TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. SUBJECT
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Public Hearing to consider introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 15-26 modifying posted speed limits on various streets throughout the City
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2. SUMMARY
To be enforceable, posted speed limits must be established in accordance with state law. Assembly Bill 43 provides local agencies with greater flexibility and local control in establishing speed limits. The proposed Ordinance contains speed limit changes for 47 roadway segments in Orange.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Conduct and close the Public Hearing.
Introduce and conduct First Reading of Ordinance No. 15-26. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Section 10.14.050 of Chapter 10.14 of the Orange Municipal Code pertaining to speed limits.
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4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
The proposed changes require replacing associated traffic signs and pavement markings, the costs for which are already included in the FY 2026-2027 operating budget. No appropriation is being requested.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
Background
Based on state law, specifically the California Vehicle Code (“CVC”), speed limits are established either by:
Statute, or
Speed zones, which require the conduct of Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS).
Common examples of statutory speed limits include the 65-mph maximum speed on many freeways and 25-mph maximum speed in school zones and on certain types of local streets. These speed limits do not need to be supported (established or re-validated) through the conduct of an E&TS.
Notwithstanding certain statutory limits, many speed limits (typically between 30 mph and 60 mph, at 5-mph increments) on city streets do need to be supported by an E&TS and approved by local ordinance, to be enforceable. Thi...
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