Lake Forest Municipal Code Ch. 12.04 General Provisions and Administration

Title 12 of the Municipal Code shall serve as the Traffic Ordinance for the City of Lake Forest. Adoption by the State Legislature of the California Vehicle Code provides for uniform traffic regulations throughout the State. Within these regulations the California Vehicle Code also delegates to local government specific authority to adopt supplemental regulations by ordinance or resolution. It is the intent of this title to establish specific City of Lake Forest legal and organizational authority for traffic management and regulatory enforcement of use within the public right-of-way.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007)

To guide the application of the laws contained in this Traffic Ordinance not in the California Vehicle Code, the City Council has adopted the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (California MUTCD), as it may be amended from time to time by the California Department of Transportation. The California MUTCD defines engineering policies, procedures, and interpretations of traffic engineering practice. Any amendments to the California MUTCD shall be approved by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007)

The following words and phrases when used in this title shall, for the purpose of this title, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

California Vehicle Code Definitions to be Used.

Whenever any words or phrases used herein are defined in the Vehicle Code of the State of California, and amendments thereto, such definitions shall apply if not elsewhere defined in this chapter.

Bus Stop Zone.

The space adjacent to the curb or edge of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of buses during the loading or unloading of passengers.

Curb.

The lateral boundary of the roadway whether such curb be marked by curbing construction or not so marked; it does not include the line dividing the roadway of a street from parking strips in the center of a street, nor from tracks or rights-of-way of public utility companies.

Holidays.

Within the meaning of this division, holidays are the holidays defined in Chapter 2.55 of the Municipal Code.

Loading Zone.

The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

Official Time Standard.

Whenever certain hours are named herein, they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the City.

Passenger Loading Zone.

The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.

Director.

The Director of the City's Public Works Department, or his or her authorized representative.

School Days.

Days on which regularly scheduled public school classes are in session.

Vehicle Code.

The Vehicle Code of the State of California.

Bicycle Lane.

A marked lane within the roadway designated by appropriate signs and markings for the one way use of bicycles.

Bicycle Path/Bicycle Trail.

A specifically designated area for bicycle use physically separated from the roadway.

Bicycle Route.

Any roadway designated as a bikeway pursuant to California Streets and Highways Code Section 2371 with official signs giving notice of such a bikeway.

Scooter.

Manually propelled, two wheeled scooters.

Skateboard.

A board of any material, which has wheels attached to it and which is propelled or moved by human, gravitational power, and to which there is not fixed any device or mechanism to turn or control the wheels.

Recreational Vehicle.

A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, camping trailer or similar vehicle, with or without motive power, designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy; or

A portable unit, mounted on wheels, of such a size and weight as not to require special highway movement permits when drawn by a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, boat trailer, all terrain vehicle (ATV) trailer, camper, jet ski trailer and toy trailer.

Business and Industrial Zone.

For purposes of Section 12.16.040(C), the following streets comprise the Business and Industrial Zone:

Electric Bicycle.

An electric bicycle equipped with both fully operable pedals and an electric motor, as further defined by Vehicle Code Section 312.5, as it may be amended from time to time.

Electrically Motorized Board.

Any wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding, is designed to transport only one person, and has an electric propulsion system, as further defined by Vehicle Code Section 313.5, as it may be amended from time to time.

Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device.

A self-balancing, nontandem two-wheeled device that can turn in place, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system, as further defined by Vehicle Code Section 313, as it may be amended from time to time.

Motorized Scooter.

Any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor, as further defined by Vehicle Code Section 407.5, as it may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007; Ord. 201 §§ 2, 3, 4-7-2009; Ord. 358 § 17, 2022)

It shall be the general duty of the Director of Public Works/City Engineer or designee to determine the installation, design, operation, and maintenance of traffic-control devices, design and/or review traffic flow systems and appurtenances, conduct engineering analyses of traffic accidents; devise remedial measures; conduct engineering and traffic investigations of traffic conditions. The Director of Public Works/City Engineer shall also cooperate with the California Highway Patrol, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the Orange County Fire Authority, and other agencies as appropriate in the development of ways and means to improve traffic conditions and maximize traffic safety.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007; Ord. 302 § 40, 2018)