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Resolution No. 2026-xx Page 1 of 4
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-xx
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, 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
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY FIND AND DECLARE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) section 22352 establishes prima facie speed limits for school zones; and
WHEREAS, CVC section 21400 required the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to adopt uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices in California. Caltrans established the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) to provide such standards for traffic control devices including roadway signs and markings; and
WHEREAS, prior to the adoption of California Assembly Bill 382 (AB 382), the prima facie speed limit in school zones was twenty-five (25) miles per hour; and WHEREAS, AB 382 signed by the Governor on October 10, 2025 establishes a new prima facie speed limit of twenty (20) miles per hour in school zones effective January 1, 2031; and
WHEREAS, AB 382 permits local agencies, by ordinance or resolution, to determine and declare a prima facie speed limit of twenty (20) miles per hour in a school zone prior to January 1, 2031. The CVC defines “school zone” as an area of a highway within 500 feet of the school grounds in any direction, unless otherwise posted, marked with appropriate signs giving notice of the area; and
WHEREAS, CVC section 22358.4 permits a local agency to adopt a prima facie speed limit of fifteen (15) miles per hour in school zones in residential districts that meet certain criteria; and
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Resolution No. 2026-xx Page 2 of 4
WHEREAS, all changes to the prima facie speed limits require installation of new school speed limit signs that meet CVC requirements giving notice of the new speed limit and when it applies; and
WHEREAS, school zone speed limits are enforceable when signed appropriately, and children are present; and
WHEREAS, AB 382 provided additional clarification on the definition of “children are present” to mean whenever children are going to or leaving school or when the school grounds are in use by children and the roadway is posted with a standard “SCHOOL” warning sign. The “children are present” definition does not apply when children are separated from the roadway by a fence, gate or other physical barrier; and WHEREAS, the reduction of school zone speed limits aligns with General Plan Circulation Element objectives and recommendations outlined in the City’s draft Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Action Plan currently in development; and WHEREAS, one of the City Council goals is to strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa has the opportunity to be a proactive leader by championing safety for its youth by providing slower and safer streets for students and parents traveling to and from school.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
The prima facie speed limit in all school zones for residential streets with existing speed limits of twenty-five (25) miles per hour will be reduced and established at twenty (20) miles per hour as permitted by AB 382 and CVC section 22352. The previous twenty-five (25) miles per hour prima facie speed limit in school zones will continue to apply for streets with speed limits of thirty (30) miles per hour or greater until January 1, 2031 when AB 382 takes effect or subject to further consideration by the City.
The prima facie speed limit within school zones in residential districts may be established at fifteen (15) miles per hour on a case-by-case basis contingent upon meeting certain criteria outlined in the CVC and CA MUTCD and through ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 2026-xx Page 3 of 4
consultation and collaboration with Costa Mesa Police Department staff. The Transportation Services Manager is responsible for setting the appropriate speed limits for all school zones given the context of the roadway and through sound engineering judgement.
All newly established prima facie speed limits require new school zone speed limit signs to be posted and all other applicable CVC requirements to be met to be enforceable and in full effect.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of October, 2026.
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John Stephens, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________ _____________________________
Brenda Green, City Clerk Kimberly Hall Barlow, City Attorney ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 2026-xx Page 4 of 4
THIS PAGE IS RESERVED FOR CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 2026-xx and was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on the 6th day of October, 2026, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of Costa Mesa this 6th day of October, 2026.
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Brenda Green, City Clerk