Chapter 10.28
SPEED LIMITS

Sections:

10.28.010    State laws applicable.

10.28.020    Speed limit decreases and increases – Authorized.

10.28.010 State laws applicable.

The state traffic laws regulating the speed of vehicles shall be applicable upon all streets within this city, except as this chapter, as authorized by state law, declares and determines upon the basis of engineering and traffic investigation or otherwise that certain speed regulations shall be applicable upon specified streets or in certain areas, in which event it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle at a speed in excess of any speed so declared in this chapter when signs are in place giving notice thereof. [Ord. 1011 § 1, 2021.]

10.28.020 Speed limit decreases and increases – Authorized.

(A) Whenever the Granite Falls public works director or his designee determines on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the maximum speed limits permitted by law upon the public streets, roads or alleys of the city are greater or less than is reasonable and safe under the conditions found to exist upon a public street, road or alley, the public works director or his designated subordinate may determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit thereon which may:

(1) Decrease the limit at intersections; or

(2) Increase the limit but not to more than 60 miles per hour; or

(3) Decrease the limit but not to less than 20 miles per hour.

(B) In addition, the Granite Falls public works director or his designee may establish a maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour on a nonarterial highway, or part of a nonarterial highway, that is within a residence district or business district. In establishing such a speed limit it is not necessary for an engineering and traffic investigation to be conducted. The public works director or his designee shall consult the manual on uniform control devices as adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation and shall provide an opportunity for public input from the residence district or business district. Any speed limit established under this subsection may be canceled within one year of its establishment, and the previous speed limit reestablished, without an engineering and traffic investigation. This subsection does not otherwise affect the requirement that cities and towns conduct an engineering and traffic investigation to determine whether to increase speed limits.

(C) Any decreased or increased speed limit as authorized by subsection (A) or (B) of this section shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected. Such maximum speed limit may be declared to be effective at all times or at such times as are indicated upon such sign; and differing limits may be established for different times of the day, different types of vehicles, varying weather conditions, and other factors bearing on safe speeds, which shall be effective when posted upon appropriate fixed or variable signs. [Ord. 1011 § 1, 2021.]