The City of San Diego is reminding drivers that, beginning Saturday, March 1, they could be cited for parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk, marked or unmarked, under California’s “Daylighting” law. Since the law took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, the City has been issuing warnings during a 60-day grace period focused on educating San Diegans about this new state law.  

“It is important for San Diegans and visitors to be aware of this new state law so they can comply with it and avoid being ticketed,” said Transportation Department Director Bethany Bezak. “It may take some time for San Diegans to get accustomed to it, but together we can make our roadways safer for all users.” 

Starting in March, the grace period will end, and motorists may be ticketed if they are parked in violation of the law. Citations will cost $65, plus a state-mandated administrative fee of $12.50, for a total of $77.50. This is also the current fine for parking at a red curb in San Diego.  

State of California Assembly Bill (AB) 413, passed by the California state legislature, pertains to all intersections throughout the City of San Diego and across California. The intent of the law is to improve visibility for drivers in vehicles approaching intersections, so they are better able to see other motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders and others, with the goal of preventing crashes that could cause serious injury or death. 

As of Jan. 1, 2025, vehicle parking is not allowed within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk. This rule applies whether or not there is a red curb or no parking signage at the intersection. 

Studies have shown that if drivers have greater visibility at crosswalks, crashes involving pedestrians can be more easily avoided. The law prohibits stopping or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. This applies across the state and every applicable intersection, whether in an urban or suburban area, residential or commercial neighborhood. 

Since AB 413 passed, City teams have evaluated more than 1,000 of the busiest intersections in the densest areas of San Diego, installed red curbs at approximately 200 locations, and removed 97 parking meters within the 20 feet. The City will continue to routinely evaluate the thousands of intersections across San Diego to install red curbs as appropriate and will be a stand feature of any City work in the roadway moving forward.    

Nationwide, 43 states already have daylighting laws, and most prohibit parking within 20 feet of an intersection. The average length of an automobile in the United States is approximately 14 feet. To help estimate 20 feet, it may be helpful to envision about one car length and a half’s worth of distance. 

The new law will also help move the City toward its Vision Zero goals. Vision Zero, a concept adopted by many cities worldwide, aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries for all road users. For more information, please view the City’s Daylighting webpage.