Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 15.04 Traffic Regulations

(A) Whenever any words or phrases used in this Chapter are not defined herein but are defined in the Vehicle Code of this State, such definitions are incorporated herein and shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used in this Chapter as though set forth herein in full.

(B) For the purpose of this Chapter the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as hereinafter set out unless it shall be apparent from the context that they have a different meaning.

(1) "California Maintenance Manual" shall mean that book of traffic engineering standards and instructions formulated and published by the Division of Highways of the Department of Public Works of the State of California, entitled "Manual of Instructions." Copies of said manual shall be kept available to the public in the Office of the Road Department.

(2) "Commissioner" shall mean the Road Commissioner of Mendocino County.

(3) "Local Authority" shall mean the Board of Supervisors of Mendocino County.

(4) "Traffic Article" shall mean Ordinance No. 512 of the County of Mendocino, as adopted November 29, 1966, and as amended from time to time by ordinance, article or resolution.

(Ord. No. 512, Secs. 1—6, adopted 1966.)

(A) Authorized Installations. Whenever by any provision of this Chapter the Local Authority is authorized to install any traffic control devices and such authority is made dependent upon their determination of the need therefor, it shall be their duty to make such determination only upon the basis of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations and in accordance with such standards, limitations and rules as are hereinafter in this Chapter laid down with reference to the particular kind of installation under consideration.

(B) Directed Installations. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner to install traffic control devices whenever directed by the Local Authority or by any provision of this Chapter and to do so at any particular location specified.

(C) Installations Essential to Effectiveness of Traffic Laws. Whenever any traffic law of this State or any traffic regulation set forth in this Chapter requires for its effectiveness that traffic control devices be installed to give notice to the public of the operations or application of such law or regulation, the Commissioner is hereby authorized to install the necessary devices, subject to any limitations or restrictions set forth in the law or regulation involved.

(D) Additional Installations. Subject to the requirements of subsection (A) of this Section, the Local Authority is hereby authorized to install by resolution such additional traffic control devices not expressly provided for in this Chapter as it determines are necessary to regulate, warn or guide traffic and to remove such devices by resolution when it determines they are no longer necessary to regulate, warn or guide traffic.

(E) Authority of Local Authority Exclusive. No other officer, board or department of this County, and no private agency or person shall install, place, maintain or remove any traffic control devices within the purview of this Chapter except as provided in this Chapter.

(F) Road Markings. The Commissioner shall mark center lines, lane lines, symbols and words and install raised devices or other devices to indicate upon the surface of the pavement the course to be traveled by vehicles at any place where the Commissioner determines that such markings or devices are necessary for the orderly and safe movement of traffic. Said markings and installations shall be made consistent with State law and in accordance with those standards and methods set forth in the California Maintenance Manual.

(G) Removal of Unauthorized Signs, Signals and Lights. The Commissioner may, without notice, remove any unofficial sign, signal or device, placed, maintained or displayed upon any County road, contrary to the provisions of the Vehicle Code.

(H) Off-center Lane Movement—Establishment. The Commissioner is hereby authorized to install signs or markers, temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction on any County road, regardless of the center line of that road or markings thereon, whenever the Commissioner determines that such designation will promote the orderly movement of traffic or reduce congestion.

(I) Temporary Traffic Controls. Upon those streets or at those locations where the Commissioner determines that an unusual hazard exists to life or property, or that unusual congestion or impedence to traffic movement exists or is likely to occur, the Commissioner shall install such official traffic control devices as are required by his findings to control such hazard, congestion, or impedence to traffic movement. Such devices shall be effective for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days and shall be appropriately marked "temporary."

(Ord. No. 512, Secs. 20—24, 30—33, adopted 1966.)

(A) Authority to Change Prima Facie Limits. Pursuant to Sections 22348, 22357, and 22358 of the Vehicle Code, the Local Authority hereby determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, that a speed greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour would be reasonable and safe upon the streets designated which are otherwise subject to a prima facie speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour under the said Vehicle Code, and that the maximum limit as designated by the Vehicle Code is more than is reasonable and safe upon the streets designated which are otherwise subject to a maximum speed limit of fifty-five (55) miles per hour under the said Vehicle Code. The Commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to establish appropriate signs giving notice of the prima facie speed limits established. When signs are erected giving notice thereof, the prima facie speed limits set forth shall be in effect.

(B) Speed Zone Schedules/Twenty-Five (25) Miles Per Hour Prima Facie Speed Limit. Upon the streets designated in this subsection, a prima facie speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour is hereby declared to be reasonable, safe and more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic.

(1) On Mill Creek Drive (CR 425), full length.

(2) On Ward Avenue (CR 425B), from 0.70 miles northwest of State Route 1 to terminus.

(3) On Lovers Lane (CR 222), full length.

(4) On Petaluma Avenue (CR 422), from Pudding Creek Road (CR 421), to Johnson Lane (CR 442A).

(5) On Marina Drive (CR 226), from milepost 1.05 to milepost 2.05 (State Route 20).

(6) On Sanford Ranch Road (CR 200), from milepost 0.00 to mile post 0.70 (Knob Hill Road (CR 204).

(7) On Knob Hill Road (CR 204), full length.

(8) On Vichy Hills Drive (CR 204I), full length.

(9) On Watson Road (CR 204A), full length.

(10) On Gibney Lane (CR 412E), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.4.

(11) On Deerwood Drive (CR 215B), full length.

(12) On Deerwood Drive Extension (CR 215BX), from mile post 0.00 to Wildwood Road (CR 215J).

(13) On North Harbor Drive (CR 415A), from State Route 1 to Fort Bragg City limits.

(14) On Redemeyer Road (CR 215A), from milepost 2.40 to terminus.

(15) On East Cedar Street (CR 420), from the Fort Bragg City limits to Monsen Way (CR 420C).

(16) On Monsen Way (CR 420C), full length.

(17) On Sunnycrest Drive (CR 239A), full length.

(18) On Mill Creek Road (CR 203), from milepost 0.10 to milepost 1.20.

(19) On Della Avenue (CR 312), full length.

(20) On Little Lake Road (CR 408), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.18 (one mile easterly of State Route 1).

(21) On Holquist Lane (CR 412), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.15.

(22) Repealed.

(23) On East Side Calpella Road (CR 227), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.50 and from milepost 2.75 to milepost 3.30.

(24) On Lake Mendocino Drive (CR 227B), from 0.75 miles easterly of North State Street, (CR 104), to terminus.

(25) On Pinoleville Drive (CR 225), full length.

(26) On Black Bart Drive (CR 370), from milepost 1.51 to terminus.

(27) On Blackhawk Drive (CR 371), full length.

(28) On Ridgeview Road (CR 372), full length.

(29) On Baywood Way (CR 373), full length.

(30) On Bluejay Lane (CR 604A), full length.

(31) On Comptche-Ukiah Road (CR 223), from milepost 14.13 to milepost 14.64.

(32) On Branscomb Road (CR 429), from milepost 25.00 to milepost 25.31.

(33) On the entire length of Brooktrails Drive (CR 311B).

(34) On Birch Street (CR 601), between Brooktrails Drive (CR 311B) milepost 0.00 and Clover Road (CR 603), milepost 0.13.

(35) On North State Street (CR 104), from milepost 4.57 to milepost 5.11.

(36) On Moore Street (CR 229B), from milepost 0.10 to milepost 0.42.

(37) On Pomo Lake Drive (CR 551), full length.

(38) On Sea Cypress Drive (CR 568), full length.

(39) On Laytonville Dos Rios Road (CR 322), from milepost 11.22 to milepost 12.00.

(40) On Ruddick Cunningham Road (CR 205), from mile post 0.00 to mile post 0.50.

(41) On Little River Airport Road (CR 404), from milepost 5.00 to milepost 5.92.

(C) Speed Zone Schedule/Thirty (30) Miles Per Hour Prima Facie Speed Limit. Upon the streets designated in this subsection a prima facie speed limit of thirty (30) miles per hour is hereby declared to be reasonable, safe and more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic.

(1) On Fort Bragg-Sherwood Road (CR 419), from the Fort Bragg City limits easterly approximately, 0.50 miles to California Way.

(2) On Airport Road (CR 424), from the Fort Bragg City limits milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.64.

(3) Repealed.

(4) On Little Valley Road (CR 426), full length.

(5) On Burris Lane (CR 243), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.80.

(6) On Simpson Lane (CR 414), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.50.

(7) On Albion Ridge Road (CR 402), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.00.

(8) On Black Bart Drive (CR 370), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.51.

(9) On East Side Calpella Road (CR 227), from milepost 1.50 to milepost 2.75.

(10) On Birch Street (CR 601), from Clover Road (CR 603), milepost 0.13 to Sherwood Road (CR 311), milepost 0.76.

(11) On Primrose Drive (CR 604), from Sherwood Road (CR 311), milepost 0.00 to Clover Road (CR603), milepost 1.04.

(12) On Center Valley Road (CR 303), from the Willits City limit milepost 0.00 to Bray Road (CR 305), milepost 0.52.

(D) Speed Zone Schedule/Thirty-Five (35) Miles Per Hour Prima Facie Speed Limit. Upon the streets designated in this subsection, a prima facie speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour is hereby declared to be reasonable, safe and more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic.

(1) On East Road (CR 230), from milepost 1.34 to milepost 1.79.

(2) On Heeser Drive (CR 407FF), full length.

(3) On Simpson Lane (CR 414), from milepost 1.50 to milepost 3.60.

(4) On Vichy Springs Road (CR 215), from the Ukiah City limits milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.35.

(5) On Ward Avenue (CR 425B), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.7.

(6) Repealed.

(7) On Airport Road (CR 424), from milepost 0.64 to terminus.

(8) On North Road (CR 319E), full length.

(9) On Lakeside Drive (CR 319B), full length.

(10) Repealed.

(11) Repealed

(12) On Little Lake Road (CR 408), from milepost 1.18 (State Highway 1) to milepost 4.0.

(13) On Lansing Street (CR 500), from Heeser Drive (CR 407FF), northerly to State Route 1.

(14) On East Side Calpella Road (CR 227), from milepost 3.30 to milepost 3.88 (terminus).

(15) On Tomki Road (CR 237D), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 3.90.

(16) On Lake Mendocino Drive (CR 227B), from North State Street (CR 104), to 0.75 miles easterly thereof.

(17) Repealed.

(18) On Caspar-Little Lake Road (CR 409), from milepost 1.80 to milepost 3.32.

(19) On Hensley Creek Road (CR 225A), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.17.

(20) On Orr Springs Road (CR 223), from North State Street (CR 104), to 0.84 miles westerly thereof.

(21) On Central Avenue (CR 229), full length.

(22) On South State Street (CR 104A), from milepost 0.63 to milepost 1.41.

(23) On Ocean Drive (CR 436), from milepost 0.25 (Mitchell Creek) northerly to terminus.

(24) On Uva Drive (CR 239), from milepost 0.00 (the end of Central Avenue CR 229), to milepost 2.05.

(25) On Branscomb Road (CR 429), from milepost 23.00 to milepost 25.00.

(26) On Powerhouse Road (CR 248A), from milepost 0.00 (Main Street, CR 245) to milepost 1.23 (Gibson Lane, CR 246).

(27) On Road N (CR 238A), full length.

(28) Repealed.

(29) On Gielow Lane (CR 206), full length.

(30) On Crispin Road (CR 511), full length.

(31) On Little River Airport Road (CR 404), from the intersection of State Highway 1, milepost 0.00, to milepost 1.85.

(32) On Navarro Ridge Road (CR 518), from the intersection of State Highway 1, milepost 0.00, to milepost 3.37.

(33) On Pudding Creek Road (CR 421), from the intersection of State Highway 1, milepost 0.00, to milepost 0.55.

(34) On Clover Road (CR 603), from Birch Street (CR 601), milepost 0.00 to Primrose Drive (CR 604) , milepost 0.38.

(35) On Daphne Way (CR 608), from Sherwood Road (CR 311), milepost 0.0 to Poppy Drive (CR 623) milepost 0.85.

(36) On Airport Road (CR 126), from Estate Drive (CR 126A), milepost 0.23 to the end of Airport Road (CR 126), milepost 0.63.

(37) On North State Street (CR 104), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.44.

(38) On Boice Lane (CR 413), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.40.

(39) On Pearl Drive (CR 412A), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.56.

(E) Speed Zone Schedule/Forty (40) Miles Per Hour Prima Facie Speed Limit. Upon the streets designated in this subsection, a prima facie speed limit of forty (40) miles per hour is hereby declared reasonable, safe and more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic.

(1) On Hearst-Willits Road (CR 306), from Valley Road (CR 309), to 2.7 miles northeasterly thereof.

(2) On Pudding Creek Road (CR 421), from the Fort Bragg City limits to 1.55 miles east of State Route 1.

(3) On West Road (CR 237), from School Way (CR 236), northerly to terminus.

(4) On Redemeyer Road (CR 215A), from milepost 0.39 (Vichy Springs Road, CR 215) to milepost 1.68.

(5) On East Hill Road (CR 301), from the Willits City limits to 0.25 miles east of Center Valley Road (CR 303).

(6) On Caspar-Little Lake Road (CR 409), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.80.

(7) Repealed.

(8) Repealed.

(9) On Little River Airport Road (CR 404), from milepost 1.85 to milepost 3.45.

(10) On Pudding Creek Road (CR 421), from milepost 0.55 to the end of the road.

(11) On Sherwood Road (CR 311), from Primrose Drive (CR 604), milepost 2.17 to Crow Place (CR 699), milepost 3.89.

(12) On North State Street (CR 104), from milepost 5.11 to milepost 5.25.

(13) On Old Stage Road (CR 502), from Old State Highway (CR 501A), milepost 0.00 to the northerly intersection of Gualala Court (CR 502A), milepost 1.06.

(14) On Pacific Woods Road (CR 524), full length.

(15) On Comptche-Ukiah Road (CR 223), one-half mile southerly of intersection of Little River Airport Road (CR 404), milepost 5.77.

(16) On Mountain House Road (CR 111), from milepost 7.99 to milepost 8.89.

(17) On Fort Bragg Sherwood Road (CR 419) from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.75.

(18) On Albion Ridge Road (CR 402), from milepost 1.00 to milepost 4.00 intersection with Middle Ridge Road.

(19) On Little River Airport Road (CR 404), from milepost 1.85 to milepost 5.00.

(F) Speed Zone Schedule/Forty-Five (45) Miles Per Hour Prima Facie Speed Limit. Upon the streets designated in this subsection, a prima facie speed limit of forty-five (45) miles per hour is hereby declared to be reasonable, safe and more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic.

(1) On East Side Potter Valley Road (CR 240), from State Route 1 to 3.85 miles north of Burris Road.

(2) Repealed.

(3) On the Eel River Road (CR 240B), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 2.57.

(4) On Vichy Springs Road (CR 215), from milepost 1.35 and milepost 2.58.

(5) On South State Street (CR 104A), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.63.

(6) On Ruddick Cunningham Road (CR 205), from mile post 0.50 to the intersection of State Highway 222 (Talmage Road).

(7) On Sherwood Road (CR 311), from the Willits City limits milepost 0.00 to Primrose Drive (CR 604), milepost 2.17.

(8) On Center Valley Road (CR 303), from milepost 1.45 to the end of the road at East Hill Road (CR 301), milepost 2.07.

(9) On North State Street (CR 104), from milepost 0.44 to milepost 2.45.

(10) On Old Stage Road (CR 502), from the northerly intersection of Gualala Court (CR 502A), milepost 1.06 to milepost 2.35.

(11) On Point Cabrillo Drive (CR 564), from milepost 0.00 to milepost 0.75.

(12) On Boice Lane (CR 413), from milepost 0.40 to milepost 1.26.

(G) Speed Zone Schedule/Fifty (50) Miles Per Hour Prima Facie Speed Limit. Upon the streets designated in this subsection, a prima facie speed limit of fifty (50) miles per hour is hereby declared to be reasonable, safe and more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic.

(1) On East Road (CR 230), from milepost 0.08 to milepost 1.34.

(2) On East Road (CR 230), from milepost 1.79 to milepost 5.39.

(3) On Center Valley Road (CR 303), from Bray Road (CR 305), milepost 0.52 to milepost 1.45.

(4) On North State Street (CR 104), from milepost 2.45 to milepost 4.57.

(5) On Old Stage Road (CR 502), milepost 2.35 to milepost 3.20.

(Ord. No. 4265, 7-13-2010; Ord. No. 4276, 5-17-2011; Ord. No. 4306, 3-26-2013; Ord. No. 4316, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4339, 6-16-2015; Ord. No. 4351, 3-1-2016; Ord. No. 4389, 8-1-2019; Ord. No. 4414, 7-24-2018; Ord. No. 4469, 9-22-2020; Ord. No. 4548, 9-9-2025)

Sec. 15.04.031 is hereby repealed

(Ord. No. 3289, adopted 1980.)

Sec. 15.04.032 is hereby repealed

(Ord. No. 3289, adopted 1980.)

Sec. 15.04.033 is hereby repealed

(Ord. No. 3289, adopted 1980.)

Any person who requests a change in a prima facie speed limit on any County road shall make application to the Commissioner, who, upon finding the application meritorious, shall conduct an engineering and traffic survey to determine the appropriate amendment to this Chapter shall be presented to the Local Authority for their consideration and determination pursuant to Section 15.04.030 (A) of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 512, Section 102, adopted 1966.)

(A) Authority to Establish the Maximum Limits on Bridges and Structures. Pursuant to Sections 22403 and 22404 of the Vehicle Code, the Local Authority is hereby authorized to determine, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation and properly noticed public hearing, the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety on any bridge or structure under its jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 120, adopted 1966.)

(B) Posting of Speed Signs for Bridges and Structures. When such determination has been made, the Local Authority by resolution shall designate the maximum speed limit on such bridge and structures. The Commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to establish appropriate signs giving notice of the maximum speed limits established. When signs are erected giving notice thereof, the maximum speed limits set forth shall be in effect.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 121, adopted 1966.)

(C) Speed Limit Changes on Bridges and Structures. Any person who requests a change in a maximum speed limit on any County bridge or structure shall make application to the Commissioner, who, upon finding the application meritorious, shall conduct an engineering and traffic survey to determine the appropriate maximum speed limit. Said engineering and traffic survey together with the recommendations of the Commissioner shall be presented to the Local Authority, who shall hold a public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be posted upon the bridge or structure at least five (5) days prior to the date fixed for said hearing. Upon the conclusion of said hearing, a determination of the maximum speed limit shall be made pursuant to Section 15.04.050 (A) of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 122, adopted 1966.)

(A) Authority to Establish Maximum Limits on Private Roads. Any affected property owner who requests a change of an established maximum limit on a private road or the establishment of a maximum limit on a private road shall file with the Commissioner a petition signed by a majority of the affected property owners, setting forth a description of the private road, the maximum limit desired and the reasons therefor. The Commissioner shall determine if the petition is in compliance with this section. If the petition is in compliance, the matter shall be set on the agenda of the Local Authority on the second Tuesday following the filing of the petition. The Clerk of the Board shall notify by mail all known affected property owners. When the matter is heard, the Local Authority may receive and consider testimony from the proponents and the opponents prior to the establishment of a maximum limit.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 130, adopted 1966.)

(A) AUTHORITY TO ERECT STOP SIGNS. Subject to the provisions of Sections 21353 and 21355 of the Vehicle Code, the local authority is hereby authorized to determine those County roads, intersections or railroad grade crossings at which there is a special hazard to life or property by reason of the volume of traffic upon such roads or at such intersections, or over such railroad grade crossings, or because of the lack of visibility to the drivers of the vehicles approaching such roads, intersections or railroad grade crossings, or because the number of reported accidents or the apparent probability thereof, or by reason of physical conditions which render any such roads, intersections or railroad grade crossings exceptionally dangerous or hazardous to life or property, and where the factors creating the special hazard are such that, according to the principles and experience of traffic engineering, the expectancy of accidents and that the use of warning signs would be inadequate.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 140, adopted 1966.)

(B) POSTING OF STOP SIGNS. When such determination has been made, the Local Authority by resolution shall designate any such road as a through road between specified limits, or designate any such intersection as a stop intersection, or designate any such railroad grade crossing as a stop railroad grade crossing, subject to the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of this State, pursuant to the provisions of Section 21110 of the Vehicle Code; and it shall post such stop signs as are necessary to give effect to such designation. Stop signs at any intersection may be so posted as to stop either or any or all of the streams of traffic entering such intersection as the needs of the particular location may require.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 141, adopted 1966.)

(C) ADDITION OR REMOVAL OF STOP SIGNS. Any person who requests the addition or removal of stop signs authorized by this Chapter shall make application to the Commissioner who, upon finding the application meritorious, shall conduct an engineering and traffic survey to determine the need for any such addition or removal. Said engineering and traffic survey together with the recommendations of the Commissioner and an appropriate resolution shall be presented to the Local Authority for their consideration and determination, pursuant to Section 15.04.070 (A) of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 142 adopted 1966, as amended by Ord. No. 592, adopted 1969.)

Simpson Lane C.R. 414 between M.P. 0.00 to M.P. 3.60 is hereby designated as a through street and such stop signs may be posted as are necessary to establish this roadway as a through street.

(Ord. No. 3262, adopted 1979.)

(A) AUTHORITY TO ERECT YIELD RIGHT OF WAY SIGNS. The Commissioner is hereby authorized to determine those approaches to intersections of streets and highways which are not through streets and which there is special hazard to life and property by reason of the volume of traffic at such intersections, or because of the lack of visibility to the drivers of the vehicles approaching such intersections, or because of the number or reported accidents or an apparent probability thereof, or by reason of physical conditions which render such intersections exceptionally dangerous or hazardous to life and property, and where the factors creating the special hazard are such that, according to the principles and experience of traffic engineering, the installation of "yield right of way" signs is reasonably calculated to reduce the expectancy of accidents, and that the use of warning signs would be inadequate.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 150, adopted 1966.)

(B) POSTING YIELD RIGHT OF WAY SIGNS. When such determination has been made, the Commissioner is directed to designate any such approaches as "yield right of way" approaches and shall post such "yield right of way" signs as are necessary to give effect to such designation.

(Ord. No. 512, Sec. 151, adopted 1966.)

(A) It is unlawful for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this Chapter.

(B) Any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction.

(Ord. No. 512 Sec. 170, adopted 1966; Ord. No. 3550, adopted 1985.)

All speed restriction signs, stop signs, yield right of way signs, and traffic control devices in place on the effective day of this Chapter (December, 1966) are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall constitute the applicable law until changed pursuant to this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 512 Sec. 182, adopted 1966.)