California Streets and Highways Code

This act shall be known as the Streets and Highways Code.

The provisions of this code, in so far as they are substantially the same as existing statutory provisions relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuations thereof and not as new enactments.

Unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, the definitions, rules of construction, and general provisions hereinafter set forth shall govern the construction of this code.

Division, part, chapter, article, and section headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any division, part, chapter, article or section hereof.

Whenever any power or authority is given to, or any duty is imposed upon, any person by any provision of this code it may be exercised or performed by any deputy or person authorized by him unless it is expressly provided that it shall be exercised in person.

Whenever any notice, report, petition, permit, statement or record is required by this code, it shall be made in writing in the English language.

Whenever any reference is made to any portion of this code or of any other law, such reference shall apply to all amendments and additions thereto.

“Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned.

The present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future, the present.

The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.

“Spouse” includes “registered domestic partner,” as required by Section 297.5 of the Family Code.

The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.

“County” includes “city and county.”

“City” includes “city and county” and “incorporated town.”

“Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.

“Oath” includes affirmation.

“Signature” or “subscription” includes mark when the signer or subscriber can not write, such signer’s or subscriber’s name being written near the mark by a witness who writes his own name near the signer’s or subscriber’s name; but a signature or subscription by mark can be acknowledged or can serve as a signature or…

“Person” means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, organization, limited liability company, or business trust.

“Department” means the Department of Transportation of this state. Any reference in any law or regulation to the Department of Public Works shall be deemed to refer to the Department of Transportation.

“Director” means the director of the department.

Unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, “commission” means the California Transportation Commission. Any reference in any law or regulation to the California Highway Commission shall be deemed to refer to the California Transportation Commission.

Whenever the term “Business, Transportation and Housing Agency” appears within the Streets and Highways Code, it shall refer to the Transportation Agency, and whenever the term “Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing” appears within the Streets and Highways Code, it shall refer to the Secretary of Transporta…

As used in this code, unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, “highway” includes bridges, culverts, curbs, drains, and all works incidental to highway construction, improvement, and maintenance.

“Freeway” means a highway in respect to which the owners of abutting lands have no right or easement of access to or from their abutting lands or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access. If, in the judgment of the commission or the director, the public interest would…

As used in this code, “State highway” means any highway which is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved or maintained as a State highway pursuant to constitutional or legislative authorization.