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City of Taunton, MA
Bristol County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (11) Index
[Amended 5-30-1972]
Upon such roadways as are divided by a parkway, grass plot, reservation, viaduct, subway or by any structure or area, a driver shall keep to the right of such a division except when otherwise directed by an officer, signs, signals or markings.
[As amended through 7-11-2000; subsequent amendments noted where applicable]
Upon the following streets or parts of streets vehicular traffic shall move only in the direction indicated as follows:
Name of Street
Direction of Travel
Location
Bow Street
North
From Weir Street to High Street
Broadway Arcade
East
From Broadway to School Street
Cohannet Street
West
From Porter Street to Winthrop Street
Dean Avenue
West
From Presbrey Avenue to Broadway
Governor Street
[Amended 1-24-2017]
West
From Broadway to Washington Street
Leonard Court
South
From Main Street to Allan's Avenue
Mason Street
East
From Porter Street to Cohannet Street
Presbrey Avenue
Northeast
From Leonard Street to Dean Avenue
Route 140
South
From north side of Taunton Green to south side of Taunton Green
Taunton Green, east side
North
From Weir Street to Broadway
Taunton Green, north side
West
From Route 138 to Route 140
Taunton Green, south side
East
From Route 140 to Route 138
Taunton High School roadway
Clockwise
Around the high school building
Union Street
Northeast
From Main Street to Fruit Street
[Amended 3-28-1978; 7-2-1984]
A. 
The way connecting Pole School property to County Street shall be and hereby is designated as one-way, and traffic shall only move in a southwesterly direction from Pole School exiting on County Street. One-way signs shall be posted at said exit, and it shall be illegal to turn onto said way from County Street.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
The main entrance to Taunton High School on Williams Street is hereby designated one-way toward the high school building. The exit on Williams Street adjoining property now or formerly of the Taunton Art Association is hereby designated as one-way, with traffic flowing onto Williams Street. The entrance to Taunton High School from the Honorable Gordon M. Owen Riverway shall accommodate two-way traffic, except as directed by the Chief of Police.
C. 
Violation of this section shall be punishable in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 20, as amended.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and condition of the street or highway.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
Upon roadways less than 27 feet wide and upon which vehicular traffic is permitted to operate in both directions, the driver of any slow moving vehicle when traveling outside of a business or residential district shall not follow another slow moving vehicle within 200 feet, but this shall not be construed to prevent such slow moving vehicle from overtaking and passing another slow moving vehicle. This section shall not apply to funerals or other lawful processions.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
No person shall drive in such manner as to obstruct unnecessarily the normal movement of traffic upon any street or highway. Officers are authorized to require any driver who fails to comply with this section to drive to the side of the roadway and wait until such traffic as has been delayed has passed.
[Amended 5-30-1972; 7-11-2000]
No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk and on the right half of the roadway to accommodate the vehicle he/she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, regardless of any traffic control signal indication to proceed.
[Amended 5-30-1972; 6-26-1984]
No operator shall back or turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the direction opposite to that in which such vehicle is headed or traveling on the following streets and ways:
A. 
Broadway, from Taunton Green to St. Mary's Square.
B. 
Main Street, from School Street to Union Street.
[As amended through 7-20-2004; subsequent amendments noted where applicable]
No person shall make a left turn at the following designated places:
Broadway onto Church Street
Leonard Street onto Broadway
Main Street onto Cedar Street
North Pleasant Street approaching Washington Street, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
St. Mary's School, 90 Washington Street, onto Washington Street
[Added 4-15-2014]
School Street onto Main Street
Trescott Street onto Main Street
Washington Street, easterly, approaching North Pleasant Street, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Washington Street, westerly, approaching Pleasant Street, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Williams Street and County Street, sign posted on the north side of County Street
Winthrop Street onto Cohannet Street (in the vicinity of Post Office Square)
[Amended 5-30-1972; 5-17-1998]
A. 
In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 89, § 9, the following ways or parts of ways are hereby designated as through ways:
Name of Street
Location
Broadway
From the north side of Jackson Street southerly to the south side of Leonard Street
Somerset Avenue
From a point 50 feet southerly of the intersection with Weir Street southerly to the south side of Presbrey Court
Tremont Street
From Alfred Lord Boulevard to the Rehobeth town line
Tremont Street
From Washington Street and Oak Street to Alfred Lord Boulevard
Weir Street
From the south side of Main Street southerly to a point 50 feet south of the intersection with Somerset Avenue
Winthrop Street
From Taunton Green southwesterly to the southwest side of Fairview Avenue
B. 
Violations of the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $20.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
The driver of a vehicle shall give an audible warning with his/her horn or other suitable warning device whenever necessary to ensure safe operation.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
No operator shall enter upon the road surface of any street or highway or section thereof when, by reason of construction, surface treatment, maintenance or the like, or because of some unprotected hazard, such road surface is closed to travel and one or more signs, lights or signals have been erected to indicate that all or part of the road surface of the street or highway is not to be used, or when so advised by an officer, watchman, member of a street or highway crew or employee of the City, either audibly or by signals.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
The driver of a vehicle shall not drive upon any sidewalk except at a permanent or temporary driveway.
[Amended 5-30-1972]
It shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle, except on signal from a police officer, to drive the same over or through a safety zone.
A. 
Two and one-half tons. No person shall operate a vehicle which, with or without its load, weighs more than 2 1/2 tons upon any of the following streets or parts of streets during the times hereinafter designated:
[Amended 3-27-1973; 5-26-1992]
(1) 
Fairview Avenue at all times.
(2) 
Harrison Street from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
(3) 
Highland Street from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
(4) 
Spring Street from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
B. 
Ten thousand pounds.
[Amended 4-3-1979; 8-8-2000]
(1) 
From Broadway to School Street, it shall be unlawful to operate any vehicle on Broadway Arcade entering from Broadway when the gross weight on the surface of the road exceeds 10,000 pounds. It shall further be unlawful to operate any tractor trailer or truck of over 10,000 pounds on said street.
(2) 
Violations of this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 for each violation.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 13-55, which immediately followed this section and pertained to the Taunton Mall, was repealed 7-22-1986.
[Amended 11-14-1978; 7-27-1982; 12-15-1987; 11-10-1997; 9-18-2000; 11-4-2002]
A. 
Authorization. In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 18, the following special speed regulations are hereby adopted.
B. 
Speed limits established. The following speed limits are established at which motor vehicles may be operated in the areas described:
Name of Street
Speed Limit
(mph)
Location
Adams Street
20
150 feet east and west of Hamilton Street intersection, school zone between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. during school hours
Barnum Street
[Added 7-31-2012]
20
From a point 155 feet east of Harrison Avenue 90 feet easterly, school zone, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. during school hours
Clifford Street
[Added 7-31-2012]
20
From a point 600 feet north of Shores Street northerly 900 feet, school zone, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. during school hours
Dighton Avenue
30
Entire length
Hamilton Street
20
From the intersection of Adams Street 150 feet northerly and southerly, school zone, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. during school hours
Hopewell Street
20
Entire length
Longmeadow Road
40
Entire length
Monroe Street
[Added 7-31-2012]
20
From a point 230 feet east of Bay Street easterly 260 feet, school zone, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. during school hours
Norton Avenue
30
Entire length, both sides
School Street, in a northerly direction
25
From 109 School Street north a distance of 252 feet to 119 School Street
School Street, in a northerly direction
20
From 119 School Street north a distance of 850 feet to 145 School Street
School Street, in a southerly direction
25
From 166 School Street south a distance of 700 feet to 142 School Street
School Street, in a southerly direction
20
From 142 School Street south a distance of 762 feet to 118 School Street
Winter Street
30
Entire length
C. 
Special Speed Regulation No. 7915 MA DOT.
[Added 10-16-2012]
(1) 
Joseph E. Warner Boulevard, northbound: beginning at the Dighton town line, thence northerly on Joseph E. Warner Boulevard 1.20 miles at 45 miles per hour; 0.34 mile at 35 miles per hour ending at the junction of Route 44 (Winthrop Street); the total distance being 1.54 miles.
(2) 
Joseph E. Warner Boulevard, southbound: beginning at the junction of Route 44 (Winthrop Street), thence southerly on Joseph E. Warner Boulevard 0.27 mile at 35 miles per hour; 1.27 miles at 45 miles per hour ending at the Dighton town line; the total distance being 1.54 miles.
D. 
Penalty for violation. Violations of this section shall be subject to a fine as follows:
(1) 
For the first offense: $25.
(2) 
For the second offense: $25 to $50.
(3) 
For subsequent offenses during a twelve-month period: $50 to $100.
[Added 7-27-1982]
Automobiles travelling in the left lane as designated must make a left turn at the following locations:
A. 
South lane of Taunton Green, northerly side, travelling westerly into Post Office Square in front of the post office building.
B. 
North lane of Taunton Green on the southerly side travelling easterly onto Taunton Green east side.
C. 
East lane of Taunton Green in front of the post office building travelling southerly onto Taunton Green southerly side.
[Added 7-27-1982; amended 6-4-1991; 12-8-1992]
Automobiles travelling in the right lane as designated must make a right turn at the following locations:
A. 
Broadway, southbound to Washington Street.
B. 
North lane of Taunton Green, north side travelling westerly onto Court Street.
C. 
South lane of Taunton Green, south side travelling easterly onto Weir Street.
D. 
Washington Street, eastbound to Broadway.
E. 
West lane of Taunton Green, in front of the post office, travelling southerly onto Cohannet Street.
[Added 5-1-1984]
A. 
No motor vehicle, as defined by MGL c. 90, § 1, shall be driven, towed or pushed upon a frozen surface of any pond, lake, river, brook, stream or other permanent or semipermanent body of water to which the public has a right of access and which is situated within the boundary lines of the City of Taunton without first obtaining a permit from the Municipal Council. Any owner or operator of such vehicle refusing to remove such vehicle from such frozen surface after being ordered to do so by a police officer shall be subject to immediate arrest without a warrant and said vehicle shall be towed therefrom at the expense of the owner.
B. 
Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $200.
C. 
This section shall not apply to such vehicles as shall be designated by the Mayor, Municipal Council, Police Chief, Fire Chief or Commissioner of Public Works as emergency vehicles when operated by duly authorized personnel in the course of an official emergency operation.
[Added 10-26-2021]
A. 
Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
HAZARDOUS OPERATION
The operation of a recreational vehicle upon any way or place in which the public has a right of access, any place to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees or any privately owned property upon which an operator has the permission of the landowner to enter upon in the City, in a manner so that the lives or safety of the operator, any passenger or the general public might be endangered. Prohibited hazardous operation shall include but not be limited to those examples set forth in Subsection C(3)(a) through (j).
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
(1) 
Any wheeled device used to carry persons or property which is powered by any means other than muscular power alone and which is designated or modified for use over unimproved terrain for recreation or pleasure, including, but not limited to, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, dirt bikes, and recreation utility vehicles as defined in MGL c. 90B, § 20.
(2) 
Recreational vehicle shall not, however, include any wheelchair operated by a person with physical disabilities or any similar mobility-assisting device used by a person whose ambulatory mobility has been impaired by age, illness or physical ailment; nor shall it include the operation of any electric vehicle not capable of speeds in excess of 12.5 miles per hour on any paved sidewalk or marked pedestrian crosswalk; nor any vehicle owned or leased or operated by any government entity, including the City and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Also excluded from the definition of recreational vehicle are recreation utility vehicles as defined in MGL c. 90B, § 20, if being used exclusively for agricultural, forestry, lumbering or construction purposes.
B. 
Registration. Pursuant to MGL c. 90B, § 22, no recreational vehicle, as defined by MGL c. 90B, § 20, may be operated in the commonwealth unless it is registered with the boat, recreation vehicle and snowmobile registration bureau of the Massachusetts Environmental State Police and a valid registration number is displayed on the vehicle.
C. 
Prohibited acts.
(1) 
Unregistered vehicles. No person shall place, store, or keep more than four unregistered recreational vehicles that, in order to be operated, are required to be registered under the laws or regulations of the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, MGL c. 90B, upon public or private land, including any buildings thereon, zoned or used for residential purposes. This subsection shall not apply to vehicles stored in compliance with the City zoning ordinance or to vehicles stored, parked, or displayed on property duly licensed in accordance with MGL c. 140, §§ 57 through 69.
(2) 
Public property/property of another. No person shall operate, maintain or possess a recreational vehicle upon the property of another without written permission of the landowner on their person. For purposes of this subsection, "property of another" shall include any property owned or leased by the City, including any City public school property, playgrounds, parks or conservation areas, or any land in which the City holds any conservation restriction.
(3) 
Prohibited hazardous operation. No person shall engage in the hazardous operation of a recreational vehicle. The hazardous operation shall include but not be limited to the following examples:
(a) 
An operator of any recreational vehicle shall not cause such vehicle to ride with its front wheel or wheels raised from the surface of the road or ground while operated in any public space.
(b) 
An operator of any recreational vehicle shall not cause such vehicle to ride with its rear wheel or wheels raised from the surface of the road or ground while operated in any public space.
(c) 
An operator of any recreational vehicle shall not cause any side wheels of such vehicle to rise from the surface of the road or ground while operated in any public space.
(d) 
An operator of any recreational vehicle shall not ride such vehicles with his or her feet or knees planted on the seat while operating in any public space.
(e) 
An operator of any recreational vehicle shall not operate such vehicle in a manner commonly associated with trick or stunt riding.
(f) 
An operator of any recreational vehicle shall not operate such vehicle with a passenger if designed for a single rider.
(g) 
No passenger shall ride upon any recreational vehicle that is designed for a single rider.
(h) 
An operator of any recreational vehicle shall not operate such vehicle with a passenger sitting or riding upon the handlebars or forward of the operator.
(i) 
No person shall operate any recreational vehicle wearing a facial mask between March 15 and November 15 of any year or any other time when the ambient air temperature is 45° or greater measured on the Fahrenheit scale.
(j) 
No person shall operate a recreational vehicle in any manner which violates the provisions of the City Code of Ordinances.
(4) 
Flammable fluids. No person under the age of 18 years shall cause gasoline or other flammable or volatile fluid to be loaded into any recreational vehicle, on any public or private street of the City or at any location which is open to the public. Any person in charge of any gasoline or filling station shall not allow any person under the age of 18 years to cause gasoline or other flammable or volatile fluid to be loaded into any recreational vehicle.
(5) 
Gas station. No person shall cause gasoline or other flammable or volatile fluid to be loaded into any recreational vehicle at any filling station unless said recreational vehicle is loaded on a trailer or truck. It shall be a violation for any filling station to allow a recreational vehicle to be filled at any station that is in conflict with this provision.
D. 
Enforcement; penalties.
(1) 
Penalties. A violation of any provision of this section shall be subject to a fine of $300 and, when applicable, with each day constituting a separate offense. This fine shall also apply to any filing station that allows a vehicle to be filled with fuel in violation of this section.
(2) 
Enforcement. The City Police Department shall have the authority to enforce any provision of this section and to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and enforce this section. The City Fire Department shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this section, or any statute, regulation or code as relates to this section, involving the storage or use of flammable fluids. Nothing herein shall prevent any City official, agency, department, board or commission with care, custody and control of any public property from enforcing any provision of this section or from promulgating rules and regulations necessary to implement and enforce any provision of this section as it may relate to any such property. The provisions of MGL c. 40, § 21D, may be used to punish violations of this section.
(3) 
Impoundment.
(a) 
The City Police Department shall have the authority to impound any recreational vehicle found in violation of this section if said recreational vehicle is required to be registered pursuant to MGL c. 90B, § 22, and is not so registered, incident to an arrest of the operator or owner, if the recreational vehicle impedes traffic, threatens public safety or there is a danger of vandalism and/or property damage to the recreational vehicle. No such impounded vehicle shall be released until final disposition of all criminal and/or civil charges relating to the operation or storage of any recreational vehicle, nor until proof of ownership and proper registration under MGL c. 90B, § 22 (if applicable), is verified and applicable towing and storage charges are paid. The City Police Department shall have the authority to obtain warrants authorizing entry upon private lands and into private buildings, whether or not covered by water, to enforce this section. Further, if any such impounded recreational vehicle is not subject to registration in accord with the provisions of MGL c. 90B, § 22, said recreational vehicle shall not be released unless the owner demonstrates an ability to safely transport the recreational vehicle from its place of impoundment without operating the recreational vehicle upon any public way in the City.
(b) 
Towing and storage fees for vehicles impounded pursuant to this section by either the City or a private towing company shall be at the maximum rates permitted by law.
E. 
Applicability. If any provision of this section imposes greater restrictions or obligations than those imposed by any other general law, special law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, or policy, then the provisions of this section shall control.
Violations of the provisions of any section within this chapter shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50 unless otherwise specified.