Culver City Municipal Code Ch. 7.02 Traffic Regulations

Section

General Provisions

Commercial Vehicles; Truck Routes

Interstate Trucks

Cross-reference:

Parking and street closures for filming activity, see § 11.14.025

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Based upon an engineering and traffic survey, the prima facie speed limits herein designated for the following street segments are determined to be reasonable and safe to facilitate the orderly and efficient movement of traffic:

('65 Code, § 21-5.1) (Ord. No. 86-024 § 1; Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Ord. No. 90-015 § 1; Ord. No. 90-031 § 1; Ord. No. 91-022 § 1; Ord. No. 96-026 § 1; Ord. No. 96-028 § 1; Ord. No. 2002-006 § 1; Ord. No. 2003-011 § 1; Ord. No. 2023-004 § 1)

The City Engineer is authorized to regulate the timing of traffic signals so as to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds slightly at variance from the speed otherwise applicable within the district or at intersections, and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof.

('65 Code, § 21-5.2) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

Upon the request of the City Engineer, the Public Works Director is authorized to place official traffic control devices within or adjacent to intersections indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning at such intersections, and is authorized to locate and indicate more than one lane of traffic from which drivers of vehicles may make right or left hand turns, and the course to be traveled as so indicated may conform to or be other than as prescribed by law.

('65 Code, § 21-6.1) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to determine those intersections at which drivers of vehicles shall not make a right, left, or U-turn, and the Public Works Director shall place proper signs so indicating 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.

('65 Code, § 21-6.2) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

The Public Works Director shall post appropriate signs prohibiting right turns where the City Engineer determines that the making of right turns against the traffic signal “stop” indication would seriously interfere with the safe and orderly flow of traffic.

('65 Code, § 21-6.3) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

Whenever this Chapter or a resolution of the City Council designates any one-way street or alley, the Public Works Director shall place and maintain signs giving notice thereof, and no such regulation shall be effective unless such signs are in place. Signs indicating the direction of lawful traffic movement shall be placed at every intersection where movement of traffic in the opposite direction is prohibited.

('65 Code, § 21-7.1) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

The City Engineer shall have authority to designate those entrances to an intersection at which a stop is required. The Public Works Director shall install and maintain a stop sign at each such designated entrance. Such sign shall conform with and shall be installed as provided in the Vehicle Code.

('65 Code, § 21-8.1) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

A. No person shall deface, mark, alter, damage, mar, draw on or in any other way destroy, ruin, disfigure or impair any newly placed pavement or freshly painted marking on any street or sidewalk when a barrier, sign, delineation or any other traffic control device is in place clearly marking off the area to pedestrian and/or vehicle traffic.

B. Violation of this provision shall constitute a misdemeanor, subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), six (6) months in jail, or both.

('65 Code, § 21-9.4) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Am. Ord. No. 97-009 § 4 (part))

A. No person shall enter a street or portion of a street when a sign or barrier is in place that the street or any portion thereof is closed to vehicular traffic.

B. Violation of this provision shall constitute a misdemeanor, subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), six (6) months in jail, or both.

(Ord. No. 97-009 § 4 (part))

A. No person shall place, cause to be placed, leave, push or propel in any manner any bicycle, motorcycle or any other vehicle upon any pedestrian walkway which the Council, by resolution, has specifically designated as reserved for pedestrian use only.

B. Violation of this provision shall constitute a misdemeanor, subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), six (6) months in jail, or both.

('65 Code, § 21-9.5) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Am. Ord. No. 97-009 § 5)

A. Crosswalks.

1. The City Engineer may designate those intersections where pedestrian crossing shall be prohibited. The Public Works Director shall install and maintain signs at or adjacent to such intersections indicating such prohibition.

2. Subject to Subsection 1., crosswalks shall be established and maintained at all intersections controlled by a traffic signal or boulevard stop and other places where the City Engineer determines that there is a particular need to designate crosswalks for safe and orderly pedestrian crossing. The Public Works Director shall place and maintain appropriate devices, marks or lines upon the surface of the roadway to designate such crosswalks.

('65 Code, § 21-10.1)

B. When pedestrians must use crosswalks. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than by a crosswalk in any business district.

('65 Code, § 21-10.2)

(Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

Except where otherwise indicated by a crosswalk or other official traffic control device, a pedestrian shall cross a roadway at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb.

('65 Code, § 21-10.3) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

No person or government agency shall operate any train in such a manner as to prevent vehicular use of any roadway for a period of time in excess of five (5) consecutive minutes except:

A. When necessary to comply with signals affecting the safety of the movement of trains;

B. When necessary to avoid striking any object or person on the track;

C. When the train is in motion except while engaged in switching operations;

D. When the train is disabled;

E. When there is no vehicular traffic waiting to use the crossing; or

F. When necessary to comply with a governmental safety regulation.

('65 Code, § 21-11.1) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1)

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES; TRUCK ROUTES

For the purpose of this Subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. As stated in the California Vehicle Code, A commercial vehicle “is a vehicle of a type required to be registered under [the California Vehicle Code] used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.”

(Cal. Veh. Code § 260(a)).

OVERWEIGHT. The overweight amount is deemed to equal the weight of the vehicle, either laden or unladen, less 6,000 pounds.

('65 Code, § 21-16.1(a)) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Ord. No. 96-004 §§ 1, 2; Ord. No. 96-013 § 1)

No person shall drive, or permit to be driven, any commercial vehicle the total weight of which, either laden or unladen, exceeds six thousand (6,000) pounds upon any street not designated as a truck route in § 7.02.210 and referred to herein as a restricted street, except for the following purposes; provided that the most direct route is used to the restricted street from the truck route and from the truck route to the restricted street:

A. Pickups and deliveries of materials, goods, wares and merchandise from or to any building or structure;

B. Movie or television production under permit from the City of Culver City;

C. Bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling or construction of any building or structure upon the restricted street for which a building permit has previously been obtained;

D. Construction, installation or repair of any public utility, provided that the vehicle is owned by a public utility or a licensed contractor;

E. Transportation of persons by a common carrier;

F. Construction, repair or maintenance of City streets, storm drains, and sanitary sewers; or

G. Emergency or government-owned vehicles.

('65 Code, § 21-16.1(b)) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Ord. No. 96-004 §§ 1, 2; Ord. No. 96-013 § 1)

Any commercial vehicle, the laden or unladen weight of which exceeds six thousand (6,000) pounds, shall use the following streets designated as truck routes:

A. Centinela Avenue.

B. Culver Boulevard, between west City boundary and Sepulveda Boulevard.

C. Higuera Street, between Hayden Avenue/Place and Jefferson Boulevard.

D. Jefferson Boulevard.

E. La Cienega Boulevard.

F. National Boulevard.

G. Sawtelle Boulevard, between Culver/ Washington off-ramp of the San Diego Freeway and Braddock Drive.

H. Sawtelle Boulevard, between Matteson Avenue and Venice Boulevard.

I. Adams Boulevard.

J. Sepulveda Boulevard.

K. Slauson Avenue, east of Jefferson Boulevard.

L. Venice Boulevard.

M. Washington Boulevard, east of La Cienega Boulevard.

N. Fairfax Avenue.

('65 Code, § 21-16.1(c)) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Ord. No. 96-004 §§ 1, 2; Ord. No. 96-013 § 1; Ord. No. 2003-007 § 1)

This Subchapter shall not be effective until appropriate signs are erected indicating either the streets affected by this Subchapter or the streets not affected, as the City Council determines will best serve to give notice of this Subchapter.

('65 Code, § 21-16.1(d)) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Ord. No. 96-004 §§ 1, 2; Ord. No. 96-013 § 1)

A. A violation of this Subchapter shall constitute an infraction, with bail forfeiture in the amount of $250.

B. A repeat violation of this Subchapter within a twelve (12) month period constitutes a misdemeanor, subject to a fine of not more than $500 six (6) months in jail, or both, provided that the City Attorney may prosecute a repeat violation as an infraction.

('65 Code, § 21-16.1(e)) (Ord. No. 83-027 § 1; Ord. No. 96-004 §§ 1, 2; Ord. No. 96-013 § 1)

INTERSTATE TRUCKS

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth, and if any word or phrase used in this Subchapter is not defined in this Section, it shall have the meanings set forth in the California Vehicle Code; provided that if any such word or phrase is not defined in the Vehicle Code, it shall have the meaning attributed to it in ordinary usage.

APPROVED INGRESS OR EGRESS POINT. An entrance or exit to or from a National System of Interstate and Defense Highway or a Federal-aid primary highway which has been designated and signed by the State of California Department of Transportation for use by vehicles or combinations of vehicles exceeding the limitations of Cal. Veh. Code §§ 35400, 35401 or 35411, or subdivisions (b) to (e), inclusive, of § 35402.

CALTRANS. The State of California Department of Transportation or its successor agency.

CITY ENGINEER. The City Engineer of the City of Culver City or his authorized representative.

DESIGNATED ROUTE. A route approved and signed by the City of Culver City pursuant to this Subchapter between an approved ingress or egress point and a terminal or service facility.

INTERSTATE TRUCK. A truck tractor and semi-trailer or truck tractor, semi-trailer and trailer with unlimited length as regulated by the Vehicle Code.

SERVICE FACILITY. A fuel, food, lodging or repair facility located within one-half (½) mile of an approved ingress or egress point.

TERMINAL FACILITY. A facility at which freight is consolidated to be shipped and where full load consignments may be off-loaded, or at which vehicle combinations not meeting the limitations of Cal. Veh. Code §§ 35400, 35401 or 35411, or subdivisions (b) to (e), inclusive, of § 35402, are regularly maintained, stored, or manufactured.

TRAILBLAZER SIGNS. Those signs erected to identify the designated route which shall be used by interstate trucks to or from the approved ingress or egress points to or from terminal facilities or service facilities.

('65 Code, § 21-18.1) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

The purpose of this Subchapter is to establish procedures for terminal designation and truck route designation to terminals for interstate trucks operating on a Federally designated highway system and to promote the general health, safety and welfare of the public.

('65 Code, § 21-18.2) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

A. Length. No person may operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles in excess of sixty (60) feet in total length on any street within the City of Culver City except when traveling along a designated route, except as provided in § 7.02.345.

('65 Code, § 21-18.3)

B. Width. No person may operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles in excess of ninety-six (96) inches in width on any street within the City of Culver City, without first obtaining a permit from the City Engineer. ('65 Code, § 21-18.4)

(Ord. No. 85-004 § 1; Ord. No. 2025-001 § 2 (part))

A. Any person owning and operating a terminal facility desiring to have a designated route to or from the Federally designated highway system established by the City shall submit an application, on a form provided by the City, to the City Engineer. The applicant shall also pay the requisite application fee and provide such other information as may be required by the City Engineer.

B. The City Engineer will determine if the facility constitutes a terminal and, if so, whether there exists a route over which vehicles exceeding sixty (60) feet in length may safely travel between the facility and approved ingress or egress points. In determining whether a safe route exists, the City Engineer shall consider turning radii and lane widths of ramps, intersections, highways and driveways, pavement structure, and general traffic conditions such as sight distance, speed and traffic volumes. If a route to and from a terminal is found to be safe, the applicant shall apply to the California Department of Transportation for concurrence in the route tentatively designated by the City and approval of ingress and egress points. If the California Department of Transportation approves ingress and egress points and concurs in the route tentatively designated by the City a permit shall be issued by the City.

C. The City may approve a permit conditioned upon the applicant taking certain corrective actions necessary for the route to be made safe. The applicant may apply for approval of the California Department of Transportation prior to undertaking said corrective action. No designated route shall be signed with trailblazer signs until all corrective work has been completed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. The cost of all corrective work, including time for review and inspection by the City and the cost of all trailblazer signs shall be borne by the applicant.

D. Should the safest route between an approved ingress or egress point involve streets or highways outside the City, no permit shall be issued unless the route outside the City has been approved by the appropriate jurisdiction.

('65 Code, § 21-18.5) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

A. The applicant shall pay a non-refundable application fee, as established by the City Council by resolution, sufficient to pay the cost of the review of the terminal designation and the review of the route and alternate route.

B. Upon the approval of the terminal designation and route by the City and by Caltrans, the applicant shall deposit with the City of Culver City, sufficient funds as estimated by the City Engineer to pay for the purchase and installation of terminal trailblazer signs. Trailblazer signs will be required at every decision point in the City on route to the terminal. Upon completion of the installation of the signs, the actual cost shall be computed and any difference between the actual and the estimated cost shall be billed or refunded to the applicant. No terminal or route may be used until required signs are installed and all costs paid. Costs for trailblazer signs may be proportioned in accordance with the procedures in § 7.02.325.

('65 Code, § 21-18.6) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

A. If all feasible routes to a requested terminal are found unsatisfactory by the City Engineer, the applicant may request retrofitting the deficiencies. Deficiencies may include, but are not limited to, street resurfacing, restriping, traffic signalization and traffic channelization. All costs of engineering, construction and inspection will be the responsibility of the applicant. Except when the retrofitting of deficiencies is within the jurisdiction of Caltrans, the actual construction will be done by the City or by a contractor acceptable to it.

B. When the work is to be done by the City, the applicant shall deposit with the City of Culver City, the estimated cost of retrofitting. Adjustments between the estimated and actual cost shall be made after completion of the work and any difference between the actual and the estimated cost shall be billed or refunded to the applicant.

C. If at any time within five (5) years from the date of completion of the retrofitting any new applicant seeks terminal approval which would use the route upon which such retrofitting was accomplished, any such new applicant's fee may include that applicant's proportionate share of the cost of retrofitting, as determined by the City Engineer. Such fee shall be paid to the City by the new applicant and disbursed by the City of Culver City to the applicant who paid for the retrofitting, as well as to any applicant who contributed to the cost of retrofitting under this Subsection.

('65 Code, § 21-18.7) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

The City Engineer may revoke the designation of any route if he or she finds that the route is unsafe for use by vehicles exceeding sixty (60) feet or otherwise becomes a traffic hazard to other vehicular traffic or pedestrians. If the designated route serves a terminal facility, the owner or operator of the terminal facility shall be notified in writing of the grounds of the revocation ten (10) days prior to the effective date of the revocation. The effective date of the revocation shall be stayed if an appeal of the revocation is filed within ten (10) days. Service of the notice of revocation shall be effective if the notice is mailed by certified mail or hand delivered to the terminal address.

('65 Code, § 21-18.8) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

Whenever the California Department of Transportation establishes designated ingress and egress points for a service facility, the City Engineer shall establish a designated route between the approved ingress or egress points and the service facility. The route shall be consistent with the safe operation of the combination of vehicles permitted to utilize the approved ingress or egress points. The City Engineer shall petition the Department of Transportation of the State of California to rescind the approved ingress or egress points to provide access to a service facility if the City Engineer determines that no safe route exists between the approved ingress or egress point and the service facility.

('65 Code, § 21-18.9) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

If the City Engineer denies terminal designation, route permit or revokes a previously approved terminal or route, the terminal owner or other interested person, within ten (10) days following notice of such denial or revocation, may appeal said decision to the City Council in writing.

A. An appeal shall be made on a form prescribed by the City Engineer and shall be filed with the City Clerk. The appeal shall state specifically the grounds for the appeal and wherein there was an error or abuse of discretion by the City Engineer, or wherein his decision is not supported by the evidence in the record. Within ten (10) days of the filing of an appeal, the City Engineer shall transmit to the City Clerk the terminal or route application, the sketches of the revoked route and all other data filed therewith, the report of the City Engineer, the findings of the City Engineer, and his decision on the application.

B. The City Clerk shall make copies of the data provided by the City Engineer available to the applicant and to the appellant (if the applicant is not the appellant) upon request and may give notice to any other interested party who requested notice of the time when the appeal will be considered by the City Council.

C. The City Council shall consider the appeal and its determination shall be final. If a permit is denied or a designated route revoked, no person may apply for a permit to serve the same terminal for a period of one year from the date of said denial or revocation.

('65 Code, § 21-18.10) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)

This Subchapter shall not apply to:

A. The limited access to reach facilities for fuel, food, lodging and repair and to reach terminals, shall not apply to licensed carriers of household goods who have obtained prior written approval from the City Engineer of the proposed route to be used when directly enroute to or from a point of loading or unloading of household goods if travel on highways other than those specified for the limited access referred to above is necessary and incidental to the shipment of household goods directly enroute to or from the point of loading or unloading of household goods. The City Engineers approval shall be limited to a determination as to whether the route is consistent with safe operation of the combination of vehicles.

B. Persons operating vehicles traveling to or from a service facility not more than one-half (½) mile from an approved ingress or egress point designated to provide access to or from a service facility when the City has not designated a route between the approved egress point and the service facility, if such access is not detrimental to the public safety and is consistent with the safe operation of vehicles or combination of vehicles exceeding sixty (60) feet in total length.

('65 Code, § 21-18.11) (Ord. No. 85-004 § 1)