Laguna Beach Municipal Code Ch. 11.70 Slow Streets Program

Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101(f), the city of Laguna Beach hereby establishes the Slow Streets Program.

(Ord. 1717, 4/8/2025)

A "Slow Street" shall be defined as a "local street," as the term is defined in Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 21.04.110, with connections to: (a) citywide bicycle networks; (b) destinations, such as business districts, that are within walking distance of the local street; or (c) green space.

(Ord. 1717, 4/8/2025)

The city manager or his/her designee shall have authority, subject to approval of the city council, to designate a street or street segment as a "Slow Street" for closure to vehicular traffic or to limit access and speed on a street using roadway design features, including, but not limited to, islands, curbs, or traffic barriers, as outlined in Section 11.70.050.

(Ord. 1717, 4/8/2025)

To designate a Slow Street, the city manager or his/her designee shall, in accordance with state law:

(a) Conduct an outreach and engagement process that includes notification to residents and owners of property abutting any street being considered for inclusion in the Slow Streets Program;

(b) Determine that the closure or traffic restriction leaves a sufficient portion of the streets in the surrounding area for other public uses, including vehicular traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic;

(c) Provide advance notice of the closure or traffic restriction to residents and owners of property abutting the street;

(d) Clearly designate the street closure or traffic restriction with signage in compliance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices;

(e) Determine that the closure or traffic restriction is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the closure or traffic restriction; and

(f) Maintain a publicly available internet website with information about the Slow Streets Program, a list of streets that are included in the program or are being evaluated for inclusion in the program, and instructions for participating in the public engagement process.

(Ord. 1717, 4/8/2025)

Upon designation of a Slow Street, the city manager or his/her designee shall be permitted to:

(a) Fully close a street or a portion of a street to vehicular traffic;

(b) Restrict vehicular traffic through regulatory changes, such as:

(1) Permitting only local traffic and restricting through traffic,

(2) Instituting advisory speed limits,

(3) Requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of small automated devices, and neighborhood electric vehicles; and

(c) Install temporary roadway treatments, such as signage; parabolic vertical traffic calming devices, such as speed bumps and speed humps; and other traffic control devices, to evaluate roadway user behavior and active transportation user safety and comfort, prior to installing permanent roadway design changes;

(1) The implementation period of each temporary treatment shall be determined by the city manager or his/her designee, depending on the scope and impact of the roadway change, subject to approval by the city council;

(d) Install any permanent roadway design features necessary to protect a designated Slow Street, including, but not limited to, islands, curbs, or traffic barriers.

(Ord. 1717, 4/8/2025)