(a) 
When lighted lamps required.
Every vehicle upon any street or highway within the city at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles, and further that stop lights, turn signals and other signaling devices shall be lighted as prescribed for the use of such devices.
(b) 
Visibility distance; mounted height.
(1) 
Whenever a requirement is herein declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in this section in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
(2) 
Whenever a requirement is herein declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
(c) 
Headlamps.
(1) 
Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least two (2) headlamps with one (1) on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which lamp shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
(2) 
Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) headlamps, which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this article.
(3) 
Every headlamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the headlamp of not more than fifty-four (54) inches nor less than twenty-four (24) inches, to be measured as set forth in subsection (b).
(1984 Code, secs. 12-66–12-68; 1998 Code, sec. 10.301)
(a) 
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least two (2) taillamps mounted on the rear, which, when lighted, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear, except that passenger cars and trucks manufactured or assembled prior to model year 1960 shall have at least one (1) taillamp. On a combination of vehicles, only the taillamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. On vehicles equipped with more than one (1) taillamp, the lamps shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.
(b) 
Every taillamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than seventy-two (72) inches nor less than sixteen (16) inches.
(c) 
Either a taillamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty (50) feet to the rear. Any taillamp or taillamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-69; 1998 Code, sec. 10.302)
(a) 
Any motor vehicle may be equipped and when required under this article shall be equipped with the following signal lights or devices:
(1) 
A stop light on the rear which shall emit a red or yellow light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and which may but need not be incorporated with a taillamp.
(2) 
A light or lights or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or to the left and which shall be visible both from the front and rear.
(b) 
A stop light shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of one hundred (100) feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime and a signal light or lights indicating intention to turn shall be visible and understandable during daytime and nighttime from a distance of one hundred (100) feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop light or other signal light, such light or lights shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No stop light or signal light shall project a glaring or dazzling light.
(c) 
All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in section 12.04.001.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-70; 1998 Code, sec. 10.303(a))
(a) 
At all times specified in section 12.04.001, at least two (2) lighted lights shall be displayed, one (1) on each side at the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, except when such vehicle is parked, subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(b) 
Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlights is also equipped with any auxiliary lights or a spotlight or any other light on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred (300) candlepower, not more than a total of four (4) of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one (1) time when upon a street or highway.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-71; 1998 Code, sec. 10.303(b))
(a) 
Every vehicle shall be equipped with one (1) or more lamps which, when lighted, shall display a white or amber light visible from a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet to the front of the vehicle, and a red light visible from a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear of the vehicle. The location of said lamp or lamps shall always be such that at least one (1) lamp or combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this section is installed as near as practicable to the side of the vehicle which is closest to passing traffic.
(b) 
Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked upon a street or highway during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise, and in the event there is sufficient light to reveal any persons and vehicles within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet upon such street or highway, no lights need be displayed upon such parked vehicle.
(c) 
Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise, and there is insufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet upon such highway, such vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with and shall display lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (a).
(d) 
Any lighted headlamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-210; 1998 Code, sec. 10.711)
The provisions of state law regarding requirements for brakes on vehicles are adopted by the city.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-72; 1998 Code, sec. 10.304)
(a) 
Every motor vehicle, when operated upon a public thoroughfare, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred (200) feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a thoroughfare.
(b) 
No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
(c) 
It is permissible, but not required, that any commercial vehicle be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal.
(d) 
Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet, but such siren shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which said latter events the driver of such vehicle shall sound said siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-73; 1998 Code, sec. 10.305)
Every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear thereof from the driver’s position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the roadway for a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet to the rear of such vehicle.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-74; 1998 Code, sec. 10.306)
(a) 
Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle in the city.
(b) 
The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-75; 1998 Code, sec. 10.307)
(a) 
No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings or side or rear windows of such vehicle which obstructs the driver’s clear view of the roadway or any intersecting roadway.
(b) 
The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle.
(c) 
Every windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order.
(1984 Code, sec. 12-76; 1998 Code, sec. 10.308)