STILLWATER'S NEW 25 MPH RESIDENTIAL SPEED LIMIT 

Starting on February 1, 2026, the City of Stillwater began rolling out the NEW 25 mph speed limit on residential streets. Why? Because safety is something we all care about—and even small changes can make a big difference. Just a few miles per hour less can turn what might have been an accident into a near-miss. And when crashes do happen, slower speeds mean less damage and a much better chance everyone walks away safely.

Establishing Speed Limits

State law allows cities to set speed limits on their local streets, as long as the changes are con­sistent, based on good data, and clearly marked with signs. In Stillwater,we collect data, look at safety information, engineering reviews, crash history, and national guidance to determine what speeds make sense for our neighborhoods. This data will also help guide future long-term adjust­ments as needed.

It's also important to note that this change applies only to city-owned residential streets. State and county roadways are not included in this update. This means Highway 95, Highway 5 (portions of Olive St and Owens St), Highway 12 (Myrtle St west of Len's Family Foods), Highway 23 (3rd St south of Chestnut St), and County Road 64 (McKusick Rd) will retain their existing speed limits.

If you're curious about speeds on your block, call the Engineering Department at 651-430-8830.

Why 25 mph Matters                                                                                          

A few miles per hour might not seem like much, but the research* is clear:

• At 23 mph, a pedestrian survives a crash 90% of the time.
• At 32 mph, survival drops to 75%.
• At 40 mph, the fatality rate is 50%.

Adjusting Will Take Time

Any citywide change takes time to settle in, and the new 25 mph limit is no exception. Staff will need time to update and add signs as needed. And drivers will need time to adjust their habits and become familiar with the new signs. We appreciate everyone's patience as our community transitions to a safer, slower pace.

A Few Friendly Reminders About Safe Driving

Even at 25 mph, cars carry a ton of energy. That's why 25 mph is the maximum speed on residential roads—not the goal for all conditions. Slower is safer when:

• It's raining, snowing, or visibility is poor
• Kids, pedestrians, or dog-walkers are nearby
• Bicyclists or delivery vehicles are sharing the street
• You're approaching a hill, curve, or busy driveway

Small shifts in driving habits can enhance the overall quality of life in our neighborhoods —and in rare but critical moments, they can prevent a tragedy.

*The study:  aaafoundation.org/impact-speed-pedestrians-risk-severe-injury-death/