HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2026-03 | Ordinance for School Speed Limit Reductions | Adopted 05/18/2026ORDINANCE 2026-03
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GILROY AMENDING CHAPTER 15, SECTION 15.11 OF
THE GILROY CITY CODE BY ADDING REFERENCE TO
NEW VEHICLE CODE SECTION 22358.4 WHICH PERMITS
THE LOWERING OF SPEED LIMITS UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES IN SCHOOL ZONES
WHEREAS, when approaching or passing a school building or school grounds that are
contiguous to or not separated from a highway. Local authorities were permitted to reduce this limit
only when supported by an engineering and traffic survey; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill (AB) 382, signed into law on October 10, 2025, and effective
as of January 1, 2026 significantly revises these rules. The bill authorizes local agencies, by
ordinance or resolution, to establish reduced school zone speed limits without requiring an
engineering and traffic survey, and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 382 standardizes and lowers the default statewide school-zone
speed limit (to 20 mph), expands flexibility for localities (15 mph or 25 mph buffer zones), and
clarifies “school zone” boundaries and “children present” rules – simplifying and strengthening
pedestrian safety protections around schools; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 382 amended section 22358.4 of the California Vehicle Code
as of January 1, 2026, to allow local governments to establish a 15 miles per hour (mph) prima
facie speed limit by local resolution in: qualifying school zones in a residence district; on a two-lane
roadway; and with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or slower; and
WHEREAS, Section 15.11 of the Gilroy City Code describes City Council procedures for
establishing speed limits on City streets. Notably, except as provided specifically by the California
Vehicle Code, speed limits can only be changed by Council resolution based upon an engineering
and traffic analysis.
WHEREAS, Section 15.11 of the Gilroy City Code does not include specific reference to
vehicle code section 22358 et. seq.; and
WHEREAS, absent the specific reference, the City Council cannot apply new vehicle code
section 22358.4 and set lower prima facie speed limit of 15 mph under Assembly Bill 382.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY
AMENDS THE GILROY CITY CODE AS FOLLOWS:
“15.11 Speed limits—on designated streets.
Docusign Envelope ID: D93173EB-057A-8230-82A1-4E35FEC0AC53
Ordinance No. 2026-03
Ordinance Amending GCC Section 15.11
City Council Regular Meeting | May 18, 2026
Page 2 of 3
Upon recommendation of the city engineer or chief of police, and when based on an engineering
and traffic survey, the city council may by resolution determine and declare speed limits for
designated streets different from those otherwise applicable under Vehicle Code sections 22349,
22352 and 22358 et seq. Each special speed limit shall be effective, and no person shall operate a
vehicle in excess thereof, when appropriate signs designating the applicable speed are erected and
maintained upon each street or portion thereof where each special speed limit is applicable.
Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Gilroy at a regular
meeting duly held on the 18th day of May 2026 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BRACCO, CLINE, HILTON, MARQUES,
RAMIREZ, BOZZO
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: FUGAZZI
APPROVED:
Greg Bozzo, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kim Mancera, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: D93173EB-057A-8230-82A1-4E35FEC0AC53
Ordinance No. 2026-03
Ordinance Amending GCC Section 15.11
City Council Regular Meeting | May 18, 2026
Page 2 of 3
CERTIFICATE OF THE CLERK
I, KIM MANCERA, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that
the attached Ordinance No. 2026-03 is an original resolution, or true and correct copy of
a City Resolution, duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a Regular
Meeting of said Council held on Monday, May 18, 2026, with a quorum present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Official
Seal of the City of Gilroy this Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Kim Mancera
City Clerk of the City of Gilroy
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