Chapter 10.08
SPEED LIMITS
Sections:
10.08.010 Uniform prima facie speed limit.
10.08.030 Designated streets—Maximum speed limit.
10.08.040 Temporary increase in limits—Designated streets.
10.08.050 Temporary decrease in limits—Designated streets.
10.08.060 City park/city alley/city parking—Speed limit.
* Prior Code §§ 9500, 9504 through 9507, and Ordinance Nos. 247, 344, 394, 480, 484 and 561, previously contained herein, have been superseded by Ordinance No. 628.
10.08.010 Uniform prima facie speed limit.
The uniform prima facie speed limit on all city streets is 25 miles per hour, except on those streets which are subject to a lesser prima facie speed by state law, and except wherein this chapter the prima facie speed limit is decreased or increased for specifically designated streets, portions of streets, or districts. No section shall be construed to relieve a person from obeying the basic speed law. (Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)
10.08.020 Basic speed law.
No person shall drive a vehicle on any city street at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for the weather, visibility, the traffic on, the surface and width of the street, or in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. (Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)
10.08.030 Designated streets—Maximum speed limit.
The maximum speed limit upon any residential street shall be 25 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit upon all other streets or highways, within the city, shall be 55 miles per hour. Any street may have a speed limit other than those listed above when a valid engineering and speed survey is conducted and when the recommendation of the survey are adopted by a resolution of the city council.
All action by city council to change existing limits shall be noticed in accordance with public hearing notification procedures. (Ord. 816 (part), 1995: Ord. 706 § 1, 1990: Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)
10.08.040 Temporary increase in limits—Designated streets.
When a street is completed and dedicated to the city, the city engineer is authorized to designate the maximum speed limit which is most appropriate on that street to facilitate orderly movement of traffic in a reasonable and safe manner. Within 1 year after the dedication of such street, such street shall be resurveyed and the speed limit shall be set in accordance with Section 10.08.030 of this chapter. This section does not apply to streets classified as a local street. Local streets shall remain regulated by Section 10.08.010 of this chapter. (Ord. 816 (part), 1995: Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)
10.08.050 Temporary decrease in limits—Designated streets.
The city engineer is authorized to designate a speed restriction in areas where work is being done on the roadway, or so close thereto that workers would be endangered by passing traffic. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to relieve the operator of a motor vehicle from complying with the basic speed law. Posting shall meet the requirements of CVC 22362. (Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)
10.08.060 City park/city alley/city parking—Speed limit.
The maximum speed limit in any city park, city alley, or city parking facility, shall be 15 miles per hour. (Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)
10.08.070 Violation—Penalty.
It is unlawful to violate any section of this chapter and such violation is an infraction as defined in the California State Penal Code.
A minimum fine of $4 for each mile per hour in excess of the maximum, prima facie, or safe speed, shall be assessed for each violation of this chapter. A maximum fine of $100 shall be assessed, pursuant to CVC 42001, unless the person convicted has prior convictions. With 1 prior conviction, the maximum fine shall be $200, and with two prior convictions the maximum fine shall be $250. Penalty assessments and other fees at the discretion of the court are in addition to the stated fines.
Nothing in this section shall preclude the filing of a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor violation, pursuant to CVC 40000.28, if, as stated in this section, the defendant has been convicted of 3 or more violations in the preceding 12 months. (Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)
10.08.080 Appropriate notice.
Where the speed limit has been increased or decreased, from the prima facie speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour, such increase or decrease shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof have been erected. The chief of police, or his designate, in conjunction with the public works director, or his designate, shall provide for the posting of the appropriate signs. (Ord. 628 § 2 (part), 1989)