California’s daylighting law is moving from education to enforcement, and many drivers are surprised to learn the rule applies even where there are no red curbs or “No Parking” signs.
Many California drivers are discovering a new parking ticket they may have never heard of until it appears on their windshield.
Across Los Angeles County and other parts of California, parking enforcement officers are actively issuing $63 citations under the state’s daylighting law, which prohibits parking too close to crosswalks. The rule is designed to improve pedestrian safety by making it easier for drivers, cyclists and people walking to see one another before entering an intersection.
For many drivers, the biggest surprise is that the law applies even if there is no red curb, no painted crosswalk and no “No Parking” sign.
The statewide requirement comes from Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413), which took effect after a public education period and is now entering broader enforcement across California.
What Is Daylighting?
Daylighting creates an open safety zone approaching intersections.
Under California law, drivers generally may not park:
- Within 20 feet of the approach side of a crosswalk.
- Within 15 feet if the intersection has a curb extension, sometimes called a bulb-out.
The goal is simple.
Parked vehicles can block visibility, making it difficult for motorists to see pedestrians stepping into a crosswalk and for pedestrians to see approaching traffic.
Transportation safety experts say these blind spots contribute to many intersection crashes involving people walking or riding bicycles.
One reason citations are increasing is that many Californians assume parking is legal unless a curb is painted red or a sign prohibits it.
That is no longer a safe assumption.
The daylighting law applies statewide whether or not additional signs have been installed.
Another common misunderstanding involves unmarked crosswalks.
Under California law, most intersections where sidewalks continue across the street legally contain a crosswalk, even if white lines are not painted on the pavement.
That means parking within about one car length of many intersections can result in a citation.
Who Is Enforcing the Law in Los Angeles?
Enforcement depends on where you park.
In unincorporated Los Angeles County and many contract cities, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Parking Enforcement Detail has begun issuing $63 citations.
Within the City of Los Angeles, parking enforcement is handled through city agencies. Los Angeles already prohibited parking near many intersections before AB 413, meaning many drivers were already subject to similar restrictions.
Other cities such as Pasadena, Long Beach and Santa Monica enforce the statewide law through their own police or parking departments.
Although enforcement agencies differ, the underlying state law applies throughout California.
Why There Isn’t a Statewide Ticket Count
Drivers searching for the number of daylighting citations issued statewide will not find a single official dashboard.
Parking citations are managed separately by hundreds of California cities, counties and local law enforcement agencies.
In addition, some jurisdictions record violations under existing local parking codes instead of the newer state vehicle code, making statewide comparisons difficult.
What is clear is that many Southern California agencies have shifted from warning drivers to issuing citations as public awareness of the law has increased.
Why California Passed the Law
California adopted daylighting requirements to improve visibility at intersections, particularly for children, older adults and people with disabilities.
Safety advocates have long argued that removing parked vehicles near crosswalks gives drivers more time to react while making pedestrians more visible before entering the roadway.
The law is part of California’s broader effort to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries through safer street design.
To avoid a ticket:
- Leave at least 20 feet between your vehicle and the nearest crosswalk when parking.
- Assume an intersection has a legal crosswalk even if it is not painted.
- Do not rely solely on curb paint or parking signs.
- Check local parking restrictions, since some cities may have additional rules.
If you are unsure whether your parking spot is legal, choosing another space farther from the intersection is usually the safest option.
The new enforcement is about more than avoiding a $63 fine.
Los Angeles continues to experience a high number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities each year, particularly at intersections. Officials hope improved visibility will reduce crashes while making streets safer for everyone, including children walking to school, older adults and cyclists.
For drivers, the biggest takeaway is simple: parking rules have changed, and habits that were once common can now result in a citation.
More California cities are expected to continue educating drivers while increasing enforcement under AB 413. Some municipalities are also repainting curbs, adding daylighting markings and redesigning intersections to make the new safety zones more visible.
As enforcement expands, drivers should expect the 20-foot rule to become a routine part of parking throughout California.
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