In addition to the conditions set forth in Section 3175 of this Code for the removal of vehicles from public streets, any member of the Police Department authorized by the Chief of Police may remove or cause to be removed, any vehicle from a street or alley when:
(a) 
Any vehicle left standing on a street or alley in such a position as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic or in such a condition as to create a hazard to other traffic upon the street or alley and an official notice as authorized by the Police Department is placed on the vehicle in a conspicuous location stating that the vehicle may be removed.
(b) 
Any vehicle is parked or left standing upon the street or alley, or portion thereof, when the use of such street or alley or portion thereof, is necessary for:
(1) 
The cleaning, repair or construction of the street or alley, portion thereof;
(2) 
The installation or maintenance of utilities;
(3) 
Where such street or alley, or portion thereof, is authorized for a purpose other than normal traffic flow; or
(4) 
Where the use of such street or alley, or portion thereof, is necessary for the movement of equipment, articles, or structures of unusual size and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement.
(c) 
Provided that an official notice authorized by the Police Department stating that the vehicle may be removed is placed on the parked vehicle in a conspicuous location 24 hours prior to the actual removal of the vehicle.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)
The City may establish truck routes on certain streets subject to the following conditions:
(a) 
Motor Truck Defined. For the purpose of this chapter, a motor truck is a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property and having a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds or more and nothing in this section shall apply to motor vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of less than 8,500 pounds.
(b) 
Restricted Use of Streets by Trucks and Other Vehicles. Upon the recommendation of the City Traffic Engineer and subject to the requirements of California Vehicle Code Sections 35701 – 35714, the City Council may, by ordinance, designate, establish and maintain fixed truck routes within the City.
(c) 
Prohibited Routes. Subject to the provisions, exceptions and limitations of the California Vehicle Code Sections 35701 – 35714, no person shall operate any vehicle, which has a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds or more on any street not designated as a truck route.
(d) 
Exemptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to passenger buses under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission; or to any vehicle owned or operated by the City, public utilities, or any contractor or material man, while engaged in the repair, maintenance or construction of streets, street improvements or street utilities within the City; or to any authorized emergency vehicle, or to any commercial vehicle otherwise exempted under California Vehicle Code Section 35714.
(e) 
Erection of Signs. The City Traffic Engineer shall install and maintain signage on those streets affected by this section. The signage shall conform to the standards and requirements of the CAMUTCD and the City.
(f) 
Loading and Unloading. As specified in California Vehicle Code Section 35703, nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the operator of any motor truck traversing any of the foregoing routes from leaving such routes for the purpose of loading or unloading; or for truck terminal access provided such deviation from the nearest truck route is reasonably necessary.
(g) 
Public Utility Service. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any vehicle which is subject to the provisions of Sections 1031 through 1036, inclusive, of the Public Utilities Code.
(h) 
Weigh-In. Any police officer shall have the authority to require any person driving or in control of any commercial vehicle not proceeding over a truck route to proceed to any public or private scale available for the purpose of weighing and determining whether the conditions of this section have been met.
The City Council has established the following streets as fixed truck routes to be effective when signing conforming to the requirements of Section 3199.8(e) of this Code has been installed:
(1) 
Bellflower Boulevard from Lakewood Boulevard to the southerly City limits;
(2) 
Columbia Way from Lakewood Boulevard to Imperial Highway;
(3) 
Cleta Street from Lakewood Boulevard to Patton Road;
(4) 
Firestone Boulevard from the easterly City limits to the westerly City limits;
(5) 
Florence Avenue;
(6) 
Garfield Avenue;
(7) 
Imperial Highway;
(8) 
Lakewood Boulevard;
(9) 
Old River School Road;
(10) 
Patton Road from Firestone Boulevard to Cleta Street;
(11) 
Paramount Boulevard;
(12) 
Regentview Avenue;
(13) 
Rosecrans Avenue;
(14) 
Stewart and Gray Road from Lakewood Boulevard to Firestone Boulevard;
(15) 
Studebaker Road from Florence Avenue to Route 605/5 freeway ramp intersection;
(16) 
Telegraph Road;
(17) 
Washburn Road from Regentview Avenue to Woodruff Avenue;
(18) 
Woodruff Avenue from Firestone Boulevard to the southerly City limits;
(19) 
Phlox Street between Paramount Boulevard and Downey Avenue; and
(20) 
Downey Avenue between Firestone Boulevard and Phlox Street.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18; amended by Ord. 25-1530, 7/8/2025)
It is unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation to move or operate upon any street in the City of Downey any vehicle, combination of vehicles, mobile equipment or load which weighs or measures in excess of the weight, width, height or length permitted by Division 15 of the California Vehicle Code, unless an application therefor has been filed with and a permit issued by the Director of Public Works or designee.
(a) 
Application for Permit. The application for a permit shall be upon forms to be supplied by the City of Downey and shall set forth the following information:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant;
(2) 
Description of vehicle and load to be operated or moved;
(3) 
Streets over which permit to operate is requested;
(4) 
Date, hour, duration and number of trips to be made; and
(5) 
Number and location of stops to be made within the City.
The City will accept applications made by, and issue permits directly to, an applicant or permit service by any of the following processes:
(1)
In writing;
(2)
By an authorized facsimile process; or
(3)
Through an authorized computer and modem connection.
(b) 
Import or Export of Earth Material. Any person, firm, association or corporation moving more than 500 cubic yards of earth material shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
Haul routes shall be identified and approved by the City Traffic Engineer when more than 500 cubic yards of earth material per project is moved from or to the site of an earth grading operation in a one day period on public streets not designated as truck routes within the City; or, when more than 2,500 cubic yards of earth material per project is moved from or to the site of an earth grading operation over a period of time exceeding one day on public streets not designated as truck routes within the City; or, when more than 5,000 cubic yards of earth material per project is moved from or to the site of an earth grading operation on public roadways not designated as truck routes within the City.
(2) 
Trailers carrying loads of earth material shall, in a manner adequate to prevent the earth material from blowing or bouncing out of or otherwise leaving the truck and/or trailer while traveling or standing upon any public street, either wet down the loads or cover the load of earth material with a tarpaulin prior to entering upon any public street in the City.
(3) 
A street sweeper and/or water truck may be required on the job site to mitigate effects of dirt, mud, dust and debris on the street.
(4) 
Days and hours of haul will be reviewed and approved by the City Traffic Engineer to mitigate area and peak hour traffic conflicts.
(5) 
Provide evidence of proper liability insurance coverage acceptable to the City Finance Director naming the City as additionally insured.
(6) 
A cash deposit by certified/cashier's check only will be required to insure the streets in the haul route will be maintained in a clean and orderly condition throughout the hauling operations, and to protect against any damage to City infrastructure.
When in conformance with the provisions of this section, a Hauling Permit shall be issued by the Director of Public Works or designee.
(1)
Hauls in excess of 30,000 cubic yards requiring the use of public streets may require provision of the following additional measures:
(i)
Periodic safety inspection of all haul trucks;
 
(ii)
A hold harmless agreement between the City and the grading contractor will be required for vehicles hauling earth material from or to the project site;
 
(iii)
Flaggers and/or automatic traffic lights may be necessary as required by the City Traffic Engineer;
 
(iv)
A cash bond may be required to insure against loss of pavement life along primary haul routes.
When in conformance with the provisions of this section, a Hauling Permit shall be issued by the Director of Public Works.
(c) 
Filing Fees. A fee shall be paid by the applicant upon the filing of each application, for a permit as follows:
(1) 
A single trip permit (five working days and includes legal return);
(2) 
An annual permit, valid for one year from date of issuance, and permitting any number of trips within or into the City within said year; provided, however, that separate applications shall be filed for each vehicle that operates in the City containing the information required by this chapter;
(3) 
A rider to modify a permit after its original issuance;
(4) 
Fees for the aforementioned permits shall be in the amount set forth in the City's Fee Schedule.
(d) 
Consideration of Application—Criteria for Issuance, Denial of Permit. The Director of Public Works or designee shall, by written permit, authorize the use of public streets within the City in accordance with the terms of the application, if, in the judgment of the Director of Public Works and the Chief of Police, said streets and appurtenant public and private property can safely withstand such use. Such permit shall specify the period of time for which it is to be effective; the route or routes to be traveled; the date, hour and number of trips to be made; such stops as shall be made within the City, and such other terms and conditions which the Director of Public Works and the Chief of Police determine necessary for public convenience and safety. Every permit shall be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be presented for inspection by any California Vehicle Safety Alliance officer, authorized agent of the Director of Public Works, or any other officer or employee charged with the care or protection of such streets upon request.
(e) 
Indemnification—Bonding—Insurance Requirement. A written agreement, approved as to form by the City Attorney, shall be filed by the applicant providing that the City and all officers, employees, agents and representatives thereof shall be indemnified and held harmless by the applicant from any liability or responsibility for any accident, loss or damage to persons or property happening or occurring as the proximate result of the use of street(s) under the terms of the application and the permit granted in response thereto, and that all said liabilities are hereby assumed by the applicant. Such permit shall be granted upon such conditions and upon depositing such bond and certificate of insurance at the discretion of the Director of Public Works.
(f) 
Safety Inspection of Vehicles. Every driver of a vehicle, combination of vehicles, mobile equipment or load subject to this section shall stop and submit to an inspection of the size, weight, equipment and safety of such vehicle, combination of vehicles, mobile equipment or load at any location where any officer of the Downey Police Department is conducting test and inspections of such vehicles, combination of vehicles, mobile equipment or loads and when signs are displayed requiring the stop.
(g) 
Violation—Revocation. Any person, firm, association or corporation moving or operating on any public street in the City any vehicle, combination of vehicles, mobile equipment or load contrary to any term of condition of a permit issued under the authority of Section 3199.9 of this Code hereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, such permit shall be revoked and cancelled by the Director of Public Works.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)
The City Council may, by ordinance, establish speed zones within the City of Downey upon the basis of appropriate engineering and traffic surveys.
(a) 
State Speed Limit Decreased. The City Council may, by ordinance determine, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, that the maximum speed applicable under State law is more than is reasonable or safe upon a street or portions of a street, and, by ordinance, establish speed limits which would facilitate the orderly movement of traffic, and it is declared that the prima facie speed limit shall be as therein set forth on those streets or parts of streets therein designated when signs are erected giving notice thereof.
(b) 
State Speed Limit Increased. The City Council may, by ordinance determine, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, that a speed greater than 25 miles per hour would facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe on those streets or parts of streets therein designated when signs are erected giving notice thereof.
(c) 
Speed Limits Established. On the basis of engineering and traffic surveys, the City Council has established the prima facie speed limits as indicated herein upon the following streets in miles per hour (MPH):
Garfield Avenue. Between the westerly City limits and southerly City limits, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour.
Telegraph Road. Between the west City limit and the east City limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 45 miles per hour (eastbound direction only).
Studebaker Road. Between Florence Avenue and the southern City limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Downey Avenue. On those portions within the City of Downey between Century Boulevard and Firestone Boulevard as well as North of Florence Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour; between Fifth Street and Florence Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour; and between Firestone Boulevard and Fifth Street, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Florence Avenue. Between the westerly City limits and Woodruff Avenue, and from Little Lake Road to the easterly City limits, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour. Between Woodruff Avenue and Little Lake Road/I-605, the prima facie speed limit shall be 45 miles per hour.
Old River School Road. Between Florence Avenue and Imperial Highway, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Stewart and Gray Road. Between the westerly City limit and Bellflower Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour and between Bellflower Boulevard and Firestone Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Imperial Highway. On those portions within the City of Downey between the west City limit and the east City limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Gallatin Road. Between Paramount Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour; between Tweedy Lane and Paramount Boulevard and between Lakewood Boulevard and Downey-Sanford Bridge Road, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Bellflower Boulevard. Between Foster Road and Imperial Highway, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour; between Imperial Highway and Lakewood Boulevard the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Rives Avenue. Between Florence Avenue and Firestone Boulevard and Imperial Highway, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Gardendale Street. On those portions within the City of Downey between the westerly city limit and Brookshire Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour. On the portion within the City of Downey between Brookshire Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Woodruff Avenue. Between Florence Avenue and Firestone Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour; between Firestone Boulevard and Stewart & Gray Road, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour; and between Stewart & Gray Road and the southerly City limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Brookshire Avenue. Between Gardendale Street and Firestone Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour; between Firestone Boulevard and Cherokee Drive, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour; between Cherokee Drive and Florence Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour; between Florence Avenue and Gallatin Road, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour.
Dunrobin Avenue. Between Imperial Highway and Foster Road, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Paramount Boulevard. Between the northerly and the southerly city limits, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Washburn Road. Between Bellflower Boulevard and Regentview Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Patton Road. Between Firestone Boulevard and Stewart and Gray Road, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Regentview Avenue. Between Stewart and Gray Road and Washburn Road, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Quill Drive. Between Old River School Road and Paramount Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Cherokee Drive. Between Downey Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Suva Street. Between the west city limit and Horley Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour, between Horley Avenue and Paramount Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Tweedy Lane. Between Gallatin Road and Florence Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Fifth Street. Between Paramount Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour; between Brookshire Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Cecilia Street. Between Studebaker Road and Fairford Avenue and between Woodruff Avenue and Pico Vista Road, the prima facie speed limits shall be 25 miles per hour; between Lakewood Boulevard and Woodruff Avenue and between Little Lake Road and Studebaker Road, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Third Street. Between Old River School Road and Paramount Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour; between Paramount Boulevard and Civic Center Drive, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Foster Road. On that portion within the City of Downey between Lakewood Boulevard and Woodruff Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour; between Woodruff Avenue and the easterly City limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Alameda Street. Between Paramount Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Firestone Boulevard. Between the west city limit and Woodruff Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour; and between Woodruff Avenue and the east city limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Rosecrans Avenue. On that portion within the City of Downey between the west city limit and the east city limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Haledon Avenue. Between Gallatin Road and Florence Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Lakewood Boulevard. On that portion within the city of Downey between the northerly City limits and Gardendale Street, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour.
Wiley Burke Avenue. Between Firestone Boulevard and Suva Street, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Seventh Street. Between Rives Avenue and Downey Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Columbia Way. Between Foster Road and Imperial Highway, the prima facie speed limit shall be 40 miles per hour, and 35 miles per hour between Imperial Highway and Lakewood Boulevard.
Ardis Avenue. Between Foster Road and the I-105 Freeway Overcrossing, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour and between the I-105 Overcrossing and Imperial Highway, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
Cleta Street. Between Lakewood Boulevard and Downey Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Davis Street. Between Downey Avenue and Brookshire Avenue, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Dolan Street. Between Firestone Boulevard and Davis Street, the prima facie speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour.
Fairford Avenue. Between Florence Avenue and the southerly City limit, the prima facie speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18; amended by Ord. 19-1406, adopted 4-23-19; Ord. 19-1414, adopted 8-13-19; Ord. 23-1505, adopted 3-28-23; Ord. 23-1509, adopted 9-26-23)
(a) 
As used in this part, "public parking lot" shall mean any parking lot or area owned by or under the control of the City, and approved and made available for use by the public for the parking of motor vehicles.
(b) 
As used in this chapter, "public parking structure" shall include any structure owned by or under the control of the City, and approved and made available for use by the public for the parking of motor vehicles.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18; amended by Ord. 25-1522, 3/25/2025)
(a) 
Purpose. The City Council of the City of Downey seeks to provide off-street parking within public parking lots and public parking structures for persons who wish to utilize commercial, recreational, and civic offerings within the City of Downey. In so doing, the City Council seeks to deter activities and behavior that interfere with or otherwise inhibit the stated goal of the City Council, or that otherwise adversely impact the health, safety, and welfare of authorized users of public parking lots and public parking structures and of the general public.
(b) 
Compliance.
(1) 
The Director of Public Works shall have the authority to promulgate rules, regulations, policies, and procedures regulating the use of public parking lots and public parking structures within the City, that are consistent with the purpose of this Section and other applicable laws.
(2) 
Pursuant to Section 10102(a) of this Code, the Director of Parks and Recreation shall have the concurrent authority to promulgate rules, regulations, policies, and procedures regulating the use of public parking lots and public parking structures that are appurtenant to any public parks within the City, that are consistent with the purpose of this section and other applicable laws.
(3) 
No person shall enter, be in, or remain in, nor shall any vehicle be stopped, parked, or left standing in, any public parking lot or public parking structure unless in compliance with all of the regulations set forth in this section applicable to such public parking lot or public parking structure, and with all other applicable ordinances, rules, and regulations, and with any conditions made a part of any applicable permit.
(c) 
Hours of Operation. No person or vehicle may be present in or upon any public parking lot or public parking structure, or portion thereof, at any time when the public parking lot or public parking structure, or portion thereof, is closed to the public and has been posted with signage stating either the hours of operation or that the public parking lot or public parking structure, or portion thereof, is closed.
(d) 
Towing of Vehicles. Any vehicle that is parked in or upon any public parking lot or public parking structure, or portion thereof, during any time when the public parking lot or public parking structure, or portion thereof, is closed to the public, may be removed under the direction of any police officer or authorized traffic enforcement officer, in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 22651(n), Downey Municipal Code Section 3183, and/or any other applicable law.
(e) 
Prohibited Acts.
(1) 
General. No person may be present in any public parking structure unless actively engaged in one of the following activities or accompanying someone who is so engaged:
(i) 
Parking a vehicle, removing/unparking a vehicle, or riding in a vehicle that is being parked or removed/unparked;
(ii) 
Departing from or returning to a vehicle that is parked in the parking structure;
(iii) 
Operating or maintaining the parking structure as an employee or contractor for the City; or
(iv) 
Any other lawful activity for which an approval has been granted or a permit has been issued by the Director of Public Works or authorized agent thereof.
(2) 
Abandoned or Inoperative Vehicles. No person shall park a wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, or abandoned vehicle, nor any vehicle that is not currently registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, within a public parking lot or public parking structure at any time.
(i) 
Exception. Any vehicle that becomes mechanically inoperable while parked in a public parking lot or public parking structure, or portion thereof, shall be removed within two hours. In no event shall a mechanically inoperable vehicle remain in a public parking lot or public parking structure, or portion thereof, when that lot or structure, or portion thereof, is closed to the public.
(3) 
Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Skating, and Similar Devices Prohibited. No person shall use or ride any bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, rollerblades, scooter, or similar devices within any public parking structure.
(i) 
Exception. This section shall not prohibit the use of any personalized mobility device used for transportation purposes of disabled persons.
(4) 
Commercial Uses. No person shall park any vehicle in or upon any public parking lot or public parking structure for any of the following purposes:
(i) 
Displaying such vehicle for sale;
(ii) 
Advertising purposes;
(iii) 
Soliciting business or the use of such vehicle for any purpose, except for public transportation vehicles or app-based rideshare vehicles only when actively picking up or dropping off a passenger; or
(iv) 
Washing, detailing, greasing, or repairing such vehicle, except repairs necessitated by an emergency but in no event to exceed two hours.
(5) 
Vending. No person shall stand or park in or upon any public parking lot or public parking structure any vehicle, wagon, pushcart, or other such conveyance from which food, beverages, goods, wares, or merchandise are sold, displayed, solicited, or offered for sale, bargained or exchanged unless approved by a special permit as issued by the Director of Public Works or designee thereof.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18; amended by Ord. 25-1522, 3/25/2025)
No person shall sleep in any vehicle, including a truck-camper, motor home, travel home, travel or recreational trailer or other similar recreational vehicle, while parked in the public right-of-way.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)
(a) 
No amendment or addition to this Code nor any resolution, if such amendment, addition, or resolution imposes, modifies, or changes any regulation in respect to a State highway, shall take or be of any effect until such addition, amendment, or resolution is approved by the State Department of Transportation. The City Traffic Engineer shall not erect any sign or place any marking upon a State highway unless the regulation imposed by such sign or marking has been approved by the State Department of Transportation. Within six months after receipt of written notice that the State Department of Transportation has withdrawn its approval of any regulation affecting a State a highway, the City Traffic Engineer shall remove from such State highway any sign or marking giving notice of such regulation.
(b) 
Whenever this chapter delegates authority to a City officer or authorizes action by the City Council, to regulate traffic upon a State highway in any way, which by law requires the prior approval of the State Department of Transportation, no such officer shall exercise such authority nor shall such action by the City Council be effective with respect to any State highway without the prior approval in writing by the State Department of Transportation when and to the extent required by Divisions 9 and 11 of the California Vehicle Code.
(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)