Blythe Municipal Code Ch. 10.04 Uniform Traffic Ordinance

A. All of the provisions of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance, 1964 Edition, adopted by the League of California Cities, except Sections 2.7, 2.8, 11.8, 13.(a), 13.(b), 13.2 and 14.11, are adopted and made a part of this chapter as though fully set forth in this section.

B. Three copies of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance are on file for use and examination by the public in the office of the city clerk.

(Ord. 342 § 1, 1966)

There is adopted as the title of the ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04,010 the following: "Uniform Traffic Ordinance, City of Blythe."

(Ord. 342 § 2, 1966)

The following sections of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance, adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, are repealed:

Sections 2.5, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, 4.2, 8.1, 10.3, 10.13, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 14, 14.1 through 14.12, and 15.

(Ord. 5.12 § 1, 1978)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction. Any person who is convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction and shall be punished as provided in Section 1.24.030.

(Ord. 610 § 1, 1984: Ord. 342 § 32, 1966)

There is adopted Section 1.2, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 1.2. Central Traffic District.

All streets and portions of streets within the area described as follows: All that area bounded by Rice Street, from the west edge of Commercial Street to the east edge of First Street; Commercial Street, from the south edge of Rice Street to the north edge of Barnard Street; Barnard Street, from the west edge of Commercial Street to the east edge of First Street; First Street, from the north edge of Barnard Street to the south edge of Rice Street; Hobsonway, both sides of street from the west city limits to the east city limits.

(Ord. 342 § 3, 1966)

There is adopted Section 1.4, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 1.4. Council.

The Council of the City of Blythe.

(Ord. 342 § 4, 1966)

There is adopted Section 1.17, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 1.17. Grade Separation.

Every structure by means of which any street passes over or under any stationary rails, tracks or another street.

(Ord. 342 § 5, 1966)

There is established within the development services department the office of city traffic engineer. There is also established a traffic safety committee.

A. The city traffic engineer shall be appointed by the city manager with concurrence of the city council.

1. The city traffic engineer shall be a duly qualified licensed California engineer.

2. The city traffic engineer shall serve at the pleasure of the city.

3. All references to the city traffic engineer in this code or the Uniform Traffic Code as it applies to the city shall be interpreted to refer to the city traffic engineer as appointed in this section.

B. The traffic safety committee shall advise the city traffic engineer.

1. The membership of the committee shall be made up of the chief of police, the development services director and the public works director or their designees. The city manager shall serve as an ex-officio member.

2. The committee shall advise the city traffic engineer from their areas of responsibility.

3. The committee may act in behalf of the engineer on minor decisions.

(Ord. 696 § 2, 1993: Ord. 342 § 6, 1966)

There is adopted Section 3.9, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 3.9. Authority of Police in Crowds.

At places where large numbers of people and vehicles are to gather or have gathered, nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prevent any police officer from prohibiting any person from parking any vehicle upon or using any street or sidewalk, or from prohibiting any pedestrian from using any street or sidewalk, and said police officer shall have authority to direct the parking of vehicles in any reasonable manner, way or direction, and it is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person to fail to promptly obey the said police officer's order, signal or command, regardless of any other provision of this ordinance.

(Ord. 342 § 7, 1966)

There is adopted Section 8.9, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 8.9. Traffic Barriers.

No person shall operate a vehicle contrary to the directions or provisions of any barrier or sign erected: (a) pursuant to the provisions of any ordinance of the City of Blythe, or (b) by any public utility, or (c) by any department of the City of Blythe, or (d) by any other person pursuant to law or contract with the city, nor shall any unauthorized person move or alter the position of any such barrier or sign.

(Ord. 342 § 8, 1966)

There is adopted Section 9.2, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 9.2. Pedestrians to Obey Special Pedestrian Traffic Signals.

Pedestrians shall obey the indication of special traffic signals installed for pedestrians only and shall disregard the indication of a vehicular traffic signal at any location where special pedestrian traffic signals are in place.

(Ord. 342 § 9, 1966)

There is adopted Section 9.3, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 9.3. Traffic Engineer to Establish Marked Crosswalks.

(a) The city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to establish and maintain crosswalks and to designate them by appropriate devices or painted signs upon the surface of the roadway.

(b) The city traffic engineer may place signs at or adjacent to an intersection in respect to any crosswalk directing that pedestrians shall not cross in the crosswalk so indicated.

(Ord. 342 § 10, 1966)

There is adopted Section 11.9, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.9. All Night Parking Prohibited.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle on any street, excepting Hobsonway for a period of time longer than thirty (30) minutes, between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. of any day, providing that this section shall not apply to a vehicle of any regularly licensed physician when actually engaged in making professional calls.

(Ord. 342 § 11, 1966)

There is adopted Section 11.10, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.10. All Night Parking Prohibited.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle on Hobsonway for a period of time longer than thirty (30) minutes between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. of any day provided that this section shall not apply to a vehicle of any regularly licensed physician when actually engaged in making professional calls.

(Ord. 342 § 12, 1966)

There is adopted Section 11.11, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.11. Parking Time Limited in Central Traffic District.

When authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle within the central traffic district between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for a period of time longer than forty (40) minutes.

(Ord. 342 § 13, 1966)

There is adopted Section 11.12, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.12. Parking Time Limited in Other Business Districts.

When authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle within a business district outside of the central traffic district between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for a period of time longer than one (1) hour.

(Ord. 342 § 14, 1966)

There is adopted Section 11.13, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.40.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.13. Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited During Certain Hours on Certain Streets.

When authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle upon any street in the central traffic district between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers or materials, provided that the loading or unloading shall not consume more than three (3) minutes nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty (20) minutes.

(Ord. 342 § 15, 1966)

There is adopted Section 11.14, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.14. No Parking Zones to Prevent Flooding.

In order to prevent flooding of adjacent property, the city traffic engineer shall designate established no parking zones by placing and maintaining appropriate signs indicating that parking of vehicles is prohibited and indicating the hours and days when parking is prohibited.

During the hours and on the days designated on the signs, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to park said vehicle on any of the streets or parts of streets established by resolution of the Council as such no parking zones.

(Ord. 342 § 16, 1966)

Overnight parking for the purpose of sleeping by any person in a motor vehicle shall not exceed twelve hours in duration, unless said overnight parking is incidental to the operation of a business approved by the city, whether on public or private land (including commercial parking lots) unless said property complies with all applicable requirements of the California Health and Safety Code and is licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies including county of Riverside health department and the city.

(Ord. 738 § 1, 1997)

There is adopted Section 11.15, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.15. Overnight Permit Parking.

(a) It shall be unlawful for the owner or driver of any vehicle to allow such vehicle to remain standing upon any street or alley in the City for a period of time longer than one hour between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. without a permit therefor; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to vehicles of any regularly licensed physician when actually engaged in making professional calls.

(b) In cases of hardship where the owners or vehicles cannot obtain suitable storage or parking facilities, permits for parking for more than one hour during all the time between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. may be issued by the Chief of Police. The application for a permit shall be signed by the applicant, shall state the make, model and license number of the vehicle and shall contain a statement of the necessity and reasons for the permit. If, upon investigation, it is found that the necessity exists therefor and that the applicant has no reasonable means for night storage of the vehicle during the above stated hours, the Chief of Police shall issue the permit for a period not to exceed 6 months. Before using such permit, the permittee shall pay the City Clerk or Finance Officer a fee of $2.00 for 6 months. The permit shall not be transferable and shall be displayed on the left side window to the rear of the driver of the vehicle for which it is issued at all times during which the vehicle is parked upon the street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The Chief of Police shall revoke the permit when the necessity under which it was issued and the reasons therefor cease to exist or may renew such permit if the hardship still exists. No permit shall be granted for commercial vehicles.

(Ord. 342 § 17, 1966)

There is adopted Section 11.16, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 11.16. Parking—Commercial Vehicles in Residential Districts.

No person shall park any commercial vehicle more than five hours in any residential district except (a) while loading or unloading property and time in addition to such five hour period is necessary to complete such work, or (b) when such vehicle is parked in connection with, and in aid of, the performance of a service to or on the property in the block in which such vehicle is parked and time in addition to such five hour period is reasonably necessary to complete such service.

(Ord. 342 § 18, 1966)

There is adopted Section 12.7, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 12.7. Taxicab Stands.

(a) The city traffic engineer shall establish taxicab stands and determine the locations thereof.

(b) The curb surface within each taxicab stand shall be painted white and marked "Taxicab Stand" in red lettering, or shall be designated by signs of a type and size approved by the city traffic engineer.

(c) No operator of any vehicle, other than a taxicab or automobile for hire shall park said vehicle in such taxicab stand.

(Ord. 342 § 19, 1966)

There is adopted Section 13.A, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 13.A. Certain Vehicles Prohibited in Central Traffic District.

No person shall operate any of the following vehicles in the central traffic district, except on Hobsonway, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day.

1. Any freight vehicle more than eight and one-half (8 ½) feet in width, with load, or any freight vehicle so loaded that any part of its load extends more than twenty (20) feet to the front or rear of said vehicle.

2. Any vehicle carrying building material that has not been loaded, or is not to be unloaded, at some point within the central traffic district.

(Ord. 342 § 20, 1966)

There is adopted Section 13.B, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 13.B. Certain Vehicles Prohibited in Central Traffic District.

The city traffic engineer may by written permit authorize the operation of any vehicle for the purpose of making necessary emergency deliveries to or from points within the central traffic district.

(Ord. 342 § 21, 1966)

There is adopted Section 13.2a, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, section to read as follows:

SECTION 13.2a. Horse-Drawn Vehicles.

No person shall ride, or drive any animal, or animal drawn vehicle into or within central traffic district at any time without first obtaining a special permit from the traffic engineer.

(Ord. 342 § 22, 1966)

There is adopted Section 16, which section is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

SECTION 16. Establishment/Increasing/ Decreasing of State Speed Limit in Certain Zones.

It is hereby determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey that the speed permitted by state law upon the following streets is necessary for the safe operation of vehicles thereon by reason of the designation and sign posting of said streets and through highways and by reason of widely spaced intersections, and it is hereby declared that the prima facie speed limit shall be as hereinafter set forth on these streets or parts of streets herein described when signs are erected giving notice thereof:

(Ord. 820 § 1, 2007: Ord. 768 § 1, 2000: Ord. 765 § 1, 2000: Ord. 709 § 1, 1995: Ord. 602 § 1, 1984: Ord. 559 § 1 (part), 1979: Ord. 342 § 27 (part), 1966)

There is adopted Article XVII, which article is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

ARTICLE XVII

MISCELLANEOUS USE OF STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

SECTION 17.1. Use of Coasters, Bicycles, Rollerskates and Similar Devices Restricted.

It shall be unlawful for any person upon rollerskates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, to go upon any roadway or upon the sidewalk in the Blythe Central Traffic District as that is defined in Section 10.04.050 of the Blythe Municipal Code. It shall further be unlawful for any person upon a bicycle or any similar device, to go upon any sidewalk in the Central Traffic District as that term is defined in Section 10.04.050 of the Blythe Municipal Code.

SECTION 17.2. Protective Equipment Required While Using a City of Blythe Skateboard/Skating Facility.

No person shall use a City of Blythe Skateboard/Skating Facility who is not wearing a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads suitable to provide protection in the event of falls or collisions. A first violation of this section shall constitute an infraction. Subsequent violations may constitute either an infraction or a misdemeanor pursuant to applicable City Code.

(Ord. 731 § 1, 1996; Ord. 609 § 1, 1984: Ord. 342 § 28, 1966)

There is adopted Article XVIII, which article is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

ARTICLE XVIII

OBSTRUCTION TO VISIBILITY AT INTERSECTIONS

SECTION 18.1. 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 street approaching such intersection, he shall cause the hedge, shrubbery or tree to be immediately removed or reduced in height.

(Ord. 342 § 29, 1966)

There is adopted Article XIX, which article is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

ARTICLE XIX

MOVEMENT OF HEAVY VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT

SECTION 19.1. Movement of Heavy Vehicles and Equipment—Permit Required.

No person shall move or operate upon any of the city streets any vehicle with a load or loads in excess of those permitted by the Vehicle Code without a written permit from the city traffic engineer.

The city traffic engineer may, by written permit, authorize a load or loads in excess of those allowed for in the Vehicle Code, if, in his judgment, the streets upon which such vehicle is to be operated can safely withstand the additional weight, or if the applicant will guarantee to the city that all costs of repair to the streets or to the public property of the city damaged by the movement of such load or loads will be paid in full. Such permit shall be granted upon such conditions and upon depositing such bond as the city traffic engineer in his discretion may require.

SECTION 19.2. Flange Wheel Machinery.

No person shall operate over the city streets any vehicle, piece of equipment or machinery which has lugs, cleats, flanges, or other projections on the wheels or tracks. If the tread of the track has projections or corrugations, a filler block may be placed on each section so that a flat bearing surface will be in contact with the pavement at all times.

(Ord. 342 § 30, 1966)

There is adopted Article XX, which article is to be a part of the Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by reference in Section 10.04.010, to read as follows:

ARTICLE XX

GRADE SEPARATIONS

SECTION 20.1. Use of Grade Separations by Pedestrians.

No pedestrian shall be in or upon any grade separation, except such grade separations as shall have pedestrian walks specifically designated or constructed thereon, provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply, in the event of an emergency, to persons employed to do work or labor upon such grade separation, or to members of the Police Department when engaged in law enforcement or traffic regulation.

SECTION 20.2. Use of Grade Separations by Bicycles.

No person shall ride a bicycle upon any grade separation.

SECTION 20.3. Use of Grade Separations by Animals.

No person shall ride or drive any animal, even though tethered or harnessed in or upon any grade separation.

SECTION 20.4. Operation of Vehicles on Grade Separations.

Unless otherwise directed by a member of the Police Department or other authorized person, vehicles in or upon any grade separation shall at all times stay to the right of the center of all grade separations; slow moving vehicles shall remain as close as possible to the right hand side or curb of the grade separation; and where a grade separation is marked with traffic lanes, vehicles shall cross the markings only when overtaking and passing other vehicles. It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to cross any such marking unless such movement can be made with safety.

SECTION 20.5. Stopping, Standing or Parking on Grade Separations.

No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle in or upon any grade separation, except in the event of an emergency, or when necessary to avoid injury or damage to persons or property, or in compliance with the direction of a member of the Police Department or other authorized person, or with the direction of a sign or signal.

SECTION 20.6. Removal of Vehicles from Grade Separations.

When any vehicle in or on any grade separation is stopped for any reason and is obstructing or may obstruct the flow of traffic, any member of the Police Department may move such vehicle or have such vehicle moved to the nearest terminus of said grade separation and beyond to a place of safety. The registered owner or owners and the operator of such vehicle shall be responsible for all reasonable charges for the moving services.

(Ord. 342 § 20.5, 1966)