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Pasco council adopts speed‑limit policy clarifying roles, engineering review and a 20‑mph option for local streets

5810902 · August 19, 2025
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Summary

The council unanimously adopted a formal city council speed‑limit setting policy that clarifies when council can act, when engineering reviews are required and includes a 20‑mph lowering option for certain non‑arterial streets.

The Pasco City Council unanimously approved a new speed‑limit setting policy Aug. 18 that clarifies the council’s role in changing posted speeds, how staff will evaluate requests and when an engineering study is required.

Deputy City Manager (presenting) noted that state law governs many aspects of speed setting but that council retains authority to lower speeds on non‑arterial streets to 20 mph without a formal engineering analysis for specified circumstances. “Council has some amazing authority on non arterial streets,” the deputy city manager said, and added the policy mirrors state statute on the 12‑month reversion process for speed changes.

The policy requires engineering analysis for many speed changes on arterial streets and lists context‑sensitive factors such as crash history, lighting, intersection design and pavement conditions. It also sets a regular review interval for the city’s speed plan, includes an “as needed” clause to allow earlier review when conditions change, and assigns responsibilities between council and Public Works.

The resolution adopting the policy (Resolution No. 4640) was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Grimm and seconded by Councilmember Morales; it passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The policy provides a clear process for citizens and staff: certain neighborhood requests can prompt council action that reduces posted limits to 20 mph for short durations without full engineering studies, but raising or changing many arterial limits will require standard traffic engineering analysis.

What the policy requires: If council lowers a non‑arterial speed to 20 mph and later chooses to revert it, the policy cites a 12‑month window in which the council may raise the limit without a full traffic study; after 12 months, engineering analysis is required to change the posted speed. The policy also incorporates procedures for public notice, data collection, and periodic reviews.

Ending: Councilmembers discussed review frequency and kept an “as needed” clause to allow staff to re‑evaluate streets sooner than the regular review interval when growth or crash patterns change.