Chapter 10.04
GENERAL PROVISIONS
AND DEFINITIONS

Sections:

10.04.010    Title.

10.04.020    Vehicle Code definitions.

10.04.030    Definitions.

10.04.040    State highways.

10.04.050    City manager.

10.04.060    Temporary closing of portions of streets or highways crossing or dividing school grounds.

10.04.070    Restricting use of or closing city highway.

10.04.010 Title.

This title shall be known as the city traffic code. (Ord. 37 § 1, 1987; 1987 Code § 7.04.010)

10.04.020 Vehicle Code definitions.

Whenever any words or phrases used in this title are not defined in this chapter, but are now defined in the Vehicle Code of the state, such definitions as now exist are incorporated in this chapter and shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases as are used in this title as though set forth in this chapter in full. (Ord. 37 § 1, 1987; 1987 Code § 7.04.020)

10.04.030 Definitions.

Whenever in this title the following terms are used, they shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

A. “Alley” means any highway, as defined in this section, having a width of 25 feet or less and not provided with a sidewalk or sidewalks.

B. “Bus loading zone” means that space adjacent to a curb or edge of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of buses during loading and unloading of passengers.

C. “City traffic engineer” or “traffic engineer” means the city engineer or a certified traffic engineer employed by an engineering firm retained by the city and designated as the traffic engineer by the city manager.

D. “Crosswalk” is either:

1. That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of any such lines from an alley across a street; or

2. Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

E. “Council” means the city council of the city.

F. “Chief of police” means the San Diego County sheriff or the chief officer in command of Solana Beach law enforcement services of the San Diego County sheriff’s office.

G. “Highway” means the entire width between boundary lines of every way set apart for public travel when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

H. “Loading zone” means the space adjacent to a curb or edge of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

I. “Official traffic-control devices” means all signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this title placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.

J. “Official traffic signals” means any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed, and which is erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction.

K. “Park” means to stand or leave standing any vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

L. “Passenger loading zone” means the space adjacent to a curb or edge of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.

M. “Pedestrian” is any person who is afoot or who is using a means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle.

N. “Public right-of-way” means any right-of-way granted to the city or to the city on behalf of the public, for the construction, installation or maintenance of any highway, way, utility, or other appurtenant facility or improvement.

O. “Roadway” means that portion of the highway between the regularly established curblines, or, when no curbs exist, that portion improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.

P. “Recreational trailer” is a trailer not meant for human habitation and designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle for recreational purposes including, but not limited to, boat trailers, ATV trailers, motorcycle trailers, etc.

Q. “Recreational vehicle” is a camp car, motor home, travel trailer or tent trailer with or without motive power designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy.

R. “Safety zone” means that portion of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians, marked and designated as provided in this chapter.

S. “Sidewalk” means that portion of the highway between the curblines or traversable roadway and the adjacent property lines.

T. “State Department of Transportation” means the Department of Transportation of the state.

U. Stop or Stand.

1. “Stop” means the complete cessation of movement.

2. “Stop and stand” means any stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except where necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device.

V. “Street” has the same meaning as the word “highway.”

W. “This code” means the entire Solana Beach Municipal Code, or until such code is adopted, all regulatory ordinances of the city.

X. Time. Whenever certain hours are named in this title they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the city.

Y. “Vehicle” means every device or animal by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a street or highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon rails.

Z. “Vehicle Code” means the Vehicle Code of the state. (Ord. 459 § 2, 2015; Ord. 37 § 1, 1987; 1987 Code § 7.04.030)

10.04.040 State highways.

No amendment of this title with respect to a state highway, and no resolution establishing any regulation with respect to a state highway, shall take effect until such amendment or resolution is approved by the State Department of Transportation. The city manager shall not erect any signs or place any markings upon a state highway, unless the regulation imposed by such signs or markings has been approved by the State Department of Transportation. Within six months after receipt of written notice that the State Department of Transportation has withdrawn its approval of any regulation affecting a state highway, the city manager shall remove from such state highway any signs or markings giving notice of such regulation. (Ord. 37 § 1, 1987; 1987 Code § 7.04.040)

10.04.050 City manager.

The powers and duties of the city manager established by this title are directory in nature. Nothing in this title is intended to create or imply a mandatory duty. The city manager may delegate to the city engineer or city traffic engineer any power or duty vested in the city manager by this title. (Ord. 37 § 1, 1987; 1987 Code § 7.04.050)

10.04.060 Temporary closing of portions of streets or highways crossing or dividing school grounds.

A. The council, by resolution, may close to vehicular traffic that portion of any street or highway crossing or dividing any school ground or grounds when, in the opinion of the council, such closing is necessary for the protection of persons attending such school or school grounds. Such closing to vehicular traffic may be limited to such hours and days as the council may specify.

B. Upon and for the duration of closure of a portion of any street or highway as provided in subsection A of this section, the school district within whose district such closed portion lies shall post and maintain at each end of such closed portion and at other appropriate locations barricades and signs giving notice of such closure to the public. The type, posting and maintenance of such barricades and signs shall be under such terms and conditions as is deemed necessary or appropriate by the city manager for the protection of the public. (Ord. 37 § 1, 1987; 1987 Code § 7.04.060)

10.04.070 Restricting use of or closing city highway.

A. The city manager is authorized to restrict use of, or close, any city highway whenever the manager considers such closing or restriction of use necessary:

1. For the protection of the public;

2. For the protection of such city highway from damage during storms;

3. During construction, improvement or maintenance operations thereon.

B. No liability shall attach to the city, the city manager or to the city council for the restriction of use, or closing, of any city highway for the above public purposes. (Ord. 37 § 1, 1987; 1987 Code § 7.04.070)