Just in time for the new school year, Fresnans will start noticing reduced speed limits in school zones throughout the city.

Mayor Jerry Dyer said the city has been working on replacing about 800 school zone speed limit signs since May to reflect the change, according to a City of Fresno social media post.

The Fresno-focused effort was spearheaded by Councilmember Nelson Esparza, as he wanted the city to be an early adopter of Assembly Bill 382. The upcoming state legislation would make 20-mph school zones standard in the state by 2031, though Fresno’s getting ahead of that timeline.

“There’s a feeling that every parent knows. It’s that moment when you watch your child step out the car or begin to cross the street, and you hope that every driver around them is paying attention. But hope is not a traffic safety strategy,” Esparza said in February.

While city officials didn’t commit to a timeline during the February announcement of the initiative, signs have already begun being swapped out with new ones reflecting the speed reduction.

In a statement, Fresno Unified said the reduced speed limit around schools will help create safer conditions for everyone.

“While a decrease of just a few miles per hour may not seem significant, it can have a meaningful impact on prevention and safety and decreases the likelihood of accidents,” a district spokesperson said. “Slower speeds give drivers more time to see and respond to students, families, and staff, especially during busy arrival and dismissal times. We commend the City of Fresno for taking this proactive step ahead of the state mandate.”

The California Department of Motor Vehicles says school zones typically have speed limits of 25 mph within 500 feet of the site when kids are present — though some school zones have speed limits as low as 15 mph.

A new speed limit sign, down from 25 mph to 20 mph, is seen outside Career Technical Education Charter High School (CTEC) at the corner of Floradora Avenue and Angus Street on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 in Fresno.

A new speed limit sign, down from 25 mph to 20 mph, is seen outside Career Technical Education Charter High School (CTEC) at the corner of Floradora Avenue and Angus Street on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 in Fresno.

A new speed limit sign, down from 25 mph to 20 mph, is seen outside Career Technical Education Charter High School (CTEC) at the corner of Floradora Avenue and Angus Street on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 in Fresno.

A new speed limit sign, down from 25 mph to 20 mph, is seen outside Career Technical Education Charter High School (CTEC) at the corner of Floradora Avenue and Angus Street on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 in Fresno.