Title 11 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 11.04 DEFINITIONS1
Petaluma Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Petaluma
Cite as: Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 11.04 · Text as of 2026-10-04
1 Editor’s Note: For statutory deRnitions of words in the Vehicle Code, see Veh. Code §100, et seq.
11.04.010 Generally.¶
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 chapter. (Ord. 858 NCS § 1; prior code §15.1.)
11.04.020 Vehicle Code deDnitions.¶
Whenever any words or phrases used in this title are not deRned, but are deRned in the Vehicle Code of the state
and amendments thereto, such deRnitions shall apply. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.1.)
11.04.030 Central traFc district.¶
All streets and portions of streets within the area are described as follows:
Commencing at the northeast corner of Petaluma Blvd. North and Washington Street; thence northerly
along the east side of Petaluma Blvd. North to the point of intersection of the northerly line of Prospect
Street extended; thence southerly along the westerly line of Petaluma Blvd. from the intersection with
the northerly line of Prospect Street, to the northerly line of Mary Street; hence westerly along the
northerly line of Mary Street to the westerly line of Kentucky Street; thence southerly along the westerly
line of Kentucky Street to the northwest corner of Kentucky Street and Washington Street; thence
westerly along the northerly line of Washington Street to the northwest corner of Washington Street and
Keller Street; thence southerly along the westerly line of Keller Street to the southwest corner of Keller
Street and Western Avenue; thence easterly on the southerly line of Western Avenue to the southwest
corner of Western Avenue and Kentucky Street; thence southerly along the westerly line of Kentucky
Street to Fourth Street; thence southerly along the westerly line of Fourth Street to the south side of "B"
Street; thence easterly along the south side of "B" Street to the easterly side of Petaluma Blvd.; thence
northwesterly along the northeast side of Petaluma Blvd. to Washington Street; thence easterly along the
southerly side of Washington Street to the Petaluma River, thence easterly along the southerly side of
East Washington Street to the southwesterly corner of Copeland Street and East Washington Street;
thence westerly along the northerly line of East Washington Street from the northwest corner of East
Washington and Copeland Streets to the Petaluma River; thence westerly along the northerly side of
Washington Street to the northeast corner of Petaluma Blvd. and Washington Street and the point of
beginning.
(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.2.)
11.04.040 Coach.¶
"Coach" means any motor bus, motor coach, trackless trolley or passenger stage used as a common carrier of
passengers. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.3.)
11.04.050 Council.¶
"Council" means the council of the city of Petaluma. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.4.)
11.04.060 Curb.¶
"Curb" means the lateral boundary of the roadway whether such curb be marked by curbing construction, or not
so marked; "curb" as herein used 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. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code
§ 15.1.5.)
11.04.070 Divisional island.¶
"Divisional island" means a raised island located in the roadway and separating opposing or conSicting streams of
traTc. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.6.)
11.04.080 Holidays.¶
Within the meaning of this title, holidays are New Year’s Day, Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Admission Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day, as the city council declares the same to be observed by city employees, or it not observed by city
employees as said days are observed pursuant to state law or decree. (Ord. 1312 NCS §1, 1978; Ord. 858 NCS §1;
prior code §15.1.7.)
11.04.090 Loading zone.¶
"Loading zone" means the space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or
unloading of passengers or materials. (Ord. 858 NCS § 1; prior code §15.1.8.)
11.04.100 OFcial time standard.¶
Whenever certain hours are named in this title they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in
current use in this city. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.9.)
11.04.110 Parking meter.¶
"Parking meter" means a mechanical device installed within or upon the curb or sidewalk area, immediately
adjacent to a parking space, for the purpose of controlling the period of time of occupancy of such parking meter
space by any vehicle. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.11.)
11.04.120 Parkway.¶
"Parkway" means that portion of a street other than a roadway or a sidewalk. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code
§15.1.10.)
11.04.130 Passenger loading zone.¶
"Passenger loading zone" means the space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the
loading or unloading of passengers. (Ord. 858 NCS § 1; prior code §15.1.12.)
11.04.140 Pedestrian.¶
"Pedestrian" means any person afoot. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.13.)
11.04.150 Police oFcer.¶
Every oTcer of the police department of this city or any oTcer authorized to direct or regulate traTc or to make
arrests for violations of traTc regulations. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.1.14.)
11.04.160 Stop.¶
"Stop" when required, means complete cessation of movement. (Ord. 858 NCS § 1; prior code § 15.1.15.)
11.04.170 Vehicle Code.¶
"Vehicle code" means the Vehicle Code of the state of California. (Ord. 858 NCS § 1; prior code §15.1.16.)
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code