School Zones

Following City Council direction on June 18, 2024(PDF, 16MB), Kirkland is conducting a comprehensive review of all 17 school zones within the city. Signage will be revised to comply with legal requirements, improve clarity and consistency, and improve safety.

Phase 1

Phase 1 signing changes were completed in April 2026. New signage has been posted in advance of all (8) school zone automated safety cameras to increase awareness and visibility. Additional signage has been posted to alert drivers to the presence of school zones when entering from major side streets, to clarify allowed areas of parking around schools, and to bring the city’s school zones into compliance with engineering standards.

Phase 2

Starting in May, the City of Kirkland will begin updating its 20 MPH school speed limit signs. Two new types of signs will be introduced in school zones across Kirkland to make it clearer to drivers when they must slow down while driving in these areas. In-street pedestrian crossing signs will also be added to some school crosswalks.

The two new types of signs are for full-time and all-day school zone speed limits. Full-time school zone signs read, “School Speed Limit 20,” indicating that a speed limit of 20 miles per hour is in effect at all times — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. The other new school zone signs read, “School Speed Limit 20 7 AM – 5 PM School Days,” meaning the school speed limit is in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day that school is in session. Refer to Lake Washington School District’s academic calendar for the school schedule.

Two existing types of school zone signs will remain in other areas of Kirkland. These are the flashing beacon and “When Children Are Present” school zone signs. In flashing beacon school zones, the speed limit is 20 miles per hour when the lights(s) are flashing. The “When Children Are Present” signs indicate that the school speed limit is in effect if children are present within a marked crosswalk, sidewalk, or shoulder within the posted zone.

As part of these safety updates, the City will pilot new in-street pedestrian crossing signs at a limited number of school crosswalks. These offer an additional visual signal to remind drivers to stop for pedestrians crossing the street.

Please remember: Children may be present around schools at any time of day and any time of the year. Always use extra caution when driving around schools, even if the school speed limit isn’t in effect.

Phase 3

Changes to be determined – pending further discussion with City Council.