DATE: September 9, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Amendment of the Fresno County Ordinance Code to Modify the Chapter on Speed Limits
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Conduct first hearing on an Ordinance to amend Chapter 11.24 - Speed Limits of the Fresno County Ordinance Code, Section 11.24.070, to reflect various changes to the Ordinance Code as a result of recent traffic studies; waive the reading of the Ordinance in its entirety; and set second hearing for October 21, 2025;
2. Designate County Counsel to prepare a fair adequate summary of the proposed Ordinance; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to post and publish the required summary in accordance with Government Code, Section 25124(b)(1).
REPORT
The recommended actions pertain to two speed zones, or road locations, or portions of the road, defined by cross streets and/or the incorporated jurisdictional boundaries, within the boundary of Fresno County (Attachment A - Map). Two new speed zones were studied for an established speed limit and are proposed for adoption into the Ordinance (Attachment B - Ordinance Redline). The Vicinity Map displays locations of proposed new speed zones. The speed limits are intended to improve traffic safety and service to be consistent with existing conditions. This item pertains to speed zones in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved by your Board, the Speed Limits chapter of the Fresno County Ordinance Code will remain unchanged.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The estimated cost to install speed limit signs is $1,095 for materials and $1,100 for labor and equipment for a total estimated cost of $2,195. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Public Works and Planning - Roads Org 4510 FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
JLB Traffic Engineering, Inc., in coordination with Fresno County Public Works, completed the 2025 Engineering and Traffic Surveys Report (Attachment C) for roads near the Terry Bradley Education Center, per California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and California Vehicle Code (CVC) guidelines. The report recommends the speed limits on Highland between McKinley Avenue and Shields Avenue and on Leonard Avenue between McKinley Avenue and Shields Avenue, to be 45 MPH. The recommended speed limits are authorized by CVC Section 22358.7, accounting for anticipated pedestrian and bicyclist activity near the school, especially for vulnerable groups like children. Collision data (2020-2024) from Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, Transportation Injury Mapping System, and County of Fresno Crossroads, supports the recommended speed limits to enhance safety, aligning with CVC Sections 627, 22358.5, and 22358.7, considering speed, collisions, roadside conditions, and land use.
The purpose of a speed limit is to regulate traffic so that reasonable driving speeds are maintained. National and State guidelines recommend speed limits be set so that the fifteenth percentile of the fastest motorists are subject to a citation with the burden to prove their driving was safe at the time of the citation. Arbitrarily low and restrictive limits set by local authorities on roads classified as County roads are defined in the CVC, Section 40802 as speed traps, and are not enforceable by radar.
Section 22349 of the Speed Law chapter of the CVC states that the maximum speed limit of a two-lane undivided highway is 55 MPH; therefore, it is not included in the Speed Limits Ordinance.
Sections 22357 and 22358 of the CVC allow a local authority to determine, upon the basis of an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS), a prima facie speed limit upon any street, other than a State highway, to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic that is reasonable and safe.
An E&TS is required as the basis for local authorities to establish speed limits higher or lower than those prescribed in the CVC. The E&TS includes radar measurements of operating speeds, analysis of accident records, and field reviews to inventory of road conditions and roadside conditions not readily apparent to drivers. The appropriate speed limit is recommended based upon analysis of the acquired data and actual road and traffic conditions. According to the CVC, only those prima facie speed limits based on an E&TS are enforceable by radar.
The public, other agencies or County staff initiate requests for changes to existing speed limits, which require an amendment to the Fresno County Ordinance Code, Sections 11.24.020 through 11.24.100 of Chapter 11.24 - Speed Limits.
Department staff proposes changes to the Speed Limits chapter of the Ordinance Code relating to two speed zones. The changes are categorized as new speed zones.
1. Highland Avenue from McKinley Avenue to Shields Avenue, will be 45 MPH. (District 5)
2. Leonard Avenue from McKinley Avenue to Shields Avenue, will be 45 MPH. (District 5)
A notice that the Fresno County Speed Limits Ordinance is proposed for change will be published in the Fresno Business Journal before the second hearing on October 21, 2025. With your Board’s approval, the Ordinance amendment will take effect 30 days after it is adopted and signs, where required, will be installed shortly thereafter.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) provides traffic enforcement on Fresno County roads. The CHP was notified on July 17, 2025, for review of the proposed Ordinance amendment and did not object to the changes.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Speed Zone Ordinance (Redline)
Attachment C - Engineering and Traffic Survey
Speed Zone Ordinance
On file with Clerk - Ordinance Summary
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia