TITLE:
title
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...
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