Earlier editions: 2026-09
La Mesa Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 Traffic Control Devices
La Mesa Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · La Mesa
Cite as: La Mesa Municipal Code Chapter 12.16 · Text as of 2026-10-04
12.16.010 - Authority to install traffic control devices.¶
A. DEVICES REQUIRED FOR TITLE EFFECTIVENESS. The city traffic engineer shall have the power and duty to place and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained official traffic control devices when and as required to make effective the provisions of this title.
B. DEVICES REQUIRED BY LAW. Whenever the vehicle code requires for the effectiveness of any provision thereof that traffic control devices be installed to give notice to the public of the application of such law the city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to install or cause to be installed the necessary devices subject to any limitations or restrictions set forth in the law applicable thereto.
C. ADDITIONAL DEVICES. The city traffic engineer may also place and maintain or cause to place and maintain such additional traffic control devices as he may deem necessary or proper to regulate traffic or to guide or warn traffic, but he shall make such determination only upon the basis of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations and in accordance with such standards, limitations, and rules as may be set forth in this title or as may be determined by ordinance or resolution of the council.
(Ord. 1379 § 4; August 27, 1963)
12.16.020 - Signs prerequisite to enforcement.¶
No provision of the vehicle code or of this title for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator unless appropriate legible signs are in place giving notice of such provisions of the traffic laws.
(Ord. 1379 § 4.1; August 27, 1963)
12.16.030 - Obedience to traffic control devices.¶
The operator of any vehicle or train shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device placed in accordance with this title unless otherwise directed by a police officer or other authorized person subject to the exceptions granted the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle when responding to emergency calls.
(Ord. 1379 § 4.2; August 27, 1963)
12.16.040 - Installation of traffic signals.¶
A. RECOMMENDATION. The city traffic committee is hereby directed to recommend to the city council the installation of official traffic signals at those intersections and other places where traffic conditions are such as to require that the flow of traffic be alternately interrupted and released in order to prevent or relieve traffic congestion or to protect life, or property from exceptional hazard, and to install and maintain, or cause to be installed and maintained, the same when ordered to do so by resolution of the city council.
B. METHOD OF ASCERTAINING NECESSITY. The city traffic committee shall ascertain and determine the locations where such signals are required by field investigation, traffic counts and other traffic information as may be pertinent and their determinations therefrom shall be made in accordance with those traffic engineering and safety standards and instructions set forth in the California maintenance manual issued by the division of highways of the state of California, department of public works.
C. STREET NAME SIGNS. Whenever the city traffic committee installs and maintains, or causes to be installed and maintained, an official traffic signal at any intersection, they shall likewise erect and maintain or cause to be erected and maintained at such intersection, street name signs visible to the principal flow of traffic unless such street name signs have previously been placed and are maintained at any said intersection.
(Ord. 1379 § 4.3; August 27, 1963)
12.16.050 - Lane marking.¶
The city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to mark centerlines and lane lines upon the surface of the roadway to indicate the course to be traveled by vehicles and may place signs temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the centerline of the highway
(Ord. 1379 § 4.4; August 27, 1963)
12.16.060 - Distinctive roadway markings.¶
The city traffic engineer is authorized to place and maintain distinctive roadway markings as described in the vehicle code on those streets or parts of streets where the volume of traffic or the vertical or other curvature of the roadway renders it hazardous to drive on the left side of such marking or signs and markings. Such marking or signs and marking shall have the same effect as similar markings placed by the state department of public works pursuant to provisions of the vehicle code.
(Ord. 1379 § 4.5; August 27, 1963)
12.16.070 - Removal and relocation of traffic control devices.¶
The city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to remove, relocate or discontinue the operation of any traffic control device not specifically required by the vehicle code or this title whenever he shall determine in any particular case that the conditions which warranted or required the installation no longer exist or obtain.
(Ord. 1379 § 4.6; August 27, 1963)
12.16.080 - Hours of operation of traffic control devices.¶
The city traffic engineer shall determine the hours and days during which any traffic control device shall be in operation or be in effect, except in those cases where such hours or days are specified in this title.
(Ord. 1379 § 4.7; August 27, 1963)
12.16.090 - Unauthorized painting of curbs.¶
No person, unless authorized by this city, shall paint any street or curb surface; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to the painting of numbers on a curb surface by any person who has complied with the provisions of any resolution or ordinance of this city pertaining thereto.
(Ord. 1379 § 4.8; August 27, 1963)
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