The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Traffic-control device.
Any sign, signal or marking, including markings on pavement and curbs, installed within the city at the direction of the director of traffic control for the purpose of directing and controlling traffic within the city or to guide or warn traffic within the city.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-1; 1993 Code, sec. 70.15; 2006 Code, sec. 78-21; Ordinance 164, sec. 1, adopted 4/6/81)
All traffic-control devices including signs, signals and markings (pavement and/or curb) installed or used for the purpose of directing and controlling traffic within the city shall conform with the manual and specifications adopted by the state transportation commission as provided in V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 544.001. All signs, signals and markings erected or used by the city must conform to the manual and specifications adopted under V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 544.001. All existing traffic-control devices and those erected in the future by the city being consistent with the manual and specifications, state law and this section shall be official traffic-control devices.
(Ordinance adopting 2015 Code)
The driver of any vehicle or animal shall obey the instruction of any traffic-control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with this article or any other applicable traffic ordinances of the city, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted in section 20.01.001 to the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-3; 1993 Code, sec. 70.16; 2006 Code, sec. 78-22; Ordinance 164, sec. 3, adopted 4/6/81)
(a) 
Chief of police designated.
In absence of specific appointment, the chief of police or designee shall be the director of traffic control.
(b) 
Installation of traffic-control devices.
(1) 
Determination of necessity.
The director of traffic control shall determine the necessity for installing traffic-control devices based upon all relevant facts and such traffic study as he shall deem necessary. The director of traffic control shall report such findings to the city council. The director of traffic control shall have the duty to install, erect and maintain all traffic-control devices within the city, or cause the same to be done, in accordance with this article.
(2) 
Reports.
Whenever the director of traffic control has erected and installed any official traffic-control device at any location within the city, or has caused the same to be done under his direction, he shall thereafter file a report with the city secretary in writing, stating the type of traffic-control device, and when and where the same was erected and installed. The city secretary shall file and maintain such report of the director of traffic control along with the official papers of the office of the city secretary.
(1984 Code, secs. 8-2-4, 8-2-10; 1993 Code, sec. 70.17; 2006 Code, sec. 78-23; Ordinance 164, secs. 4, 10, adopted 4/6/81)
The director of traffic control shall place and maintain traffic-control devices as he may deem necessary to regulate traffic under the provisions of this article and any applicable ordinances of the city and the laws of this state or to guide or warn traffic.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-2; 1993 Code, sec. 70.18; 2006 Code, sec. 78-24; Ordinance 164, sec. 2, adopted 4/6/81)
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway, street or alley 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.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-7; 1993 Code, sec. 70.19; 2006 Code, sec. 78-25; Ordinance 164, sec. 7, adopted 4/6/81)
No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway, street or alley any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways, streets or alleys of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official traffic-control devices. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and the chief of police is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be moved without providing notice.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-8; 1993 Code, sec. 70.20; 2006 Code, sec. 78-26; Ordinance 164, sec. 8, adopted 4/6/81)
It shall be unlawful for any person without lawful authority to attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, damage, knock down or remove any official traffic-control device, sign or signal or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield, or insignia thereon, or any part thereof.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-9; 1993 Code, sec. 70.21; 2006 Code, sec. 78-27; Ordinance 164, sec. 9, adopted 4/6/81)
In any prosecution for failure to obey a traffic-control device, or in any prosecution for violation of this article or any other traffic ordinance of the city, proof that a traffic-control device was actually in place on any street shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same was installed by the director of traffic control pursuant to the authority of this article and of any applicable ordinances directing the installation of such traffic-control device, and that such device is an official traffic-control device of the city.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-11; 1993 Code, sec. 70.22; 2006 Code, sec. 78-28; Ordinance 164, sec. 11, adopted 4/6/81)
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction in municipal court, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed the sum of $500.00 for each offense. Each and every day the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(1993 Code, sec. 70.99; 2006 Code, sec. 78-29)