ontario regulation 398/25

made under the

Highway Traffic Act

Made: December 17, 2025
Filed: December 19, 2025
Published on e-Laws: December 19, 2025
Published in The Ontario Gazette: January 3, 2026

Amending Reg. 615 of R.R.O. 1990

(SIGNS)

1. Regulation 615 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 is amended by adding the following sections:

5.0.0.1 (1) A sign prescribed by this section may be erected rather than a sign prescribed by clauses 5 (1) (a) and (1.1) (a) at the commencement of the portion of the highway designated under subsection 128 (5) of the Act.

(2) A sign prescribed by this section shall be similar to the sign illustrated in Figure A to subsection 5 (1), shall bear the legend “km/h” embedded in the sign or displayed on a tab sign, and may include one or both of the following:

1.  A tab sign bearing the legend,

i.  “SCHOOL ZONE”, or

ii.  “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE”, in an area designated by the French Language Services Act.

2.  Flashing amber signals.

(3) The sign shall have the following dimensions:

1.  A sign that does not include a tab sign described in paragraph 1 of subsection (2) shall be,

i.  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 116 centimetres high, or

ii.  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 170 centimetres high.

2.  A sign that includes the tab sign described in subparagraph 1 i of subsection (2) shall be,

i.  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 139 centimetres high, or

ii.  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 207 centimetres high.

3.  A sign that includes a tab sign described in subparagraph 1 ii of subsection (2) shall be,

i.  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 160 centimetres high, or

ii.  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 240 centimetres high.

(4) If the sign includes flashing amber signals and the effective hours of the prescribed speed limit are prescribed by by-law under clause 128 (5) (b) of the Act, the signals shall only be actuated during those hours.

(5) Where subsection (4) applies, the sign shall also include a tab sign bearing the legend “WHEN FLASHING” or, where the area is designated by the French Language Services Act, the legend “WHEN FLASHING / AU CLIGNOTEMENT”.

5.0.0.2 (1) A sign prescribed by this section may be erected rather than a sign prescribed by clause 5 (1) (b) at the commencement of the portion of the highway designated under subsection 128 (5) of the Act.

(2) A sign prescribed by this section shall be similar to the sign illustrated in Figure B to subsection 5 (1), shall bear the legend “km/h” embedded in the sign or displayed on a tab sign, and may include a tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE”.

(3) The sign shall have the following dimensions:

1.  A sign that does not include the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE”, as described in subsection (2), shall be,

i.  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 145 centimetres high, or

ii.  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 213 centimetres high.

2.  A sign that includes the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE”, as described in subsection (2), shall be,

i.  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 169 centimetres high, or

ii.  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 252 centimetres high.

(4) The flashing amber signals on a sign prescribed by this section shall be actuated during the effective hours of the prescribed speed limit prescribed by by-law under clause 128 (5) (b) of the Act.

5.0.0.3 (1) A sign prescribed by this section may be erected rather than a sign prescribed by clause 5 (1.1) (b) at the commencement of the portion of the highway designated under subsection 128 (5) of the Act.

(2) A sign prescribed by this section shall be similar to the sign illustrated in Figure C to subsection 5 (1.1), shall bear the legend “km/h” embedded in the sign or displayed on a tab sign, and may include a tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE”.

(3) The sign shall have the following dimensions:

1.  A sign that does not include the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE”, as described in subsection (2), shall be,

i.  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 175 centimetres high, or

ii.  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 258 centimetres high.

2.  A sign that includes the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE”, as described in subsection (2), shall be,

i.  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 220 centimetres high, or

ii.  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 330 centimetres high.

(4) The flashing amber signals on a sign prescribed by this section shall be actuated during the effective hours of the prescribed speed limit prescribed by by-law under clause 128 (5) (b) of the Act.

5.0.0.4 (1) Subject to subsection (2), where a sign prescribed by section 5.0.0.1, 5.0.0.2 or 5.0.0.3 includes flashing amber signals, the diameter of the flashing amber signals shall be 20 centimetres .

(2) Where flashing amber signals are used on a sign with the dimensions described in any of the following provisions, the diameter of the flashing amber signals shall be 30 centimetres:

1.  Subparagraph 1 ii, 2 ii or 3 ii of subsection 5.0.0.1 (3).

2.  Subparagraph 1 ii or 2 ii of subsection 5.0.0.2 (3).

3.  Subparagraph 1 ii or 2 ii of subsection 5.0.0.3 (3).

5.0.0.5 (1) A sign prescribed by section 5.0.0.1, 5.0.0.2 or 5.0.0.3 shall be erected in accordance with section 4, except that for a sign with the dimensions described in any of the following provisions, the bottom edge of the sign shall be not less than 0.4 metres above the level of the roadway:

1.  Subparagraph 1 ii, 2 ii or 3 ii of subsection 5.0.0.1 (3).

2.  Subparagraph 1 ii or 2 ii of subsection 5.0.0.2 (3).

3.  Subparagraph 1 ii, 2 i or ii of subsection 5.0.0.3 (3).

(2) Where a sign prescribed by section 5.0.0.1, 5.0.0.2 or 5.0.0.3 is erected, a speed limit sign as prescribed in section 1 shall be erected at the termination of the portion of the highway designated under subsection 128 (5) of the Act, except that the maximum speed shown thereon shall be the appropriate speed limit for the adjoining portion of the highway. 

(3) Sections 1, 2 and 3 do not apply to a sign erected under section 5.0.0.1, 5.0.0.2 or 5.0.0.3.

2. The Regulation is amended by adding the following sections:

5.0.1.1 (1) A sign prescribed by this section may be erected rather than a sign prescribed by subsection 5.0.1 (2) at the commencement of the portion of the highway designated under subsection 128 (5) of the Act.

(2) A sign prescribed by this section shall be similar to the sign illustrated in Figure B to subsection 5.0.1 (2), shall bear the legend “km/h” embedded in the sign or displayed on a tab sign, and may include a tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE”.

(3) If the sign does not include the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE”, as described in subsection (2), the dimensions of the sign shall be,

(a)  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 155 centimetres high; or

(b)  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 232.5 centimetres high.

(4) If the sign includes the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE”, as described in subsection (2), the dimensions of the sign shall be,

(a)  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 179 centimetres high; or

(b)  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 271.5 centimetres high.

5.0.1.2 (1) A sign prescribed by this section may be erected rather than a sign prescribed by subsection 5.0.1 (3) at the commencement of the portion of the highway designated under subsection 128 (5) of the Act.

(2) A sign prescribed by this section shall be similar to the sign illustrated in Figure D to subsection 5.0.1 (3), shall bear the legend “km/h” embedded in the sign or displayed on a tab sign, and may include a tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE”.

(3) If the sign does not include the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE”, as described in subsection (2), the dimensions of the sign shall be,

(a)  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 180 centimetres high; or

(b)  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 240 centimetres high.

(4) If the sign includes the tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE”, as described in subsection (2), the dimensions of the sign shall be,

(a)  approximately 60 centimetres wide and 225 centimetres high; or

(b)  approximately 90 centimetres wide and 312 centimetres high.

5.0.1.3 (1) Where a sign prescribed by section 5.0.1.1 or 5.0.1.2 is erected, a speed limit sign as prescribed in section 1 shall be erected at the termination of the portion of the highway designated under subsection 128 (5) of the Act, except that the maximum speed shown thereon shall be the appropriate speed limit for the adjoining portion of the highway. 

(2)  A sign referred to in subsection (1) shall be erected in accordance with section 4, except that for a sign with the dimensions described in clause 5.0.1.1 (3) (b) or subsection 5.0.1.1 (4) or subsection 5.0.1.2 (3) or (4), the bottom edge of the sign shall be not less than 0.4 metres above the level of the roadway.

(3) Sections 1, 2 and 3 do not apply to a sign erected under section 5.0.1.1 or 5.0.1.2.

3. The Regulation is amended by adding the following section:

Community Safety Zone Schools Signs

5.0.2 (1) A sign illustrated in Figure A to subsection 5 (1) or a sign prescribed by section 5.0.0.1 may be erected in accordance with subsection (3) on a highway adjacent to a school where the school is in a community safety zone.

(2) A sign referred to in subsection (1) shall not include a tab sign bearing the legend “SCHOOL ZONE” or “SCHOOL ZONE / ZONE SCOLAIRE” where the area is designated by the French Language Services Act.

(3) A sign referred to in subsection (1) may be erected by a municipality along the portion of a highway under its jurisdiction that adjoins the entrance to or exit from a school and that is within 150 metres along the highway in either direction beyond the limits of the land used for the purposes of the school.

(4) A sign referred to in subsection (1) shall be erected in accordance with section 4, except that for a sign prescribed by section 5.0.0.1 with the dimensions described in subparagraph 1 ii, 2 ii or 3 ii of subsection 5.0.0.1 (3), the bottom edge of the sign shall be not less than 0.4 metre above the level of the roadway.

(5) Where a sign referred to in subsection (1) is erected in accordance with subsection (3), a speed limit sign as prescribed in section 1 shall be erected at the termination of the portion of the highway described under subsection (3), except that the maximum speed shown thereon shall be the appropriate speed limit for the adjoining portion of the highway. 

(6) Sections 1, 2 and 3 do not apply to a sign erected under this section.

(7) Where a sign prescribed by section 5.0.0.1 includes flashing amber signals and the effective hours of the prescribed speed limit are prescribed by by-law, the signals shall only be actuated during those hours.

(8) Where subsection (7) applies, the sign shall include a tab sign bearing the legend “WHEN FLASHING” or, where the area is designated by the French Language Services Act, bearing the legend “WHEN FLASHING / AU CLIGNOTEMENT”.

Commencement

4. This Regulation comes into force on the day it is filed.