving notice of such provisions of the traffic laws. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.420 Obedience to traffic control devices.

The operator of any vehicle or train shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device placed in accordance with this chapter unless otherwise directed by a police officer or other authorized person, subject to the exceptions granted the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle when responding to emergency calls. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.430 Installation of traffic signals.

(a) The City Engineer is hereby directed to install and maintain official traffic signals at those intersections and other places where traffic conditions are such as to require that the flow of traffic be alternately interrupted and released in order to prevent or relieve traffic congestion or to protect life or property from exceptional hazard.

(b) The City Engineer shall ascertain and determine the locations where such signals are required by field investigation, traffic counts, and other traffic information as may be pertinent, and his determinations therefrom shall be made in accordance with those traffic engineering and safety standards and instructions set forth in the California Maintenance Manual issued by the Division of Highways of the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS).

(c) Whenever the City Engineer installs and maintains an official traffic signal at any intersection, he shall likewise erect and maintain at such intersection street name signs clearly visible to traffic approaching from all directions unless such street name signs have previously been placed and are maintained at any such intersection. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.440 Lane marking.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to mark center lines and lane lines upon the surface of the roadway to indicate the course to be traveled by vehicles and may place signs temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center line of the highway. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.450 Distinctive roadway markings.

The City Engineer is authorized to place and maintain distinctive roadway markings as described in the Vehicle Code on those streets or parts of streets where the volume of traffic or the vertical or other curvature of the roadway renders it hazardous to drive on the left side of such marking or signs and markings. Such marking or signs and marking shall have the same effect as similar markings placed by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) pursuant to the provisions of the Vehicle Code. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.460 Authority to remove, relocate, and discontinue traffic control devices.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to remove, relocate, or discontinue the operation of any traffic control device not specifically required by the Vehicle Code or this chapter whenever he shall determine in any particular case that the conditions which warranted or required the installation no longer exist or pertain. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.470 Traffic control devices: Hours of operation.

The City Engineer shall determine the hours and days during which any traffic control device shall be in operation or be in effect, except in those cases where such hours or days are specified in this chapter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.480 Unauthorized painting of curbs.

No person, unless authorized by the City, shall paint any street or curb surface; provided, however, this section shall not apply to the painting of numbers on a curb surface by any person who has complied with the provisions of any resolution or ordinance of the City pertaining thereto. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 5. Turning Movements

4.5.500 Authority to place turning markers: Intersections: Multiple lanes.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to place official traffic control devices within or adjacent to intersections and indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning at such intersections, and the City Engineer is hereby authorized to locate and indicate more than one lane of traffic from which drivers of vehicles may make right-hand or left-hand turns, and the course to be traveled as so indicated may conform to or be other than as prescribed by law or ordinance. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.510 Authority to place restricted turn signs.

The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to determine those intersections at which drivers of vehicles shall not make a right, left, or U turn and shall place proper signs at such intersections. The making of such turns may be prohibited between certain hours of any day and permitted at other hours, in which event the same shall be plainly indicated on the signs or they may be removed when such turns are permitted. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.520 Signal-controlled intersections: Right turns.

(a) No driver of a vehicle shall make a right turn against a red or stop signal at any intersection which is signposted giving notice of such restriction as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The City Engineer shall post appropriate signs giving effect to this section where he determines that the making of right turns against traffic signal “stop” indications would seriously interfere with the safe and orderly flow of traffic. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

Article 6. One-Way Streets and Alleys

4.5.600 City Engineer to sign one-way streets and alleys.

Whenever any ordinance or resolution of the City designates any one-way street or alley, the City Engineer shall place and maintain signs giving notice thereof, and no such regulations shall be effective unless such signs are in place. Signs indicating the direction of lawful traffic movement shall be placed at every intersection where movement of traffic in the opposite direction is prohibited. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

Article 7. Special Stops Required

4.5.700 City Engineer to erect stop signs.

Whenever any ordinance or resolution of the City designates and describes any street, or portion thereof, as a through street, or any intersection at which vehicles are required to stop at one or more entrances thereto, or any railroad grade crossing at which vehicles are required to stop, the City Engineer shall erect and maintain stop signs as follows:

A stop sign shall be erected on each and every street intersecting such through street, or portion thereof, so designated and at those entrances to other intersections where a stop is required and at any railroad grade crossing so designated; provided, however, stop signs shall not be erected or maintained at any entrance to an intersection when such entrance is controlled by an official traffic control signal. Every such sign shall conform with, and shall be placed as provided in, the Vehicle Code. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.710 Stop at through streets or stop signs.

(a) Those streets and parts of streets established by resolution of the Council are hereby declared to be through streets for the purposes of this section.

(b) The provisions of this section shall also apply at one or more entrances to the intersections as such entrances and intersections are established by resolution of the Council.

(c) The provisions of this section shall apply to those highway railway grade crossings as established by resolution of the Council. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.720 Emerging from alleys, driveways, or buildings.

The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway, or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or into the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 8. Miscellaneous Driving Rules

4.5.800 Driving through funeral processions.

No operator of any vehicle shall drive between the vehicles comprising a funeral procession or a parade provided such vehicles are conspicuously so designated. The directing of all vehicles and traffic on any street over which such funeral procession or parade wishes to pass shall be subject to the orders of the Police Department. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.810 Clinging to moving vehicles.

No person shall attach himself with his hands, catch onto, or hold onto, with his hands or by other means, any moving vehicle or train for the purpose of receiving motive power therefrom. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.820 Commercial vehicles using private driveways.

No person shall operate or drive a commercial vehicle in, on, or across any private driveway approach, sidewalk area, or the driveway itself without the consent of the owner or occupant of the property if a sign or markings are in place indicating that the use of such driveway is prohibited.

For the purposes of this section, a commercial vehicle shall mean a vehicle having a rated capacity in excess of one-half (1/2) ton. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.830 Riding or driving on sidewalks.

No person shall ride, drive, propel, or cause to be propelled any vehicle or animal across or upon any sidewalk except over permanently constructed driveways and except when it is necessary for any temporary purpose to drive a loaded vehicle across a sidewalk; and provided, further, that such sidewalk area shall be substantially protected by wooden planks two (2′′) inches thick, and written permission shall be previously obtained from the City Engineer. Such wooden planks shall not be permitted to remain upon such sidewalk area during the hours from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.840 New pavement and markings.

No person shall ride or drive any animal or any vehicle over or across any newly-made pavement or freshly-painted markings in any street when a barrier sign, cone marker, or other warning device is in place warning persons not to drive over or across such pavement or marking, or when any such device is in place indicating the street, or any portion thereof, is closed. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.850 Obedience to barriers and signs.

No person, public utility, or department in the City shall erect or place any banner or sign on any street, unless of a type approved by the City Engineer, nor disobey the instructions, nor remove, tamper with, or destroy any barrier or sign lawfully placed on any street by any person, public utility, or by any department of the City. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.860 No entrance into intersections that would obstruct traffic.

No operator of any vehicle shall enter any intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.870 Limited access.

No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are lawfully established. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.880 Restrictions on use of freeways.

No person shall drive or operate any bicycle, motor-driven cycle, or any vehicle which is not drawn by a motor vehicle upon any street established as a freeway, as defined by State law, nor shall any pedestrian walk across or along any such street so designated and described except in the space set aside for the use of pedestrians, provided official signs are in place giving notice of such restrictions. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.890 Motor vehicles on canal banks.

(a) Vehicles prohibited. No person shall operate any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, mini-bike, or other vehicle or device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn, excepting a vehicle or device moved by human power, along or upon the bank of any ditch or canal which traverses or abuts upon real property which is subdivided for residential use.

(b) Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following persons:

(1) Officers, employees, and permittees of the owners or operator of the ditch or canal;

(2) Public officers in the discharge of their duty;

(3) Rightful water users in connection with their operations; and

(4) The owner of property on which any such ditch or canal is maintained in an easement, and his permittees, in the course of conducting business operations on the property. (§ 1, Ord. 71-19, eff. August 18, 1971)

4.5.891 Motor vehicles on private property.

No person shall operate any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, mini-bike, or other vehicle or device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn, excepting a vehicle or device moved by human power, so as to allow such vehicle to enter or remain upon any private property without the express permission of the owner or other person in legal possession or control of such property. (§ 2, Ord. 71-19, eff. August 18, 1971)

4.5.892 Motor vehicles on Sierra Vista Mall roadways.

(a) Findings and declaration. The City Council hereby finds and declares in accordance with Vehicle Code Section 21107.6 that the Sierra Vista Mall roadways are privately owned and maintained roads which are generally held open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel to serve commercial establishments.

(b) Applicability of California Vehicle Code to Sierra Vista Mall roadways. No person shall operate any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, mini-bike, or other vehicle or device on Sierra Vista Mall roadways in an unsafe manner. The provisions of the California Vehicle Code shall apply to the Sierra Vista Mall roadways, and the police may patrol those private roadways for Vehicle Code violations, and may enforce the Vehicle Code on those private roadways. (§ 1, Ord. 94-26, eff. October 6, 1994)

4.5.893 Motor vehicles on Sierra Vista Mall parking facilities.

(a) Findings and declaration. The City Council hereby finds and declares in accordance with Vehicle Code Section 21107.8 that the Sierra Vista Mall parking facilities are privately owned and maintained off-street parking facilities which are generally held open to the public for purposes of vehicular parking.

(b) Applicability of California Vehicle Code to Sierra Vista Mall parking facilities. No person shall operate any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, mini-bike, or other vehicle or device on Sierra Vista Mall roadways in an unsafe manner. The following provisions of the California Vehicle Code shall apply to the Sierra Vista Mall parking facilities, and the police may patrol those private parking facilities for Vehicle Code violations, and may enforce the Vehicle Code provisions on those private parking facilities:

(1) Section 22350 - Basic Speed Law

(2) Section 23103 - Reckless Driving

(3) Section 23109 - Exhibition of Speed

(4) Section 38000 set seq. - Off Highway Vehicles. (§ 1, Ord. 94-26, eff. October 6, 1994)

Article 9. Pedestrian Regulations

4.5.900 City Engineer to establish marked crosswalks.

(a) The City Engineer shall establish, designate, and maintain crosswalks at intersections and other places by appropriate devices, marks, or lines upon the surface of the roadway as follows:

Crosswalks shall be established and maintained at all intersections within the Central Traffic District, at such intersections outside such district, and at other places within or outside such district where the City Engineer determines that there is particular hazard to pedestrians crossing the roadway, subject to the limitation contained in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Other than crosswalks at intersections, no crosswalk shall be established in any block which is less than 400 feet in length, and such crosswalk shall be located as nearly as practicable at mid-block.

(c) The City Engineer may place signs at or adjacent to an intersection in respect to any crosswalk directing that pedestrians shall cross in the crosswalk so indicated. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.910 Pedestrian use of marked crosswalks.

No pedestrian shall cross a midway other than by a crosswalk in the Central Traffic District or in any business district. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 10. Stopping, Standing, and Parking for Certain Purposes or in Certain Places

4.5.1000 Application of regulations.

(a) The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times specified in this chapter except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.

(b) The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on standing or parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code or the laws of the City prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1001 Stopping or standing in parkways prohibited.

No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle within any parkway. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1002 City Engineer to maintain no stopping zones and no parking areas.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to maintain, by appropriate signs or by paint upon the curb surface, all no stopping zones, no parking areas, and restricted parking areas as defined and described in this chapter.

When such curb markings or signs are in place, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb markings or sign in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1003 No parking areas.

No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle in any of the following places except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or other authorized officer, or of a traffic sign or signal:

(a) Within any divisional island unless authorized and clearly indicated with appropriate signs or markings;

(b) On either side of any street between the projected property lines of any public walk, public steps, street, or thoroughfare terminating at such street when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(c) In any area where the City Engineer determines that the parking or stopping of a vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(d) In any area established by resolution of the Council as a no parking area for all or certain types or weights of vehicles, as specified in such resolution, when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(e) Upon, along, or across any railway track in such manner as to hinder, delay, or obstruct the movement of any car traveling upon such track;

(f) In any area where the parking or stopping of any vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property;

(g) On any street or highway where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, is authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic or where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, is necessary for the movement of equipment, articles, or structures of unusual size, and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement provided signs giving notice of such no parking are erected or placed at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the effective time of such no parking;

(h) At any place within twenty feet (20') of a point on the curb immediately opposite the mid-block end of a safety zone when such place is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(i) At any place within twenty feet (20') of a crosswalk at an intersection in the Central Traffic District or in any business district when such place is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface, except that a bus may stop at a designated bus stop;

(j) Within twenty feet (20') of the approach to any traffic signal, boulevard stop sign, or official electric flashing device; and

(k) In parking spaces designated by proper signing for use only by disabled persons, unless the vehicle displays the placard or distinguishing license plate which is available for a vehicle registered to a disabled person or is a vehicle which is not registered to such disabled person but is used primarily to transport such disabled person and which would otherwise qualify for such distinguishing license plate if the vehicle were registered to the disabled person. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by § 1, Ord. 78-13, eff. March 23, 1978, § 1, Ord. 78-20, eff. May 31, 1978, and Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1004 Use of street for storage of vehicles prohibited.

(a) No person who owns or has possession, custody, or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours.

(b) For purposes of this section, if a person moves a vehicle less than five hundred feet (500') on a public street or alley within a seventy-two (72) hour period, the person shall be considered to have parked continuously and a new seventy-two (72) hour time period shall not start. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965; § 5, Ord. 14-09, eff. August 6, 2014)

4.5.1005 Prohibition of parking vehicles for purposes of sale.

(a) No person shall park or place a vehicle upon a public or private street parking lot, or any public or private property for the purpose of displaying such vehicle thereon for sale, hire, or rental, unless said property is properly zoned by city for such purpose, and the vendor is duly licensed to transact such business at that location.

(b) Subsection (a) shall not prohibit any person from parking or placing a vehicle on private residential property belonging to or occupied by the owner of such vehicle, nor on the public street immediately adjacent to said private residential property, for the purpose of displaying same for sale, hire, or rental.

(c) The parking or placing of any vehicle with a sign or other advertising device thereon or proximate thereto, indicating such vehicle is for sale, hire, or rental when such vehicle is parked within the same block or property lot as two or more other vehicles marked for sale, shall constitute prima facie evidence that such vehicle was parked or placed for the purpose of displaying same for sale, hire, or rental. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by § 1, Ord. 88-46, eff. November 7, 1988)

4.5.1006 Repairing and greasing vehicles on public streets.

No person shall construct, or cause to be constructed, repair, or cause to be repaired, grease, or cause to be greased, dismantle, or cause to be dismantled, any vehicle, or any part thereof, upon any public street in the City. Temporary emergency repairs may be made upon a public street. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1007 Washing and polishing vehicles.

No person shall wash, or cause to be washed, or polish, or cause to be polished, any vehicle, or any part thereof, upon any public street in the City when a charge is made for such service. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1008 Parking adjacent to schools.

(a) The City Engineer is hereby authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, interfere with or create a hazardous situation.

(b) When official signs are erected prohibiting parking upon that side of a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1009 Parking prohibited on narrow streets.

(a) The City Engineer is hereby authorized to place signs or markings indicating no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed twenty (20′) feet or upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs or markings when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty (30′) feet.

(b) When official signs or markings prohibiting parking are erected upon narrow streets, as authorized in this chapter, no person shall park a vehicle upon any such street in violation of any such sign or marking. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1010 Parking on grades.

No person shall park or leave standing any vehicle unattended on a highway when upon any grade exceeding three (3%) percent (within any business or residence district) without blocking the wheels of such vehicle by turning them against the curb or by other means. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1011 Unlawful parking: Peddlers, vendors and food trucks.

(a) No person shall stand or park any vehicle, wagon, bicycle, or pushcart from which goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, vegetables, or foodstuffs are sold, displayed, solicited, or offered for sale or bartered or exchanged, or any lunch wagon or eating car or vehicle, on any portion of any street within the City except as provided in Chapter 33 or 34 of Title 5 as applicable. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to persons delivering such articles upon order of, or by agreement with, a customer from a store or other fixed place of business or distribution.

(b) No person shall park or stand any vehicle or wagon used or intended to be used in the transportation of people or property for hire on any street while awaiting patronage for such vehicle or wagon without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the Planning and Development Services Department, which permit shall designate the specific location where such vehicle may stand. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994; § 2, Ord. 19-15, eff. January 1, 2020)

4.5.1012 Emergency parking signs.

(a) Whenever the City Engineer shall determine that an emergency traffic congestion is likely to result from the holding of public or private assemblages, gatherings, or functions, or for other reasons, the City Engineer shall have the power and authority to order temporary signs to be erected or posted indicating that the operation, parking, or standing of vehicles is prohibited on such streets and alleys as the City Engineer shall direct during the time such temporary signs are in place. Such signs shall remain in place only during the existence of such emergency, and the City Engineer shall cause such signs to be removed promptly thereafter.

(b) When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall operate, park, or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions and provisions of such signs. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1013 Display of warning devices when commercial vehicles are disabled.

Every motor truck having an unladen weight of 4,000 pounds or more, and every truck tractor, irrespective of weight, when operated upon any street or highway during darkness, shall be equipped with and carry at least two (2) flares or two (2) red lanterns or two (2) warning lights or reflectors, which reflectors shall be of a type approved by the Highway Patrol Department of the State. When any such vehicle or any trailer or semitrailer is disabled upon streets or highways outside any business or residence district within the City, and upon which street or highway there is insufficient street lighting to reveal a vehicle at a distance of 200 feet during darkness, a warning signal of the character indicated in this section shall be immediately placed at a distance of approximately 100 feet in advance of, and 100 feet to the rear of, such disabled vehicle by the driver thereof. The continuous flashing of at least four (4) approved Class A-Type I turn signal lamps, at least two (2) toward the front and at least two (2) toward the rear of the vehicle, shall be considered to meet the requirements of this section until the devices indicated in this section can be placed in the required locations. The warning signals indicated in this section shall be displayed continuously during darkness while such vehicle remains disabled upon such street or highway. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1014 Limitations on commercial vehicle parking.

(a) No person shall park any of the following commercial vehicles on any public street, alley, right-of-way, or highway, other than a state highway, in the City of Clovis for a period of more than four (4) hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period:

(1) Commercial trucks larger than one-ton size not to exceed a gross vehicle weight rating of more than fifteen thousand (15,000) pounds;

(2) Buses;

(3) Commercial trailers of all types.

(b) No person shall park commercial vehicles as defined in subsection (a) of this section on a public street within five hundred feet (500') of a residential zone district between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(1) Loading or unloading merchandise, materials, or passengers; or

(2) Parked in connection with, and in aid of, the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such commercial vehicle is parked, for such time as is reasonably necessary to complete such service; or

(3) An emergency vehicle utilized by a government agency or a public utility for responding to emergency incidents.

(d) For the purpose of this section: Commercial trailer shall be defined as any trailer used in conjunction with any business, for hire, or whereby compensation is derived from such use.

(e) For the purpose of this section: Trucks of a one-ton size shall be defined as those trucks of a size that falls within the manufacturer’s classification of one-ton trucks. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965; as amended by § 1, Ord. 71-6, eff. May 5, 1971; § 1, Ord. 88-3, eff. April 6, 1988; § 1, Ord. 88-42, eff. December 21, 1988; § 1, Ord. 99-19, eff. August 11, 1999; § 1, Ord. 18-27, eff. January 2, 2019)

4.5.1015 Parking on City property.

(a) Whenever the City Superintendent shall determine that the orderly, efficient conduct of the City’s business requires that the parking or standing of vehicles on City property be prohibited, limited, or restricted, the City Engineer shall have the power and authority to order signs to be erected or posted indicating that the parking of vehicles is thus prohibited, limited, or restricted.

(b) When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall park or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions or provisions of such signs. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1016 Parking on private property: Operative vehicles.

It shall be unlawful to park or store a vehicle on any portion of private property visible from a public street unless said vehicle is operative and is parked on a driveway.

For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them herein:

(a) Vehicle, operative. A vehicle is operative only when it displays a current vehicle registration and is in condition to be legally operated upon a public street or highway within the State of California.

(b) “Public street” shall mean a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for the purposes of vehicular traffic.

(d) “Private property” visible from the street shall mean all private property which can be seen while standing in a public street and which is not behind a five (5) to six (6) foot solid fence.

(e) “Driveway” shall mean a poured-in-place asphalt or concrete slab which covers less than fifty (50%) percent of the required front yard area and is connected to a public right-of-way by a curb cut, or any other designated parking area as defined in Chapter 9.32. (§ 1, Ord. 89-2, eff. February 16, 1989)

Article 11. Stopping, Standing, and Parking Restricted or Prohibited on Certain Streets

4.5.1100 Twenty-four-minute parking.

Green curb markings shall mean no standing or parking for a period of time longer than twenty-four (24) minutes at any time between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m on any day except Sundays and holidays.

When authorized signs, parking meters, or curb markings have been determined by the City Engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking, sign, or parking meter in violation thereof. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1110 Forty-minute parking.

When authorized signs, parking meters, or curb markings have been determined by the City Engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day, except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer than forty (40) minutes. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1120 One-hour parking.

When authorized signs, parking meters, or curb markings have been determined by the City Engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day, except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer than one hour. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1130 Two-hour parking.

When authorized signs, parking meters, or curb markings have been determined by the City Engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day, except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time long than two (2) hours. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1135 Three-hour parking.

When authorized signs, parking meters, or curb markings have been determined by the City Engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day, except Sundays and holidays, for a period of time longer than three (3) hours. (Ord. 04-38, eff. October 7, 2004)

4.5.1140 Parking parallel on one-way streets.

(a) Subject to other and more restrictive limitations, a vehicle may be stopped or parked within eighteen inches (18′′) of the left-hand curb facing in the direction of traffic movement upon any one-way street unless signs are in place prohibiting such stopping or standing.

(b) In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such one-way roadway unless signs are in place permitting such standing or parking.

(c) The City Engineer is hereby authorized to determine when standing or parking shall be prohibited upon the left-hand side of any one-way street or when standing or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any one-way roadway of a highway having two (2) or more separate roadways and shall erect signs giving notice thereof.

(d) The requirement of parallel parking imposed by this section shall not apply in the event any commercial vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading freight or goods, in which case such vehicle may be backed up to the curb provided such vehicle does not extend beyond the center line of the street and does not block traffic thereby. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1150 Angle parking.

On any of the streets established by resolution of the Council or as determined by the City Engineer as angle parking zones, when signs or pavement markings are in place indicating such angle parking, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to park such vehicle except:

(a) At the angle to the curb indicated by signs or pavement markings allotting space to parked vehicles and entirely within the limits of such allotted space; and

(b) With the front wheel nearest the curb within six inches (6′′) of such curb.

The provisions of this section shall not apply when such vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading passengers, freight or goods, in which event the provisions applicable in Section 4.5.1140 of this article shall be complied with. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by § 1, Ord. 01-18, eff. July 18, 2001)

4.5.1160 Parking space markings.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to install and maintain parking space markings to indicate parking spaces adjacent to curbing where authorized parking is permitted.

When such parking space markings are placed on the highway, subject to other and more restrictive limitations, no vehicle shall be stopped, left standing, or parked other than within a single space unless the size or shape of such vehicle makes compliance impossible. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1170 No stopping zones.

The City Engineer shall designate established no stopping zones by placing and maintaining appropriate signs indicating that stopping of vehicles is prohibited and indicating the hours and day when stopping is prohibited.

During the hours and on the days designated on the signs, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to stop such vehicle on any of the streets or parts of streets established by resolution of the Council as no stopping zones. (§ 1, Ord.

390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1180 All night parking prohibited.

No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle on any street for a period of time longer than thirty (30) minutes between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of any day; provided, however, this section shall not apply to a vehicle of any regularly licensed physician when actually engaged in making professional calls. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1190 Residential permit parking.

When parking for specific and scheduled events or occurrences is determined by the City Traffic Engineer to adversely affect a residential neighborhood, the City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to initiate limited parking or permit parking in the affected neighborhood.

When authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle during the effective periods shown on the signs without displaying in plain view a permit, decal, sticker, or other approved instrument authorizing such stopping, standing, or parking. (§ 1, Ord. 94-25, eff. October 6, 1994)

Article 12. Stopping for Loading or Unloading Only

4.5.1200 Authority to establish loading zones.

(a) The City Engineer is hereby authorized to determine and mark loading zones and passenger loading zones as follows:

(1) At any place in the Central Traffic District or any business district; and

(2) Elsewhere in front of the entrance to any place of business or in front of any hall or place used for the purpose of public assembly.

(b) In no event shall more than one-half (1/2) the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes.

(d) Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by white paint upon the top of all curbs in such zones. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1210 Curb markings to indicate no stopping and parking regulations.

(a) The City Engineer is hereby authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter, to place, and when required herein shall place, the following curb markings to indicate parking or standing regulations, and such curb markings shall have the meanings set forth as follows:

(1) Red shall mean no stopping, standing, or parking at any time except as permitted by the Vehicle Code and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone;

(2) Yellow shall mean no stopping, standing, or parking at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day, except Sundays and holidays or as otherwise indicated by posted signs for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials; provided, however, the loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three (3) minutes nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty (20) minutes;

(3) White shall mean no stopping, standing, or parking for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers, or for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox which shall not exceed three (3) minutes, and such restrictions shall apply between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. or as otherwise indicated by posted signs of any day except Sundays and holidays and except as follows:

(i) When such zone is in front of a hotel or in front of a mailbox, the restrictions shall apply at all times or as otherwise indicated by posted signs; and

(ii) When such zone is in front of a theater, the restrictions shall apply at all times or as otherwise indicated by posted signs except when such theater is closed.

(b) When the City Engineer, as authorized under this chapter, has caused curb markings to be placed, no person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking in violation of any of the provision of this chapter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994, and § 1, Ord. 99-17, eff. August 11, 1999)

4.5.1220 Effect of permission to load or unload.

(a) Permission granted in this chapter to stop or stand a vehicle for purposes of loading or unloading materials shall apply only to commercial vehicles and shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefor, and in no event for more than twenty (20) minutes.

(b) The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries and to the delivery or pickup of express and parcel post packages and United States mail.

(c) Permission granted in this chapter to stop or park for purposes of loading or unloading passengers shall include the loading or unloading of personal baggage but shall not extend the time necessary thereof, and in no event for more than three (3) minutes.

(d) Within the total time limits specified in this section, the provisions of this section shall be enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but without permitting the abuse of the privileges hereby granted. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1230 Standing for loading or unloading only.

No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle in any yellow loading zone for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or materials for such time as is permitted in Section 4.5.1220 of this article. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1240 Standing in passenger loading zones.

No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle in any passenger loading zone for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers for such time as is specified in Section 4.5.1220 of this article. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1250 Standing in alleys.

No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of persons or materials in any alley. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1260 Coach zones to be established.

(a) The City Engineer is hereby authorized to establish bus zones opposite curb space for the loading and unloading of buses or common carriers of passengers and to determine the location thereof.

(b) Coach zones shall normally be established on the far side of an intersection. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

Article 13. Restricted Use of Certain Streets

4.5.1300 Certain vehicles prohibited in Central Traffic District.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall operate any of the following vehicles in the Central Traffic District between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day:

(1) Any freight vehicle more than eight and one-half (8 1/2′) feet in width, with load, or any freight vehicle so loaded that any part of its load extends more than twenty (20′) feet to the front or rear of such vehicle;

(2) Any vehicle carrying building materials which have not been loaded or are not to be unloaded at some point within the Central Traffic District; and

(3) Any vehicle conveying refuse, rubbish, garbage, or dirt.

(b) The City Engineer may by written permit authorize the operation of any such vehicle for the purpose of making necessary emergency deliveries to or from points within the Central Traffic District. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1310 Advertising vehicles.

No person shall operate or drive any vehicle used for advertising purposes or any advertising vehicle equipped with a sound-amplifying or loudspeaking device upon any street or alley at any time within the Central Traffic District. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1320 Animal-drawn vehicles.

No person shall drive any animal-drawn vehicle into or within the Central Traffic District between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1330 Truck routes.

(a) Whenever any resolution of the City designates and describes any street, or portion thereof, as a street, the use of which is permitted by any vehicle exceeding the maximum gross weight limit of three (3) tons, the City Engineer is hereby authorized to designate such street or streets by appropriate signs as “truck routes” for the movement of vehicles exceeding a maximum gross weight limit of three (3) tons.

(b) When any such truck route or routes are established and designated by appropriate signs, the operator of any vehicle exceeding a maximum gross weight limit of three (3) tons shall drive on such route or routes and none other, except that nothing in this section shall prohibit the operator of any vehicle exceeding a maximum gross weight of three (3) tons coming from a truck route having ingress and egress by direct route to and from restricted streets when necessary for the purpose of making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, and merchandise from or to any building or structure located on such restricted streets or for the purpose of delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure upon such restricted streets for which a building permit has previously been obtained therefor.

(1) Passenger buses under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission; or

(2) Any vehicle owned by a public utility while necessarily in use in the construction, installation, or repair of any public utility.

(d) Those streets and parts of streets established by resolution of the Council are hereby declared to be truck routes for the movement of vehicles exceeding a maximum gross weight of three (3) tons. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1340 Commercial vehicles prohibited from using certain streets.

(a) Whenever any resolution of the City designates and describes any street, or portion thereof, as a street, the use of which is prohibited by any commercial vehicle, the City Engineer shall erect and maintain appropriate signs on those streets affected by such resolution.

(b) Those streets and parts of streets established by resolution of the Council are hereby declared to be streets, the use of which is prohibited by any commercial vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to passenger buses under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1350 Use of coasters, roller skates, and similar devices restricted.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person upon roller skates, skateboard, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device to go upon any roadway, or upon the sidewalk in the business district, or upon private property open to the public where the use of such devices is expressly prohibited by posted signs.

(b) The owners of the above mentioned private property, or their agents, are hereby authorized to post signs banning the use of such devices on the specified property. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by § 1, Ord. 95-15, eff. June 14, 1995)

Article 14. Parking Meters

4.5.1400 Parking meter zones.

The streets or portions of streets described in Section 4.5.1400 and followed by a letter are hereby defined and established as parking meter zones within which the parking of vehicles shall be controlled, regulated, and inspected with the aid of parking meters. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1401 Manner of installation.

The City Engineer shall cause parking meters to be installed and maintained in all parking meter zones.

Parking meters shall be installed upon the curb or sidewalk area immediately adjacent to each parking space. Each parking meter shall be placed in such manner as to show or display by a sign or signal that the parking space adjacent thereto is or is not legally in use.

Each parking meter shall be set to display, after the operational procedure has been completed, a sign or signal indicating legal parking for that period of time conforming to the limit of parking time as indicated on the parking meter. Each parking meter shall indicate the limit of parking time in the parking space adjacent to the parking meter and shall continue to operate from the time of the completion of the operational procedure until the expiration of the time fixed as the parking limit, or a portion thereof, for the part of the street upon which such parking meter is placed. Each parking meter shall also be so arranged that upon the expiration of the legal parking time it will indicate by a mechanical operation and by proper signal that the lawful parking period has expired. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1402 Time of operation of parking meters.

The provisions of this article relating to the operation of parking meters shall be effective between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on every day except Sundays and holidays. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1403 Operational procedure to be followed.

Immediately after the occupancy of a parking meter space, the operator of a vehicle shall deposit a coin of the United States in such parking meter and, if necessary, turn a crank, knob, or handle in accordance with the instructions posted on the face of the parking meter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1404 Parking meter fees.

The parking meter fees for the parking meter zones herein established shall be as follows:

(a) Where a parking meter indicates a limit of parking time in the parking space adjacent thereto to be twenty-four (24) minutes or less, one hour, or two (2) hours, the parking meter fee shall be one (1) cent for each twelve (12) minutes of parking time.

(b) Where a parking meter indicates a limit of parking time in the parking space adjacent thereto to be forty (40) minutes, the parking meter fee shall be (1) cent for each eight (8) minutes of parking time. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1405 Unlawful to park after parking meter time has expired.

No operator of any vehicle shall permit such vehicle to remain parked in any parking space during any time the parking meter is showing a signal indicating that such space is illegally in use other than such time immediately after the original occupancy as is necessary to operate the parking meter to show legal parking. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1406 Unlawful to extend time beyond limit.

No person shall follow the operational procedure for the purpose of increasing or extending the parking time of any vehicle beyond the legal parking time which has been established for the parking space adjacent to which such parking meter is placed. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1407 Improper use of parking meters.

No person shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in any parking meter any defaced or bent coin or any slug, device, or metallic substitute for a coin of the United States or deface, injure, tamper with, open, or wilfully break, destroy, or impair the usefulness of any parking meter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1408 Deposit of coins in parking meters by unauthorized persons.

No person, other than the owner or operator of a vehicle, shall deposit any coin in any parking meter without the knowledge or consent of such owner or operator of the vehicle using the parking space immediately adjacent to such parking meter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1409 Parking meters and parking meter standards not to be used for certain purposes.

No person shall attach anything to, or allow a bicycle, newsrack, or any other article or thing to lean against, a parking meter or a parking meter standard. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1410 Rule of evidence.

The parking or standing of any motor vehicle in a parking space, at which space the parking meter displays the sign or signal indicating illegal parking, shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the vehicle has been parked or allowed to stand in such space for a period longer than permitted by the provisions of this article. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1411 Use of money deposited in parking meters.

All moneys collected from parking meters in the City shall be placed in a special fund, which fund shall be devoted exclusively to the following purposes:

(a) For the purchasing, leasing, installing, repairing, maintaining, operating, removing, regulating, and policing of parking meters in the City and for the payment of any and all expenses relating or incidental thereto;

(b) For the purchasing, leasing, acquiring, improving, operating, and maintaining of off-street parking facilities in the City;

(d) For the painting and marking of streets and curbs required for the direction of traffic and parking of motor vehicles;

(e) For the proper regulation, control, and inspection of parking and traffic upon the public streets; and

(f) To be pledged as security for the payment of the principal of and interest on off-street parking revenue bonds issued by the City or any parking district organized within the City. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1412 Application of other articles.

No section of this article shall be construed as permitting any parking in violation of any other provision of this chapter. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 15. Trains

4.5.1500 Railway gates.

No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

4.5.1501 Trains not to block crossings.

No person shall cause or permit any railway train or railway cars or similar vehicles on rails to stop or stand or to be operated in such a manner as to prevent the use of any street for the purposes of travel for a period of time longer than ten (10) minutes, except that this provision shall not apply to railway trains, cars, or similar vehicles on rails while blocking or obstructing a crossing because of an accident which requires the operator of the train, car, or similar vehicle on rails to stop at or near the scene of the accident. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 16. Special Speed Zones

4.5.1600 Establishing State speed limits in certain zones.

(a) The Council may by resolution establish increased speed zones when, on the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, it determines that a speed of thirty (30), thirty-five (35), forty (40), forty-five (45), fifty (50), fifty-five (55), sixty (60), or sixty-five (65) miles per hour facilitates the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe upon a street or highway otherwise subject to a prima facie limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour applicable under the California Vehicle Code.

(b) The Council may by resolution establish limited speed zones when, on the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, it determines that a speed limit of sixty-five (65) miles per hour is more than is reasonable or safe on any part of a street or highway when such speed limit is sixty-five (65) miles per hour under the California Vehicle Code and further determines that a speed of sixty (60), fifty-five (55), fifty (50), forty-five (45), forty (40), thirty-five (35), thirty (30), or twenty-five (25) miles per hour is more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic.

(c) When the Council by resolution has designated a prima facie speed limit other than applicable under the California Vehicle Code, the City Engineer is authorized and directed to erect, post, and maintain appropriate signs on these streets or portions thereof designating the prima facie speed limit pursuant to the provisions of this article. All signs shall be as specified in, and erected and placed pursuant to, the California Vehicle Code.

(d) There is hereby established an official “City of Clovis List of Speed Zones and Limits.” The City Engineer shall cause the prima facie limits adopted pursuant to this article to be placed on the Official List of Speed Zones and Limits. The City Engineer shall keep a record of all resolutions establishing, reestablishing or modifying the special speed zones and shall cause notation of such records and such streets or portions thereof to be made on said list which is to be maintained in his or her office. Said list and the notation and the contents therein, as they may from time to time be kept and amended pursuant to this section, shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and legality of the special speed zones and the legality of the placing of the appropriate signing as provided in this article. Said list as amended shall be deemed to be incorporated herein. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965; § 1, Ord. 18-06, eff. March 22, 2018)

4.5.1601 Regulation of speed by traffic signals.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to regulate the timing of traffic signals so as to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds slightly at variance from the speeds otherwise applicable within the district or at intersections and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

Article 17. Obstruction of Visibility at Intersections

4.5.1700 Shrubbery obstructing visibility at intersections.

Whenever the City Engineer finds that any hedge, shrubbery, or tree growing in a parkway obstructs the view at any intersection, or any traffic upon the streets approaching such intersection, he shall cause the hedge, shrubbery, or tree to be immediately removed or reduced in height. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

Article 18. Heavy Vehicles and Equipment

4.5.1800 Movement of heavy vehicles and equipment: Permit required.

No person shall move or operate upon any of the City streets any vehicle with a load or loads in excess of those permitted by the Vehicle Code without a written permit from the City Engineer.

The City Engineer may, by written permit, authorize a load or loads in excess of those allowed for in the Vehicle Code if, in his judgment, the streets upon which such vehicle is to be operated can safely withstand the additional weight or if the applicant will guarantee to the City that all costs of repair to the streets or to the public property of the City damaged by the movement of such load or loads will be paid in full. Such permit shall be granted upon such conditions and upon depositing such bond as the City Engineer’s discretion may require. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965, as amended by Ord. 94-6, eff. March 24, 1994)

4.5.1801 Flange-wheel machinery.

No person shall operate over the City streets any vehicle, piece of equipment, or machinery which has lugs, cleats, flanges, or other projections on the wheels or tracks. If the tread of the track has projections or corrugations, a filler block may be placed on each section so that a flat-bearing surface will be in contact with the pavement at all times. (§ 1, Ord. 390, eff. December 1, 1965)

Article 19. Street Closures

4.5.1900 Purposes.

(a) Community events often take place in the City that necessitate the temporary closing of City streets. These include special City-wide events such as the annual rodeo parade and other parades, farmers markets, fun runs, and Old Town Special Events as defined in Section 5.20.03 of this Code. Other events that require temporary street closures include more localized events such as neighborhood block parties and movie production closures.

(b) The City has the authority to control the use of its public streets for celebrations, parades, and other local events. This authority includes the closing of streets or portions of streets as necessary for the safety and protection of persons who use the streets.

(c) To ensure timeliness and efficiency in responding to and acting upon requests for street closures, the Council desires to authorize certain City officials who are actively working with the event organizers, as designated in this chapter, to authorize the closure of streets without Council approval under specified circumstances. (§ 1, Ord. 06-16, eff. May 31, 2006)

4.5.1901 Authority to approve street closures for all events except Old Town Special Events and events which necessitate the closure of streets classified as expressways and super arterials.

(a) The Chief of Police and his/her designee are hereby authorized to approve the temporary closing of streets for all community events necessitating temporary street closures, except (1) Old Town Special Events as defined in Section 5.20.03 of this Code, and (2) events which necessitate the closure of City streets classified as expressways and super arterials by the City Engineer or on official planning documents. Approvals are in the sole discretion of the Chief of Police and shall be consistent with the purposes of this Article 19.

(c) Applications for temporary street closures under this section shall be made to the Chief of Police in accordance with the procedures established by the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police shall submit the request to appropriate City Departments for review and comment and for a determination as to whether any other City approvals are required. The Chief of Police may condition the street closure on any reasonable conditions necessary for the safety and protection of persons who use the streets.

(d) Requests for temporary street closures shall be made sufficiently in advance of the event for the Chief of Police to consider the request. Untimely requests may be summarily denied.

(e) A person aggrieved by the grant or denial of a request for a temporary street closure may appeal the Chief of Police’s decision to the City Manager who shall make the final decision on the street closure. (§ 1, Ord. 06-16, eff. May 31, 2006)

4.5.1902 Street closures for Old Town Special Events and events which necessitate the closure of streets classified as expressways and super arterials.

(a) Temporary street closures for Old Town Special Events as defined in Section 5.20.03 of this Code, and events which necessitate the closure of City streets classified as expressways and super arterials by the City Engineer or on official planning documents, shall require approval of the City Council.

(b) This section only applies to the temporary closing of City streets. Nothing in this section shall obviate the need to obtain government approvals, including approval from the City of Clovis, when otherwise required for holding the special event. Sponsors of Old Town Special Events shall be required to obtain permits and meet the requirements of Chapter 5.20 of this Code pertaining to Old Town Special Events. (§ 1, Ord. 06-16, eff. May 31, 2006)