Ordinance No. 25-03
STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ORDINANCE NO. 25-03
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JACINTO )
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN JACINTO, CALIFORNIA ADDING CHAPTER 10.32 TO
TITLE 10 OF THE SAN JACINTO MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS ON SPECIFIED
STREETS
WHEREAS, the City of San Jacinto (“City”) has the authority to regulate to ensure the public’s health, safety, and general welfare; and
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code section 22352 establishes prima facie speed limits for certain types of streets and highways, including for “residence districts,” which have a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour; and WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code section 22357 authorizes a local authority to adopt by ordinance an increase in local speed limits when the local authority determines, on 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; and
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code section 22358 authorizes a local authority to adopt by ordinance a decrease in local speed limits when the local authority determines, on the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, that a speed less than 65 miles per hour would facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe; and
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code section 22358.7 authorizes a local authority, by ordinance, to designate a portion of highway as a “safety corridor”, as defined under the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, to further reduce speed limits when the lowered speed limit, pursuant to California Vehicle Code sections 22357 and 22358.6, is still more than is reasonable or safe. The local authority may do so if, after completing an engineering and traffic study, the rounded-down speed limit is still more than reasonable or safe; and
WHEREAS, the City Engineer regularly requests completion of Engineering and Traffic Surveys in accordance with Section 627 of the California Vehicle Code (“CVC”) and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (“MUTCD”), analyzing traffic control and travel data along specific roadway segments. The City Engineer requires that these surveys be updated no later than every seven years, and surveys conducted more than seven years prior are considered “expired”; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the City Engineer requested completion of an Engineering and Traffic Survey (“E&TS”) in accordance with Section 627 of the CVC and the MUTCD, analyzing traffic control and travel data along fifteen roadway segments within the City.
Consultant RK Engineering Group, Inc. prepared the E&TS (“2014 E&TS”) studying the Ordinance No. 25-03
existing characteristics, analyzing speed observation data, and analyzing three-year collision data of the fifteen specified roadway segments within the City. The 2014 E&TS is considered expired, as it is more than seven years old; and WHEREAS, in 2015, the City Engineer requested completion of an E&TS in accordance with Section 627 of the CVC and the MUTCD, analyzing traffic control and travel data along Sanderson Avenue, between Cottonwood Avenue and Ramona Expressway. Consultant RK Engineering Group, Inc. prepared the E&TS (“2015 E&TS”) studying the existing characteristics, analyzing speed observation data, and analyzing three-year collision data of the specified segment of Sanderson Avenue in the City. The 2015 E&TS is considered expired, as it is more than seven years old; and WHEREAS, in 2017, the City Engineer requested completion of an E&TS in accordance with Section 627 of the CVC and the MUTCD, analyzing traffic control and travel data along Ramona Expressway, between San Jacinto Avenue and Hemet Street.
Consultant RBI Traffic, Inc. prepared the E&TS (“2017 E&TS”) studying the existing characteristics, analyzing speed observation data, and analyzing five-year collision data of the specified segment of Ramona Expressway in the City. The 2017 E&TS is considered expired, as it is more than seven years old; and WHEREAS, in 2019, the City Engineer requested completion of an additional E&TS, in accordance with Section 627 of the CVC and the MUTCD, larger in scope than the 2014 E&TS which analyzed fifteen roadway segments, and the 2015 E&TS and 2017 E&TS which were limited to single roadways. Consultant RK Engineering Group, Inc. prepared the E&TS (“2019 E&TS”) studying the existing characteristics, analyzing speed observation data, and analyzing three-year collision data of 44 roadway segments in the City. The 2019 E&TS report was adopted by the City Council on June 4, 2019; and WHEREAS, in 2024, City Engineer requested completion of an E&TS in accordance with Section 627 of the CVC and the MUTCD, analyzing traffic control and travel data for 77 roadway segments. Consultant STC Traffic Inc. prepared the E&TS (“2025 E&TS”) studying the existing characteristics, analyzing speed observation data, and analyzing three-year collision data of 77 roadway segments in the City; and WHEREAS, the 2025 E&TS report recommended increasing the speed limit for 17 roadway segments, decreasing the speed limit for 6 roadway segments, and maintaining the existing speed limit for 50 roadway segments within the City. The 2025 E&TS additionally recommends that speed limit signs reflecting the existing speed limit be posted at 4 roadway segments. The 2025 E&TS report is now presented to the City Council for adoption. After review of the 2025 E&TS report, the City Engineer recommends implementing prima facie speed limits at the following roadway segments:
Ordinance No. 25-03
• First Street, from Ramona Boulevard to Vernon Avenue; • Seventh Street, from Pine Avenue to State Street;
• Chase Street, from Blodgett Street to Ramona Expressway, and from Ramona Expressway to Ramona Boulevard;
• De Anze Drive, from State Street to Main Street;
• Esplanade Avenue, from Lyon Avenue to Palm Avenue;
• Grand Avenue, from North End to Seventh Street;
• Hewitt Street, from Evans Street to Commonwealth Avenue; • Lake Park Drive, from Ramona Expressway to Soboba Road; • Main Street, from Jordan Avenue to Ramona Expressway; • Park Avenue, from Villines Avenue to North Meridian Street; • Pine Avenue, from Seventh Street to Esplanade Avenue; • Ramona Expressway, from Esplanade Avenue to Hemet Street, and from Eagle Road to Seventh Street (westbound and eastbound); • Ramona Boulevard, from Sanderson Avenue to Lyon Avenue, from Lyon Avenue to State Street, and from State Street to San Jacinto Avenue ; • Santa Fe Avenue, from Seventh Street to Esplanade Avenue, and from Esplanade Avenue to Menlo Avenue;
• San Jacinto Avenue, from Ramona Expressway to Main Street; • Shaver Street/Old Mountain Avenue, from San Jacinto Avenue to Las Rosas Drive;
• Soboba Road, North Section (Gap in City Limit, and from Golf Course Entrance to Lake Park Drive;
• State Street, from Ramona Expressway to Esplanade Avenue; • Vernon Avenue, from Ramona Expressway to Cypress Avenue, and from Cypress Avenue to Main Street;
• Washington Avenue, from Villines Avenue to Hemet Street; and Ordinance No. 25-03
WHEREAS, after review of the 2025 E&TS report, the City Engineer additionally recommends implementing safety corridors at the following roadway segments due to increased safety concerns including residential homes, increased pedestrian activities, and a historically high incident of car accidents at or along the specified roadways, which require that the speed limits along these specific roadways be reduced from the 2025 E&TS report recommendations to be reasonable and safe:
• Sanderson Avenue, from Ramona Expressway to Cottonwood Avenue (northbound);
• Sanderson Avenue, from Ramona Expressway to Cottonwood Avenue (southbound);
WHEREAS, consistent with the recommendations of the 2025 E&TS report and the City Engineer’s review of the same, the City Council now desires to determine and declare prima facie speed limits along 30 specified roadway segments and establish safety corridors along 7 specified roadway segments in the City, to encourage safe travel and speed along these roadways, reduce the likelihood of accidents, and enable law enforcement to enforce such prima facie speed limits; and WHEREAS, the proposed Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq., pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, because the Ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and is not a “project,” as that term is defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3; and WHEREAS, the City finds that declaring prima facie speed limits in particular areas of the City will best serve the public’s health, safety, and general welfare; and WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence presented in connection with Ordinance, including, but not limited to, the 2014 E&TS report, 2015 E&TS report, 2017 E&TS report, and 2025 E&TS report and the City Engineer’s review of the same, the staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented, and has concluded that determining and declaring prima facie speed limits and safety corridors at the specified streets facilitates the orderly and safe movement of traffic.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JACINTO DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference as findings in support of this Ordinance.
SECTION 2. Adoption of E&TS. The City Council hereby adopts the 2025 Engineering and Traffic Survey prepared by STC Traffic Inc. in March 2025.
Ordinance No. 25-03
SECTION 3. Adoption of Chapter 10.32. Chapter 10.32, “Speed Limits,” is hereby added to Title 10, “Vehicles and Traffic,” of the San Jacinto Municipal Code to read in its entirety:
“Chapter 10.32 – SPEED LIMITS
Sec. 10.32.010 – Findings
It is determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the speed permitted by state law outside of business and residence districts, as applicable upon the following streets herein, is greater than or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon such streets. It is declared that the prima facie speed limit shall be as set forth in this section on those streets or parts of streets designated herein, when signs are erected giving notice thereof. (See Figure 10-2)
Ordinance No. 25-03
Sec. 10.32.020 – Speed Limits
ID Name of Street or Roadway Affected
Declared Prima
Facie
Speed Limit
(Miles per Hour)
1 1st Street from Ramona Boulevard to Vernon Avenue 25
2 7th Street from Melena Lane to Kirby Street 45
3 7th Street from Pine Avenue to State Street 40
4 7th Street from State Street to San Jacinto Avenue 40 5 7th Street from San Jacinto Avenue to Ramona
Expressway 35
6 Cawston Avenue from Cottonwood Avenue to 7th Street 40 7 Chase Street from Blodgett Street to Ramona
Expressway 30
8 Chase Street from Ramona Expressway to Ramona
Boulevard 30
9 Commonwealth Avenue from San Jacinto Avenue to
Hewitt Street 40
10 Commonwealth Avenue from Hewitt Street to Esplanade
Avenue 35
11 Community College Drive from State Street to Eagle
Road 25
12 Cottonwood Avenue from Warren Road to 1500 ft W of
Center Grove Way 50
13 Cottonwood Avenue from 1500 ft W of Center Grove Way to Sanderson Avenue 45
14 Cottonwood Avenue from Sanderson Avenue to Lyon
Avenue 45
15 Cottonwood Avenue from Lyon Avenue to Palm Avenue 45 16 Cottonwood Avenue from Palm Avenue to State Street 45 17 De Anza Drive from Lyon Avenue to State Street 45
18 De Anza Drive from State Street to Main Street 35
19 Esplanade Avenue from Sanderson Avenue to Kirby
Street 45
20 Esplanade Avenue from Kirby Street to Lyon Avenue 45 21 Esplanade Avenue from Lyon Avenue to Palm Avenue 40
22 Esplanade Avenue from Palm Avenue to State Street 40 23 Esplanade Avenue from State Street to San Jacinto
Avenue (West Bound)
40 24 Esplanade Avenue from State Street to San Jacinto Avenue (East Bound)
40 25 Esplanade Avenue from San Jacinto Avenue to Hewitt Street 45
Ordinance No. 25-03
26 Esplanade Avenue from Hewitt Street to Ramona
Expressway 45
27 Grand Avenue from North End to 7th Street 30
28 Hewitt Street from Main Street to Evans Street 35
29 Hewitt Street from Evans Street to Commonwealth
Avenue 40
30 Hewitt Street from Commonwealth Avenue to Park
Avenue 45
31 Idyllwild Drive from Chase Street to San Jacinto Avenue 35 32 Kirby Street from Cottonwood Avenue to Esplanade
Avenue 40
33 Lake Park Drive from Ramona Expressway to Soboba
Road 50
34 Lyon Avenue/Potter Road from Ramona Expressway to
Cottonwood Avenue 45
35 Lyon Avenue/Potter Road from Cottonwood Avenue to
Esplanade Avenue 50
36 Main Street from 7th Street to San Jacinto Avenue 35 37 Main Street from San Jacinto Avenue to Jordan Avenue 25 38 Main Street from Jordan Avenue to Ramona Expressway 35 39 Menlo Avenue from San Jacinto Avenue to Santa Fe
Avenue 35
40 Palm Avenue from De Anza Drive to Investor Place 40
41 Palm Avenue from Investor Place to Esplanade Avenue 35 42 Park Avenue from Cornell Street to Hewitt Street 40
43 Park Avenue from Hewitt Street to Villines Avenue 40 44 Park Avenue from Villines Avenue to N Meridian Street 45 45 Pine Avenue from 7th Street to Esplanade Avenue 30
46 Ramona Boulevard from Sanderson Avenue to Lyon
Avenue 50
47 Ramona Boulevard from Lyon Avenue to State Street 45 48 Ramona Boulevard from State Street to San Jacinto
Avenue 40
49 Ramona Expressway from Warren Road to Sanderson
Avenue 65
50 Ramona Expressway from Sanderson Avenue to Lyon
Avenue 65
51 Ramona Expressway from Lyon Avenue to Eagle Road
(North Bound)
55 52 Ramona Expressway from Lyon Avenue to Eagle Road
(East Bound)
55 53 Ramona Expressway from Eagle Road to 7th Street
(West Bound)
60 54 Ramona Expressway from Eagle Road to 7th Street 60 Ordinance No. 25-03
(East Bound)
55 Ramona Expressway from 7th Street to Esplanade
Avenue 55
56 Ramona Expressway from Esplanade Avenue to Hemet
Street 50
57 San Jacinto Avenue from Ramona Expressway to Main
Street 35
58 San Jacinto Avenue from Main Street to 7th Street 40 59 San Jacinto Avenue from 7th Street to Menlo Avenue 40 60 Sanderson Avenue from Ramona Expressway to
Cottonwood Avenue (North Bound)
55 61 Sanderson Avenue from Ramona Expressway to
Cottonwood Avenue (South Bound)
55 62 Sanderson Avenue from Cottonwood Avenue to
Esplanade Avenue 50
63 Santa Fe Avenue from 7th Street to Esplanade Avenue 35 64 Santa Fe Avenue from Esplanade Avenue to Menlo
Avenue 40
65 Shaver St/Old mountain Ave from San Jacinto Avenue to Las Rosas Drive 35
66 Soboba Road North Section (Gap in City Limit) 55
67 Soboba Road from Golf Course Entrance to Lake Park
Drive 50
68 State Street from Quandt Ranch Road to Ramona
Expressway 45
69 State Street from Ramona Expressway to Esplanade
Avenue 45
70 Vernon Avenue from Ramona Expressway to Cypress
Avenue 45
71 Warren Road from Ramona Expressway to Upperline
Avenue 55
72 Warren Road from Upperline Avenue to Cottonwood
Avenue (North Bound)
55 73 Warren Road from Upperline Avenue to Cottonwood
Avenue (South Bound)
55 74 Warren Road from Cottonwood Avenue to Esplanade
Avenue 55
75 Washington Avenue from Villines Avenue to Hemet Street 30 76 Young Streeet from De Anza Drive to Idyllwild Drive 35 77 Vernon Avenue from Cypress Avenue to Main Street 30
Figure 10-2
Ordinance No. 25-03
Ordinance No. 25-03
Sec. 10.32.030 – Safety Corridors Specified for Certain Highways It is determined that, after the completion of an engineering and traffic investigation, the speed permitted by state law outside of business and residence districts, if lowered according to limits set in the California Vehicle Code as applicable upon the following streets, is still higher than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon such streets. Therefore, pursuant to the California Vehicle Code, the following portions of highway are declared safety corridors, and the prima facie speed limit shall be as set forth in this section on those streets or parts of streets designated below when signs are erected giving notice thereof:
ID Name of Street or Roadway Affected
Declared Prima Facie
Speed Limit
(Miles per Hour)
60 Sanderson Avenue from Ramona Expressway to
Cottonwood Avenue (NB) 55
61 Sanderson Avenue from Ramona Expressway to
Cottonwood Avenue (SB) 55
SECTION 4. Sign Authorization. The Public Works Department is hereby authorized and directed to install appropriate signs giving notice of speed limits as established by Chapter 10.32 in compliance with regulations promulgated by the California Department of Transportation under Vehicle Code section 21400.
SECTION 5. Warning Citations. For the first 30 days that a lower speed limit is in effect along a safety corridor established by this Ordinance, the City shall only issue warning citations for violations of exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour or less, pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 22358.7
SECTION 6. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase be declared unconstitutional.
SECTION 7. CEQA. The City Council finds that this Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, California Public Resources Code section 2100 et seq. (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Ordinance No. 25-03
SECTION 8. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be entered in the book of original ordinances of said City; shall make a minute passage and adoption thereof in the records of the meeting at which time the same is passed and adopted; and shall, within fifteen (15) days after the passage and adoption thereof, cause the same to be published as required by law, in a local newspaper of general circulation and which is hereby designated for that purpose.
SECTION 9. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3
rd day of June, 2025 by the following vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CITY OF SAN JACINTO:
__________________________
Valerie Vandever, Mayor
ATTEST:
Julia Espinoza, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BEST, BEST & KRIEGER LLP
____________________________
Craig Hayes, City Attorney
Ordinance No. 25-03
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JACINTO )
I, Julia Espinoza, City Clerk of the City of San Jacinto, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance No. 25-03 was passed, approved, and adopted at the Regular Meeting of the San Jacinto City Council held on the 3 rd day of June 2025.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL this 3
rd day of June 2025.
________________________________
Julia Espinoza, City Clerk
City of San Jacinto