East Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 10.36 Truck Routes

The purpose of the regulations contained in the ordinance codified in this section is to decrease the level of certain through truck traffic, as defined, in the city so as to accomplish the following goals:

A. Increase safety for other vehicles, passengers and pedestrians using local streets;

B. Improve the ambient noise level associated with vehicular traffic;

C. Reduce the wear and tear on local streets and lower maintenance costs associated therewith;

D. Provide for improved quality of life for residents and visitors through combination of subsections A—D, above.

(Ord. 211 § 1, 1997)

"Local truck route" means any street upon which trucks with an origin and/or destination within the City of East Palo Alto may operate.

"Restricted street" means any street in the City of East Palo Alto that is not a local truck route.

"Through truck route" means any street upon which the unrestricted use of trucks is permitted. The City of East Palo Alto has no designated through truck routes.

"Truck" means any vehicle exceeding a maximum gross weight of three tons.

(Ord. 211 § 2, 1997)

This chapter shall be enforceable only after the following:

A. Signs have been posted at each of the city's entrances indicating "No Through Trucks Over Three (3) Tons."

B. Local truck routes have been so designated by appropriate signage.

C. Existing truck route-related signage not consistent with these regulations have been removed.

(Ord. 211 § 3, 1997)

The city has no designated through truck routes.

(Ord. 211 § 4, 1997)

The following named streets are declared truck routes:

University Avenue (entire length)

Bay Road (from Gloria Way to eastern city limit)

East Bayshore Road (entire length)

West Bayshore Road (from Newell Road to eastern city limit)

(Ord. 211 § 5, 1997)

A. No truck shall enter or leave the city except on a local truck route.

B. All trucks entering the city for destinations in the city shall proceed only over a local truck route and shall deviate therefrom only by the shortest and most direct route between each destination and the nearest local truck route.

C. Upon leaving each destination within the city, a deviating truck shall return to the nearest local truck route by the shortest and most direct route. A deviating truck may go directly to the next destination by the shortest and most direct route without regard to truck routes if it will result in a shorter distance being traveled on restricted streets.

D. All trucks, on a trip originating in the city and traveling for destinations outside the city, shall proceed by the shortest and most direct route to the nearest local truck route.

E. All trucks, on a trip originating in the city and traveling for destinations in the city, shall proceed by the shortest and most direct route to the nearest local truck route and shall deviate therefrom only by the shortest and most direct route between each destination and the nearest local truck route except that it may go directly to the next destination by the shortest and most direct route without regard to truck routes if it will result in a shorter distance being traveled on restricted streets.

(Ord. 211 § 6, 1997)

Any police officer shall have the authority to require any person driving or in control of a truck not on a local truck route to proceed to a public or private scale available for weighing to determine whether the vehicle is in compliance with the city's regulations.

(Ord. 211 § 7, 1997)

The following vehicles are exempt from the regulations contained in this chapter:

A. Passenger buses under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission of California, public transit vehicles, shuttle vehicles and school buses;

B. Any vehicle owned, leased, operated or controlled by the city;

C. Any vehicle owned, leased, operated or controlled by a public utility or licensed contractor while necessarily in use in the construction, maintenance, installation or repair of any public utility, street or street improvement within the city;

D. Any vehicle used for the removal of garbage, waste, or refuse under contract with the city;

E. Any authorized emergency vehicle;

F. Vehicles making pickups or deliveries on restricted streets when using streets between the nearest local truck route and the specific address;

G. By special permit granted by the city.

(Ord. 211 § 8, 1997)

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction for the first violation, and for the second or subsequent violation within one year, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 211 § 9, 1997)

(Ord. No. 334, § 27, 7-20-2010)