Chapter 10.04
GENERAL REGULATIONS

Sections:

10.04.010    Definitions.

10.04.020    Authority to install traffic control devices.

10.04.030    Traffic control signs required for enforcement purposes.

10.04.040    Obedience to traffic control devices.

10.04.050    Installation of traffic signals.

10.04.060    Lane markings.

10.04.070    Distinctive roadway markings.

10.04.080    Authority to remove, relocate and discontinue traffic control.

10.04.090    Traffic control devices—Hours of operation.

10.04.100    Unauthorized painting of curbs.

10.04.110    Authority to place turning markers.

10.04.120    Authority to place restricted turn signs.

10.04.130    Signal controlled intersection—Right turns.

10.04.140    One-way streets and alleys.

10.04.150    Stop signs to be erected.

10.04.160    Through streets and stop signs designated.

10.04.170    Emerging from driveway.

10.04.010 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this title shall for the purpose of this title have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section.

Whenever any words or phrases used in this title are not defined, but are defined in the Vehicle Code, such definitions shall apply.

“Coach” means any motor bus, motor coach, trackless trolley, or passenger stage used as a common carrier of passengers.

“Curb” means the lateral boundary of the roadway whether such curb be marked by curbing construction, or not so marked; the word “curb” as used in this title 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.

“Divisional island” means a raised island located in the roadway and separating opposing or conflicting streams of traffic.

“Holidays” are the first day of January, the third Monday of February, Good Friday, noon to three p.m., the last Monday of May, the fourth of July, the first Monday of September, the fourth Monday of October, Thanksgiving Day and December 25th.

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

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

“Parkway” means that portion of a street other than a roadway or a sidewalk.

“Parking meter” means 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 such parking space is occupied by any vehicle.

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

“Pedestrian” means any person afoot.

“Police officer” means every officer of the police department of this city or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

“Stop,” when required means complete cessation of movement. (Ord. 2003-21 § 1; prior code § 4-1.101)

10.04.020 Authority to install traffic control devices.

A.    Upon resolution passed by the city council, the superintendent of public works 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 title.

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 superintendent of public works is 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 superintendent of public works may also place and maintain or cause to place and maintain such additional traffic control devices as he or she may deem necessary or proper to regulate traffic or to guide or warn traffic, but he or she shall make such determination only upon the basis of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations and in accordance with such standards, determined by ordinance or resolution of the council. (Prior code § 4-1.401)

10.04.030 Traffic control signs required for enforcement purposes.

No provision of the Vehicle Code or this title 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. (Prior code § 4-1.402)

10.04.040 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 title unless otherwise directed by a police officer or other authorized person subject to the exceptions granted the operator of the authorized emergency vehicle when responding to emergency calls. (Prior code § 4-1.403)

10.04.050 Installation of traffic signals.

A.    The superintendent of public works is 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 superintendent of public works shall ascertain and determine the locations where such signals are required by field investigation, traffic courts and other traffic information as may be pertinent. His or her 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 State Department of Public Works.

C.    Whenever the superintendent of public works installs and maintains an official traffic signal at any intersection, he or she 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. (Prior code § 4-1.404)

10.04.060 Lane markings.

The superintendent of public works is 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 he used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center line of the highway. (Prior code § 4-1.405)

10.04.070 Distinctive roadway markings.

The superintendent of public works 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 sign and markings. Such markings or signs and marking shall have the same effect as similar markings placed by the State Department of Public Works pursuant to provisions of the Vehicle Code. (Prior code § 4-1.406)

10.04.080 Authority to remove, relocate and discontinue traffic control.

The superintendent of public works, is authorized to remove, relocate or discontinue the operation of any traffic control device not specifically required by the Vehicle Code or this title whenever he or she shall determine in any particular case that the conditions which warranted or required the device have ceased to exist or obtain. (Prior code § 4-1.407)

10.04.090 Traffic control devices—Hours of operation.

The superintendent of public works 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 title. (Prior code § 4-1.408)

10.04.100 Unauthorized painting of curbs.

No person, unless authorized by this city, shall paint any street or curb surface; provided, however, that 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 this city pertaining thereto. (Prior code § 4-1.409)

10.04.110 Authority to place turning markers.

The superintendent of public works is 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 superintendent of public works is authorized to locate and indicate more than one lane of traffic from which drivers of vehicles may make right 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. (Prior code § 4-1.501)

10.04.120 Authority to place restricted turn signs.

The superintendent of public works is 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. (Prior code § 4-1.502)

10.04.130 Signal controlled intersection—Right turns.

A.    No driver of a vehicle shall make a right turn against a red or stop signal at any intersection which is sign-posted giving notice of such restriction as hereinafter provided in this section.

B.    The superintendent of public works shall post appropriate signs giving effect to this section where he or she determines that the making of right turns against traffic signal “stop” indication would seriously interfere with the safe and orderly flow of traffic. (Prior code § 4-1.503)

10.04.140 One-way streets and alleys.

Whenever any ordinance or resolution of this city designates any one-way street or alley, the superintendent of public works 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. (Prior code § 4-1.601)

10.04.150 Stop signs to be erected.

Whenever any ordinance or resolution of this 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 superintendent of public works, 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. (Prior code § 4-1.701)

10.04.160 Through streets and stop signs designated.

A.    Those streets and parts of streets established by resolution of the council are 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 intersection as such entrances and intersections are established by resolution of the council.

C.    The provisions of this section shall apply at those highway railway grade crossings as established by resolution of the council. (Prior code § 4-1.702)

10.04.170 Emerging from driveway.

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. (Prior code § 4-1.703)