by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Sanibel City Council cannot make any changes to island speed limits by Resolution; Council members made it clear at the June 16, 2026, meeting. Any amendment to an existing speed limit must be established by ordinance and adopted in accordance with applicable provisions of state law. This gives residents the opportunity to weigh in on the topic.
“The thought behind this was to make sure we had the public engaged on any speed limit changes,” said Council member Richard Johnson.
This topic has been discussed by Council before, at which time Mayor Mike Miller supported some reductions to the speed limits. After consideration, he said, he changed his mind.
“To change [speed limits] we have to have a compelling reason, and I haven’t heard a compelling reason,” Miller said. “We have to find a balance between safety and allowing our residents to navigate the island.”
Sanibel Code of Ordinances establishes roadway-specific speed limits ranging from 10 mph to 35 mph, including designated speed zones on Periwinkle Way and Sanibel-Captiva Road, and retains the 10 mph speed limit on the Buell Creek Bridge.
It also sets a default speed limit of 30 mph on publicly owned roadways not otherwise specifically identified in the ordinance. Prior to the May 5, 2026, City Council meeting, the City Council and staff received a letter from the Beachview Neighborhood Association requesting that the speed limits on Par View Drive and Birdie View Point be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph, and the proposal incorporates that request.
In addition, any ordinance would authorize the City Manager or designee to install and maintain advisory (warning) traffic signs as necessary to promote traffic safety.
The provisions that will move forward to a First Reading are:
• No public roadway shall have a speed limit exceeding 35 mph.
• Sanibel Captiva Road will remain 35 mph
• Sanibel Captiva Road in the Santiva area will remain 25 mph
• Palm Ridge Road will remain 35 mph
• Periwinkle Way west of the Causeway will remain 35 mph (previous discussions considered reducing it to 30 mph)
• Periwinkle Way east of the Causeway will be 20 mph over the bridge, 30 mph to Skiff Place, and 25 mph to Tulip Lane
• Beachview: Par View Drive and Birdie View Point will be 25 mph, reduced from 30 mph
• The Dunes, as established in 2015, will be 20 mph on Baltusrol Court, Troon Court, Wulfert Road, Sandcastle Road, and Albatross Rd.
“I’m disappointed,” said Council member Laura DeBruce. She said the speed limits should be reduced for safety. “The speed limit on Periwinkle Way should not be the same as the speed limit on San Cap Road.”
Henshaw noted that the speed limit leaving the causeway is 30 mph. “Should people speed up when they turn onto Periwinkle?” he asked.
Police Chief Bill Dalton was in attendance and acknowledged that the island’s highest traffic volume is on Periwinkle Way. “Most accidents on Periwinkle Way are rear-ended. I can’t say definitively that speed was involved.” Most of the time, Dalton said, it’s the driver not paying attention.
He added that he has never given a citation at 10 mph over the speed limit, prompting Council member Holly Smith to ask, “Are speed limits guidelines, or are they speed limits?”
Dalton explained that, by state law, officers have authority and discretion to issue citations.
About 20 years ago, there was a double fatality in front of the Community House, and a near-fatal bicycle accident near St. Michael’s.
The desire to attract and retain tourists is a factor. In the past, the police chief has said he wouldn’t want Sanibel to become known as a speed trap, and at Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Dana Souza said, “We don’t want people leaving here and never coming back.”
This was an item for discussion and will now move to First Reading.
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