Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Ch. 12.01 General and Administrative Provisions

Whenever any words or phrases used herein are defined in the California Vehicle Code, such definitions shall apply if not elsewhere defined in this title. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this title, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

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

Bicycle path or bicycle trail. A specifically designated area for bicycle use physically separated from the roadway.

Bicycle route. Any roadway designated as a bikeway pursuant to the California Bicycle Transportation Act (Streets and Highways Code § 890 et seq.) with official signs giving notice of such a bikeway.

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 title, holidays are the holidays defined by the City Council.

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

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

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

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

(OCC § 6-4-102; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

State Law reference— Vehicle Code definitions generally, Vehicle Code §§ 100, 21000 et seq.

To guide the application of the laws contained in this title not in the California Vehicle Code, the City Council has adopted the various traffic engineering policies and procedures, which defines engineering policies, procedures, and interpretations of traffic engineering practice. Any amendments to the policies and procedures shall be approved by resolution of the City Council.

(OCC § 6-4-101; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

The City Engineer is hereby charged with the responsibility, under the powers and duties specified in this division, to carry out and review all traffic engineering functions affecting the City.

(OCC § 6-4-201; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

It shall be the general duty of City Engineer to determine the installation, design, operation, and maintenance of traffic-control devices, design and/or review traffic flow systems and appurtenances, to conduct engineering analyses of traffic accidents, to devise remedial measures, and to conduct engineering and traffic investigations of traffic conditions. Traffic engineering 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 carry out the additional duties imposed by the ordinances of the City. In making decisions pursuant to the provisions of this title, the department shall act so as to preserve public safety and the orderly movement of traffic.

(OCC § 6-4-202; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

State Law reference— Authority to regulate traffic by means of official traffic control devices, Vehicle Code § 21100(d); when signs required, Vehicle Code § 21461.5.

The City Engineer is authorized to place official traffic-control devices within or adjacent to intersections indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning at such intersections, and the director is authorized to locate and indicate more than one lane of traffic from which drivers of vehicles may make right or left turns.

(OCC § 6-4-300; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

State Law reference— Authority to restrict turns, Vehicle Code §§ 22101, 22113.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to establish and designate two-way left turn lanes on highways.

(OCC § 6-4-301; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

State Law reference— Authority to restrict turns, Vehicle Code §§ 22101, 22113.

The City Engineer is hereby authorized to place and maintain signs or markings to prohibit or to restrict left turns, right turns, or U-turns at intersections or driveways.

(OCC § 6-4-302; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

State Law reference— Authority to restrict turns, Vehicle Code §§ 22101, 22113.

The City Engineer is authorized to install stop signs at intersections where, in his opinion, there is an imminent danger without such control. The City Engineer shall follow said installation with request for City Council approval at the earliest opportunity.

(OCC § 6-4-401; Ord. No. 3768, § 2, 11-7-1989)

State Law reference— Authority to erect stop signs and yield signs, Vehicle Code §§ 21351.5, 21353 et seq.

The following speed limits are hereby established in the City:

(Ord. No. 03-02, § 1, 8-7-2003; Ord. No. 05-08, § 1, 7-27-2005; Ord. No. 10-03, § 3, 6-9-2010; Ord. No. 10-05, § 3, 9-22-2010; Ord. No. 12-05, § 3, 12-12-2012; Ord. No. 19-02, § 2, 3-27-2019; Ord. No. 20-02, § 2, 5-13-2020; Ord. No. 24-02, § 2, 8-28-2024)

State Law reference— Local alteration of speed limits, Vehicle Code §§ 22352, 22357 et seq.