Chapter 7B. Signs¶
§7B.01 Design of School Signs¶
Arizona-modified
Amended by the Arizona Supplement (January 2026). This section shows Arizona's text; sections without this flag are the unmodified National MUTCD.
Standard
01. Except as provided in Section 2A.07, and where not addressed by ARS §28797 for 15 mph School Crossings, the sizes of signs and plaques to be used on conventional roadways in school areas shall be as shown in Tables 7B-1 and 7B1AZ.
02. The sizes in the Oversized column Table 7B-1 shall be used on expressways in school areas.
Guidance
03. The sizes in the Oversized column should be used on roadways that have four or more lanes with posted speed limits of 40 mph or higher.
Option
04. Signs and plaques larger than those shown in Tables 7B-1 and 7B-1AZ may be used (see Section 2A.07).
Standard
05. School warning signs, including the “SCHOOL” portion of the School Speed Limit (S5-1) sign and including any supplemental plaques used in association with these warning signs, shall have a fluorescent yellow-green background with a black legend and border unless otherwise provided in this Manual for a specific sign.
06. The signs used for school area traffic control shall be retroreflective or illuminated.
Support
07. Sections 2A.13 and 2A.14 and the ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines contain provisions regarding the installation, placement, and location of signs.
08. Section 2A.15 contains provisions regarding the mounting heights of signs. Mounting heights for portable signs used at school crossings, such as the STOP WHEN CHILDREN IN CROSSWALK sign (S2-101) and NO PASSING 15 MPH FINES DOUBLE SCHOOL IN SESSION (S4-101) sign, are found in the ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines.
09. Section 2A.16 contains provisions regarding the lateral offsets of signs.
10. The “Standard Highway Signs” publication (see Section 1A.05) contains information regarding sign lettering.
Option
11. In-roadway signs for school traffic control areas may be used consistent with the requirements of Sections 2B.20 and 7B.03 and the ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines.
Support
12. The ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines define school area traffic control for kindergarten through 8th grade.
§7B.02 School Area Signs and Plaques¶
Arizona-modified
Amended by the Arizona Supplement (January 2026). This section shows Arizona's text; sections without this flag are the unmodified National MUTCD.
Support
01. Many state and local jurisdictions find it beneficial to advise road users that they are approaching a school that is adjacent to a highway, where additional care is needed, even though no school crossing is involved and the speed limit remains unchanged. Additionally, some jurisdictions designate school zones that have a unique legal standing in that fines for speeding or other traffic violations within designated school zones are increased or special enforcement techniques such as photo radar systems are used. It is important and sometimes legally necessary to mark the beginning and end points of these designated school zones so that the road user is given proper notice.
02. The School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) has the following four applications:
- A. School Area – the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching a school area that might include school buildings or grounds, a school crossing, or school related activity adjacent to the highway.
- B. School Zone – the S1-1 sign can be used to identify the location of the beginning of a designated school zone.
- C. School Advance Crossing – if combined with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque or an XX FEET (W16-2P or W16-2aP) plaque to comprise the School Advance Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1), the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see Section 7B.03).
- D. School Crossing – if combined with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque to comprise the School Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1), the S1-1 sign can be used to warn approaching road users of the location of a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see Section 7B.03).
Option
03. If a school area or school zone is located on a cross street in close proximity to the intersection, a School (S1-1) sign with a supplemental arrow (W16-5P or W16-6P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be installed on each approach of the street or highway to warn road users making a turn onto the cross street that they will encounter a school area soon after making the turn.
Standard
04. If a school zone has been designated under State or local statute, a School (S11) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed to identify the beginning point(s) of the designated school zone (see Figure 7B-2).
Option
05. A School Zone (S1-1) sign may be supplemented with a SCHOOL (S4-3P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1).
06. A School Zone (S1-1) sign may be supplemented with an ALL YEAR (S4-7P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) if the school operates on a 12-month schedule.
07. The downstream end of a designated school zone may be identified with an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign (see Figures 7B-1 and 7B-2). A School Zone (S1-1) sign may be used in other locations in accordance with the ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines.
Support
09. It is not desirable to post END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) signs at locations where a school crossing as defined in ARS §28-797 exists, as the 15 MPH speed zone established by ARS §28-701, when portable school signs are in place, ends at the crosswalk.
10. It is not desirable to post an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign or a Speed Limit (R21) sign immediately downstream from the school crosswalk, as it may encourage drivers to accelerate sooner.
Support
11. A school crossing is defined in ARS §28-797 in accordance with Paragraph 4 of this Section. ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines provide details on the placement of a School (S1-1) sign in advance of the school crossing.
§7B.03 School Crossing Signs¶
Arizona-modified
Amended by the Arizona Supplement (January 2026). This section shows Arizona's text; sections without this flag are the unmodified National MUTCD.
Standard
01. The School Advance Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1) shall consist of a School (S1-1) sign supplemented with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque or an XX FEET (W16-2P or W16-2aP) plaque.
02. Except as provided in Paragraph 3 of this Section, a School Advance Crossing assembly shall be used in advance (see Table 2C-3 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Crossing assembly that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches a school crosswalk (see Figure 7B-3).
Option
03. The School Advance Crossing assembly may be omitted (see Figure 7B-2) where a School Zone (S1-1) sign (see Section 7B.02) is installed to identify the beginning of a school zone in advance of the School Crossing assembly, or at locations where a school crossing as defined in ARS §28-797 exists.
04. If a school crosswalk is located on a cross street in close proximity to an intersection, a School Advance Crossing assembly with a supplemental arrow (W16-5P or W16-6P) plaque may be installed on each approach of the street or highway to warn road users making a turn onto the cross street that they will encounter a school crosswalk soon after making the turn (see Figure 7B-3).
05. A 12-inch reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1), installed in compliance with the mounting height and special mounting support requirements for an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign (see Section 2B.20), may be used in advance of a school crossing to supplement the post-mounted school warning signs. A 12 x 6-inch reduced size AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted below the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign.
Standard
06. If used, the School Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed at the school crossing (see Figures 7B-2 and 7B-3), or as close to it as possible, and shall consist of a School (S1-1) sign supplemented with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque (see Section 2C.63) to show the location of the crossing.
07. The School Crossing assembly shall not be used at crossings other than those adjacent to schools and those on established school pedestrian routes.
08. The School Crossing assembly shall not be installed on an approach controlled by a STOP or YIELD sign except as provided in Paragraphs 9 and 10 of this Section.
Option
09. The School Crossing assembly may be installed on an approach to a circular intersection controlled by a YIELD sign where the crosswalk is at least 20 feet in advance of the yield point at the entrance to a circulatory roadway.
10. At a signalized or stop-controlled intersection the School Crossing assembly may be installed on an approach to a channelized right turn lane controlled by a YIELD sign where the crosswalk is at least 20 feet in advance of the yield point. A Yield Here To (Stop Here For) School Crossing (R1-5a or R1-5c) sign (see Figure 7B-4) may be used, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2B.19, in advance of a marked crosswalk that crosses an uncontrolled multi-lane approach within school zones.
12. The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign (see Section 2B.20 and Figure 7B-1) or the In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b or R1-6c) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used at school crossings on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, a pedestrian hybrid beacon, or emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon. If used at a school crossing, a 12 x 4-inch SCHOOL (S4-3P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted above the sign. The STATE LAW legend on the R1-6 series signs may be omitted.
13. The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign or In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b or R1-6c) sign may be used at intersections or midblock crossings with flashing beacons.
14. The Overhead School Crossing (R1-9b or R1-9c) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used at school crossings on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon. The STATE LAW legend on the R1-9 series signs may be omitted.
Standard
15. When used at an uncontrolled crossing, the In-Street or Overhead Pedestrian Crossing sign shall be used only as a supplement to a School Crossing assembly with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque at the crosswalk location.
Option
16. A 12-inch reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used instead of the In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) or the In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b or R1-6c) sign at a school crossing on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon. A 12 x 6-inch reduced size diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted below the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign.
Standard
17. If an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing sign, an In-Street School Crossing sign, or a reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign is placed in the roadway, the sign support shall comply with the mounting height and special mounting support requirements for In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign (see Section
18. The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing sign, the In-Street School Crossing sign, the Overhead Pedestrian Crossing sign, and the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign shall not be used on approaches that are controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon.
19. Paragraphs 1-18 of this Section only apply to crossings that are not school crossings as defined in ARS §28-797.
20. At locations where a school crossing as defined in ARS §28-797 exists, signs shall conform to the ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines, including the use of S4-101 and S2-101 signs.
Option
21. School Crossing assemblies may be omitted at locations where a school crossing as defined in ARS §28-797 exists.
§7B.04 School Bus Stop Signs¶
Guidance
01. The School Bus Stop Ahead (S3-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) should be installed in advance of locations where a school bus, when stopped to pick up or discharge passengers, is not visible to road users for an adequate distance and where there is no opportunity to relocate the school bus stop to provide adequate sight distance.
Option
02. The SCHOOL BUS TURN AHEAD (S3-2) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be installed in advance of locations where a school bus turns around on a roadway at a location not visible to approaching road users for a distance as determined by the “0” column under Condition B of Table 2C-3, and where there is no opportunity to relocate the school bus turn around to provide the distance provided in Table 2C-3.
§7B.05 School Speed Limit Signs and Plaques¶
Arizona-modified
Amended by the Arizona Supplement (January 2026). This section shows Arizona's text; sections without this flag are the unmodified National MUTCD.
Standard
01. A School Speed Limit assembly (see Figure 7B-1) or a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be used to indicate the speed limit where a reduced school speed limit zone has been established based upon an engineering study or where a reduced school speed limit is specified for such areas by statute. The School Speed Limit assembly or School Speed Limit When Flashing sign shall be placed at or as near as practical to the point where the reduced school speed limit zone begins (see Figures 7B-2 and 7B-4).
02. If a reduced school speed limit zone has been established, a School (S1-1) sign shall be installed in advance (see Table 2C-3 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Speed Limit sign assembly or S5-1 sign that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches the reduced school speed limit zone (see Figures 7B-2 and 7B-4).
03. Except as provided in Paragraph 4 of this Section, the downstream end of an authorized and posted reduced school speed limit zone shall be identified with an END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign (see Figures 7B-1, 7B-2, and 7B-4).
Option
04. If a reduced school speed limit zone ends at the same point as a designated school zone (see Section 7B.02), an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign may be used instead of an END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign. A standard Speed Limit sign showing the speed limit for the section of highway that is downstream from the authorized and posted reduced school speed limit zone may be mounted on the same post above the END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign or the END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign.
Guidance
05. The beginning point of a reduced school speed limit zone should be at least 200 feet in advance of the school grounds or a school crossing; however, this 200-foot distance should be increased if the reduced school speed limit is 30 mph or higher. The maximum beginning point of a reduced school speed limit zone should not be greater than 500 feet in advance of the school grounds or a school crossing.
Standard
06. The School Speed Limit assembly shall be either a static sign assembly, a blank-out sign, or a changeable message sign (see Chapter 2L).
07. The static School Speed Limit assembly shall consist of a top plaque (S4-3P) with the legend SCHOOL, a Speed Limit (R2-1) sign, and a bottom plaque (S4-1P, S4-2P, S4-4P, or S4-6P) indicating the specific periods of the day and/or days of the week that the special school speed limit is in effect (see Figure 7B-1).
08. When a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign or a Speed Limit (R2-1) sign with a supplemental WHEN FLASHING (S4-4P) plaque is used, a Speed Limit Sign Beacon (see Section 4S.04) shall be used to identify the periods that the school speed limit is in effect.
09. Fluorescent yellow-green pixels shall be used when the “SCHOOL” message is displayed on a changeable message sign for a school speed limit.
Option
10. Changeable message signs may use blank-out messages or other methods in order to display the school speed limit only during the periods it applies.
11. A Vehicle Speed Feedback (W13-20aP) plaque that displays the speed of approaching drivers (see Sections 2B.21 and 2C.13), that is part of a School Speed Limit assembly or a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign, may be used in a school speed limit zone.
Guidance
12. If used, the Vehicle Speed Feedback (W13-20aP) plaque should only be used during the time period when the school speed limit is in effect.
13. A Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead (S4-5 or S4-5a) sign (see Figure 7B-1) should be used to inform road users of a reduced speed zone where the speed limit is being reduced by more than 10 mph, or where engineering judgment indicates that advance notice would be appropriate.
Standard
14. If used, the Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead sign shall be followed by a School Speed Limit sign or a School Speed Limit assembly.
15. The speed limit displayed on the Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead sign shall be identical to the speed limit displayed on the subsequent School Speed Limit sign or School Speed Limit assembly
16. Paragraphs 1-15 of this Section only apply to crossings that are not school crossings as defined in ARS §28-797.
17. At locations where a school crossing as defined in ARS §28-797 exists, signs shall conform to the ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines.
§7B.06 Higher Fines Zone Signs and Plaques in School Areas¶
Arizona-modified
Amended by the Arizona Supplement (January 2026). This section shows Arizona's text; sections without this flag are the unmodified National MUTCD.
Support
01. The signs and plaques used to inform road users of higher fines zones and their locations depend on whether the fines apply to all traffic violations or only to speeding violations. Their locations also depend on whether the higher fines zone begins and/or ends at the same point as the school zone or school speed limit zone. Figures 7B-4 and 7B-5 show examples of higher fines zones signing.
Standard
02. Where increased fines are imposed for traffic violations within a designated school zone:
- A. A BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign (see Figure 7B-1) or a FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed as a supplement to the School Zone (S1-1) sign to identify the beginning point of the higher fines zone (see Figures 7B-4 and 7B-5); and
- B. An END HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-11) sign (see Figure 7B-1) or an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed at the downstream end of the zone to notify road users of the termination of the increased fines zone (see Figure 7B-5).
03. If exceeding the speed limit is the only traffic violation that is subject to higher fines, a FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque shall be posted with the School Speed Limit (S5-1) sign and shall not be posted beneath the School Zone (S1-1) sign (see Section 7B.05).
04. If the portion of the roadway that is subject to higher fines does not begin at the location of the School Zone (S1-1) sign, a BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign shall be placed at the point where the higher fines begin (see Sheet 2 of Figure 7B-5).
Option
05. If a BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign is used downstream of the School Zone (S1-1) sign, a FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque may also be placed beneath the School Zone (S1-1) sign.
06. Where appropriate, one of the following plaques may be mounted below the sign that identifies the beginning point of the higher fines zone:
- A. A S4-1P plaque (see Figure 7B-1) specifying the times that the higher fines are in effect,
- B. A WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT (S4-2P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1), or
- C. A WHEN FLASHING (S4-4P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) if used in conjunction with a yellow flashing beacon.
Guidance
07. If other traffic violations in addition to exceeding the speed limit are subject to higher fines, then the duplicate FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque should be omitted from the School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign (see Section 7B.05).
Option
08. If a higher fines zone ends at the same point as a reduced school speed limit zone, an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign may be used instead of a combination of an END HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-11) sign and an END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign (see Figure 7B-5).
09. Where the higher fines zone is established by statute, the BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign, FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), and $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaques may be omitted.
Standard
10. Paragraphs 1-9 of this Section only apply to crossings that are not school crossings as defined in ARS §28-797.
11. At locations where a school crossing as defined in ARS §28-797 exists, signs shall conform to the ADOT Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines.
12. Where increased fines are imposed for traffic violations within a designated school crossing in accordance with ARS §28-797, the NO PASSING 15 MPH FINES DOUBLE SCHOOL IN SESSION (S4-101) sign shall be the beginning point of the higher fine zone, and the STOP WHEN CHILDREN IN CROSSWALK (S2-101) sign shall be the end point of the higher fine zone, and no other signs shall be required.
§7B.07 Parking and Stopping (R7 and R8 Series) Signs¶
Option
01. Parking and stopping regulatory signs may be used to prevent parked or waiting vehicles from blocking pedestrians’ views, and drivers’ views of pedestrians, and to control vehicles as a part of the school traffic plan.
Support
02. Parking signs and other signs governing the stopping and standing of vehicles in school areas cover a wide variety of regulations. Typical examples of regulations are as follows:
- A. NO PARKING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY
- B. NO STOPPING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY,
- C. XX MIN LOADING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY, and
- D. NO STANDING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY.
03. Sections 2B.53 through 2B.55 contain information regarding the signing of parking regulations in school zone areas.