London School Zone Speed Limit Bylaw

Public Safety Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

London, Ontario communities rely on clearly posted school safety zones to protect children and pedestrians at and around schools. This guide explains how school zone speed limits are set and enforced in London, which offices manage changes, what penalties and appeal routes exist, and practical steps for parents, school boards and councillors who want a new or revised speed restriction.

How school safety zones are established

Municipal designation, signage and any local speed limit reduction for a school safety zone are implemented through City traffic rules and signs, aligned with provincial rules in the Highway Traffic Act. Consult the City of London information on school safety zones for location-specific guidance and municipal procedures [1], and contact By-law Enforcement or Transportation Services for requests or complaints [2]. Provincial legal authority and definitions are in the Highway Traffic Act [3].

School zone signs and hours determine when reduced limits apply.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of school zone speed limits in London is carried out by municipal By-law Enforcement and police services; procedures and authorities are set out across municipal information pages and provincial legislation. Where exact fine amounts or escalation steps are not printed on a single municipal summary page, the specific bylaw or provincial offence schedule should be consulted; if a precise monetary figure is not listed on the cited City pages, this guide notes that it is "not specified on the cited page" and cites the source.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; amounts for speeding in school zones are typically set by provincial offence notices and municipal bylaw schedules – see the cited City and provincial pages for the controlling schedules[1][3].
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures are not specified on the City summary page; consult the specific bylaw or provincial offence schedule for ranges and escalation rules[1][3].
  • Non-monetary sanctions: municipal orders, compliance directives or court orders may accompany unpaid fines; seizure or licence penalties are governed by provincial legislation and court process (not fully specified on the City summary page)[3].
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: By-law Enforcement and London Police Service are the primary enforcers for municipal school-zone signage compliance and local orders; to report a concern contact the City By-law Enforcement or Transportation Services pages for submission procedures[2].
  • Appeal and review: appeal routes typically use provincial offence notice payment/contest processes or municipal review requests; precise time limits for appeals are not specified on the City summary page and must be confirmed on the specific offence notice or bylaw text[1][3].
If you receive a ticket, the offence notice will state appeal deadlines and payment details.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes request and inquiry procedures for traffic-calming and school zone reviews; a specific standardized application form for a speed-limit change is not listed on the City summary page ("not specified on the cited page"). To initiate a review, contact Transportation Services or By-law Enforcement as directed on the City site[1][2].

How-To

  1. Document the concern: collect photos, times, pedestrian counts and a site map to show why a reduced speed limit or school zone signage is needed.
  2. Contact officials: submit the documentation to City Transportation Services or By-law Enforcement following the contact instructions on the municipal site[2].
  3. Request a review: ask for a site assessment, referencing school hours and observed risks; the City will advise next steps or studies required.
  4. Follow municipal process: if approved, the City schedules sign installation and publishes the new limit; if refused, request written explanation and the appeals process.

Common violations

  • Speeding during posted school hours — typically enforced by police or bylaw officers.
  • Obstructing crossings or ignoring crossing guards.
  • Removing or obscuring school zone signs.
Crossing guards and signage indicate when school-zone limits are in effect.

FAQ

Who decides speed limits for school zones in London?
The City of London, in coordination with provincial rules in the Highway Traffic Act, designates school safety zones and posts the corresponding signs; requests are handled by Transportation Services or By-law Enforcement.[1][2]
How do I report a safety concern at a school crossing?
Submit photos and a description to City By-law Enforcement or Transportation Services using the contact pages listed under Help and Support / Resources below.[2]
Can a posted school zone speed limit be appealed?
Yes — ticket appeals follow the provincial offence notice process and municipal review requests follow City procedures; specific time limits appear on the offence notice or bylaw schedule (not specified on the City summary page).[3]

How-To

  1. Gather evidence and note peak crossing times at the location.
  2. Send a formal request with evidence to Transportation Services or By-law Enforcement.
  3. Ask for a site assessment and timeline for review.
  4. If approved, follow City instructions for installation and compliance monitoring; if denied, request reasons and next steps.

Key Takeaways

  • School zone speed limits are set by the City in line with provincial law; contact Transportation Services to request reviews.
  • Report safety issues to By-law Enforcement or Transportation Services with photos and times.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of London — School safety zones
  2. [2] City of London — By-law Enforcement
  3. [3] Government of Ontario — Highway Traffic Act

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