AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2026-35, amending Section 82.003 of the San Marcos City Code by increasing the time of all reduced speed limits for school zones within the city; providing a savings clause; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provisions; and declaring an effective date; and consider approval of Ordinance 2026-35 on the first of two readings.
Body
Meeting date: August 18, 2026
Department: Public Works-Traffic
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $500
Account or Project Number (C = CIP funds): 10006147-53230
Funds Available: Yes
Account Name: Signs - Traffic
Fiscal Note:
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Yes Transportation - TR-1: Develop a robust, balanced, multi-modal transportation system that provides safe, comfortable, and convenient mobility options for people of all abilities
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Background Information:
City staff has received the 2026-2027 school year bell schedules from both San Marcos ISD and Hays CISD. Two new school bell schedules do not fall within the current school zone speed limit times. To accommodate the updated school schedules, staff recommend extending the effective times for all reduced speed limits in school zones.
Currently, City Ordinance Sec. 82.003(c) establishes effective times for reduced school zone speed limits as 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days.
The revised bell schedules for the following schools fall outside the current ordinance time periods:
1. Blanco Vista Elementary School: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
2. San Marcos High School: 8:40 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Based on Texas Department of Transportation’s Procedures for Establishing Speed Zone, the school speed zones should be in effect only during the following specified intervals:
• from approximately 45 minutes before school opens until classes begin
• from the beginning to the end of the lunch period
• for a 30-minute period beginning at the close of school.
To ensure reduced school zone speed limits remain in effect during student arrival and dismissal periods for all schools within the city, staff recommend amending City Ordinance Sec. 82.003(c) to extend the effective school zone times to 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on school days as follows:
San Marcos, Texas - Code of Ordinances - Subpart A - GENERAL ORDINANCES - Chapter 82 - TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES ARTICLE 1. - IN GENERAL - Sec. 82.003. - Speed limits.
(a)
No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. Speed limits established under this chapter or by state law shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is reasonable and prudent, and any speed in excess thereof is unlawful.
(b)
A speed limit may be varied from state law upon the streets or parts of streets within the city only by separate ordinance supported by the results of an engineering and traffic investigation, and signs shall be erected giving notice thereof.
(c)
The effective times for all reduced speed limits for school zones are between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and between 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on school days. Additional times for school zone speed limits at specific locations may be established by separate ordinance and included in the traffic register.
(Code 1970, § 29-10)
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Recommendation:
City staff recommend amending City Ordinance Sec. 82.003(c) to extend the effective school zone times to 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on school days.