Residential Speed Limits

The 20 is Plenty program was developed to address neighborhood street safety by reducing the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph. Tigard City Council approved an ordinance in 2021 that authorized speed limit reductions from 25 MPH to 20 MPH on local residential streets in Tigard. This was made possible by state legislative changes which gave cities across Oregon the authority to designate speed limits 5 miles per hour lower than statutory speed limits on non-arterial streets in "residence districts." This provided the City with an opportunity to promote safer conditions for people walking, biking, using a mobility device, riding the bus, and driving.

Residential streets make up around 79 percent of Tigard’s street network. This program included 125 miles of streets. See which streets were included using this map.

Safe Streets and Speeds

20 is Plenty supports walkability within the City of Tigard. Research has proven that the faster a car is moving, the more likely a crash becomes, and the more serious the crash outcomes are likely to be. This is especially true for vulnerable road users like people walking and bicycling, who are not protected by a vehicle. To prevent traffic deaths and serious injuries, we need to set speed limits and design roadways for safe, survivable speeds for all users. 

The Effect of Speed on Traffic Fatalities Diagram Description

Source: Safe Streets Action Plan

Safe Routes to School

This effort supports Tigard’s Safe Routes to School Program by providing a safer, more comfortable route to school for Tigard students. Although school zones are already 20 MPH during school hours, they only cover the area closest to the school. The residential speed change encompasses many walking and biking routes to school.

When did the speed limit change?

Speed limit signs were replaced in neighborhoods starting in November 2022 and completed in February 2024, taking a little over one year to complete (15 months). The new 20 MPH speed limits legally went into effect on each street when the existing speed limit signs were replaced.

Interested in showing support?

Come and pick up a free yard sign to show your support of ‘20 is Plenty’ and encourage safe driving in your neighborhood at the following location:

Tigard Permit Center
13125 SW Hall Blvd.
503-718-2708

• Signs should be placed on private property in your yard.
• Please don’t place the sign on someone else’s property without their permission.
• Make sure not to block driver visibility for pulling out of driveways, seeing pedestrians, etc.
• Make sure the signs do not block walkways, bikeways, or drainage ways.
• Do not place signs on traffic sign posts or utility poles.
• Please promptly remove any broken or vandalized signs; replacements are free!

Unfortunately, local recyclers do not accept corrugated plastic yard signs. If you no longer want the sign in your yard, please let someone else use it, or return it to one of the pick-up locations.