Residential areaWallonia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Wallonia. 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.


4. Residential area

A residential area is a street or group of streets where housing and access to local properties are the main functions. Drivers should expect pedestrians, cyclists, children, parked vehicles and vehicles entering or leaving driveways.

Some countries identify particular residential areas with traffic signs and apply special low-speed and residential-area rules. The speed limit, pedestrian rights, parking rules and permitted road users therefore depend on local signs and regulations.

Beginning of a residential area. (Antwerp, Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Jeanhousen • CC BY-SA
How can you recognise a residential area in Belgium?

A legally designated Belgian residential area begins at the residential-area sign showing a pedestrian, a child playing, a car and a house. Its special rules continue throughout the area until the corresponding end sign.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 be.brussels • Brussels Mobility — City 30 and residential-area speeds

What is the speed limit in a Belgian residential area?

The maximum speed is 20 km/h. Drivers must still travel more slowly when necessary to avoid endangering or hindering pedestrians.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 be.brussels • Brussels Mobility — City 30 and residential-area speeds

Must drivers give way to pedestrians?

Drivers may not endanger or hinder pedestrians and must stop when necessary. Pedestrians may use the whole road, but they may not obstruct vehicle traffic without a reason.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 be.brussels • Brussels Mobility — City 30 and residential-area speeds

How do Belgians refer to a residential area?

In Dutch, used in Flanders, the official terms are woonerf and erf. In French, used in Wallonia, the corresponding terms are zone résidentielle and zone de rencontre. Brussels uses both Dutch and French.

A woonerf / zone résidentielle mainly serves housing. An erf / zone de rencontre can also accommodate activities such as shops, tourism, education and recreation. Both are designated by the residential-area signs and have a maximum speed of 20 km/h.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.32, 12, 22bis and 71 (F12a/F12b)

🔗 be.brussels • Brussels Mobility — City 30 and residential-area speeds

1 Wallonia 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Speed bump 12 Customs 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 Mandatory direction 28 Turn prohibition 29 School area 30 Crossing animals 31 Rockfall 32 Curve 33 Chevron 34 Wrong-way driving 35 Roadworks 36 Height limit 37 Width limit 38 Weight limit 39 Radar speed sign 40 Selective barriers 41 Intersection direction sign 42 Priority at the next junction 43 Traffic lights 44 Pedestrian lights 45 Driving licence 46 Location marker 47 Traffic mirror 48 International border 49 Cycling route 50 Parking 51 No parking 52 Kiss and ride 53 Parking meter 54 Traffic management 55 Reversing 56 Uncontrolled crossroad 57 Road surface 58 Ring road 59 Cycle highway 60 Licence plate 61 Charging station 62 Dangers 63 Turn on red 64 Identity card 65 Fire risk 66 Pedestrian 67 Moped 68 Car 69 Truck 70 Bus 71 Police 72 Ambulance 73 Tram lights 74 European emission standard 75 Pothole 76 Public square 77 Path 78 Particulates 79 Air pollution 80 Rush hour 81 Road code 82 Street gutter 83 Cargo bike 84 Forestry vehicle 85 Construction vehicle 86 Semi-trailer truck 87 Trolleybus 88 Speed pedelec 89 Delivery vehicle 90 Idling 91 Tow truck 92 Four-wheel drive 93 No vehicles 94 Bicycle 95 Motorcycle equipment 96 Railcar 97 Rail track 98 Public transport 99 Caravan 100 Trailer ...