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Speed Limits & Signs

Roads

Speed Limits

County governments in Montana have limited authority to establish speed limits and follow statutes in the Montana Code Annotated.

  • Gravel roads and paved roads in an urban district may be posted at 25 mph. An urban district is defined as a street that serves businesses or houses situated at intervals of 100 feet or less for a distance of one-fourth mile or more.
  • All other roads, including residential roads, cannot be posted at less than 35 mph.
  • Designated school zones cannot be posted at less than 15 mph.
  • County governments do not control the speed limits (or road design) on federal highways like I-90 or state highways like Highway 93 in Lolo.

If you want to request a speed limit on a state highway (like Highway 200 in East Missoula), please make a formal request to the County commissioners with the following:

  • The nature of the request and the action desired
  • The name and general mile post limits of the affected road segment.
  • Reason(s) for the request. (Use specific observations to form the basis of this request.)
  • Any additional information that should be considered in support of the request.
  • Recent of previous studies or requests.

Submit all applications by mail to Missoula County, 200 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802 or in person at 199 W. Pine Street, Missoula, MT 59082. Upon receipt, the director of Public Works will begin a preliminary investigation to determine, if possible, the legitimacy of the request. Then, the commission will review this request and the findings of the preliminary investigation to determine whether to forward the request on to the Montana Department of Transportation for action.

Sign shop at Public Works

Public works staff member in the sign shop.

Road Signs

Missoula County Public Works follows a federal manual on the uniform use of signs and signals. These guidelines ensure that roads are not cluttered with too many signs or signals. While there is no formal process to petition for additional signs in your neighborhood, please contact us if there is a recurring issue.

Questions regarding road signs or speed limit signs should be referred to the Traffic Department at 406-258-4832.