TITLE:
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RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING NEW PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS IN SCHOOL ZONES AS PERMITTED BY THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE, CALIFORNIA MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, AND CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 382
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT /TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: PAUL MARTIN, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MANAGER, Ramin Nikoui, Senior Engineer (714) 754-5343
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed Resolution No. 2026-xx, establishing new prima facie speed limits within school zones in the City of Costa Mesa as permitted by the California Vehicle Code, California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and California Assembly Bill 382.
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BACKGROUND:
On October 10, 2025, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 382 (AB 382), which establishes a new reduced prima facie speed limit of 20 miles per hour (mph) for school zones. This new prima facie speed limit will take effect on January 1, 2031. However, cities may adopt the new speed limit by ordinance or resolution before the effective date.
Prior to the adoption of AB 382, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) established a prima facie speed limit of 25 mph in school zones when the school zone is identified through signage and if there are children present. The CVC also allowed a reduced prima facie speed limit of 15 mph in a school zone if certain conditions were met and a local agency adopted the speed limit by ordinance or resolution. The limits of a school zone are defined in the CVC as the area within 500 feet of a school boundary.
ANALYSIS:
The City currently has 25 mph school speed limits in all school zones across the City. Due to the location of the City’s schools, these school speed limits are often located along residential streets that already have a posted speed limit of 25 mph. When the school speed limit matches the residential prima facie 25 mph speed limit, motorists are not required to travel at lower speeds despite proximity to the school.
AB 382 becomes effective on January 1, 2031, after which the prima facie speed limit for all school zones will be reduced to 20 mph. AB 382 allows a local agency to adopt the new prima facie speed limit earlier than January 1, 2031, by ordinance or resolution, if the adjacent street and school zone satisfy certain criteria. The City of Costa Mesa has the opportunity to improve safety for youth by proactively reducing the school zone speed limits prior to the change required by the state in 2031.
The attached Resolution establishes a new prima facie speed limit of 20 mph for residential streets with existing speed limits of 25 mph that are within school zones across the City. Major streets adjacent to a school zone that have speed limits of 30 mph or greater will have their school zone speed limits maintained at the original limit of 25 mph until January 1, 2031, when AB 382 takes effect or subject to further consideration by the City. The Resolution will also allow City staff to establish a lower prima facie speed limit of 15 mph for certain residential school zones on a case-by-case basis, contingent upon meeting certain criteria and through consultation and collaboration with Costa Mesa Police Department staff.
Reducing the posted speed limit in school zones helps reduce crashes and crash severity, as well as fosters a safer environment for students and parents traveling to and from school. The Resolution is consistent with City Council’s goals and priorities to strengthen the public’s safety and improve the overall quality of life in the City. The Resolution also aligns with General Plan Circulation Element objectives and recommendations outlined in the City’s draft Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Action Plan, which is currently in development.
Community Outreach will occur through dialogue via established contacts with staff at Newport-Mesa Unified School District and local public schools. City staff will evaluate additional measures to communicate the changes such as printed and digital collateral and social media posts. Costa Mesa Police Department will lead enforcement of the new posted speed limits and has identified that a period of education is important to ensure public understanding.
If the Resolution is adopted by City Council, the City’s Transportation Services Division will identify eligible residential streets for school speed limit reductions. Per California law, any changes to the prima facie school zone speed limits will only take effect after school speed limit signs have been posted following the adoption of the attached resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may choose not to adopt the Resolution and wait until AB 382 mandates a prima facie school speed limit of 20 mph on January 1, 2031. This alternative, however, is not recommended by City Staff. City staff recommends proactively reducing posted speeds and improving safety along residential streets that are within school zones.
FISCAL REVIEW:
Funding for expenses associated with the replacement of the school speed limit signage to reflect the new speed limits is available in the FY 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program Fund (Fund 401) budget.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report and resolution and approves them both as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This project supports the following City Council goal:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed Resolution No. 2026-xx, establishing new prima facie speed limits within school zones in the City of Costa Mesa as permitted by the California Vehicle Code, California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and California Assembly Bill 382.