HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 034 ORDINANCE NO. 34
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO CREATING
CHAPTER 3 TO TITLE 4 OF THE ATASCADERO MUNICIPAL CODE,
ENTITLED TRAFFIC REGULATION
The Council of the City of Atascadero ordains as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 3 of Title 4 is added to the Atascadero
Municipal Code to read as follows:
TITLE 4. PUBLIC SAFETY
Chapter 3. Traffic Regulation
' Article 1. Words and Phrases Defined
4-3. 101. Definition of words and phrases.
The following words and phrases when used in this ordinance shall,
for the purpose of this ordinance, have the meanings respectively
ascribed to them in this Article.
Whenever any words and phrases used herein are not defined herein,
but are defined in the Vehicle Code of the State of California. and
amendments thereto, such definitions shall apply.
(a) "Coach" Any motor bus, motor coach, trackless trolly or
passenger stage used as a common carrier of passengers.
(b) "Council" - The Council of the City of Atascadero
(c) "Curb" - The lateral boundary of the roadway whether such
curb be marked by curbing construction, or not so marked;
the word "curb as herein used 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.
(d) "Divisional island" - A raised island located in the road-
way and separating opposing or conflicting streams of
traffic.
(e) "Gross weight" - The weight of a vehicle without load plus
the weight of any load thereon.
(f) "Holidays" - Within the meaning of this chapter, holidays
are the first day of January, known as "New Year' s Day"
the twelfth day of February, known as "Lincoln' s Birthday
' the third Monday in February, known as "Washington' s Holi-
day" ; the last Monday in May, known as "Memorial Day" the
fourth day of July, known, as "Independence Day" ; the first
Monday in September, known as "Labor Day"; November 11th
known as "Veteran' s Day" ; the last Thursday in
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November, known as "Thanksgiving Day"
and the twenty-fifth day of December,
known as "Christmas. "
(g) "Loading Zone" - The space reserved for the exclusive use
of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers
or freight.
(h) "Official time standard" Whenever certain hours are named
herein, they shall mean standard time or daylight-saving
time as may be in current use in this City.
(i) "Ordinance" - The ordinance, rule or regulation adopted by
the Council relating to the movement of traffic and enforce-
ment thereof.
(j ) "Parkway" - That portion of street right of way other than
r a roadway or a sidewalk.
(k) "Passenger loading zone" - The space reserve for the exclu-
sive use of vehicles while receiving or discharging passengers.
(1) "Police Officer 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 regu-
lations.
(m) "Railroad train" - A steam engine, electric or other motor,
with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails,
except streetcars,
(n) "Traffic Engineer" - The Public Works Director of the City is
designated the Traffic Engineer and charged with the duties
thereof, as hereinafter provided.
(o) "TrafficEnforcement Unit" - A unit within the Police Depart
' ment.
(p) "Traffic Engineering Division - A division within the
Public Works Department.
(q) "Vehicle Code" - The Vehicle Code of the State of California.
Article 2. Traffic Administration
4-3.201. Police Administration - Traffic Enforcement Unit.
There is hereby established in the Police Department a Traffic
Enforcement Unit to be under the 'control of a policeofficerappointed
by and directly responsible to the Chief of Police.
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r4-3.202. Duty of Traffic Enforcement Unit.
It shall be the duty of the Traffic Enforcement Unit with such
aid as may be rendered by other members of the Police Department to
enforce the street traffic regulations of this City and all of the
State vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in this City, to
make arrests for traffic violations, to investigate traffic accidents
III and to cooperate with the Traffic Engineer and other officers of the
City in the administration of the traffic laws and in developing ways
and means to improve traffic conditions, and to curry out those
' duties specially imposed upon said division by this Ordinance.
4-3.203. Traffic Engineer.
The Traffic Engineer shall exercise the powers and duties as
provided in this Chapter. He shall be responsible for all traffic
1 engineering division functions in the Public Works Department.
4-3.204. Powers and duties of Traffic Engineer - Delegation.
It shall be the general duty of the Traffic Engineer to determine
the installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic control
devices and signals, to conduct engineering analysis of traffic acci-
dents and to devise remedial measures, to conduct engineering and
traffic surveys of traffic conditions and to cooperate with other
City officials in the development of ways and means to improve traffic
' conditions , and to carry out the powers and duties imposed by the
laws of this City.
Whenever the Traffic Engineer is required or authorized to place
' or maintain official traffic control devices or signals, he may cause
such devices or signals to be placed or maintained.
Whenever, by the provisions of this Chapter, a power is granted
to the Traffic Engineer or a "duty imposed upon him, the power may
be exercised or the duty performed by a person authorized by him.
4-3.205. Traffic accident studies.
Whenever the accidents- at any particular location become numerous,
' the Traffic Enforcement Unit shall cooperate with the Traffic Engineer
in conducting studies of such accidents and determining remedial
measures.
4-3.206 . Traffic accident reports.
The traffic enforcement unit and/or the traffic engineering divi-
sion shall maintain a suitable system of filing traffic accident reports.
Such reports shall be available for the use and information of the
supervising officer of the Traffic Enforcement Unit and the Traffic
' Engineer.
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' 4-3.207. Annual traffic safety report.
' The TrafficEnforcementUnit and Traffic Engineering Division
shall jointly submit an annual traffic report to the City Manager.
Such a report shall contain information on traffic matters as follows:
(a) The number of traffic accidents, the number of persons
killed, the number of persons inured, and other per-
tinent traffic accident data.
(b) The number of trafficaccidents investigated and other per-
tinent data of the safety activities of the police.
1 (c) The plans and recommendations of the Traffic Enforcement
Unit and the Traffic Engineering Division of future traffic
safety activities.
4-3.208. Emergency and experimental regulations.
(a) The Traffic Engineer may test traffic control devices under
actual conditions of traffic.
(b) The Chief of Police may authorize the temporary placing of
' official traffic control devices when required by an
emergency. The Chief of Police shall notify the Traffic
Engineer of his action as soon thereafter as is practicable.
4-3.209. Traffic committee.
The City Manager may establish an advisory traffic committee to
serve without compensation, consisting of the Chief of Police or his
representative, the supervising officer of the Traffic Enforcement
Unit, the Traffic Engineer, the Planning Director or his representative,
' and other such technical representation as may be required. The chair-
man of the committee shall be the Traffic Engineer.
' 4-3.210. Duties of traffic committee.
It shall be the duty of the traffic committee to suggest the
most practicable means for coordinating the activities of all officers
and agencies of this City having authority with respect to the admin-
istration and enforcement of traffic regulations; to stimulate and
assist in the preparation and publication of traffic reports; and to
recommend to the City Manager means for improving traffic conditions
and the administration and enforcement of traffic regulations.
Article 3. Enforcement and Obedience to
Traffic Regulations
4-3.301. Authority of Police and Fire Department officials.
ff
O icers of the Police Department and such officers as are
assigned by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to direct all
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traffic by voice, hand, audible or other signal in conformance with
traffic laws, except that in the event of a fire or other emergency
or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers of the
Police Department or members of the Fire Department may direct traffic
as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions to the con-
trary contained in this Chapter or the Vehicle-Code.
4-3. 302. Obstruction or interference with police or authorized
officers.
No person shall interfere with or obstruct in any way any police
officer or other officer or employee of this City in their enforce-
ment of the provisions of this Chapter. The removal, obliteration
or concealment of any chalk mark or other distinguishing mark used
by any police officer or other employee or officer of this City in
connection with the enforcement of the parking regulations of this
Ordinance shall, if done for the purpose of evading the provisions
' of this Chapter, constitute such interference or obstruction.
4-3. 303. Exception of certain vehicles.
(a) The provisions of this section regulating the parking or
standing of vehicles 'shall not apply to any vehicle of a
City department or of a public utility while necessarily
in use in construction or repair work, or any vehicle
owned or operated by the United States Postal Service while
in use for -the collection, transportation, or delivery of
1 United States mail.
(b) The foregoing exception shall not, however, relieve the
operator of any such vehicle from the obligation to exer-
cise due care for the safety of others, or the consequences
of his willful disregard for the safety of others.
' 4-3. 304. Removal of vehicles from streets.
Any regular sworn police officer of the Police Department may
remove or cause to be removed any vehicle:
(a) That has been parked or left standing upon a street for
' seventy-two (72) consecutive hours ,
(b) Which is parked or left standing upon a street between any
specified hours when such parking or standing is prohibited
by the Municipal Code or by authorization of the Traffic
Engineer and signs are posted giving notice of such prohi-
bition and removal.
(c) Which isP arked or left standing upon a'street where access
to such street or a portion thereof is necessary for cleaning,
repair, or construction thereof or therein, or when the use
of the street or portion thereof is authorized for a purpose
other than for the normal flow of traffic, or when the use
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of the street or portion thereof is necessary for the movement of
equipment, articles, or structures of such size that such movement
would be impeded by parked vehicles, provided that signs giving
I notice of prohibition of parking and removal of vehicles are posted
at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the beginning of the period
of prohibition.
Article 4. Traffic Control Devises
4-3. 401. Authority to install traffic control devices.
The Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council, shall place
and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained official traffic
control devices upon streets and highways as required under the
Vehicle Code or the traffic laws of this City to make effective the
provisions of the Code or the laws and may place and maintain or
cause to be placed and maintained, such appropriate official traffic
1 control devices as may be deemed necessary to properly indicate and
to carry out the provisions of the Vehicle Code or the Municipal
Code or to warn or guide traffic.
_ 4-3. 402 . Official traffic control devices required for enforcement
purposes.
' No provision of the Vehicle Code (unless expressly stated therein)
or of the Municipal Code which require official control devices shall
be enforced against an alleged violator unless appropriate official
traffic control devices are in place giving notice of such provisions
of the traffic laws.
4-3. 403. Installation of traffic signals.
(a) The Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council, shall
install and maintain official traffic signals.
(b) The Traffic Engineer shall ascertain and determine the
locations where such signals are required by an engineering
and traffic survey and his determinations therefrom shall
be made in accordance with those traffic engineering and
safety standards and instructions set forth in the California
State Department of Transportation Traffic Manual.
4-3. 404. Traffic Engineer to establish crosswalks.
(a) The Traffic Engineer as authorized by the Council shall
establish, designate and maintain crosswalks at intersec-
tions and other places by appropriate devices, marks or
lines upon the surface of the roadway where, in his opinion,
it is essential to the effective and safe flow of vehicular
and pedestrian traffic.
i (b) The Traffic Engineer is authorized to install signs at or
adjacent to an; intersection in respect to any crosswalk
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Ordinance No. 34
' directing that pedestrians shall not cross in the cross-
walk so indicated.
4-3.405. Traffic lanes.
The Traffic Engineer shall have authority to mark traffic lanes
upon the roadway of any street or highway where a regular alignment
of traffic is necessary.
4-3. 406. Distinctive roadway markings.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized to place and maintain upon
highways distinctive roadway markings as described in the Vehicle
Code.
4-3. 407. Authority to remove, relocate and discontinue traffic con-
trol devices.
The Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council, may remove,
relocate or discontinue the operation of any traffic control device
not specifically required by the Vehicle Code or this Chapter when-
ever he shall determine in any particular case that the conditions
which warranted or required the installation no longer exist or apply.
4-3. 408. Traffic control devices: Hours of operation.
The Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council, shall deter-
mine 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 specifiedinthis Chapter.
4-3. 409 Unauthorized tainting of curbs.
No person or agency, other than the City, unless authorized by
the Traffic Engineer, shall paint any street or curb surface.
4-3. 410. Construction of traffic control devices
Any person or agency performing construction or maintenance work
within a roadway shall provide and maintain temporary traffic control
devices as set forth in the California State Department of Transpor-
tation Traffic Manual. The traffic control devices are to be main-
tained during such time that construction or maintenance work creates
a hazardous or unsafe condition in the vehicle or pedestrian travelway.
Article 5. Speed Regulations
4-3. 501. State speed laws applicable.
The State traffic laws regulating the speed of vehicles shall be
applicable upon all streets within this City except where the Traffic
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Engineer, as authorized by the Council, upon the basis of an engi-
neering and traffic survey, determines that other speed limits shall
be applicable on specified streets or in certain areas.
4-3. 502 . Authority of Traffic Engineer.
(a) Whenever the Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council,
determines, based upon engineering and traffic survey, that
a speed greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour would
facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and
would be 'reasonable and safe upon any street other than a
State highway otherwise subject to a prima facie limit of
twenty-five (25) miles per hour, the Council may declare a
prima facie speed limit of thirty (30) , thirty-five (35)
forty (40) , forty-five (45) , fifty (50) , or fifty-five
(55) miles per hour or a maximum speed limit of fifty-five
(55) miles per hour, whichever is found most appropriate
to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and is rea-
sonable and safe.
(b) Whenever the Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council,
determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic
survey, that the limit of fifty-five (55) miles per hour
is more than is reasonable or safe upon any portion of
any street other than a State highway where the limit of
fifty-five (55) miles per hour is applicable, the Council
may declare a prima facie speed limit .of fifty (50) ,
forty-five (45) , thirty-five (35) , thirty (30) , or twenty-
five (25) miles per hour whichever is found most appro-
priate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and
is reasonable and safe.
(c) Whenever the Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council,
determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic
survey, that the limit of fifty-five (55) miles per hour
is more than is reasonable or safe upon any portion of a
highway other than a State highway ,for a distance of not
exceeding two thousand (2 ,000) ` feet in length between dis-
tricts, either
is-tricts, -either business or residence, the Council may de-
clare a reasonable and safe prima facie limit thereon lower
than fifty-five (55) miles per hour, but no less than
twenty-five (25) miles per hour, which is the declared prima
facie speed limit,
(d) Speed limits established pursuant to this section shall
be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof
are erected upon said street or highway.
4-3. 503. Speed contests and exhibition of speed.
(a) No person shall engage in any motor vehicle speed contest
on any public or private property within the City except
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as otherwise authorized by zoning regulations.
(b) No person shall aid or abet in any motor vehicle speed
contest on any public or private property within the City
except as otherwise authorized by zoning regulations.
(c) No person shall engage in any motor vehicle exhibition of
speed on any public or private property within the City.
(d) No person shall aid or abet in any motor vehicle exhibi-
tion of speed on any public or private property within
the City.
Article 6. Turning Movements
4-3.601. Authority to place devices altering normal course for turns.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized to place official traffic
control devices within or adjacent to intersections indicating the
course to be travelled by vehicles turning at such intersections, and
such course to be travelled as so indicated may conform to or be
other than as prescribed by law.
4-3.602 . Authority to place restricted turn signs.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized to determine those inter-
sections 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.
4-3.603. Signal controlled intersections - Right turns.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized to erect appropriate signs
prohibiting right turns against a red or "stop" signal at any inter-
section.
Article 7. One-way Streets and Alleys
4-3. 701. Authority to sign one-way "streets and alleys.
The Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council, shall deter-
mine and designate one-way streets or alleys and shall place and
maintain official traffic control devices giving notice thereof. No
such designation shall be effective unless such devices are in place.
4-3.702 . Authority to restrict direction of movement on streets
during certain periods.
The Traffic Engineer, as authorized by the Council, shall deter
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Ordinance No. 34
mine and designate streets, parts of streets or specific lanes thereon
upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction during
one period and the opposite direction during another period of the
day and shall place and maintain appropriate markings, signs, barriers
or other devices to give notice thereof. The Traffic Engineer may
erect signs temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic
moving in a particular direction, regardless of the centerline of
the roadway.
Article 8. Stop and Yield Intersections
4-3. 801. Authority for stop signs and yield signs.
The Traffic Engineer, as authorized may erect and maintain stop
signs, yield signs, or other official traffic control devices to
designate through streets or to designate intersections or other
roadway junctions at which vehicular traffic on one or more of the
roadways should yield or stop and yield before entering the inter-
section or junction.
' Article 9 Miscellaneous Driving Rules
4-3. 901. Stop when traffic obstructed.
1 No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk
unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection
or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without
' obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwith-
standing any traffic control signal indication to proceed.
4-3.902. Driving through funeral or other procession.
No driver of a vehicle shall drive between the vehicles comprising
a funeral or other authorized procession while they are in motion and
when such vehicles are conspicuously designated as required in this
ordinance. This provision shall not ;apply at intersections where
traffic is controlled by traffic; control signals or police officers.
4-3.903. Driver in a rocession
' Each driver in a funeral or other procession shall drive as near
to the right-hand edge of the roadway as practicable and shall follow
the vehicle ahead as close as is practicable and safe.
' 4-3.904. When permits required for parades and processions.
No ,procession or parade shall occupy, march or proceed along any
street except in accordance with a permit properly issued by the City.
4-3.905. Obedience to barriers and signs.
' No person, public utility, or City employee shall erect or place
any barrier or sign on any street unless of a type approved by the
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Ordinance No. 34
Traffic Engineer or disobey the instruction, or remove, tamper with,
or destroy any barrier or sign lawfully placed on any street.
4-3. 906. Shrubbery obstructing visibility of intersections.
Whenever the Traffic Engineer finds that any hedge , shrubbery,
or tree growing in a parkway obstructs the view of any intersection
or any traffic upon the streets approaching such intersection, he
shall give written notice to the owner of the property to remove or
trim such obstruction together with an appropriate time limit for
such actions and, if not properly performed in the time limit, he
shall cause the hedge, shrubbery, or tree to be immediately removed
or reduced in height and the cost of such removal or trimming shall
be collectable in the manner provided by law.
Article 10. Regulations for Bicycles
4-3. 1001. Effect of regulation.
(a) The parent of any child or guardian of any ward shall not
authorize or knowlingly permit any such child or ward to
violate any of the provisions of this Chapter.
(b) Regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a
bicycle is operated upon any street within the City or
upon any path therein set aside for the exclusive use of
bicycles , subject to the exceptions stated therein.
4-3. 1002. Bicycle license optional.
The licensing of bicycles shall be at the option of bicycle
owners within the City.
4-3.1003. License application.
Application for a bicycle license shall be made upon a form
' provided by the City and shall be made with the Fire Department. A
license fee as prescribed by the City Council shall be paid before
each license or renewal thereof is granted.
4-3.1004. Issuance of license.
' (a) Upon receiving an application, the Fire Department is auth-
orized to issue a bicycle license.
(b) Licenses shall be effective for one (1) calendar year from
date of issuance.
(c) A license shall not be issued when reasonable grounds exist
to believe that the applicant is not the owner of or entitled
to the possession of such bicycle.
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(d) A record shall be kept of the number of each license, the
date issued, the name and address of the person to whom
issued, and a record of all bicycle license fees collected.
4-3.1005. Attachment of license.
(a) Licenses shall be affixed to the front of the seat tube
of the bicycle frame.
(b) No person shall remove a current license from a bicycle
except upon a transfer of ownership or in the event the
bicycle is dismantled and no longer operated upon any
street or bicycle path in the City.
4-3.1006. Riding on sidewalks prohibited.
No person shall ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or in
' violation of any of the provisions of the Vehicle Code.
4-3.1007. Bicycle parking.
' A person shall not park a bicycle on a roadway or on a public
sidewalk in such a manner as to obstruct the movement of a legally
parkedmotorvehicle.
Article 11. Stopping, Standing or Parking
Prohibited in Specified Places
4-3.1101. Traffic Engineer to designate no stopping zones and no
parking areas
r (a) The Traffic Engineer, as authorized to determine the loca-
tion of no stopping zones and no parking areas, shall
place and maintain appropriate signs or markings indicating
' the same and stating the hours during which the provisions
of this Article are applicable.
(b) No stopping zones and no parking areas shall be indicated
by red paint upon the top of all curbs in said zones and
areas.
4-3.1102. Prohibited stopping, standing or parking.
No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle whether
attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with
other trafficor incompliancewith the directions of a peace officer
or offical traffic control device, in any of the following places
(a) within any division island unless authorized and clearly
indicated with appropriate signs or markings.
(b) In any area established as a no parking area, when such
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area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon
the curb surface.
' (c) Within any parkway.
(d) On any street or highway where the use of such street or
highway or a portion thereof is necessary for the cleaning,
repair or construction of the street or highway or the
installation of underground utilities or where the use of
the street or highway or any portion thereof is authorized
for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic or
where the use of the street or any portion thereof is
necessary for the movement of equipment, articles , or struc-
tures of unusual size, and the parking of such vehicle
r would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement;
provided that signs giving notice of such no parking are
erected or placed at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to
the effective time of such no parking'.
(e) At any place within twenty (20) feet of a crosswalk at an
intersection when such place is indicated by appropriate
signs or by red paint upon the curb surface except that a
bus may stop at a designated bus stop.
(f) Within twenty (20) feet of the approach to any traffic
signal, boulevard stop sign, or official electric flashing
device.
(g) Within any appropriately designated fire lane and access
roads as established by the City Fire Code when appropriate
signs or markings are posted.
4-3.1103. Parking in alleys.
No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle for any purpose
other than the loading or unloading of passengers or freight in any
alley. No person shall position any vehicle in any alley in such a
manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten
(10) feet of the width of the roadway for the free movement of vehi-
cular traffic, while that vehicle is being loaded or unloaded. No
person shall position any vehicle in any alley in such a manner as
to block or restrict access to any driveway entrance.
4-3.1104. Parkin adjacent to schools
' The Traffic Engineer is authorized to place signs or markings
indicating no parking upon either or both sides of any street adjacent
' to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, inter-
fere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.
4-3.1105. Parking prohibited on narrow streets.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized to place signs or markings
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indicating no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway
does not exceed twenty (20) feet, or upon one side of a street as
indicated by such signs or markings when the width of the roadway
does not exceed thirty (30) feet.
4-3.-1106 Standing or parking on one-way streets.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized to erect signs upon the left-
hand side of any one-way street to prohibit the standing or parking
of vehicles.
4-3.1107. Standing or parking on one-way roadways .
' In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways
and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, no
person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such
one-way roadway unless signs are erected to permit such standing or
parking. The Traffic Engineer is authorized to determine when standing
or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any such one-
way roadway and to erect signs giving notice thereof.
4-3.1108. Parking on grades.
No person driving, or in control of, or in charge of, a motor
vehicle shall permit it to stand on any highway unattended when upon
any grade exceeding three percent (30) within any business or resi-
dence district without blocking the wheels of the vehicle by turning
them against the curb or by other approrpiate means.
4-3.1109. Unlawful parking - Peddlers, vendors.
' Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall
stand or park any vehicle, wagon, or pushcart from which goods, wares,
' merchandise or foods are sold, displayed, solicited or offered for
sale or bartered or exchanged, or any lunch wagon or eating car or
vehicle, on any portion of any street except that such vehicles,
wagons, or pushcarts may stand or park only at the request for a bona
fide purchaser for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes at
one place. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to
persons delivering, such articles upon order of, or by agreement with
' a customer from a store or other fixed place of business or distribution.
4-3.1110. Emergency parking signs.
Whenever the Traffic Engineer determines that an emergency traffic
congestion is likely to result from the holding of public or private
processions or assemblages, he shall place temporary signs indicating
' that the operation, parking or standing of vehicles is prohibited on
such streets and alleys. Such signs shall remain in place only during
the existence of such emergency and the Traffic Engineer shall remove
such signs thereafter.
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' Article 12. Stopping for Loading or Unloading Only
4-3.1201. Traffic Engineer to designate loading zones and passenger
loading zones.
(a) The Traffic Engineer is authorized to determine the loca-
tion of loading zones and passenger loading zones and
shall place and maintain appropriate signs or markings
indicating the same and stating the hours during which the
provisions of this Article and the Vehicle Code are applicable.
(b) Loading zones shall be indicated by yellow paint upon the
top of all curbs in said zones. Yellow shall mean no
stopping, standing or parking at any time between 7: 00 a.m.
and 6 :00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for
any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers
or freight, provided that the loading or unloading of passen-
gers shall not consume more than thirty (30) minutes and the
loading or unloading of freight more than twenty (20)
minutes.
(c) Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by white paint
upon the top of all curbs in said zones. White shall mean
no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than
loading or unloading of passengers, or for the purpose of
depositing mail in an adjacent mail box, which shall not
exceed three (3) minutes and such restrictions shall apply
' between 7:00 a.m, and 6:OO p.m. on any day except Sundays
and holidays and except as follows:
' When such zone is in front of a hotel or in front of a mailbox,
the restrictions shall apply at all times. When such zone is in
front of a theater, the restrictions shall apply at all times except
when such theater is closed.
4-3.1202. Effect of permission to load or unload.
(a) Permission herein granted to stop or stand a vehicle for
purposes of loading or unloading of freight shall not
extend beyond the time necessary therefor, and in no event
for more than twenty (20) minutes.
(b) Permission herein granted to stop or park for purposes of
loading or unloading of passengers shall include the
' loading or unloading of personal baggage, but shall not
extend beyond the time necessary therefor and in no event
for more than three (3) minutes.
(c) Within the total time limits above specified, the provi-
sions of this section shall be enforced so as to accommo-
date necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but
without permitting abuse of privileges hereby granted.
' 15 -
Ordinance No. 34
1 4-3.1203. Standing in any alley.
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose
other than the loading or unloading of passengers or freight in any
alley.
4-3.1204. Traffic Engineer to designate public carrier stops and
stands.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized to establish bus stops, bus
stands, taxicab stands and stand for other passenger common-carrier
motor vehicles on such streets in such places and in such number as
he shall determine to be of the greatest benefit and convenience to
the public, and every such bus stop, bus stand, taxicab stand or
other stand shall be designatedbyappropriate official traffic con-
trol devices.
4-3.1205. Restricted use of bus and taxicab stands.
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than a bus
in a bus stop, or other than a taxicab in a taxicab stand when any
such stop or stand has been officially designated and appropriately
signed, except that the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily
stop therein for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading
or unloading passengers when such stopping does not interfere with
any busortaxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such zone.
Article 13. Stopping, Standing or Parking Restrictions
4-3.1301. Time limit parking.
(a) The Traffic Engineer is authorized to designate by appro-
priate signs or curb marking, locations where it shall be
unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to stop, stand,
or park said vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb
marking or signs for a period of time in violation thereof.
(b) Time limit parking zones shall be indicated by green paint
upon the top of all curbs in said zones. Green shall mean
no standing or parking for a period longer than indicated
at any time between 9:00 a.m. and 6 :00 p.m. for any day
except Sundays and holidays.
4-3.1302. Handicapped parking.
(a) The Traffic Engineer is authorized by the Council to deter-
mine and mark, with blue curb and appropriate signing, loca-
tions on public streets and in publicly owned, leased, or
controlled off-street parking facilities for the exclusive
use ofphysically handicapped.persons:.
(b) The privately owned and operated parking facilities in
the City may reserve parking stalls for exclusive use by
t - 16 -
Ordinance No. 34
physically handicapped persons.
(c) No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in any
parking space marked by blue curb and appropriate signing
unless said vehicle bears a special license or displays
a special placard issued under the provisions of the
Vehicle Code.
4-3. 1303. Commercial vehicles street parking prohibited.
(a) No person shall stop, stand or park a commercial vehicle
on any street except a designated truck route except when
such vehicle is parked temporarily in connection with the
performance of a service or for loading and unloading.
(b) When the Traffic Engineer determines that the parking of
commercial vehicles constitutes a public nuisance or
safety hazard in any street, the Traffic Engineer shall
install appropriate signing or markings prohibiting the
stopping, standing or parking of commercial vehicles in
the areas so designated.
4-3.1304. Parking of non-motorized vehicles.
No person shall park or leave standing a non-motorized vehicle
or camper, regardless of width or length, when it has been detached
from its motor vehicle on any street or highway in the City.
Article 14. Regulating' Classes and Rinds of Traffic on
Certain Highways
4-3.1401. Gross weight limits.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized, on, the basis of an engi-
neering and traffic survey, to erect and maintain official traffic
control devices on any streets or parts ofstreetsto impose gross
weight limits as prescribed by the Vehicle Code.
l 4-3.1402. Size restrictions.
The Traffic Engineer is authorized, on the basis of an engi-
neering and traffic survey, to erect and maintain official traffic
control devices on any streets or parts of streets to impose vehicle
size restrictions as prescribed by the Vehicle Code.
Section 2. The City Clerk shall cause this ordinance to be pub
ilished once within fifteen (15) days after its passage in the Atas-
cadero` News, -a newspaper of general circulation printed, published
and circulated in the City in accordance with Section 36933 of the
GovernmentCode; shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and
shall cause this ordinance and thiscertificationto be entered into
�' - 17 -
fOrdinance No. 34
the Book of Ordinances of this City.
Section 3. This ordinance shall go into effect and be in full
Iforce and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the 31st day after its passage.
The foregoing ordinance was introduced on November 10, 1980
and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council held on December
8, 1980
AYES: Councilmen Highland, Mackey, Nelson, Stover and Mayor
Wilkins
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ROBERT J. W"ILKI , JR. , Mayor
ATTEST:
Murray L. Warden
MURRAY- L. WARDEN, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ALLEN GRIMES, City Attorney
18
_I N D_E_X_
Ordinance No. 34 - Traffic Regulation
Page
ARTICLE 1. Words and Phrases Defined . . . . . . . 1
4-3.101 Definition of words and phrases . . 1
ARTICLE 2. Traffic Administration . . . . 2
4-3.201 Police Administration - Traffic Enforcement
Unit . . . . . . . 2
4-3.202 Duty of Traffic Enforcement Unit . . . . . 3
4-3.203 Traffic Engineer . . . . . . . . . 3
4-3.204 Powers and duties of Traffic Engineer -
Delegation • . . . 3
4-3.205 Traffic accident studies . . . . . . . . 3
4-3.206 Traffic accident reports . . . 3
4-3.207 Annual traffic safety report . . . 4
4-3.208 Emergency and experimental regulations 4
4-3.209 Traffic committee . . . . . . 4
4-3.210 Duties of traffic committee . . 4
ARTICLE 3. Enforcement and Obedience to Traffic
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . 4
4-3. 301 Authority of Police ,and Fire Department
officials . . . . . . . 4
4-3. 302 Obstruction or interference with police or
authorized officers . . . . . 5
4-3. 303 Exception of certain vehicles . . 5
4-3. 304 Removal of vehicles from streets . . . . 5
ARTICLE 4. Traffic Control Devices
4-3.401 Authority to install traffic control
devices . . . . d 6
4-3.402 Official traffic control devices required for
enforcement purposes . . . . . . 6
4-3. 403 Installation of traffic signals . . . . 6
4-3.404 Traffic Engineer to establish crosswalks . . 6
4-3. 405 Traffic lanes . . . 7
4-3.406' Distinctive roadway markings . . . . 7
4-3.407 Authority to remove, relocate and discontinue
traffic control devices . . . ' . 7
4-3.408 Traffic control devices: Hours of
operation . . . 7
4-3. 409 Unauthorized painting of curbs . . . 7
' 4-3.410 Construction of traffic control devices . . 7
ARTICLE 5. Speed Regulations . . . . . . . . 7
4-3. 501 State speed laws applicable . . . . . . 7
4-3. 502 Authority of Traffic Engineer . 8
i
INDEX
Ordinance No. 34 Traffic Regulation
Page
ARTICLE 5 Speed Regulations (cont. ) . . . . . . . . 8
4-3.503 Speed contests and exhibition of speed . . . 8
ARTICLE 6. Turning Movements . . . . . . . . 9
4-3.601 Authority to place devices altering normal
course for turns . . . . . . 9
4-3.602 Authority to place restricted turn signs 9
4-3.603 Signal controlled intersections - Right
turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
ARTICLE 7 . One-way Streets and Alleys . . . . . 9
4-3.701 Authority to sign one-way streets and
alleys . . 9
4-3.702 Authority to restrict direction�of movement
on streets during certain periods . . 9
ARTICLE 8. Stop and Yield Intersections . . 10
4-3. 801 Authority for stop signs and yield signs . . 10
ARTICLE 9. Miscellaneous Driving Rules . . . . . . . 10
4-3.901 Stop when traffic obstructed . . . . . . . 10
4-3. 902 Driving through funeral or other procession 10
4-3.903 Driver in a procession . . . . . 10
4-3.904 When permits required for parades and
processions . . . . . 10
4-3.905 Obedience to barriers and signs . . . . . 10
4-3.906 Shrubbery obstructing visibility of
intersections . . . . . . . . 11
ARTICLE 10. Regulations for Bicycles . . . . . . . . . . 11
4-3.1001 Effect of regulation . . . . . . 11
4-3.1002 Bicycle license optional . . . 11
4-3.1003 Licenseapplication . . . . . . . 11
4-3.1004 Issuance >of license . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4-3.1005 Attachment of license . . 12
4-3.1006 Riding on sidewalks prohibited . . . . 12
4-3.1007 Bicycle parking . . . . . . . 12
ARTICLE 11. Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited in
' Specified Places . . . . 12
4-3.1101 Traffic Engineer to designate no stopping
zones and no parking areas . . . 12
4-3.1102 Prohibited stopping, standing or parking . . 12
it
INDEX
Ordinance No. 34 - Traffic Regulation
Page
ARTICLE 11. Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited in
Specified Places (cont. ) . . . . . . . . . . 12
4-3. 1103 Parking in alleys . . . . . . . . . . 13
4-3.1104 Parking adjacent to schools . . . . . . 13
4-3.1105 Parking prohibited on narrow streets . . 13
4-3.1106 Standing or parking on one-way streets . 14
4-3.1107 Standing or parking on one-way roadways 14
4-3.1108 Parking on grades . . . . . . . 14
4-3.1109 Unlawful parking - Peddlers, vendors . . . 14
4-3.1110 Emergency parking signs . . . . . . . 14
ARTICLE 12. Stopping for Loading or Unloading Only . . . 15
4-3.1201 Traffic Engineer to designate loading- zones .
and passenger loading zones . . . . . 15
4-3.1202 Effect of permission to load or unload . . . 15
4-3.1203, Standing in any alley . . . . 16
4-3.1204 Traffic Engineer to designate public carrier
stops and stands . . . . . 16
4-3.1205 Restricted use of bus and taxicab stands . 16
ARTICLE 13. Stopping, Standing or Parking Restrictions 16
4-3.1301 Time limit parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4-3.1302 Handicapped parking . . . . . . . . . . 16
4-3.1303 Commercial vehicles street parking
prohibited . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4-3.1304 Parking of non-motorized vehicles . . . . 17
ARTICLE 14. Regulating Classes and Kinds of Traffic on
Certain Highways . . . . . 17
4-3.1401 Gross weight limits . . . . . . . 17
4-3.1402 Size restrictions . . . . . . . . . 17
' iii
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true,
and correct copy of Ordinance. No. 34 passed by the
Atascadero City Council at its regular Council meeting held
on December 8, 1980 -
RAY WARDEN, City Clerk
ity o Atascadero, California