Municipal Code

Chapter 63 – Speed Regulations

Regulations governing general speed requirements, state code speed limits, special speed zones, and minimum speed requirements on City streets.

Contents 63.01 63.02 63.03 63.04 63.05

Chapter 63

Speed Regulations

Chapter Contents

63.01 General

63.04 Special Speed Restrictions

63.02 State Code Speed Limits

63.05 Minimum Speed

63.03 Parks, Cemeteries and Parking Lots

63.01 GENERAL.

Every driver of a motor vehicle on a street shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the street and of any other conditions then existing, and no person shall drive a vehicle on any street at a speed greater than will permit said driver to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead, such driver having the right to assume, however, that all persons using said street will observe the law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.285)

63.02 STATE CODE SPEED LIMITS.

The following speed limits are established in Section 321.285 of the Code of Iowa and any speed in excess thereof is unlawful unless specifically designated otherwise in this chapter as a special speed zone.

1. Business District — Twenty (20) miles per hour.

2. Residence or School District — Twenty-five (25) miles per hour.

3. Suburban District — Forty-five (45) miles per hour.

63.03 PARKS, CEMETERIES AND PARKING LOTS.

A speed in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour in any public park, cemetery or parking lot, unless specifically designated otherwise in this chapter, is unlawful.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.236[5])

63.04 SPECIAL SPEED RESTRICTIONS.

In accordance with requirements of the Iowa State Department of Transportation, or whenever the Council shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any speed limit listed in Section 63.02 is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of the City street system, the Council shall determine and adopt by ordinance such higher or lower speed limit as it deems reasonable and safe at such location. The following special speed zones have been established:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.290)

1. Special 15 MPH Speed Zones. A speed in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour is unlawful on any of the following designated streets or parts thereof.

A. On Main Street from Michigan Street to Iowa Street.

2. Special 20 MPH Speed Zones. (Repealed by Ordinance No. 328 – Jul. 05 Supp.)

3. Special 25 MPH Speed Zones. A speed in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour is unlawful on any of the following designated streets or parts thereof.

A. On Van Buren Street from Brooks Street to the 500 block of E. Van Buren on the south side of Van Buren and from Brooks Street to the City limits on the north side of Van Buren.

B. On Locust Street south from Dallas Street to 120th Street.

(Ord. 362 – Aug. 14 Supp.)

4. Special 40 MPH Speed Zones. A speed in excess of forty (40) miles per hour is unlawful on any of the following designated streets or parts thereof.

A. On Van Buren Street from the 500 block of E. Van Buren to the City limits.

5. Special 30 MPH Speed Zones. A speed in excess of thirty (30) miles per hour is unlawful on any of the following designated streets or parts thereof.

A. On Brooks Street from the 600 block to Iowa Street south and from Iowa Street to the 500 block north.

(Ord. 346 – Oct. 10 Supp.)

63.05 MINIMUM SPEED.

A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, or in compliance with law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.294)