Chapter 3 — TRAFFIC WARRANTS FOR STOP SIGNS

Two-way stop signs are appropriate where there is a need to control the right-of-way at an intersection with noticeable traffic conflicts. Typically, the signs are installed on local streets where they intersect collector or arterial streets.

(a) Two-way stop sign installation may be considered if any one of the following conditions exist:

(1) Traffic Volume.

(i) Total vehicular volume on the major street must be at least 1,000 vehicles per
day or 100 vehicles per hour during the peak hour on an average day, and

(ii) Total vehicular volume on the minor street must be at least 500 vehicles per day
or 50 vehicles per hour during the peak hour on an average day.

(2) Accidents. Three or more of a type susceptible to correction by stop signs within a
12-month period.

(3) Visibility. Critical approach speed is less than 10 miles per hour.

(4) Through Street Conditions. A street intersecting an adopted through street.

(b) Two-way stop sign installation may be considered if any two of the following conditions
exist:

(1) Traffic Volume.

(i) Total vehicular volume on the major street must be at least 500 vehicles per day
or 50 vehicles per hour during the peak hour on an average day, and

(ii) Total vehicular volume on the minor street must be at least 250 vehicles per day
or 25 vehicles per hour during the peak hour on an average day.

(2) Accidents. Two or more of a type susceptible to correction by stop signs within a
12-month period.

(3) Visibility. Critical approach speed is less than 15 miles per hour.

(4) Unusual Conditions.

(i) High speed – the 85 percentile speed on the major street exceeds 25 mph, or

(ii) Unusual conditions such as school, playground, fire station, steep hill, etc.

Generally, a four-way stop is reserved for use at the intersection of two through streets where volume of traffic on each street is approximately equal. A four-way stop may be used as an interim traffic control measure prior to signalization.

Four-way stop sign installation may be considered if any of the following conditions exist:

(a) Traffic and Pedestrian Volumes.

(1) A minimum hourly average (for any eight hours) volume of 300 vehicles entering the
intersection from all approaches on an average day. In addition, the vehicular volume
entering the intersection from the minor street or streets for the same eight hours must
average 1/3 of the total volume entering the intersection (100 per hour minimum), or

(2) A minimum hourly average (for any eight hours) volume of 300 vehicles entering the
intersection on the main approach and a pedestrian volume of at least 100 pedestrians
per hour crossing the main street during the same eight hours.

(b) Accidents. Five or more of types susceptible to correction by stop signs within a 12-month
period, with satisfactory observance and enforcement of less restrictive control.

(c) Visibility. The straight line sight distance on one or more approaches of the major street
for vehicles or pedestrian crossing the intersection is less than 150 feet.

(d) Residential Area. Volume warrants to be reduced to 60% of the values above if all of the
following conditions are met:

(1) Both streets have residential frontage with existing 25 mph speed limits.

(2) Neither street is an adopted through street.

(3) Both streets are two-lane streets.

(4) No existing stop sign or signal is located on the more heavily traveled street within a
distance of 600 feet.

(5) Intersection has four legs, with streets extending 600 feet or more away from the
intersection on at least three sides.

(6) Installation of a four-way stop is compatible with overall traffic circulation needs for
the residential area.

(e) Unusual Conditions. Volume warrants to be reduced to 60% of the values above, if any
unusual condition such as grades, curves, blind corners, or steep hills exist.

Editor's Note: Former Title 12, Chapter 10, Public Works: Traffic Warrants for Stop
Signs, was editorially renumbered to be Title 8, Chapter 3, Engineering and Transportation:
Traffic Warrants for Stop Signs, during the 2005-06 republication. Former Title 12,
Chapter 10 was codified administratively in 1987.
(Resolution No. 2005-156, 11/21/2005 [§§8.3.100-8.3.115]; Res. No. 2024-061, 6/17/2024
[§§8.3.100-8.3.115])

CHAPTER 4
(RESERVED)

Editor's Note: Former Title 8, Chapter 4, Oversize Vehicles, was repealed and deleted by Resolution No. 2015-053, 03/02/2015.