Chapter 13.24
TRAFFIC SIGNS

Sections:

13.24.010    Erection and maintenance of traffic signs.

13.24.020    Temporary signs—Time limit.

13.24.030    Establishment of emergency or temporary no parking and no traffic zones.

13.24.040    Snow emergencies—Impounding of vehicles.

13.24.050    Towing and impounding illegally parked vehicles.

13.24.010 Erection and maintenance of traffic signs.

A.    On every highway and parking area under the jurisdiction of the City, the City Administrator shall place and maintain those traffic control signs and devices that he or she considers necessary to regulate traffic and parking and for the safety or control of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

B.    The City Administrator shall issue appropriate regulations for the placement, installation and maintenance of traffic control signs and devices in the City. (Prior code § 13-70)

13.24.020 Temporary signs—Time limit.

To deal with temporary situations, the Director of Public Works is authorized, whenever the Chief Police Officer concurs, to place, erect and maintain temporary traffic signs and devices and temporary signs controlling parking and standing, effective for not more than 72 hours. (Prior code § 13-71)

13.24.030 Establishment of emergency or temporary no parking and no traffic zones.

A.    The City Administrator or his or her designee and City police officers are authorized and empowered at any time to designate any streets and areas within the City as emergency or temporary no parking zones or temporarily to prohibit vehicular and pedestrian traffic on such streets and areas, in the event of emergencies such as fires, riots, accidents or other events likely to attract large crowds, for the purposes of street maintenance, leaf collection, Fourth of July festivities, City-sponsored events and for any other public purpose.

B.    When and in the event that such streets and areas are so designated, parking of vehicles and vehicular and pedestrian traffic in such streets and areas is prohibited and any vehicle parked in violation of the provisions of this section may be towed and impounded as provided in Section 13.24.050 (Towing and impounding illegally parked vehicles).

C.    Any person issued a ticket for violation of this section shall be subject to a fine as set forth in Section 13.40.010 (Schedule of fines and charges). (Prior code § 13-72)

13.24.040 Snow emergencies—Impounding of vehicles.

A.    During periods of snow or ice accumulation, the City Manager or his or her designee is authorized and empowered to prohibit or restrict parking or to prohibit vehicular traffic on any streets and areas within the City for the purpose of facilitating snow removal and for the purpose of public safety.

B.    When a snow emergency is declared by the Superintendent of State Police or his or her designee or by other authorized officials for Montgomery County, Maryland, parking of vehicles shall be prohibited at any time during the snow emergency period on any State roads designated and signed as snow emergency routes.

C.    Any person issued a ticket for a violation of this section shall be subject to a fine as set forth in Section 13.40.010 (Schedule of fines and charges).

D.    Any vehicle parked and left unattended in violation of the provisions of this section or of any snow emergency order or declaration may be towed and impounded as provided in Section 13.24.050. (Ord. 2015-54 § 2, 2015/prior code § 13-73)

13.24.050 Towing and impounding illegally parked vehicles.

A.    Any vehicle parked in violation of this chapter or otherwise parked so as to constitute a hazard to public safety or that is parked, stopped or standing so as to impede or obstruct the normal movement of traffic or pedestrians may be towed or impounded by police officers or other authorized persons designated by the City Manager.

B.    In any case involving the towing or impounding of a vehicle pursuant to this section, a service fee as set forth in Section 13.40.010 (Schedule of fines and charges) may be charged to the owner of the vehicle in addition to all outstanding fines and penalties assessed for violations of this chapter, plus any towing or storage charges incurred. All such fines, penalties, service fees and charges shall be paid to the City or its agent before the owner or his or her authorized agent may reclaim or secure the release of the vehicle. (Ord. 2015-54 § 2, 2015/prior code § 13-74)