Chapter 12.116
TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS
Sections:
12.116.010 Purpose.
12.116.020 Definitions.
12.116.030 Transportation facilities—Standard specifications adopted.
12.116.040 Transportation facilities—Design criteria.
12.116.050 Transportation facilities— Construction plans.
12.116.060 Transportation facilities—General specifications.
12.116.070 Transportation facilities— Pedestrian and bicycle circulation— Sidewalks, accessways, trails, pedestrian paths, and bicycle lanes.
12.116.080 Transportation facilities—Traffic calming measures.
12.116.090 Transportation facilities— Construction bonds.
12.116.100 Transportation facilities—As-built plans.
12.116.110 Transportation facilities— Inspections.
12.116.120 Transportation facilities— Acceptance by the city.
12.116.130 Transportation facilities—Private streets—General specifications.
12.116.140 Private streets—Design and construction standards.
12.116.145 Private streets—Pedestrian-oriented streets.
12.116.150 Private streets—Maintenance.
12.116.160 Developments—Generally.
12.116.170 Developments—Right-of-way.
12.116.175 Developments—Traffic impact study.
12.116.180 Developments—Frontage improvements.
12.116.190 Developments—Access streets—Drainage.
12.116.200 Developments—Cross streets.
12.116.210 Intersection design.
12.116.215 Intersection alignment.
12.116.220 Sight distances.
12.116.230 Street extensions.
12.116.240 Developments—Off-site and extra-capacity improvements.
12.116.243 Residential driveways.
12.116.246 Nonresidential driveways.
12.116.250 Arterials—Residential street intersections.
12.116.260 Major collectors and arterials—Access policy.
12.116.270 Developments—State access roads.
12.116.280 Permits.
12.116.290 Modifications.
12.116.295 Conflicting road standards.
12.116.300 Construction details.
12.116.010 Purpose.
A. It is the purpose of this chapter to establish minimum standards for transportation facilities. Transportation facilities include public and private streets, transit facilities (e.g., bus pullouts and shelters), sidewalks, accessways, trails, bicycle lanes, street lighting, planter strips and other landscape features (e.g., islands, medians and parkways) developed as part of the streetscape. This chapter applies to all transportation facilities hereinafter constructed or improved by another as a condition of city approval of a development or by the city.
B. The intent of this chapter is to promote traffic calming in residential neighborhoods; to promote greater on-street parking opportunities; to promote more efficient use of impervious surfaces to improve overall water quality; to minimize driveway curb cuts for greater public safety; to encourage a driving-optional community; to improve safety for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists; to create a pedestrian-friendly community; to build upon and enhance the aesthetic look and character of the community; to improve water quality in the community through effective use of landscaping within the public right-of-way; to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMTs); and to encourage greater inner community connectivity. (Ord. 04-021 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 00-021 § 3, 2000; Ord. 99-004 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 95-769 § 1 (part), 1995)
12.116.020 Definitions.
“Accessway” means a pedestrian and/or bicycle pathway, which connects to two public streets. Accessways may pass through building side or rear yards, a building complex or between lots, but not adjacent to or within the right-of-way of a public street (i.e., the latter is a “sidewalk”). Typically accessways are contained within a separate right-of-way or easement.
“Alley” means a street providing vehicular access within a block. An alley may be a through street (e.g., connecting two streets), or terminate within the block (e.g., in a parking court). Access must be provided within the right-of-way.
“Average daily trips (ADT)” means the average number of trips on the city’s transportation system, including automobile, bicycle, walking and transit trips.
“Bicycle lane” means a lane within the street right-of-way dedicated to bicycle use. Bicycle lanes may be demarked by painted striping and/or medians.
“City engineer” means the city engineer or his/her designee.
“Controlled” means that no access is allowed unless it is the only possible option and access can be limited to right-in/right-out.
“Corner lot” is a lot at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting public or private streets.
“County road” means a road maintained for public travel by Clark County.
“Cul-de-sac” means a dead-end street of limited length having a primary function of serving adjoining land and constructed with a turn-around at its end.
“Development” means any subdivision, short subdivision, rezone, construction requiring a building permit, conditional use permit or other project requiring a land use permit or approval from Clark County or the city; provided, the development shall not include construction of a Group R Division 3 or Group M occupancy as defined in the 1991 Uniform Building Code.
“Development review authority” means the person charged with making a decision on a development permit as defined in Chapter 17.200 BGMC.
“Easement” means an interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use or enjoyment.
“Fire code” means the currently adopted fire code listed in BGMC 15.104.011.
“Grading permit” means the permit required by the currently adopted building code listed in BGMC 15.104.010.
“Half-width street” means any public or private street right-of-way or easement which is less than the full required width specified in this chapter, and which is established so that the additional half-width right-of-way or easement may be provided at a later date to complete a full-width roadway.
“Hammer-head street” means a dead-end street, which terminates in a “T” configuration.
“Highway” means a street whose primary function is to provide through movement. For the purposes of this code, highways are generally limited to the city’s arterial streets.
“Local street” means a street, the primary function of which is to provide direct access to adjoining properties and which serves a limited area, usually a neighborhood.
“Loop” means a street of limited length forming a loop, having a beginning and ending on the same street, having no other intersecting street, and having as its primary function the provision of direct access to adjoining properties.
“Major collector” means a public street, the function of which is to collect traffic from neighborhoods and local streets and which connects to another public street of equal or greater classification. A major collector also may provide direct access to adjacent properties.
“Minor (secondary) arterial” means a public street connecting two or more roads of equal or greater classification, or connecting two or more communities. A secondary arterial may serve as an alternate route to a higher classified road or a traffic generation of medium importance (e.g., a commercial area) and serves an additional function of land service.
“MUTCD” means the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for streets and highways as adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, current edition.
“Neighborhood collector” means a street, the primary function of which is to provide direct access to adjoining properties but which also provides for traffic circulation within and through a neighborhood.
“Parkway” means a linear park or open space area adjacent to a public street. Parkways typically include trails and landscaping and may be used to satisfy the city’s open space and park dedication standards when required as a condition of development approval.
“Pedestrian-oriented street” means a private street where access is only for pedestrians and emergency and maintenance vehicles.
“Planning director” means the city’s planning director or his/her designee.
“Planter strip” means a planted area between the street curb and sidewalk, or between the sidewalk and adjacent property line. Planter strips typically include street trees, ground cover plantings, and street lighting. They may be interrupted by transit facilities (e.g., bus pull-outs, shelters and benches), postal service delivery and drop boxes, and similar facilities as approved by the planning director.
“Principal (major) arterial” means a street connecting two or more towns or communities, connecting two highways of equal or greater capacity, or serving as the primary access to a large land area. A major arterial may also serve a large traffic generator (e.g., an industrial area) and perform a secondary function of providing local access.
“Private street” means a street not maintained by the city, the county, or the Washington State Department of Transportation.
“Protected natural area” means unique and natural habitats for a broad biological diversity of fauna and flora, where human encroachment is restricted in order to preserve biodiversity for present and future generations.
“Public street” means a street maintained by the city, the county, or the Washington State Department of Transportation.
“Roadside” means the portion of an easement or right-of-way lying on either side of the roadway, including curbs, sidewalks and ditches.
“Roadway” means the improved portion of an easement or right-of-way, excluding curbs, sidewalks, and ditches.
“Sidewalk” means a pedestrian access adjacent to or within the right-of-way of a public road.
“Spacing” means the distance between two points as measured from centerline to centerline except for BGMC 12.116.220, Sight distances, and where otherwise noted in this chapter.
“Special provisions” means road construction requirements peculiar to a specific project and which are not otherwise thoroughly or satisfactorily detailed and set forth in the standard specifications.
“Standard specifications” means those specifications adopted for street construction by the city engineer.
“Structure” means that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work, artificially built up or composed of parts jointed together in some definite manner, but does not include utility poles for the purposes of this chapter.
“Traffic calming” means any design technique approved by the city engineer to slow traffic, including but not limited to: neighborhood entries (e.g., landscaped medians and islands); curvilinear streets; and design details (e.g., curb extensions, roundabouts, humps, chicanes, etc.). For specific traffic calming definitions, please refer to BGMC 12.116.080.
“Trail” means a meandering or separated pathway designed for pedestrians, or pedestrians and bicyclists. Typically a trail is developed within a linear park or “parkway.” Trails may be contained within the street right-of-way, or a separate right-of-way or easement.
“Transit facility” means any street improvement which supports transit service (e.g., bus pull-out, waiting area, shelter, kiosk). The design and location of transit facilities are subject to city standards as well as C-TRAN requirements.
“Vision clearance triangle” means a triangular area on a lot at the intersection of two streets, two sides of which are lot lines measuring from where they intersect at the corner for a distance of fifteen feet of effected lot lines represented in Figure 12.116.220. The third side of the triangle is a line across the corner of the lot joining the ends of the other two sides. Where the lot lines at intersections have rounded corners, the lot lines shall be extended in a straight line to a point of intersection. Where the lot lines consist of a straight line and a curvilinear line, the lot lines shall be extended outward perpendicular to the intersecting street. (Ord. 04-021 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 01-003 § 1 (part), 2001; Ord. 99-004 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 95-769 § 1 (part), 1995)
12.116.030 Transportation facilities—Standard specifications adopted.
A. The standards for city streets and bridges and all other construction within publicly owned rights-of-way shall consist of the current editions of the following: the “Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction” as published by the Washington State Department of Transportation, jointly with the Washington State Chapter of the American Public Works Association and all subsequent revisions thereto, the “Washington State Department of Transportation Design Manual” and all subsequent revisions thereto, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ “A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets” and all subsequent revisions thereto, the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)” prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and all subsequent revisions thereto, the “Trip Generation Manual” prepared by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and all subsequent revisions thereto, the design criteria set forth in BGMC 12.116.040, and the construction details provided in BGMC 12.116.300. Standard specifications for private streets shall be determined in conformance with BGMC 12.116.130 through 12.116.145.
B. The city engineer shall specify which of the standard specifications will apply to each construction project.
C. Copies of the standard specifications for utility improvement are available at the office of the city engineer or City Hall for review.
D. When the design criteria set forth in BGMC 12.116.040 conflict with the above-referenced Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) design standards, BGMC 12.116.040 shall prevail, except as may be required for WSDOT facilities. (Ord. 04-021 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 01-003 § 1 (part), 2001; Ord. 99-004 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 95-769 § 1 (part), 1995)
12.116.040 Transportation facilities—Design criteria.
A. The following design criteria (see Tables 12.116.040(A) through (D) and Figures 12.116.040(A) through (D)) are adopted as a portion of the city’s standard specifications. All streets shall be designed to a minimum twenty-year life unless otherwise specified by the city engineer. When upgrading facilities, all utility poles and other conflicting structures shall be relocated outside the sidewalk limits and undergrounded except when allowed under the modification process of BGMC 12.116.290.
B. Except where needed for public circulation, streets within mobile home parks and multifamily developments may be private and can serve more than eight units when allowed under the modification process of BGMC 12.116.290. Required or proposed city streets shall be built to those standards adopted by reference in this chapter. Private roads shall additionally be built in accordance with the conditions of BGMC 12.116.130 and 12.116.145. Right-of-way and roadway widths may be reduced pursuant to the modification procedure contained in BGMC 12.116.290. (Ord. 06-07 § 1, 2006; Ord. 04-021 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 01-003 § 1 (part), 2001; Ord. 00-021 § 1 (part), 2000; Ord. 99-04 § 1 (part), 1999; Ord. 95-769 § 1 (part), 1995)
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Table 12.116.040A Arterial Streets |
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Principal Arterial |
Minor Arterial |
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Function |
Intercommunity highway serving as primary access to a large land area |
Highway connecting two or more streets of equal or greater classification and serves as an additional function of land service |
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Access |
Controlled |
Controlled |
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Maximum Arterial Spacing |
2 to 5 miles |
Under 2 miles |
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Average Daily Trips Daily Hourly Volume |
10,000+ over 600 |
8,000+ 200—600 |
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Right-of-Way |
100 feet (4 travel lanes; 1 center turn lane or median) |
70 feet (3 travel lanes; or 2 travel lanes and center turn lane/median) |
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Pavement |
70 feet +/- curb to curb |
46 feet +/- curb to curb |
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Lane Width |
11—12 feet |
11 feet |
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Bicycle Lane |
6 feet, striped, in both directions |
6 feet, striped, in both directions |
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Parking/Shoulder |
No parking on shoulder, except in approved bays |
No parking on shoulder, except in approved bays |
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Median/Turn Lane |
14 feet, 12-foot median (face of curb to face of curb) |
12 feet |
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Street Lighting |
Required |
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Planter Strip and Sidewalks2 |
8-foot-wide planter strip and 6-foot-wide detached sidewalk required on both sides of the street |
6-foot-wide planter strip and 6-foot-wide detached sidewalk required on both sides of the street |
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Transit Facilities |
As recommended by transit agency and approved by city engineer |
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Minimum Full-Access Intersection Spacing1 |
600 feet |
500 feet |
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1 Intersection with public or private streets serving a potential of eight or fewer single-family residential lots shall be subject to the driveway spacing requirements. 2 In all commercial zones, the entire planter strip and sidewalk width are required to be sidewalk. Six-foot by six-foot tree wells shall be provided every thirty feet, replacing the planter strip. Tree grates must be installed in all tree wells. |
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Figure 12.116.040A
Arterial Streets Section Drawings
Principal Arterial
Minor Arterial
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Table 12.116.040B.1 Collector Streets |
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Major Collector1 |
Neighborhood Collector1 |
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Function |
Street collecting traffic from neighborhoods or commercial/industrial districts; connects to another public street of equal or greater classification |
Street connecting two or more neighborhoods with access to adjoining properties. The neighborhood collector is the typical street for multifamily and commercial developments when an arterial street is not required |
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Access |
Controlled |
Access limited to abutting lots not affronting on local streets or alleys |
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Average Daily Trips (approximate) |
5,000 + |
Under 2,000 (except in commercial areas) |
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Right-of-Way |
60 feet |
50 feet |
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Pavement |
40 feet curb to curb except as reduced for medians |
32 feet curb to curb except as reduced for neighborhood entries |
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Lane Width |
10 feet |
16 feet total |
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Bicycle Lane |
4 feet, striped, in both directions. Striping may be eliminated by the city engineer |
4 feet, striped, in both directions, except when on-street parking is required, bicycles share street |
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Parking/Shoulder |
None |
8-foot wide parking shoulder on one or both sides, except when separate bicycle lanes required (see above) |
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Median/Turn Lane |
12 feet (landscaped median typical, except where turn lane required), 10-foot median (face of curb to face of curb) |
None, except when landscape entryway provided (BGMC 12.116.080) |
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Street Lighting |
Required |
Decorative lighting required |
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Planter Strip and Sidewalk3 |
5-foot wide planter strip and 5-foot wide sidewalk required on both sides of street |
4-foot wide planter strip and 5-foot wide sidewalk required on both sides on street |
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Transit Facilities |
As recommended by transit agency and approved by city engineer |
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Intersection Spacing2 |
250 feet minimum 500 feet maximum |
250 feet minimum 500 feet maximum |
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1 Table 12.116.040E provides a key for determining required street standards for various situations. 2 Intersection with public or private streets serving a potential of eight or fewer single-family residential lots shall be subject to the driveway spacing requirements. 3 In all commercial zones, the entire planter strip and sidewalk are required to be sidewalk. Five-foot by five-foot, major collector, and four-foot by four-foot, neighborhood collector. Tree wells shall be provided every thirty feet, replacing the planter strip. Tree grates must be installed in all tree wells. |
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Figure 12.116.040B.1
Collector Streets Section Drawings
Major Collector
Neighborhood Collector
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Table 12.116.040B.2 Modified Major Collector Streets1 |
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Option “A”2 |
Option “B”2 |
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Function |
Street collecting traffic from neighborhoods or commercial/industrial districts; connects to another public street of equal or greater classification |
Street collecting traffic from neighborhoods or commercial/industrial districts; connects to another public street of equal or greater classification. |
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Access |
Controlled. Residential lots must have alley access per BGMC 12.116.040(E) |
Controlled. Residential lots must have alley access per BGMC 12.116.040(E) |
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Average Daily Trips |
5,000+ |
5,000+ |
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Right-of-Way |
60 feet |
68 feet |
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Pavement |
40 feet curb to curb except as reduced for medians |
48 feet curb to curb except as reduced for medians |
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Lane Width |
10 feet |
10 feet |
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Bicycle Lane |
4 feet, striped, in both directions. Striping may be eliminated by the city engineer |
4 feet, striped, in both directions. Striping may be eliminated by the city engineer |
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Parking/Shoulder |
8 feet on one side |
8 feet on one side |
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Median/Turn Lane |
None |
12 feet, 10-foot median (face of curb to face of curb) |
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Street Lighting |
Required |
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Planter Strip and Sidewalk3 |
5-foot-wide planter strip and 5-foot-wide detached sidewalk required on both sides of the street |
5-foot-wide planter strip and 5-foot-wide detached sidewalk required on both sides of the street |
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Taper to Parking |
Per the most recent edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Must start after left turn lane |
None required |
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Parking Islands |
One landscaped parking island separating spaces is required for every 8 spaces. Island must be a minimum of 10 feet long |
One landscaped parking island separating spaces is required for every 8 spaces. Island must be a minimum of 10 feet long |
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Distance from Corner to First Stall |
After taper |
Per BGMC 12.116.260 |
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Transit Facilities |
As recommended by transit agency and approved by city engineer |
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Intersection Spacing |
250 feet minimum 500 feet maximum |
250 feet minimum 500 feet maximum |
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1 All of the following must occur to use this option: (1) the speed limit within the desirable minimum stopping distance per BGMC 12.116.220 for a major collector of both ends of the parking area and the parking area must be 25 mph or less, unless modified by the city engineer based on safety per a traffic study: and (2) the city engineer must approve the use. |
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2 The city engineer will decide which option may be used. |
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3 In all commercial zones, the entire planter strip and sidewalk width is required to be sidewalk. Five-foot by five-foot tree wells shall be provided every thirty feet, replacing the planter strip. Tree grates must be installed in all tree wells. |
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Figure 12.116.040B.2
Modified Major Collector Streets Section Drawings
Modified Major Collector
Option “A”
Modified Major Collector
Option “B”
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Table 12.116.040C Local Streets |
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Local Street “A”1 |
Local Street “B”1 |
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Function |
Neighborhood street providing direct access to residential lots. May also provide access to alleys. Local Street “A” is an optional street standard for small multifamily residential developments |
Neighborhood street with limited access to adjoining lots (access shall be provided from alleys, via cross streets) |
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Access |
Full access to adjoining lots |
Limited direct access to adjoining lots |
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Average Daily Trips (approximate) |
Under 1,000 |
Under 500 |
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Right-of-Way |
46 feet |
38 feet |
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Pavement |
30 feet curb to curb |
22 feet curb to curb |
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Lane Width |
14 feet total |
14 feet total |
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Bicycle Lane |
Bicycles share roadway |
Bicycles share roadway |
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Parking/Shoulder |
8 feet on both sides of the street |
8 feet on one side |
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Street Lighting |
Decorative lighting required |
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Planter Strip and Sidewalk2 |
4-foot wide planter strip and 4-foot wide detached sidewalk required on both sides of the street |
4-foot wide planter strip and 4-foot wide detached sidewalk required on both sides of the street |
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Minimum and Maximum Intersection Spacing |
240 feet minimum distance between “A” streets and other streets, except as provided in Tables 12.116.040A—B. 500 feet maximum intersection spacing, except as provided by BGMC 12.116.070, Pedestrian circulation; 12.116.200, Cross streets; and 12.116.290, Modifications |
240 feet minimum distance between “B” streets and other streets, except as provided in Tables 12.116.040A—B. 500 feet maximum intersection spacing, except as provided by BGMC 12.116.070, Pedestrian circulation; 12.116.200, Cross streets; and 12.116.290, Modifications |
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Cul-de-Sacs and Hammer-Head Streets |
Cul-de-sac and hammer-head streets are not allowed, except when necessary for access management, or protection of parks and natural resources. When approved under BGMC 12.116.290, Modifications, cul-de-sac shall provide a 35-foot turn-around radius and comply with BGMC 12.116.070, Pedestrian circulation |
Cul-de-sac and hammer-head streets are not allowed, except when necessary for access management, or protection of parks and natural resources. When approved under BGMC 12.116.290, Modifications, cul-de-sac shall provide a 35-foot turn-around radius and comply with BGMC 12.116.070, Pedestrian circulation |
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1 Table 12.116.040E provides a key for determining required street standards for various scenarios. Additional right-of-way may be required when parkways or parking bays are incorporated into the streetscape, or when slopes/physical conditions required additional right-of-way. Right-of-way requirements shall be determined through the subdivision and site design review permit process. 2 In all commercial zones, the entire planter strip and sidewalk width is required to be sidewalk. Four-foot by four-foot, the width being four feet, tree wells shall be provided every thirty feet, replacing the planter strip. Tree grates must be installed in all tree wells. |
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Figure 12.116.040C
Local Streets Section Drawings
Local Street—Option “A”
Local Street—Option “B”
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Table 12.116.040D Alleys |
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One-Way Alley1 |
Two-Way Alley1 |
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Function and Limitations |
Alleys provide direct access to adjoining lots. They reduce the number of required curb cuts along public streets and improve the appearance and human scale of streetscapes (i.e., by reducing the amount of parking and parking garages oriented to the street). Short alleys are appropriate in low-density residential zones with minimal traffic generation and relatively short blocks (i.e., under 200 feet). Short alleys may function as through-travel lanes or parking courts (e.g., hammer-head terminus). When used as parking courts, alleys may not exceed 150 feet in length |
Long alleys are appropriate for low-density residential development on longer blocks (i.e., 400—500 feet), and medium- and high-density residential development when parking bays are provided. They may also provide access to commercial development. Long alleys may function as through-travel lanes or parking courts (e.g., hammer-head terminus). When used as parking courts for more than four vehicles, alleys may not exceed 150 feet in length (i.e., from street access to parking bay) |
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Access |
Full access to adjoining lots; provided, that all lots having alley access front on a public or private street as designated by BGMC Title 12; and provided, that alleys are a permanent secondary, not primary, means of access to the lot, unless otherwise authorized by the planning director or hearing examiner |
Full access to adjoining lots; provided, that all lots having alley access front on a public or private street as designated by BGMC Title 12; and provided, that alleys are a permanent secondary, not primary, means of access to the lot, unless otherwise authorized by the planning director or hearing examiner |
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Average Daily Trips |
Under 150+/- |
Under 500+/- |
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Right-of-Way or Easement |
12 feet minimum |
20 feet minimum and maximum except as wider sections may be approved as necessary for parking courts |