Chapter 10.20
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES*
Sections:
10.20.010 Installation authority.
10.20.020 Design conformance and approval.
10.20.030 Enforcement when not in place.
10.20.040 Official devices – Presumption of legality.
10.20.050 Unauthorized signs and signals – Nuisance.
10.20.060 Interference prohibited.
10.20.070 Play streets – Establishment authority.
10.20.080 Play streets – Driver responsibility.
10.20.090 Crosswalk and safety zone designation.
*For statutory provisions regarding traffic control devices, see Chapter 47.36 RCW; for statutory provisions regarding obedience to traffic signs, signals and markings, see RCW 46.61.050, et seq.
10.20.010 Installation authority.
The city street superintendent, as authorized by resolution of the city council, shall place and maintain traffic control signs, signals and devices when and as required under the traffic ordinances of this city, to make effective the provisions of said ordinances, and he may place and maintain such additional temporary traffic control devices as he deems necessary to regulate traffic under the traffic ordinances of this city or under state law, or to guide or warn traffic. [Ord. 423 §13, 1970].
10.20.020 Design conformance and approval.
All traffic control signals, signs and traffic control devices to be erected or maintained upon any city street designated as forming a part of the route of a primary state highway or secondary state highway must be approved by the state highway commission prior to their installation. All signs and signals required hereunder for a particular purpose shall, so far as practicable, be uniform as to type and location throughout the city. All traffic control devices so erected and not inconsistent with the provisions of state law or this title shall be official traffic control devices. [Ord. 423 §14, 1970].
10.20.030 Enforcement when not in place.
No provision of this title for which official traffic control devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if, at the time and place of the alleged violation, an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that signs are required, such section shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place. [Ord. 473 §15, 1970].
10.20.040 Official devices – Presumption of legality.
A. Whenever official traffic control devices are placed in position approximately conforming to the requirements of this title, such devices are presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority, unless the contrary is established by competent evidence.
B. Any official traffic control device placed pursuant to the provisions of this title and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices is presumed to comply with the requirements of this title, unless the contrary is established by competent evidence. [Ord. 423 §15.1, 1970].
10.20.050 Unauthorized signs and signals – Nuisance.
A. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway, any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal.
B. No person shall place or maintain, nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway, any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.
C. This section is not deemed to prohibit the erection, upon private property adjacent to highways, of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
D. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is declared to be a public nuisance and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice. [Ord. 423 §16, 1970].
10.20.060 Interference prohibited.
No person shall, without lawful authority, attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal, or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof. [Ord. 423 §17, 1970].
10.20.070 Play streets – Establishment authority.
The city council may declare any street or part thereof a play street and cause to be placed appropriate signs or devices in the roadway indicating and helping to protect the same. [Ord. 423 §18, 1970].
10.20.080 Play streets – Driver responsibility.
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating any street or part thereof as a play street, no person shall drive a vehicle upon any such street or portion thereof except operators of vehicles having business or whose residences are within such closed area, and then any said operator shall exercise the greatest care in driving upon any such street or portion thereof. [Ord. 423 §19, 1970].
10.20.090 Crosswalk and safety zone designation.
The city council by resolution may:
A. Designate and cause to be maintained by appropriate devices, marks or lines upon the surface of the street, crosswalks at intersections where, in its opinion, there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the street, and at such other places as it deems necessary;
B. Establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such places as it deems necessary for the protection of pedestrians. [Ord. 423 §20, 1970].
10.20.100 Traffic lanes.
A. The city council may cause traffic lanes to be marked or painted upon the roadway of any street or highway where a regular alignment of traffic is, in its opinion, necessary.
B. Where such traffic lanes have been marked, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to fail or refuse to keep such vehicle within the boundaries of any such lane except when lawfully passing another vehicle or preparatory to making a lawful turning movement. [Ord. 423 §21, 1970].