California Vehicle Code (CVC) sets the speed limit in many school zones to 25 mph.
A bill taking effect in 2026 will allow cities and towns to reduce the school zone limit to 20 mph. This would be in advance of the bill’s 2031 mandate that will change most school zones in the state to 20 mph roads.
CVC 22352 (b) Twenty-five miles per hour:
(2) When approaching or passing a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a standard “SCHOOL” warning sign, while children are going to or leaving the school either during school hours or during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit shall also apply when approaching or passing any school grounds which are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a standard “SCHOOL” warning sign. For purposes of this subparagraph, standard “SCHOOL” warning signs may be placed at any distance up to 500 feet away from school grounds.
The Speed Limits in California School Zones
25 Mph. This is the speed limit set by CVC 22352. It’s the speed limit in many school zones, but could be changed by local authorities. Drivers always need to follow the posted signs. Speed limits can vary from school to school.
15 mph. School zones meeting certain conditions can have speed limits as low as 15 mph. These zones are allowed around schools with limited lanes and/or low visibility intersections.
Here are some other factors in the slower speed limit:
- Often in a residential district.
- Must be used only along roads that have two lanes or less.
- The lanes leading up to the 15 mph zone can have speed limits no faster than 30 mph. The lanes exiting a 15 mph zone can’t have a speed limit faster than 30 mph.
See: Current School Zone traffic laws.
California School Zone Speed Limit Changes
California cities can get ahead of a coming change in many school zone speed limits.
AB 382 will change many school zones to 20 mph starting in 2031. Cities and counties can adopt the new speed limit now if they so choose.
Beginning January 1, 2031, the change will occur for many 25 mph zones
The updated stretches will need to have at least one of these types of signs in place when the switch occurs:
- A 20 mph speed limit sign with flashing lights
- A “children are present” sign
- A school speed-limit sign with the school zone hours on it
The bill defines a school zone as within 500 feet of a school, unless it’s posted otherwise.
Contact a California Car Accident Attorney
If you or your child are struck in a school zone and seriously injured, it’s a good idea to talk over your case with a skilled attorney. Children can suffer with injuries much longer. Their development into adulthood can also be affected by a lingering injury from an accident.
A California Child Accident Lawyer helps keep the blame on the reckless driver and then demands the maximum in support for your child’s future.
Maison Law of California offers a free, no-obligation case consultation for all injured California accident victims.
If you do need our help to earn more, there are no upfront charges. In fact, we aren’t paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the check the car insurance provider must write for you.
