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City limitSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Switzerland

79. City limit

A city limit is a boundary or roadside indication showing that a driver is entering or leaving a named city, town, village, locality or municipality. It is commonly marked by a place-name or boundary sign.

The meaning of these signs varies between countries. A city-limit or locality sign may identify an administrative boundary, a named settlement or a traffic-related boundary. It does not necessarily mark the beginning or end of a legally defined built-up area, and passing the sign does not always change the applicable speed limit or other traffic rules.

City-limit sign at the entrance. (Zernez, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What is a city limit?

A city limit identifies the boundary of a named city, town or municipality. A roadside place-name or boundary sign may identify that boundary, a locality or a legally defined built-up area; its exact meaning depends on the sign system.

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, boundary signs

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Articles 13 bis and 18; Annex 1, section E II.7; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Article 1(c), built-up area; international framework subject to national law

City limit. City limit.

End of city limit. End of city limit.

Does a city-limit sign always mark a built-up area?

No. A city-limit or locality sign may simply identify a place or administrative boundary. A legally defined built-up area can use a different sign or definition.

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, boundary signs

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Articles 13 bis and 18; Annex 1, section E II.7; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Article 1(c), built-up area; international framework subject to national law

What is the difference between a city limit and a built-up area?

A city limit identifies the boundary of a named place or administrative area. A built-up area is a traffic-law concept that may affect rules such as default speed limits. The two boundaries can coincide, but they do not have to.

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, boundary signs

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Articles 13 bis and 18; Annex 1, section E II.7; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Article 1(c), built-up area; international framework subject to national law

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...