Chapter 10.20
EMERGENCY ROAD RESTRICTIONS

Sections:

10.20.010    Mayor authorized to declare emergency regulation.

10.20.020    Conditions precedent to valid declaration.

10.20.030    Special permit process.

10.20.040    Extension of regulation by council resolution.

10.20.900    Penalties.

10.20.010 Mayor authorized to declare emergency regulation.

Whenever any public roadway within the city, in the sole discretion of the mayor, will be seriously damaged or destroyed by reason of rain, snow, climatic or other conditions, unless the operation of vehicles thereon be prohibited or restricted or the permissible weights thereof reduced, the mayor may declare an emergency for up to ninety days and prohibit the operation, or impose limits as to the weight, of motor trucks or other vehicles, or establish any other restrictions as may be deemed necessary, including temporary closure to any or all traffic as to all or any part of the public roadway; provided, however, that the mayor shall not prohibit, restrict or reduce the use of any city street designated by the transportation commission as forming a part of the route of any primary state highway through the city unless the regulation be first approved in writing by the Department of Transportation. (Ord. 453 § 1 (part), 1984)

10.20.020 Conditions precedent to valid declaration.

The mayor’s declaration of such an emergency shall not be effective unless and until signs designating the nature of the regulations are erected and maintained at each end of the portion of any public roadway affected thereby. (Ord. 453 § 1 (part), 1984)

10.20.030 Special permit process.

Whenever a public roadway has been closed generally to vehicles or specified classes of vehicles, the mayor shall by general rule, stated in the emergency declaration, or by special permit, authorize the operation thereon of school buses, emergency vehicles, and motor trucks transporting perishable commodities or commodities necessary for the health and welfare of local residents under such weight and speed restrictions as the mayor deems necessary to protect the public roadway from undue damage. (Ord. 453 § 1 (part), 1984)

10.20.040 Extension of regulation by council resolution.

Whenever it appears to the mayor that any regulation authorized in this chapter should be extended for a period of more than ninety days, the mayor may bring such to the attention of the city council which may, by resolution, extend or establish such regulations as it deems necessary for such period of time as it deems necessary. (Ord. 453 § 1 (part), 1984)

10.20.900 Penalties.

Any person who violates or fails to comply with any of the regulations established pursuant to authority of this chapter or who counsels, aids or abets any such violation or failure to comply is civilly liable for a traffic infraction and shall be assessed a fine which, in accordance with RCW 46.63.110 and JTIR 6.2, shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars. (Ord. 453 § 1 (part), 1984)