Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 7 — HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC›Division 2 — TRAFFIC CODE
San Diego County Municipal Code Art. 1 General Provisions and Definitions
San Diego County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-03 · San Diego County
Cite as: San Diego County Municipal Code Article 1 · Text as of 2026-10-03
*Cross reference(s)--Definitions, § 12.101 et seq.
SEC. 72.1. TITLE.¶
This division shall be known as the COUNTY TRAFFIC CODE.
SEC. 72.2. SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS.¶
Whenever in this division the following terms are used, they shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this article.
SEC. 72.3. VEHICLE CODE DEFINITIONS.¶
Whenever any words or phrases used in this division are not defined herein, but are now defined in the Vehicle Code of the State of California, such definitions as now exist are incorporated herein and shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases as are used in this division as though set forth herein in full.
SEC. 72.4. [ALLEY.]¶
"ALLEY" shall mean any highway, as herein defined, having a width of 25 feet or less and not provided with a sidewalk or sidewalks.
SEC. 72.5. [BOARD.]¶
"BOARD" shall mean the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego.
SEC. 72.6. CODE.¶
"THIS CODE" shall mean the entire San Diego County Code unless some other code is specified.
SEC. 72.7. [CROSSWALK.]¶
"CROSSWALK" is either:
(a) That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of any such lines from an alley across a street.
(b) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
SEC. 72.8. [HIGHWAY.]¶
"HIGHWAY" shall mean the entire width between boundary lines of every way set apart for public travel when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
SEC. 72.9. HOLIDAYS.¶
Within the meaning of this division, holidays are the first day of January, the 12th day of February, the third Monday in February, the last Monday in May, the 4th day of July, the first Monday in September, the 9th day of September, the second Monday in October, the 11th day of November, the 25th day of December and Thanksgiving Day.
(Amended by Ord. No. 4696 (N.S.), effective 5-27-76)
SEC. 72.10. [LOADING ZONE.]¶
"LOADING ZONE" shall mean the space adjacent to a curb or edge of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
SEC. 72.11. [BUS LOADING ZONE.]¶
"BUS LOADING ZONE" shall mean that space adjacent to a curb or edge of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of busses during loading and unloading of passengers.
SEC. 72.12. [PASSENGER LOADING ZONE.]¶
"PASSENGER LOADING ZONE" shall mean the space adjacent to a curb or edge of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.
SEC. 72.13. [OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS.]¶
“OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS” shall mean any device, whether electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed, and which is erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction.
(Amended by Ord. No. 10646 (N.S.), effective 2-14-20)
SEC. 72.14. [OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES.]¶
“OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES” shall mean any signs, signals, markings and devices consistent with this division, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
(Amended by Ord. No. 10646 (N.S.), effective 2-14-20)
SEC. 72.15. [PARK.]¶
"PARK" shall mean to stand or leave standing any vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
SEC. 72.16. [PEDESTRIAN.]¶
"PEDESTRIAN" shall mean any person afoot.
SEC. 72.17. [ROAD COMMISSIONER.]¶
"ROAD COMMISSIONER" shall mean the Surveyor and Road Commissioner of the County.
SEC. 72.18. [ROADWAY.]¶
"ROADWAY" shall mean that portion of the highway between the regularly established curb lines, or when no curbs exist, that portion improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
SEC. 72.19. [SAFETY ZONE.]¶
"SAFETY ZONE" shall mean that portion of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians, marked and designated as herein provided.
SEC. 72.20. [SIDEWALK.]¶
“SIDEWALK” shall mean that portion of the highway between the curb lines or edge of pavement and the adjacent property lines.
(Amended by Ord. No. 10646 (N.S.), effective 2-14-20)
SEC. 72.21. [STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.]¶
“STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION” or “CALTRANS” shall mean the Department of Transportation of the State of California.
(Amended by Ord. No. 10646 (N.S.), effective 2-14-20)
SEC. 72.22. [STOP OR STAND.]¶
"STOP OR STAND".
(a) The word "stop" means the complete cessation of movement.
(b) The words "stop or stand" mean any stopping, or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except where necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.
SEC. 72.23. [STREET.]¶
"STREET" shall have the same meaning as the word "highway".
SEC. 72.24. TIME.¶
Whenever certain hours are named herein they shall mean standard time or daylight-saving time as may be in current use in the unincorporated territory of the County.
SEC. 72.25. [VEHICLE.]¶
"VEHICLE" shall mean every device or animal by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a street or highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon rails.
SEC. 72.26. [VEHICLE CODE.]¶
"VEHICLE CODE" shall mean the Vehicle Code of the State of California.
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