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:
Commercial truck.
Any motor vehicle designed or used for the transportation
of property, excluding a passenger bus, passenger automobile, motorcycle,
panel delivery truck or pickup truck.
Semitrailer.
Every vehicle of the trailer type so designated or used in
conjunction with a motor vehicle that some part of its own weight
and that of its own load rests upon or is carried by such motor vehicle.
Trailer.
Every vehicle without motor power designed or used for carrying
property or passengers wholly on its own structure for commercial
use and designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle, excluding trailers
used for recreational or agricultural purposes and/or trailers carrying
commonly recognized recreational vehicles or agricultural products.
Truck.
A commercial truck, semitrailer, trailer, truck-tractor,
cement mixer, or any combination thereof.
Truck-tractor.
Every motor vehicle designed or used primary for drawing
other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than
a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.
Vehicle.
Every mechanical device, in, upon, or by which any person
or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway,
including motor vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, trucks, truck-tractors,
cement mixers, trailers, and semitrailers, but excepting devices moved
by human power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.
(Ordinance 796 adopted 4/9/18; Ordinance 812 adopted 10/12/2020)
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive, operate or move,
or to cause or permit to be driven, operated or moved, on any public
street within the city any vehicle or combination of vehicles contrary
to any of the regulations contained in this article.
(Ordinance 796 adopted 4/9/18; Ordinance 812 adopted 10/12/2020)
(a)
Restrictions.
Except as allowed by the exemptions contained in section
12.06.003(b) and on the designated truck routes listed in section
12.06.004, no person shall operate a truck, truck tractor, semitrailer, or any combination thereof upon any municipal street within the corporate limits of the city. All thru truck traffic is hereby prohibited, and persons are prohibited from using municipal streets as shortcuts or links between truck routes.
(b)
Exemptions.
The provisions of this article shall
not apply:
(1)
To a vehicle traveling to or from a location which is off the
truck routes for the purpose of loading or unloading goods, wares
or merchandise within the corporate limits of the city, provided such
vehicle is operated over the shortest practical route to and from
a point on the applicable truck route and if the operator of such
vehicle has in his or her immediate possession evidence of the local
destination and point of origin. Evidence of the local destination
may include a log book, delivery slip, shipping order, bill or any
other document which identifies and specifies the date, address, and
name of the person requesting or directing the pickup or delivery
and the destination of the pickup or delivery.
(2)
To emergency vehicles operating in response to any emergency
call.
(3)
To vehicles operated by a public or private utility with an
existing franchise agreement with the city while cruising in an assigned
area for the purpose of inspecting the facilities of such utility
or providing maintenance service to such facilities.
(4)
To vehicles operated for a public service, for example, garbage
pickup, street repair and water service.
(5)
To empty vehicles that are legally parked at a driver or owner's
residence.
(Ordinance 812 adopted 10/12/2020)
The following streets and sections of streets are designated
as truck routes for the city:
(4)
Industrial Drive/S. 9th Street
(Ordinance 812 adopted 10/12/2020)
The mayor or city manager, in coordination with the Texas Department
of Transportation, where needed, shall cause all truck routes to be
clearly posted with signs giving reasonable notice of this article.
(Ordinance 796 adopted 4/9/18; Ordinance 812 adopted 10/12/2020)
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity violating any
provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined a sum not exceeding $500.00.
Each day, or any part thereof, during which a violation of this article
occurs shall constitute a separate offense. The penal provisions imposed
under this article shall not preclude the city from filing suit to
enjoin the violation. The city retains all legal rights and remedies
available to it pursuant to local, state and federal law.
(Ordinance 812 adopted 10/12/2020)