Ordinance 1760 - Amends City Code - Motor VehiclesORDINANCE NO. 1760
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 17 OF THE KALISPELL MUNICIPAL CODES
ENTITLED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO CODIFY THE SAME.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Kalispell Municipal Code Chapter 17, entitled Motor Vehicles and Traffic,
the City of Kalispell regulates the use of motor vehicles for the purpose of providing for
the safe and orderly use of such vehicles on the city right-of-ways and in city controlled
public parking areas; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City and its residents and visitors that its ordinances which
regulate motor vehicles and traffic be reassessed and updated from time to time to ensure
that the purposes of the regulation and the interests of the public are being properly
served; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council finds that the amendments to KMC Chapter 17 set forth in
Exhibit "A", attached hereto, are necessary and proper to align with changes to Montana
State law and changes to traffic development and uses within the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Kalispell Municipal Code is hereby amended as set forth in
Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated fully herein by this
reference.
SECTION 2. The City Attorney is hereby authorized and directed to recodify this
Ordinance.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its final passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF KALISPELL THIS 5TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2015.
Mark Johnso
Mayor
ATTEST:
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
EXHIBIT "A"
Chapter 17 Motor Vehicles and Traffic
17-1 Definitions.
The words and phrases used in this chapter, unless the same shall be clearly contrary to, or inconsistent
with the context of this chapter or of the section in which used, or of the State law, shall be construed as
follows:
ARTERIAL STREET: Any U.S. or State -numbered route, controlled -access highway, or other
major radial or circumferential street or highway designated by proper City officials as part of a
major arterial system or highway.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE: Vehicles of the Fire Department, police vehicles and
such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporation as
are designated or authorized by the Chief of Police.
BICYCLE: Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two
(2) tandem wheels either of which is more than fourteen inches (14") in diameter.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE: A motor vehicle or other vehicle, designed for the carrying of freight
or merchandise.
CONTROLLED -ACCESS HIGHWAY: Every highway, street or roadway in respect to which
owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the
same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority
having jurisdiction over such highway, street or roadway.
CROSSWALK: That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the
lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the
absence of curbs from the edge of the traversable roadway.
CURB: The boundary of that portion of the street open to the public for the use of vehicles.
DOUBLE PARKING: The standing of a vehicle upon a street alongside of and parallel to another
vehicle which is parked at the curb.
DRIVER: Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
HORSE: Any draft animal or beast of burden.
INTERSECTION:
A. The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none,
then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which join one another at, or
approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways
joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
B. Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty feet (30') or more apart, then every crossing of
each roadway of such divided highway by an intersection highway shall be regarded as a separate
intersection. In the event such intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty feet (30')
or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of such highway shall be regarded as a
separate intersection.
LANED ROADWAY: A roadway which is divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for
vehicular traffic.
MOTOR -DRIVEN CYCLE: Every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which
produces not to exceed five (5) horsepower, and every bicycle with motor attached.
MOTOR VEHICLE: Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by
electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
MOTORCYCLE: Every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed
to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC -CONTROL DEVICE: All signs, signals, markings and devices not
inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of the City Council or official having
jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
OPERATOR: Any person who operates or drives a motor vehicle, motor -driven cycle or
motorcycle.
OWNER: Any person owning or renting a motor vehicle or other vehicle, or having the exclusive
use thereof under a lease or otherwise, for a period of greater than thirty (30) days.
PARK: When prohibited, means the standing of a vehicle whether occupied or not, otherwise than
temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
PF,DF.STRIAN: Any person afoot.
POLICE OFFICER: Every officer of the Municipal Police Department or any officer authorized to
direct regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY: Every way or place in private ownership and used for
vehicular travel by the owner and those having express implied permission from the owner, but not
by other persons.
PROPERTY LINE: An imaginary line extending from a corner of a building or property adjoining
any one of the corners of a street intersection to the similar corner of the building or property on the
opposite side of the street.
PUBLIC HIGHWAY: Any highway, road, street, avenue, alley, driveway, boulevard, or other place
built, supported, maintained, controlled or used by the public, or by the City, for the use of the
public as a highway, or for the transportation of persons or freight, or as a place of travel or
communication to or from different localities within the City.
RAILROAD: A carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails.
RAILROAD SIGN OR SIGNAL: Any sign, signal or device erected by authority of a public body
or official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the
approach of a railroad train.
RAILROAD TRAIN: An engine, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails.
RIGHT-OF-WAY: The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROADWAY: That portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel,
exclusive of the herm or shoulder_ In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate
roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to
all such roadways collectively.
SAFETY ZONE: The area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of
pedestrians and which is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly
visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
SCHOOL BUS: Every motor vehicle owned by a public or governmental agency and operated for
the transportation of children to or from school or privately owned and operated for compensation
for the transportation of children to or from school.
SIDEWALK: That portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the
adjacent property lines, intended for use of pedestrians.
STAND OR STANDING: Means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than
for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
STOP: When required, means complete cessation of movement.
STOP OR STOPPING: When prohibited, means any halting even momentarily of a vehicle, whether
occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the
direction of a police officer or traffic -control sign or signal.
STREETS: The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when
any part thereof is open to use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
THROUGH HIGHWAY: Every highway or portion thereof on which vehicular traffic is given
preferential right-of-way, and at the entrances of which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways
is required by law to yield right-of-way to vehicles on such through highways in obedience to either
a stop sign or a yield sign, when such signs are erected or may be erected as provided in this chapter.
TRAFFIC -CONTROL SIGNAL: Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically
operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
TRAILER: Every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for
carrying property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its
weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
VEHICLE: Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or
drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon
stationary rails or tracks.
WORDS: In the present tense, shall include the future tense; and in the masculine shall include the
feminine and neuter genders; and in the singular shall include the plural; and in the plural shall
include the singular.
17-51 Regulation by Police Officers.
All members of the Police Department are hereby authorized and empowered, under the direction
and control of the City Manager, to regulate, direct and restrict the parking of vehicles of any
character on any public street, avenue or alley within the City.
17-53 Angle and Parallel Parking Permitted on Certain Streets.
Except when actually engaged in loading or unloading commodities, all vehicles shall be parked at
an angle with the curb on:
A. First Street from lst Ave West to 2°d Ave East and
B. On 2nd Ave East from V Street East to 3'd Street East
All other parking within the City limits shall be parallel with the curb.
17-72-1 Loading Zones.
A. Established: The Chief of Police, with the consent of the City Council, may establish loading
zones on any of the streets or in any public park of the City. Such zones shall be for temporary
parking while loading or unloading of persons, merchandise or commodities and may be used only
for such purpose; the location and boundary of same shall be clearly marked with appropriate signs
or by markings on the street surface or curb adjacent thereto.
B. Conditions, Limitations Determined: Conditions and limitations of use of a loading zone as to
duration, times of day and purpose shall be determined when same is established; any such
conditions or limitations shall be included in the signing or marking of the space set aside as a
loading zone. It is unlawful to use an established loading zone except in accord with the conditions
and limitations of its establishment and signs or marking.
C. Use: A loading zone established in accord herewith, may be used by any person, subject only to
the conditions and limitations as have been imposed in accord with subsection B of this section.
D. Registered Owner Violator: In any prosecution charging a violation of this section, proof of the
identity of the registered owner of the vehicle found in violation thereof shall create a prima facie
presumption that such registered owner was the person who parked such vehicle at the time and
place where the violation occurred.
17-78 Certain Parking Violations as Civil Infractions.
All parking violations, except handicapped parking violations, occurring in the City of Kalispell, are
declared to be civil infractions, and shall be processed in accordance with the municipal infractions
under Sections 1-11 through 1-18 of this Code as authorized by Montana Code Annotated Sections
7-1-4150 through 7-1-4152, or as subsequently amended.
A. Civil citations for parking violations enumerated in this section may be issued by an authorized
official of the Kalispell Police Department.
B. A civil citation issued under this section may be served either by personal service, or by certified
mail addressed to the defendant at the defendant's last known address, or by publication as provided
in rule 41)(5) of the Montana rules of civil procedure. The citation must serve as notification that a
municipal infraction has been committed and must contain the following information:
1. The name and address of the violator (i.e., the defendant);
2. The name or description of the infraction attested to by the officer issuing the citation;
3. The location and time of the infraction;
4. The amount of civil penalty to be assessed or the alternate relief sought, or both;
5. The manner, location, and time in which the penalty may be paid;
G. The time and place of court appearance; and
7. The penalty for failure to appear in court.
C. Municipal infraction proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with procedures set forth for
such infractions under State law.
D. The civil penalties for proved violations of the municipal infractions set forth in this section shall
not exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each violation, or if the infraction is a repeat offense,
a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each repeat violation.
17-82-2 Parking for Handicapped; Notice of Designation.
Notice of designation of handicapped person parking spaces shall be given by the posting of
appropriate signs therein in the form and as required by Montana State law.
17-84 Construction and Purpose.
A. This article shall be constructed as a supplement to the general traffic ordinance and all other
ordinances of the City regulating traffic, parking, and the use of streets, except insofar as modified
by the provisions hereinbefore or hereafter exercised by the City under any ordinance, rule or
regulation restricting or prohibiting parking, independent of time limits, or regulation restricting or
prohibiting parking, independent of time limits, shall in no manner be affected by this article or any
of the provisions thereof.
B_ The purpose of this article is to assist in the regulating of parking and it shall be so construed.
C. Nothing in this article shall be construed as prohibiting the City from providing for free or
restricted parking space.
17-86 Installation and Control.
The Chief of Police, or his designee, is hereby authorized to place, install and remove parking
meters upon the curb side or in the immediate vicinity of individual parking places designated and
marked off where parking is restricted. Such meters shall be under the management, supervision and
control of the Chief of Police or his designee.
17-87 Method of Using Spaces Generally.
A. Money Deposited: Whenever a vehicle shall be parked in an individual parking space, where a
parking meter has been installed, the person parking such vehicle shall deposit such money into the
parking meter as directed in writing on such meter.
B. Length of Time Determined: The Chief of Police, upon consultation with the Parking Advisory
Committee and approval of the City Council, shall determine the length of time and the deposit
required for parking in any individual parking space for which a meter is installed. Notice to the
public shall be given by appropriate signs setting forth the length of time for which parking is
permitted and the conditions thereof. These may be upon the parking meter stand or in the
immediate vicinity. Any vehicle which remains in an individual parking space after the prescribed
time for parking is hereby determined to he illegally parked, but in no event shall it be considered
illegally parking if the meter display signal shows that a proper deposit has been made for such
parking.
17-88 Designation and Marking of Spaces; Parking Within Spaces.
The Chief of Police, upon consultation with the Parking Advisory Board, is hereby authorized and
directed to designate and mark off such individual parking spaces as he or she deems proper along
the streets in the congested traffic area for the parking of vehicles. At each place where individual
parking is so marked off, each vehicle shall be parked entirely within an individual parking space.
17-89 Illegal Parking Generally; Evidence.
All parking is prohibited in any parking space where a meter is installed which displays a signal
showing that parking is not permitted, unless a deposit, as designated in the posted notice is made as
herein provided. Any vehicle parked in contravention of this provision shall be deemed to be
illegally parked under the provisions of this article. The fact that a vehicle is in an individual parking
space when the time signal on the meter for the same shows no parking permitted, unless a deposit
of a proper coin is made as herein provided, shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the unlawful
parking of such motor vehicles by its operator or owner, either or both.
17-91 Injury to or Tampering With Meters.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of the provisions of this article for any person to deface, injure,
tamper with, open, operate with a slug or other device or wilfully break, destroy or impair the
usefulness of any parking meter installed under the provisions of this article.