CITY OF SAN MATEO
DRAFT ORDINANCE
An Ordinance of the City of San Mateo Establishing Updated Prima Facie Speed Limits on Two South Delaware Street Segments Between Birch Avenue to Concar Drive and Birch Avenue to East 5th Avenue Based on Engineering and Traffic Surveys, and Superseding Prior Ordinances Establishing Speed Limits on These Specified City Street Segments
WHEREAS, the City of San Mateo's 2026 Strategic Plan identifies safety as part of the Transportation Priority Initiative, and in furtherance of that Initiative, the City's Public Works and Police Departments have advanced programs, enforcement efforts, and infrastructure improvements intended to reduce collisions, encourage safer travel behavior, and support a transportation network that serves all users; and WHEREAS, speed management remains a core tool for improving roadway safety by encouraging appropriate vehicle speeds, improving compliance with posted speed limits, and reducing the potential for serious injury or death when collisions occur, consistent with the City's General Plan 2040 Vision Zero policy and the City's Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), both of which are grounded in the Safe Systems approach; and WHEREAS, beginning in 2022 the City prioritized speed management around schools and, by resolution of the City Council, established 15 mph school zone speed limits and related 25 mph school zone approach speed limits citywide, with installation of associated signage completed citywide in early 2024, and such school zone speed limits remain in full force and effect; and
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 22358 and related provisions of the Vehicle Code authorize local authorities, on the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, to declare prima facie speed limits on City streets that are not otherwise subject to a speed limit established by state law; and WHEREAS, the City evaluated all roadways citywide to determine which street segments require an engineering and traffic survey (ETS) under state law in order to remain enforceable using radar, lidar, or other speed-measuring devices, which identified 2 roadway segments requiring an ETS, and that all other remaining City streets would be subject to the applicable default speed limits established under state law; and WHEREAS, the City conducted engineering and traffic surveys for said 2 roadway segments, applying the flexibility afforded under state law to establish the lowest defensible speed limit appropriate to each roadway's context, function, and safety needs, while preserving the City's ability to use radar, lidar, and other appropriate enforcement tools; and
WHEREAS, the results of said engineering and traffic surveys established recommend speed limit updates for two roadway segments on South Delaware Street; and WHEREAS, state law requires that speed limits established through the engineering and traffic survey process be adopted by local ordinance and for updated speed limits signed to be installed before they may be enforced; and
WHEREAS, the engineering and traffic survey results and speed limits set forth in this ordinance are valid for seven years from the date of the underlying survey, and such validity may be extended to fourteen years where a registered engineer determines that no significant changes in roadway or traffic conditions have occurred, consistent with California Vehicle Code section 40802; and WHEREAS, certain school zone speed limits were previously adopted by resolution rather than by ordinance, and are not among the ordinances being rescinded by this ordinance, and are not otherwise affected by this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the prima facie speed limits established by this ordinance shall become effective only upon passage of this ordinance and the posting of appropriate signs giving notice thereof on the respective street segments.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings. The recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference as findings of the City Council.
Section 2. Pursuant to Section 22358 of the Vehicle Code of the State of California, the City Council has determined, on the basis of engineering and traffic surveys, that the speed limits set forth as described below, will facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic, are reasonable and safe, and are hereby declared to be the prima facie speed limits for the respective street segments identified therein. Said prima facie speed limits shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the respective street segments.
STREET FROM TO
FINAL SPEED LIMIT
(MILES PER HOUR)
S Delaware St Birch Avenue Concar Drive 30 MPH
S Delaware St Birch Avenue East 5th Avenue 30 MPH
Section 3. Prior Ordinances Superseded. Except as provided in Section Four below, all ordinances, and all provisions of ordinances, of the City of San Mateo establishing prima facie speed limits on the City street segments subject to this ordinance are hereby superseded by this ordinance.
Section 4. School Zone Speed Limits Unaffected. Nothing in this Ordinance shall repeal, amend, or otherwise affect the 15 mph school zone speed limits, or the related 25 mph school zone approach speed limits, previously established by Resolution No. 120-2021 of the City Council.
Section 5. Environmental Determination. This action is exempt as an “existing facility” pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, section 15301, because it involves minor alterations of existing city streets and involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
Section 6. Severability. In the event any section, clause or provision of this ordinance shall be determined invalid or unconstitutional, such section, clause or provision shall be deemed severable and all other sections or portions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.