20 Feet For Safety: California’s Daylighting Laws Come Into Effect With Fines Starting At $40

In California, it is now illegal to park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, whether that crosswalk is marked or not. This regulation, known as Assembly Bill 413, aims to “daylight” intersections by removing visual obstructions, ensuring vehicles don’t become hazardous obstacles. The warning phase of the law ended in December 2024, and citations are now being issued to violators, with fines starting at $40.

It’s far from the only new law to come into effect in California this year, but it makes it even harder to find parking space for an Escalade. The extra inconvenience is worth it for one important reason: improved safety of the most vulnerable of road users.

Understanding the Need for Daylighting

By mandating a clear zone around crosswalks, daylighting laws strive to create a safer environment for everyone using the roadway. The need for such laws stems from the alarmingly high rate of pedestrian fatalities and injuries, particularly at intersections where visibility is often compromised by parked vehicles. Maintaining clearer sightlines near intersections for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians aims to reduce the risk of accidents.

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“This law is about saving lives,” said California Assembly Member Laura Friedman, the author of the bill. “By creating a clear zone at intersections, we’re giving drivers and pedestrians the visibility they need to avoid collisions.” This sentiment is echoed by traffic safety experts and advocates who emphasize that recognizing the vulnerability of pedestrians, particularly at complex intersections, is crucial for creating a safer environment for all road users.

How the Law Works in Practice

According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the new daylighting law specifically prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of the “vehicle approach” side of any unmarked or marked crosswalk, or 15 feet from any crosswalk with a curb extension, anywhere in California. On a two-way street, only the space on the right-hand side approaching a crosswalk is affected. However, on a one-way street, both the left and right curb areas 20 feet from the crosswalk are no-parking zones. When parking, drivers can follow the distance limits set by existing red curbs or parking signs. When neither of those applies, the 20-foot distance applies.

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For reference, 20 feet is about as long as a Ford F-150 Super Crew with a 6.5-foot box. Hopefully, you’re not trying to find a roadside parking space in California with a vehicle that long anytime soon, as the latest daylighting laws will further reduce streetside parking available in some already-congested areas. Just try to be a little more patient and remember why the law has been enacted.

Sources:
California Legislative Information
,
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)