HomeMy WebLinkAbout2451 Pedestrian and Vehicular InterferenceOrdinance No.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING CHAPTER
9.02, SECTION .200 OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
RELATE TO PEDESTRIAN OR VEHICULAR INTERFERENCE
WHEREAS, the City has police power authority to prevent the obstruction of vehicular
and pedestrian traffic on City rights-of-way and 'other public places; and
WHEREAS, the City's existing regulation prohibiting vehicular and pedestrian traffic
is not adequately comprehensive and maY be interpreted to regulate or prohibit otherwise
permissible activities,
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend does ordain as
follows:
Section 1. Section 9.02.200 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
9.02.200 c,. ...... : ............ ~ .......:~ ..... 1~ Pedestrian or vehicular interference.
A._~. The following definitions apply to this section:
1_.. "Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic" means to walk, stand, sit, lie,
or place an object in such a manner as to block passage by another person or vehicle, or to
require another person or a driver of a vehicle to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.
Acts authorized as an exercise of one's constitutional right to picket or to legally protest, and
acts authorized by a permit issued pursuant to City Code: for street use shall not constitute
obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, Obstruction of City rights-of-way which have not
been formally opened by the City shall not constitute obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular
traffic.
2~ "Public place" means an area generally visible to public view and includes
alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalk~ and streets open to
the general public, including those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the
doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.
B._~. A person is guilty of pedestrian or vehicular interference if, in a public place, he
or she intentionally obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
C__ Pedestrian or vehicular interference is a misdemeanor.
(Ord. ~4,_~1 § 1, 1995; Ord. 2441 §20, 1995; Ord. 1635 § 16, 1974).
Section 2. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this
Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such order or judgment shall not affect the
validity or constitutionality of the remainder of any part of this Ordinance. To this end, the
provisions of each clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this law are declared severable.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after the date of its passage,
approval, and publication in the manner provided by law.
Read for the first, second, and third times~l~lntss~d by the City ~ouncil of the City of
Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular '~lif~ thereo~~this ~_____~ of Ap~l, 1995
M. Clise, Mayor
Attest:
~g City Clerk
approved_p~s~ to Form:
---TSmot-h~xL. ~-Mahan, City Attorney
03/28/95 g95-037CA§ORD\{902200.doc}
2