Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 10.12 Speed Limits

The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate orderly traffic movement within the city through the establishment of prima facie speed zones. Furthermore, this chapter intends enforcement of said prima facie speed zones, within the limits of the city, through the use of electronic devices, such as but not limited to, radar. (Prior code § 3002.1)

The city council may, by resolution, establish increased speed limits when, pursuant to the provisions of Section 22357 of the California Vehicle Code, it is determined that on certain roadways speeds greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour would facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe on said roadways at the prima facie speed limits of thirty (30), thirty-five (35), forty (40), forty-five (45), and fifty (50) miles per hour respectively, and that on all remaining residential and business district roadways within the city, as set forth within Section 22352 of the California Vehicle Code, a vehicular speed of greater than the prima facie speed limit as to said roadways should not be increased. The limits shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof have been erected. (Prior code § 3002.2)

The city council may, by resolution, establish decreased speed limits when, on the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, it determines that a speed limit of fifty-five (55) miles per hour is more than is reasonable or safe on any part of a street or highway when such speed limit is fifty-five (55) miles per hour under the California Vehicle Code and further determines that a speed of fifty (50), forty-five (45), forty (40), thirty-five (35), thirty (30) or twenty-five (25) miles per hour is more appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic. The limits shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof have been erected. (Prior code § 3002.3)

It is unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle at a speed greater than fifteen (15) miles per hour in Mooney Grove Park. (Prior code § 3007(k))

It is unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle at a speed greater than fifteen (15) miles per hour in Plaza Park. (Prior code § 3007(l))

Establishment of the prima facie speed limits shall be done pursuant to an engineering and traffic survey as set forth in Section 627 of the California Vehicle Code. (Prior code § 3002.4)

A. When the city council, by resolution, has designated a prima facie speed limit other than applicable under the California Vehicle Code, the city manager is authorized and directed to erect, post and maintain appropriate signs on the streets or portions thereof designating the prima facie speed limit pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 10.12.

B. All signs shall be as specified in, erected and placed pursuant to, the California Vehicle Code. (Prior code § 3002.5)

A. Also, pursuant to this chapter there shall be established an official city “speed zone list.”

B. The city manager shall cause the prima facie speed limits, adopted pursuant to this chapter, to be placed on the speed zone list.

C. The city manager shall keep a record of all resolutions hereafter adopted designating the prima facie speed zone limits and shall cause notation of such records and such roadways or portions thereof, to be placed on said list.

D. Whenever any speed zone or portion thereof is changed or deleted, the city manager shall cause the speed zone list to reflect such change or deletion.

E. Said speed zone list shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and legality of the speed zones upon the roadways, or portions thereof, and the legality for placing the appropriate speed zone signs as required by this chapter.

F. The speed zone list shall be deemed to be incorporated herein. (Res. 2015-46, 2015; Res. 2014-49, 2014; Res. 2014-19, 2014; Prior code § 3002.6)