The purpose of this article is to:
(a) 
Establish uniform standards for school zones within the City;
(b) 
Ensure compliance with the Texas Transportation Code and TMUTCD;
(c) 
Allocate responsibilities between the City and school districts;
(d) 
Provide a legally enforceable framework for school zone traffic control; and
(e) 
Protect the City, City Council, and City staff from improper or inconsistent implementation.
(Ordinance 2026-0203-06 adopted 2/3/2026)
This article applies to all public and private primary and secondary schools located within the City of Jarrell or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) if a school zone begins in the City limits and terminates in the ETJ.
(1) 
Any school zone lawfully established, signed, and in operation prior to the effective date of this article shall be deemed a valid and enforceable school zone and shall not be required to retroactively comply with the submittal, study, or design requirements of this article, provided that the school remains operational and the school zone configuration has not been materially altered.
(2) 
Routine maintenance, replacement of signage, or repair of existing traffic control devices within an existing school zone shall not trigger the requirements of this article.
(3) 
Any substantial modification, relocation, expansion, or reconfiguration of an existing school zone, including changes to speed limits, limits of the zone, or installation of new flashing beacons, shall require compliance with this article.
(4) 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City Engineer retains authority to require review, modification, or corrective action for any existing school zone that is determined to pose a safety concern or that is not in substantial compliance with applicable state law.
(Ordinance 2026-0203-06 adopted 2/3/2026)
(a) 
Prior to requesting the designation of a school zone, the applicable school district shall submit to the City:
(1) 
A written request identifying the school;
(2) 
A site plan showing school entrances, driveways, and pedestrian access points;
(3) 
Proposed school zone limits and locations of signs and flashing beacons;
(4) 
Any traffic studies required under the TMUTCD.
(b) 
School districts shall be responsible for ensuring that school site planning accounts for traffic safety, circulation, and access.
(Ordinance 2026-0203-06 adopted 2/3/2026)
(a) 
The maximum reduction in speed limit within a school zone without an engineering study shall not exceed 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
(b) 
School zone speed limits shall not be less than 20 miles per hour unless justified by an engineering study.
(c) 
School zone signs and flashing beacons shall generally be installed within the following ranges, unless engineering judgment indicates otherwise, and in accordance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD):
(1) 
Advance school zone warning signs and flashing beacons shall generally be placed 200 to 300 feet in advance of the first school-related conflict point, such as a school driveway, marked crosswalk, or pedestrian access point.
(2) 
End-of-school-zone signs shall generally be placed 100 to 200 feet beyond the last school-related conflict point.
(3) 
Final placement shall be determined by the City Engineer or designee based on roadway conditions, sight distance, speed, pedestrian activity, and applicable TMUTCD guidance.
(d) 
All school zone designations, traffic control devices, signage, pavement markings, and flashing beacons established pursuant to this article shall be reviewed and implemented in accordance with the most current version of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD), the Texas Transportation Code, and any other applicable regulations as adopted by the State of Texas at the time of installation or modification.
In the event of a conflict between this article and subsequently adopted state standards or regulations, the more stringent or more recent state standard shall control, as determined by the City Engineer or designee.
(Ordinance 2026-0203-06 adopted 2/3/2026)
(a) 
All signs, pavement markings, and flashing beacons shall conform to the TMUTCD.
(b) 
School zone flashing beacons shall not be activated unless installed pursuant to this article and approved by the City.
(Ordinance 2026-0203-06 adopted 2/3/2026)
(a) 
No school zone shall be enforceable unless:
(1) 
Proper signage and devices are installed;
(2) 
The zone has been approved by the City Engineer; and
(3) 
The school zone complies with this article and TMUTCD standards.
(Ordinance 2026-0203-06 adopted 2/3/2026)
The City Manager is authorized to administer and implement this article, including coordination with school districts.
(Ordinance 2026-0203-06 adopted 2/3/2026)