Chula Vista Municipal Code Ch. 10.08 Definitions

Sections:

10.08.010 Definitions. 10.08.020 Alley.

***** For statutory definition of terms in the Vehicle Code, see Veh. Code § 100, et seq.

The following words and phrases, when used in this title, shall for the purpose of this title have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this chapter. Words and phrases defined herein in the language of the Vehicle Code of the state of California shall be cited by the section number of said Vehicle Code as indicated. Whenever any words or phrases used herein are not defined herein but are defined in the Vehicle Code and amendments thereto, such definitions shall apply. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3).

“Alley” means any public highway, having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width, which is primarily used for access to the rear or side entrances of abutting property. (Cite Section 110 Vehicle Code.) (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(A)).

“Bicycle” means any device upon which any person may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears, and having either two or three wheels in tandem or tricycle arrangement, excepting therefrom any such device not more than three feet in height, used by small children. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1830 § 1, 1978; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(B)).

“Bicycle dealer” means any person, firm, partnership or corporation which is engaged wholly or partly in the business of selling bicycles, or buying or taking in trade bicycles for the purposes of resale, selling or offering for sale, or otherwise dealing with bicycles, whether or not such bicycles are owned by such person or entity. The term also includes agents or employees of such person or entity. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1830 § 1, 1978).

“Bicycle lane” means any lane within the roadway designated by signs and markings for the operation of bicycles. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1830 § 1, 1978).

“Bicycle path” means any specifically designated area for bicycle travel, physically separated from the roadway. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1830 § 1, 1978).

“Bicycle route” means any route recommended for bicycle travel, which may include bicycle paths and public streets for accommodating bicycle riders. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1830 § 1, 1978).

“Bus” means any motor vehicle, other than a motor truck or truck tractor, designed for carrying more than nine persons including the driver and used and maintained for the transportation of passengers. (Cite Section 233 Vehicle Code.) (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(C)).

“Bus loading zone” means the space adjacent to a curb or edge of roadway reserved for the exclusive use of buses during loading and unloading passengers. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(D)).

“Business district” means that portion of a highway and the property contiguous thereto:

A. Upon one side of which highway, for a distance of 600 feet, 50 percent or more of the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by buildings in use for business; or

B. Upon both sides of which highway, collectively, for a distance of 300 feet, 50 percent or more of the contiguous property fronting thereon is so occupied.

A business district may be longer than the distances specified if the above ratio of buildings in use for business to the length of the highway exists. (Cite Section 235 Vehicle Code.) (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(E)).

“Council” means the Council of the City of Chula Vista. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(F)).

“Crosswalk” means:

A. That portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of such lines from an alley across a street; or

B. Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, there shall not be a crosswalk where local authorities have placed signs indicating no crossing. (Cite Section 275 Vehicle Code.) (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(H)).

“Curb” means 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 or from tracks or rights-of-way of public utility companies. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(H)).

“Cyclist” means any bicycle operator. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1830 § 1, 1978).

“Divisional island” means a raised island located in the roadway and separating opposing or conflicting streams of traffic. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(I)).

“Electric bicycle” shall have the same meaning given to such term in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a), and means a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts of power.

A. A “Class 1 electric bicycle” or “low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle” shall have the meaning given to such term in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a)(1).

B. A “Class 2 electric bicycle” or “low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle” shall have the meaning given to such term in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a)(2).

• C. A “Class 3 electric bicycle” or “speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle” shall have the meaning given to such term in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a)(3). (Ord. 3597 § 4, 2025).

“Electric micromobility vehicle” means a lightweight, low-speed electric vehicle that is designed for individual transportation and is propelled wholly or partially by an electric motor. “Electric micromobility vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, electric bicycles, motorized scooters, electrically motorized boards, low-speed vehicles, and other similar vehicles, to the extent the City is authorized to regulate these devices under state law. “Electric micromobility vehicle” does not mean motorized bicycles or mopeds as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 406, electric motorcycles as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 400, or motor vehicles subject to registration and motor vehicle insurance requirements. “Electric micromobility vehicle” does not include any mobility devices operated by any disabled persons for mobility or similar uses. (Ord. 3597 § 4, 2025).

“Electrically motorized board” means a wheeled device with a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding that is not greater than 60 inches deep and 18 inches wide, that is designed to transport only one person, and that has an electric propulsion system averaging less than 1,000 watts, the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 20 miles per hour, but which may also be powered by human propulsion, as further defined in California Vehicle Code Section 313.5. (Ord. 3597 § 4, 2025).

“Holidays,” within the meaning of this chapter, are:

• A. January 1st, known as New Year’s Day.

• B. The third Monday in January, known as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

• C. February 12th, known as Lincoln’s birthday.

• D. The third Monday in February, known as Washington’s birthday.

• E. March 31st, known as Farmworkers Day.

• F. The last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day.

• G. June 19th, known as Juneteenth.

• H. July 4th, known as Independence Day.

• I. The first Monday in September, known as Labor Day.

• J. September 9th, known as Admission Day.

• K. November 11th, known as Veterans Day.

• L. The fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving Day.

• M. The fourth Friday in November, the day after Thanksgiving Day.

• N. December 25th, known as Christmas Day.

When any of the holidays listed in this section fall on Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be deemed to be a holiday in lieu of the day observed, and when any of the holidays listed in this section fall on Sunday, the following Monday shall be deemed to be a holiday in lieu of the day observed. (Ord. 3620 § 1, 2026; Ord. 3544 § 3, 2023; Ord. 3346 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2670, 1996; Ord. 2638 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1663 § 1, 1976; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(J)).

“Loading zone” means the space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.4(K)).

“Low-speed vehicle” means a motor vehicle that has four wheels, can attain speeds between 20 miles per hour and 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface, and that has a gross vehicle weight of less than 3,000 pounds, as further defined in California Vehicle Code Section 385.5(a). A “low-speed vehicle” does not mean a golf cart as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 345. (Ord. 3597 § 4, 2025).

“Motorized scooter” means any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard and is powered by an electric motor, as further defined in California Vehicle Code Section 407.5(a). (Ord. 3597 § 4, 2025).

Whenever certain hours are named herein, they mean standard time or daylight saving time, as may be in current use in the City. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(L)).

“Park” or “parking” means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading merchandise or passengers. (Cite Section 463 Vehicle Code.) (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(M)).

“Parking control measure” means any program, method or system used to regulate the parking of vehicles. It includes the installation of a parking control device. (Ord. 2670, 1996).

“Parking control device” means and includes any sign, marking, curb painting or similar device used to regulate the parking of vehicles, as recognized and prescribed in the California Vehicle Code and the state of California Traffic Manual. The term may be used interchangeably with “sign” within this title. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996).

“Contract enforcement” shall mean any duly qualified company that the City has entered into a contract with and approved by the Chief of Police to provide enforcement of Chapters 10.52, 10.56 and 10.60 CVMC relating to CVMC infractions only in the parking zones. (Ord. 3138 § 1, 2009).

“Individual parking meter” means a mechanical device installed within or upon the curb or sidewalk area immediately adjacent to a parking space for the purpose of controlling the period of time for the occupancy of such parking space by any vehicle. (Ord. 3138 § 1, 2009; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(N)).

“Multi-space parking meter” means a mechanical device installed within the parking zone for the purpose of controlling the period of time for the occupancy of multiple parking spaces. (Ord. 3138 § 1, 2009).

“Parkway” means that portion of a street other than a roadway or a sidewalk. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(O)).

“Passenger loading zone” means the space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(P)).

“Pedestrian” means any person afoot. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(Q)).

“Police officer” means every officer of the Police Department of the City or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(R)).

The term “regulation,” when used in this title, means one or more ordinances or resolutions that have been or may be adopted by the City Council, or a traffic regulation adopted and promulgated by the City Engineer pursuant to the authority and procedure contained in CVMC 10.04.030 for the adoption and implementation of traffic and parking control measures. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996).

“Stop” or “stopping,” when prohibited, means any cessation of movement of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or official traffic control device or signal. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(S)).

“Taxicab stand” means a space adjacent to a curb reserved for taxicabs to stand and wait for passengers. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(T)).

“Traffic control measure” means any program, method or system used to regulate, warn or guide the movement of traffic, vehicles and pedestrians, as recognized and prescribed in the California Vehicle Code and the state of California Traffic Manual. It includes the installation of traffic control devices. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996).

“Traffic control device” means any sign, marking or device used to regulate, warn or guide the movement of traffic, pedestrians and vehicles, including, but not limited to, signs, pavement markings and other markers as may apply, but it excludes roadway design features delineated in California Vehicle Code Section 440. The term may be used interchangeably with “sign” within this title. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996).

“Vehicle Code” means the Vehicle Code of the state, as amended. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.1.3(U)).