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School Safety Zone Speed Limits / Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Strategic Plan

Council File 14-0348-S1

Introduced
2016-02-05
Last changed
2026-05-12
Status
open
Expires
2028-05-01
Initiated by
Department of Transportation

Brief

The Department of Transportation has secured Council approval to establish 15 mph speed limits in school zones across hundreds of street segments adjacent to schools. The file traces multiple rounds of implementation: starting with the original SRTS Strategic Plan in 2016, then expanding to 45 schools in 2023, and to 200 schools by 2026. Council adopted the most recent phase on May 1, 2026, with a 12-0-3 vote, following Transportation Committee approval in April. The item remains open and subject to reconsideration under Council rules.

Full summary

School Safety Zone Speed Limits and the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Strategic Plan represent a multi-year effort by the Department of Transportation to reduce traffic speeds and improve pedestrian safety near Los Angeles schools. The program centers on establishing 15 mph speed limits on residential street segments immediately adjacent to schools — lower than the standard 25 mph default for school zones — enforceable by LAPD only while children are arriving or leaving. Authority for these reduced limits comes from California Vehicle Code Section 22358.4, which allows local governments to set sub-25 mph school zone limits on streets that qualify as residence districts under CVC Section 515. The file has grown through several discrete expansion phases. Council first adopted the SRTS Strategic Plan in February 2016. In May 2023, DOT returned for authority to post 15 mph limits on 98 street segments near 45 schools. By October 2023, a third phase authorized limits on 494 segments adjacent to 200 schools. The most recent round, approved May 1, 2026, covers 474 street segments adjacent to 214 LAUSD and private schools, with signage and pavement markings to be installed by DOT. The program is funded through Measure M funds with no impact to the General Fund. The 2026 Council action was adopted as amended, 12-0-3, following unanimous Transportation Committee approval on April 22. The amendment, presented by Councilmember Traci Park and seconded by Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, added a geographic clarification for Canyon Elementary School in CD 11, specifying that the speed limit on Entrada Drive applies between Amalfi Drive and Channel Road. The North Westwood Neighborhood Council submitted a Community Impact Statement after the vote, reflecting continued community engagement with the program. The file remains open with an expiration date of May 1, 2028. The pattern of annual or biennial DOT reports and Council resolutions suggests the department is returning on a rolling basis to authorize new school zone designations as streets are evaluated and qualify under state criteria.

Activity (35)

  • 2026-05-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by North Westwood Neighborhood Council.
  • 2026-05-05 Council action final.
  • 2026-05-01 Council adopted item as amended, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2026-04-28 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 1, 2026.
  • 2026-04-22 Transportation Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2026-04-17 Transportation Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 22, 2026.
  • 2026-04-09 Department of Transportation document(s) referred to Transportation Committee.
  • 2026-04-08 Document submitted by Department of Transportation, dated April 3, 2026.
  • 2025-05-09 Council action final.
  • 2025-05-07 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2025-05-02 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 7, 2025.
  • 2025-04-23 Transportation Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2025-04-18 Transportation Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 23, 2025.
  • 2025-04-08 Department of Transportation document(s) referred to Transportation Committee.
  • 2025-04-07 Document(s) submitted by Department of Transportation, as follows:Department of Transportation report, dated April 3, 2025, relative to implementation of School Safety Zone speed limits and the Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan.
  • 2023-11-08 Council action final.
  • 2023-11-07 Council adopted item as amended, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2023-11-03 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on November 7, 2023.
  • 2023-11-01 Transportation Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2023-10-27 Transportation Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on November 1, 2023.
  • 2023-10-26 Department of Transportation document(s) referred to Transportation Committee.
  • 2023-10-26 Document(s) submitted by Department of Transportation, as follows:Department of Transportation report, dated October 26, 2023, relative to a request for authority to implement 15 mile per hour speed limits in School Zones, along 494 street segments adjacent to 200 schools.
  • 2023-06-27 Council action final.
  • 2023-06-23 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2023-06-20 City Clerk scheduled item for committee meeting on June 23, 2023.
  • 2023-06-14 Transportation Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2023-06-09 Transportation Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on June 14, 2023.
  • 2023-05-18 Department of Transportation document(s) referred to Transportation Committee.
  • 2023-05-17 Document(s) submitted by Department of Transportation, as follows:Department of Transportation report, dated May 16, 2023, relative to a request for authority to implement 15 mile per hour speed limits in School Zones, along 98 street segments adjacent to 45 schools.
  • 2016-02-19 Council action final.
  • 2016-02-17 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2016-02-10 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on February 17, 2016.
  • 2016-02-10 Transportation Committee approved as amended .
  • 2016-02-08 Department of Transportation document(s) referred to Transportation Committee.
  • 2016-02-05 Document(s) submitted by Department of Transportation, as follows:Department of Transportation report, dated February 4, 2016, relative to the implementation of School Safety Zone Speed Limits / City of Los Angeles Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Strategic Plan.

Documents (33)

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