Chapter 2 — EMERGENCY ACCESS

Sections:

3112-1. Road and Driveway Access - Intent.

Road and street networks, whether public or private, unless exempted under Section 3111-3(b), shall provide for safe access for emergency wildland fire equipment and civilian evacuation concurrently, and shall provide unobstructed traffic circulation during a wildfire emergency consistent with Sections 3112-2 through 3112-13 . (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

3112-2. Application of Design Standards.

The design and improvement standards as referenced in these regulations shall be those as set forth in the Appendix to Title III, Division 2, of the Humboldt County Code, and in the County Roadway Design Manual. Application of these design and improvement standards shall be consistent with the intent as prescribed in Section 3112-1, and shall be based upon: (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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• (a) legal requirements, (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

• (b) sound engineering principles and practices and engineering geological evaluation of necessary, (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

• (c) traffic safety considerations, (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

• (d) economy of design and maintenance, and (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

• (e) allowance for the special nature of Humboldt County roads and traffic problems. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

Interpretation of these standards shall be provided by the Director of Public Works. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

3112-3. Road Width.

All roads shall be constructed to a minimum Road Category 4 road standard of two ten (10) foot traffic lanes, not including shoulders, capable of providing for two-way traffic flow to support emergency vehicle and civilian egress. This standard may be modified where an exception has been granted pursuant to Sections 3111-7 through 3111-10 of this ordinance, and the development is made subject to the following provisions. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/ 1991; amended by Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(a) A traffic lane meeting the standard for Road Category 2 (12 feet) shall be considered as meeting the requirements of this section for a single lot division into two (2) parcels, where all the following conditions are met: (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; amended by Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(1) The subdivision is conditioned so as to limit site development as follows: (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

For a parcel or parcels having a minimum parcel size of less than 20 acres, not more than one (1) dwelling unit shall be permitted for each parcel. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

For a parcel or parcels having a minimum parcel size of 20 acres or more, not more than two (2) dwelling units shall be permitted for each parcel. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(2) Rights to further subdivide the parcels created by the land division would be conveyed to the county until such time as the full road segment was improved to a minimum of Road Category 3 or 4 for traffic lane, as appropriate. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

• (3) Inter-visible turnouts are installed in conformance Section 3112-8 of these regulations. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(b) In mountainous terrain and/or where geologic or other natural features make infeasible full development of two (10) foot wide traffic lanes, a traffic lane meeting the standard for Road Category 3 (16 feet) shall be considered as meeting the requirements of this section for subdivisions of three (3) to eight (8) parcels, where all the following conditions are met: (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; amended by Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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• (1) The subdivision is conditioned so as to limit site development as follows: (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

For a parcel or parcels having a minimum parcel size of less than 20 acres, not more than one (1) dwelling unit shall be permitted for each parcel. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

For a parcel or parcels having minimum parcel size of 20 acres, not more than two (2) dwelling units shall be permitted for each parcel. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(2) Rights to further subdivide the parcels created by the subdivision would be conveyed to the County until such time as the full road segment was improved to a minimum of Road Category 4 for a traffic lane. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(3) The roadbed width shall include a minimum of two-foot (2') wide bladed shoulders on each side of the traffic lane. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(c) In mountainous terrain and/or where geologic or other natural features make infeasible full development of two (10) foot wide traffic lanes, a traffic lane meeting the standard for Road Category 3 (16 feet) shall be considered as meeting the requirements of this section for subdivisions of not more than nineteen (19) parcels, where all the following conditions are met:

• (1) The requirements of Section 3112-3(b) are satisfied. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

• (2) The minimum parcel size for the subdivision is forty (40) acres or larger. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

3112-4. Roadway Surface.

The surface of all roadways shall provide unobstructed access to conventional drive vehicles, including sedans and fire engines. The surface shall conform to the standards of a Road Category 4 roadway. Where Road Category 2 or 3 has been approved pursuant to Section 3112-3, the surface shall conform to the standards for these categories, as appropriate. Roadways shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds. Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; amended by Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

3112-5. Roadway Grades.

The grade for all roads, streets, and private lanes shall conform to the standards for Road Category 4. The grade for driveways shall conform to the standards for Road Category 1. No roadway grade in excess of 16 percent shall be permitted unless it has been demonstrated to be in conformance with the County Roadway Design Manual. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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3112-6. Roadway Radius.

(a) The roadway radius for all roads, and private lanes shall conform to the standards for Road Category 4. The minimum roadway radius for driveways shall conform to the standards for Road Category 1. No roadway shall have a horizontal inside radius of curvature of less than 50 feet unless it has been demonstrated to be in conformance with the County Roadway Design Manual. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(b) Curve alignments shall provide for curve widening on low radius curves to compensate for off tracking characteristics or trucks and trailers. Additional surface width of four (4) feet shall be added to curves of 50-100 feet radius; two (2) feet to those from 100-200 feet. Design of curve alignments shall be in conformance with the County Design Manual. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(c) The length of vertical curves in roadways, exclusive of gutters, ditches, and drainage structures designed to hold or divert water, shall not be less than 100 feet. Design of vertical curves shall be in conformance with the County Roadway Design Manual. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

3112-7. Roadway Turnarounds.

Turnarounds are required on driveways and dead-end roads as specified in these regulations. The minimum turning radius for a turnaround shall be 40 feet from the center line of the road, not including the parking lane. If a hammerhead ”T” is used, the top of the “T” shall be a minimum of 60 feet in length. If a slip “T” design is used, the projection shall have a minimum depth of forty (40) feet. Turnaround designs shall conform to the diagrams below in Figures 3112-7A, 3112-7B and 3112-7C, as applicable. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/ 2015)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Type 1

On-Street Parking Prohibited

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Type 2

On-Street Parking Allowed

FIGURE 3112-7A

Cul-de Sac

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Type 1

On-Street Parking Prohibited

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Type 2

On-Street Parking Allowed

3112-7B Hammerhead “T”

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Type 1

On-Street Parking Prohibited

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Type 2

On-Street Parking Allowed

3112-7C Slip “T”

3112-8. Roadway Turnouts.

Turnouts shall be designed in conformance with the County Roadway Design Manual. Turnouts shall be required on roadways constructed to the standard of Road Category 2 and at locations as specified in these regulations. Turnouts shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet wide, to include width of adjacent traffic lane, and thirty (30) feet long with a minimum of 25 foot taper on each end (eighty (80) feet total length). Turnout designs shall conform to the diagram below. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Figure 3112-8. Roadway Turnout

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3112-9. Roadway Structures.

(a) All driveway, road, street, and private lane roadway structures shall be constructed to carry at least the maximum load and provide the minimum vertical clearance as required in California Vehicle Code Sections 35250, 35550, and 35750. Where a bridge, culvert or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the roadway structure shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, published 202 (known as AASHTO HB-17), hereby incorporated by reference, or an equivalent or greater AASHTO standard as may be from time to time adopted. Roadway structures shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. The minimum vertical clearance shall be 15 feet at all points on the surface of the roadway. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

as AASHTO HB-17), hereby incorporated by reference, or an equivalent or greater AASHTO standard as may be from time to time adopted. Roadway structures shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. The minimum vertical clearance shall be 15 feet at all points on the surface of the roadway. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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(b) Appropriate signing, including but not limited to vehicle load, vertical clearance, one-way road, or single lane conditions, shall be posted at both entrances to bridges. This requirement may be omitted for bridges on private roads and driveways where compliance with paragraph (a) of this section has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works. Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, barriers or signs, or both, as approved by the Department of Public Works, shall be installed and maintained. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(c) A bridge with only one traffic lane may be authorized by the County; however, the bridge shall provide for unobstructed visibility from one end to the other and shall have intervisible turnouts at both ends. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(d) The County may allow a flatcar bridge having a width of not less than nine (9) feet to be used as a roadway structure on a private lane or driveway provided the requirements of Section 3112-9(c) are satisfied. No exception request shall be required for the reduced roadway width. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

3112-10. One-Way Roads.

All one-way roads shall be constructed to provide a minimum, not including shoulders, of one 10twelve (12) foot traffic lane. The County may approve one-way roads. All one-way roads shall connect to a two-lane roadway at both ends, and shall provide access to an area currently zoned for no more than ten (10) dwelling units. In no case shall it exceed 2,640 feet in length. A turnout shall be placed approximately at the midpoint of each one-way road. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

3112-11. Dead-End Roads.

(a) The maximum length of a dead-end road, including all dead-end roads accessed from that dead-end road, shall not exceed the following cumulative lengths, regardless of the number of parcels served: (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/ 17/1991)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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All lengths shall be measured from the edge of the roadway surface at the intersection that begins the road to the end of the road surface at its farthest point. Where a dead-end road crosses areas of differing zoned parcel sizes, requiring different length limits, the shortest allowable length shall apply. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(b) Where parcels are zoned 5 acres or larger, turnarounds shall be provided at a maximum of 1320 foot intervals. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(c) Each dead-end road shall have a turnaround constructed at its terminus. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

3112-12. Driveways.

(a) All driveways shall be constructed to provide a minimum Road Category1 standard of one ten (10) foot traffic lane and fourteen (14) feet of unobstructed horizontal clearance (two (2) feet on each side of the traffic lane). The minimum vertical clearance shall be 15 feet along its entire length. Driveways in excess of 1320 feet in length shall be constructed to the standard for Road Category 2 of one twelve (12) foot traffic lane. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(b) Driveways exceeding 150 feet in length, but less than 800 feet in length, shall provide a turnout near the midpoint of the driveway. Where a driveway exceeds 800 feet, turnouts shall be spaced at intervisible points at approximately 400 foot intervals. The location and spacing of turnouts shall be in conformance with the County Roadway Design Manual. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(c) A turnaround shall be provided at all building sites on driveways over 300 feet in length, or 200 feet if required by the local fire agency, and shall be within fifty (50) feet of the building. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

3112-13. Gate Entrances.

(a) Gate entrances shall be at least two (2) feet wider than the width of the traffic lane(s) serving the gate, and a minimum width of fourteen (14) feet of unobstructed horizontal clearance and unobstructed vertical clearance of fifteen (15) feet. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

• (b) All gates providing access from a road to a driveway shall either: (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

  • (1) be located a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the roadway, or (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

(2) if located closer than thirty (30) feet from the roadway, turnout(s) shall be constructed near the gate entrance to allow parking next to the traffic lane(s) for use from each direction of travel. The location of the turnouts shall permit safe turning movements and maintain adequate sight visibility. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/ 1991)

(c) All gates providing access from a road to a driveway shall open to allow a vehicle to stop without obstructing traffic on that road. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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(d) Where a one-way road with a single traffic lane provides access to a gated entrance, a forty (40) foot turning radius shall be used. (Ord. 1952, § 1, 12/17/1991; Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)

(e) Security gates shall not be installed without approval and where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation acceptable to CAL FIRE and the local fire agency. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. (Ord. 2540, Section 1, 11/17/2015)