Speed Hump Study Petition - Dallas City Ordinance

Transportation Texas 3 Minutes Read · published February 06, 2026 Flag of Texas

Dallas, Texas residents who want calmer streets can petition the city for a speed hump study under local traffic-calming procedures. This guide explains the petition steps, the department that reviews requests, typical evidence the city seeks, enforcement and appeal pathways, and what to expect after submission. It is written for neighbors organizing a petition and for property representatives who need clear, practical steps to request a traffic hump or other traffic-calming measure from the City of Dallas.

Overview

Speed humps are a traffic-calming measure the city evaluates based on traffic volume, speeds, crash history, and residential support. Neighborhood petitions usually begin with a documented request and signatures from adjacent households or properties. The Transportation/Public Works division reviews eligibility and conducts studies where warranted, then schedules construction or recommends alternatives.

Gather clear evidence of speed and safety issues before you petition.

Penalties & Enforcement

Traffic control devices and installation work on city streets are enforced by the City of Dallas Departments responsible for transportation and public works; specific fines or civil penalties for unauthorized installation or tampering are governed by the city code and enforcement procedures. Financial penalties and escalation for violations are not specified on the City Traffic Calming overview page. In practice, enforcement can include orders to remove unauthorized devices, citations, and referral to Municipal Court where remedies and fines may be set according to the city code. Official department contact and program details are on the City of Dallas Traffic Calming page [1].

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence ranges not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, stop-work directives, Municipal Court actions.
  • Enforcer: City of Dallas Transportation or Public Works division; complaints and inspection requests follow official city reporting channels [1].
  • Appeals/review: not specified on the cited page; refer requests to the Transportation/Public Works contact and, if applicable, Municipal Court for contested citations.
  • Defences/discretion: city retains discretion for permits, variances, and authorized installations; unauthorized private installations are typically prohibited.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes a Traffic Calming petition form and program details on its Traffic Calming page; that page explains required signatures, supporting data, and submission method. For the official petition form and program instructions, see the City Traffic Calming page [1].

Most petitions require documented neighbor support and baseline speed or volume data.

How petitions are evaluated

Evaluation generally follows these steps: the city confirms the street meets eligibility criteria, collects traffic speed and volume data, reviews crash history, measures block length and spacing, and gauges resident support. If the street meets thresholds, the city will schedule a study and, if warranted, design and construct the hump or recommend alternative measures (signing, pavement markings, traffic diversion).

  • Initial review: administrative intake and eligibility check.
  • Data collection: speed/volume counts and crash data review.
  • Design & prioritization: engineering assessment and scheduling.
  • Construction: scheduled by the city's capital or maintenance program if approved.
Engineering criteria, not petitions alone, determine installation priority.

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Unauthorized installation of speed humps: removal order and possible citation.
  • Tampering with city-installed devices: citation and repair orders.
  • False petition information: administrative rejection and notice to organizer.

FAQ

How many signatures do I need?
The required number of signatures is specified on the city petition form and program guidance; check the Traffic Calming page for the current requirement.
How long does the study take?
Study timelines vary by workload and season; the city posts estimated timelines on the Traffic Calming program page.
Can one neighbor request a speed hump?
Single-neighbor requests start the review but most programs require documented neighborhood support for installation.

How-To

  1. Download and complete the Traffic Calming petition form as published by the City.
  2. Collect required signatures and any supporting photos, speed data, or crash reports.
  3. Submit the petition and supporting documents to the Transportation/Public Works division via the method on the city page.
  4. Await the city’s eligibility review, data collection, and engineering recommendation.
  5. If approved, follow city instructions for scheduling and any resident coordination required during construction.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with the official petition form and neighbor outreach before contacting the city.
  • Engineering data, not petitions alone, determine whether a speed hump is installed.
  • Contact Transportation/Public Works for guidance and to confirm current submission steps.

Help and Support / Resources

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