Chapter 10.10
SPEED LIMITS
Sections:
10.10.010 State speed laws applicable – Exceptions.
10.10.020 Increasing state speed limit.
10.10.030 Decreasing state speed limit.
10.10.040 Posting of signs authorized.
10.10.050 Speed limits within school zones.
10.10.010 State speed laws applicable – Exceptions.
The state traffic laws regulating the speed of vehicles at 25 miles per hour shall be applicable upon all streets within the city, except that the legislative authority of the city, as authorized by state law, may declare and determine by order, rule or regulation, properly adopted, that certain increased or decreased speed regulations shall be applicable upon specified streets or in certain areas, in which event it is unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle at a speed in excess of the speed so established when proper signs are in place giving notice thereof. (Ord. 98-124 § 1, 1999).
10.10.020 Increasing state speed limit.
Whenever conditions are found to exist upon an arterial street or highway which warrant an increase in the speed permitted by state law, the legislative authority of this city, subject to the approval of the State Highway Commission in cases involving state highways, shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit for such arterial street or highway, or portion thereof, not to exceed 55 miles per hour. Pursuant to the foregoing authority, the following speed limits are established for the following streets and highways:
A. Twenty-Five Miles Per Hour (25 MPH). The speed limit on the following streets shall be established as 25 miles per hour, consistent with RCW 46.61.400(2)(a):
1. 16th Street East from SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) to 112th Avenue East;
2. 18th Street East from 112th Avenue East to 114th Avenue East;
3. 18th Street East from 114th Avenue East to 122nd Avenue East;
4. 20th Street East from 87th Avenue Court East (west city limit) to 92nd Avenue East;
5. 24th Street East from 92nd Avenue East to SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East);
6. 24th Street East from SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) to 122nd Avenue East;
7. 32nd Street East from SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) to 114th Avenue East;
8. 32nd Street East from 114th Avenue East to 122nd Avenue East;
9. 36th Street East from SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) to 114th Avenue East;
10. 36th Street East from 114th Avenue East to 122nd Avenue East;
11. 48th Street East from Chrisella Road East to 114th Avenue East;
12. 48th Street East from 114th Avenue East to 122nd Avenue East;
13. 48th Street East from 122nd Avenue East to 127th Avenue East/Edgewood Drive East;
14. 92nd Avenue East from 20th Street East to 24th Street East;
15. 112th Avenue East from 16th Street East to 18th Street East;
16. 112th Avenue East from 18th Street East to 24th Street East;
17. 112th Avenue East from 24th Street East to 32nd Street East;
18. 114th Avenue East from Jovita Boulevard East to King/Pierce County Line;
19. 114th Avenue East from 8th Street East to Jovita Boulevard East;
20. 114th Avenue East from 8th Street East to 18th Street East;
21. 114th Avenue East from 32nd Street East to 36th Street East;
22. 114th Avenue East from 36th Street East to 48th Street East;
23. Edgewood Drive East from 48th Street East/127th Avenue East to Sumner Heights Drive East (5600 block); and
24. Sumner Heights Drive East from Edgewood Drive East (5800 block) to Sumner city limits.
B. Thirty-Five Miles Per Hour (35 MPH).
1. 8th Street East from 114th Avenue East to 122nd Avenue East;
2. 8th Street East from SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) to 114th Avenue East;
3. 122nd Avenue East from 36th Street East to 48th Street East;
4. 122nd Avenue East from 8th Street East to 18th Street East;
5. 122nd Avenue East from 32nd Street East to 36th Street East;
6. 122nd Avenue East from 24th Street East to 32nd Street East;
7. 122nd Avenue East from 18th Street East to 24th Street East;
8. Jovita Boulevard East from 114th Avenue East to West Valley Highway East;
9. Jovita Boulevard East from SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) to 114th Avenue East;
10. Meridian Avenue East from the King/Pierce County line south to the city limits. (Ord. 20-581 § 1; Ord. 20-574 § 1; Ord. 19-545 § 1; Ord. 18-519 § 1, 2018; Ord. 98-124 § 2, 1999).
10.10.030 Decreasing state speed limit.
Whenever it is deemed inadvisable for vehicles to operate at the maximum speed allowed by state law at 25 miles per hour on any portion of a street or public highway on account of a sharp curvation, highway construction or repairs, excessive traffic, any dangerous condition, or other temporary or permanent cause, the legislative authority of the city, subject to the approval of the State Highway Commission in cases involving state highways, shall determine and fix a lower maximum speed or otherwise regulate a lesser speed; provided, that in no case shall the maximum speed be reduced to less than 20 miles per hour. (Ord. 98-124 § 3, 1999).
10.10.040 Posting of signs authorized.
The mayor is hereby authorized and directed to cause appropriate signs to be posted informing the public of the speed limits established pursuant to this chapter. The city clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of the ordinance codified in this chapter with the Secretary of Transportation for approval of the speed limits on state highways as provided by law. (Ord. 15-447 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 98-124 § 4, 1999).
10.10.050 Speed limits within school zones.
A. Whenever a child or children are present in the vicinity of a city street, sidewalk or shoulder area posted with school speed limit signs, and/or when that school limit sign is equipped with flashing yellow lights to indicate that the school speed limit sign is in effect, no person shall operate a motor vehicle in excess of 20 miles per hour within such posted areas.
B. The mayor is authorized to establish school speed limit zones in the vicinity of schools within the city and to direct the placement of appropriate signage to advise the motoring public of the speed restrictions. (Ord. 15-447 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 01-173 § 1).
10.10.100 Penalties.
A. A person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No penalty may exceed $250.00 for each offense unless a higher penalty is specifically provided for in this title, as authorized by state law.
B. There shall be a penalty of $25.00 for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction, to appear at a requested hearing or to pay a monetary penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter.
C. A traffic violation of this chapter (exceeding speed limits) when the violation is not detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall be subject to the following penalties:
|
Miles per Hour over Speed Limit |
Penalty |
|---|---|
|
1 – 5 mph over |
$125.00 |
|
6 – 10 mph over |
$136.00 |
|
11 – 15 mph over |
$166.00 |
|
16 – 20 mph over |
$207.00 |
|
21 – 25 mph over |
$259.00 |
|
26 – 30 mph over |
$310.00 |
D. A traffic violation of EMC 10.10.050 (Speed limits within school zones) that is not detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall be subject to the following penalties. These penalties may not be waived, reduced or suspended:
|
Miles per Hour over Speed Limit |
Penalty |
|---|---|
|
1 – 5 mph over |
$250.00 |
|
6 – 10 mph over |
$272.00 |
|
11 – 15 mph over |
$332.00 |
|
16 – 20 mph over |
$414.00 |
|
21 – 25 mph over |
$518.00 |
|
26 – 30 mph over or more |
$620.00 |
E. A traffic violation of EMC 10.10.050 (Speed limits within school zones) that is detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera (Chapter 10.25 EMC) shall be processed in the same manner as a parking infraction and be subject to the following penalties:
|
Miles per Hour over Speed Limit |
Penalty |
|---|---|
|
1 – 10 mph over |
$166.00 |
|
11 mph over or more |
$250.00 |
F. Collection of Unpaid Penalties. In addition to any other legal remedies available to the city, the city may refer any unpaid penalties to a collection agency in accordance with Chapter 3.55 EMC and RCW 19.16.500. (Ord. 23-652 § 21 (Exh. A); Ord. 19-549 § 2; Ord. 18-538 § 2; Ord. 01-173 § 2).