Chapter 8 — TRAFFIC HAZARDS
Downey Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-10-02 · Downey
§ 4800. GENERALLY.¶
No person owning or in possession of real property located at any corner formed by intersecting streets shall install, set out, maintain, permit or allow the installation, setting out, maintenance or existence of any hedge, shrubbery, natural growth, sign, device or other obstruction to view within that triangular area between the property lines adjacent to the corner and a diagonal line joining points on the property lines, which points are 25 feet from the intersection of said property lines, or in the case of rounded corners the area between the tangents to the curve and a diagonal line joining points on such tangents which points are 25 feet from the intersection of said lines when such installation, setting out, maintenance or existence of such hedge, shrubbery, natural growth, sign, device or other obstruction would prevent or interfere with a driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection on one street from seeing a vehicle approaching the intersection on the intersecting street.
(Added by Ord. 63, adopted 11-4-57)
§ 4800.1. SAME. EXCEPTIONS.¶
The provisions of Section 4800 shall not apply to public utility poles, trees trimmed to the trunk so that only the trunk obstructs the view, saplings or plant species of open growth habits which are not planted in the form of a hedge and which are so planted and trimmed as to leave at all seasons a clear and unobstructed crossview. The provisions of said Section 4800 shall not apply to any permanent buildings lawfully in existence. (Added by Ord. 63, adopted 11-4-57)
§ 4801. REMEDIES.¶
In addition to the remedy by prosecution for violation of this section, any obstruction maintained in violation of this section shall be deemed a nuisance, and upon failure to abate the same within twenty days after the posting upon the premises of notice to abate the nuisance, signed by the traffic engineer or his authorized representative, the traffic engineer or his authorized representative may enter upon the premises and remove or eliminate the obstruction. In such event the cost to the City of the abatement of the nuisance shall be a personal obligation against the owner of the premises upon which the nuisance was maintained, recoverable by the City in an action before any court of competent jurisdiction. (Added by Ord. 63, adopted 11-4-57)
§ 4802. REMOVAL OF SHRUBBERY WHICH OBSTRUCTS VIEW OF INTERSECTION.¶
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 cause the hedge, shrubbery or tree to be immediately removed or reduced in height.
(Added by Ord. 63, adopted 11-4-57)
§ 4803. SIGNS.¶
No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard by obstructing vision; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, color or the lights thereon, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device; or which makes use of the words "STOP," "LOOK," "DRIVE-IN," "DANGER," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(Added by Ord. 63, adopted 11-4-57)
§ 4804. GOOSE NECK REFLECTORS.¶
Goose neck reflectors and lights shall be permitted on ground signs, accessory ground signs, accessory post signs, roof signs, and wall signs; provided, however, that the reflectors concentrate the illumination so as to prevent glare upon the public street or adjacent property. No other goose neck reflectors and lights shall be erected or maintained in connection with signs. (Added by Ord. 63, adopted 11-5-57)
§ 4805. SPOTLIGHTS AND FLOOD LIGHTS.¶
No sign shall be maintained over a public street or public property which is wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights or spotlights. (Added by Ord. 63, 11-4-57)
§ 4806. DIRECTIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL SIGNS.¶
Whenever the traffic engineer determines that informational or directional signs are necessary or desirable for the direction of traffic, he may erect or permit the erection on any public street of directional or informational signs marking bus stops, indicating the location of public telephones, or indicating the location of public or semi-public buildings or grounds, including parks, churches, cemeteries, lodges, hospitals, chambers of commerce, service clubs, country clubs, automobile clubs and places of public assemblage. The traffic engineer shall determine the number, size, location, color, working construction and method of erection of such for the purpose of insuring the uniformity and safety of such signs and keeping the number reduced to a minimum compatible with traffic safety and the general purpose of such signs. Any person desiring permission to erect such signs shall apply to the traffic engineer. (Added by Ord. 63, 11-4-57)
CHAPTER 9 HANDBILLS
§ 4900. DEFINITIONS.¶
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as herein set forth unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended. (Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4900.1. COMMERCIAL HANDBILL.¶
"Commercial handbill" shall mean and include any printed or written matter, any sample or device, dodger, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, paper, booklet, or any other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copies of any matter of literature:
(1)
- Which advertises for sale any merchandise, product, commodity, or thing; or
(2) Which directs attention to any business or mercantile or commercial establishment, or other activity, for the purpose of either directly or indirectly promoting the interests thereof by sales; or
(3) Which directs attention to or advertises any meeting, theatrical performance, exhibition, or event of any kind.
(Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4900.2. NEWSPAPER.¶
"Newspaper" shall mean and include any newspaper of general circulation as defined by general law, any newspaper duly entered with the Post Office Department of the United States in accordance with Federal statute or regulation, and any newspaper filed and recorded with any recording officer as provided by general law; and, in addition thereto, shall mean and include any periodical or current magazine regularly published with not less than four issues per year, and sold to the public.
(Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4900.3. NON-COMMERCIAL HANDBILL.¶
"Non-commercial handbill" shall mean and include any printed or written matter, any sample or device, dodger, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, newspaper, magazine, paper booklet, or any other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copies of any matter or literature not included in the aforesaid definitions of a sign, or a commercial handbill, or a newspaper. (Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4900.4. PRIVATE PREMISES.¶
"Private premises" shall mean and include any dwelling, house, building, or other structure, designed or used either wholly or in part for private residential purposes, whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant, and shall include any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building, or other structure.
(Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4900.5. PUBLIC PLACE.¶
"Public place" shall mean and include any and all streets, boulevards, avenues, lanes, alleys, or other public ways, and any and all public parks, squares, spaces, plazas, grounds and buildings. (Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4901. THROWING HANDBILLS BROADCAST IN PUBLIC PLACES PROHIBITED.¶
No person shall deposit, place, throw, scatter or cast any commercial handbill in or upon any public place within this City or sell any commercial handbill in any public place; provided, however, that any person may hand out or distribute, without charge to the receiver thereof, any non-commercial handbill in any public place to any person willing to accept such noncommercial handbill.
(Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4902. PLACING IN VEHICLES – COMMERCIAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL HANDBILLS.¶
No person shall distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or upon any automobile or other vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to prohibit the handling, transmitting or distributing or any non-commercial handbill to the owner or other occupant of any automobile of other vehicle, who is willing to accept the same.
(Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4903. DISTRIBUTION ON UNINHABITED OR VACANT PRIVATE PREMISES OF COMMERCIAL OR…¶
No person shall distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or upon any private premises which are temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant.
(Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4904. PROHIBITING DISTRIBUTION WHERE PROPERLY POSTED.¶
No person shall distribute, deposit, place, scatter or cast any commercial or non-commercial handbill upon any premises, if requested by anyone thereon not to do so, or if there is placed on said premises in a conspicuous position near the entrance thereof, a sign bearing the words: "No Trespassing," "No Peddlers or Agents," "No Advertisement," or any similar notice, indicating in any manner that the occupants of said premises do not desire to be molested or to have their right of privacy disturbed, or to have any such handbills left upon such premises. (Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4905. DISTRIBUTION ON INHABITED PRIVATE PREMISES – COMMERCIAL OR NON-COMMERCIAL…¶
No person shall distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or upon any private premises which are inhabited, except by handling or transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant, or any other person then present in or upon such private premises; provided, however, that in case of inhabited private premises which are not posed as provided in this chapter, the aforesaid person, unless requested by anyone upon such premises not to do so, may place or deposit any such handbill in or upon such inhabited private premises, if such handbill is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent such handbill from being blown or drifted about such premises or elsewhere, except that mailboxes may not be so used when so prohibited by Federal postal laws or regulations. (Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58)
§ 4906. HOURS OF DISTRIBUTION.¶
No person shall distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or upon any private premises nor hand or transmit any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant or any other person then present upon such premises except during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. of any day Monday through Saturday. (Amended by Ord. 282, adopted 9-13-65)
§ 4907. HANDBILLS OFFENSIVE TO PUBLIC MORALS, ETC. PROHIBITED.¶
(Added by Ord. 92, adopted 5-12-58; repealed by Ord. 971, adopted 1-11-94)
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