SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL - Record No: CB 118815

• Record No: CB 118815
• Version: 2
• Council Bill No: CB 118815
• Type: Ordinance (Ord)
• Status: Passed
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: City Clerk
• On agenda: 9/26/2016
• Ordinance No: Ord 125169
• Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to arterial and non-arterial speed limits; amending Sections 11.52.060 and 11.52.080 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
• Sponsors: Mike O'Brien, Tim Burgess
• Supporting documents: 1. Summary Att A - Speed Limit Adjustment Justification, 2. Presentation, 3. Signed Ordinance 125169, 4. Affidavit of Publication

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/7/2016	2	City Clerk	attested by City Clerk
10/7/2016	2	Mayor	Signed
10/7/2016	2	Mayor	returned
9/28/2016	2	City Clerk	submitted for Mayor's signature
9/26/2016	1	City Council	passed	Pass
9/20/2016	1	Sustainability and Transportation Committee	pass as amended	Pass
9/19/2016	1	City Council	referred
9/9/2016	1	Council President's Office	sent for review
9/6/2016	1	City Clerk	sent for review
9/6/2016	1	Mayor	Mayor's leg transmitted to Council

CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to arterial and non-arterial speed limits; amending Sections 11.52.060 and 11.52.080 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
body
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle has an aspirational Vision Zero goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030, and a safe city for all travelers; and
WHEREAS, every year, approximately 10,000 crashes occur on Seattle's streets, resulting in an average of 150 serious injuries and 20 deaths; and
WHEREAS, vehicle speed plays a critical role in the frequency and severity of crashes, and speed contributes to approximately 25 percent of fatalities annually; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Department of Transportation recommends lowering the default arterial speed limit to 25 miles per hour and the default non-arterial speed limit to 20 miles per hour for the purpose of improving public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, Washington State law (via RCW 46.61.400) designates 25 miles per hour as the standard speed limit for cities; and
WHEREAS, lowering the speed limit on both arterial and non-arterial streets will improve the safety of all travelers, particularly people walking and biking; and
WHEREAS, Seattle is a growing city and residents choose to be located in compact, walkable neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Seattle is the only city in King County with a default arterial speed limit higher than 25 miles per hour; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council ("Council") makes the following findings of fact and declarations:
1. The Seattle Department of Transportation ("SDOT") conducted an engineering and traffic investigation that recommended lower default speed limits on arterials and non-arterials.
2. Lowering the default arterial speed limits will primarily affect the Central Business District, South Lake Union, Lower Queen Anne, the International District and portions of Cap...