Orange County Municipal Code Art. 1 General Provisions

Title 6, division 4 of the Orange County Codified Ordinances shall serve as the Traffic Ordinance for the Unincorporated County of Orange. 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 division to establish specific County legal and organizational authority for traffic management and regulatory enforcement of use within the public right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-89)

To guide the application of the laws contained in this Traffic Ordinance not in the California Vehicle Code, the Board of Supervisors has adopted the Orange County Traffic Manual, which defines engineering policies, procedures, and interpretations of traffic engineering practice. Any amendments to the Traffic Manual shall be approved by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-89)

(a) Definitions of Words and Phrases: The following words and phrases when used in this division shall, for the purpose of this division, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this article.

(b) 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 division.

(c) Bicycle: As defined by Vehicle Code 231, as may be amended or superseded, a bicycle is a device upon which a person may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, chain, or gears, and having one (1) or more wheels; for the purposes of this ordinance, an electric bicycle, or e-bike, shall be considered a bicycle.

(d) Bicycle Lane: A marked lane within the roadway designated by appropriate signs and markings for the one-way use of bicycles.

(e) Bicycle Path/Bicycle Trail: A specifically designated area for bicycle use physically separated from the roadway.

(f) Bicycle Route: Any roadway designated as a bikeway pursuant to California Streets & Highways Code Section 2371 with official signs giving notice of such bikeway.

(g) Board: The Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange.

(h) 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.

(i) 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.

(j) Director: The Director of OC Public Works or his authorized representative.

(k) Electric Bicycle: An electric bicycle (also known as e-bike) is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Electric bicycle does not include motorized bicycles or mopeds as defined in California Vehicle Code 406(a).

i. A "class 1 electric bicycle," or "low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour.

ii. A "class 2 electric bicycle," or "low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour.

iii. A "class 3 electric bicycle," or "speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight (28) miles per hour, and [is] equipped with a speedometer.

(l) Holidays: Within the meaning of this division, holidays defined in the Orange County Personnel and Salary Resolution.

(m) Loading Zone: The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

(n) Motorized Bicycle: As defined by California Vehicle Code 406(a), as may be amended or superseded, a "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is distinct from an e-bicycle. Motorized Bicycles are required by California Vehicle Code 5030 to display a special license plate.

(o) OC Public Works: The Orange County California Department of Public Works.

(p) Official Time Standard: Whenever certain hours are named herein, they shall mean standard time or daylight savings time as may be in current use in the County.

(q) Passenger Loading Zone: The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.

(r) School Days: Days on which regularly scheduled public school classes are in session.

(s) Skateboard: A conveyance consisting of a short, oblong board with small wheels, propelled with or without mechanical power, which can by ridden by one (1) or more persons at a time.

(t) Vehicle Code: The Vehicle Code of the State of California.

(Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-89; Ord. No. 24-002, 5-21-24)