Parking this close to an intersection could soon get you a warning. Next year, you could face a fine.
On Nov. 11, 2024, we will begin issuing written warnings for vehicles parked within 20 feet of any crosswalk in the direction of approaching traffic. For example, you could receive a warning if you park less than 20 feet in front of a stop sign.
We’re doing this to comply with the statewide “Daylighting Law” (Assembly Bill 413). It went into effect at the beginning of 2024.
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, we will begin issuing citations to comply with California law. Fines will start at $40.
This law applies to all crosswalks, whether the crossing is painted or not. It was passed to improve safety at intersections, especially for pedestrians.
How you can avoid a warning or citation
If the curb is not painted red, park at least 20 feet – about one car length – away from any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
If the curb is painted red, the established restrictions apply. To avoid a citation, ensure your vehicle is not in the painted section of that curb.
How daylighting helps people walking and driving
This diagram explains how daylighting works.
The extra space created by daylighting helps both people walking and driving see each other better. Parked cars will no longer limit what people can see before they step off the curb to cross.
People driving will be able to better see people about to cross the street who might have been hidden by a car without daylighting. This is especially important for children, who are less visible at intersections.
Our agency has been a strong proponent of daylighting. We have already painted red zones at many busy or high injury intersections.
Why California changed its intersection parking law
Before the state legislature passed the Daylighting Law last year, California was one of the few states that did not require daylighting at intersections.
The U.S. Uniform Vehicle Code, adopted in 1926, prohibited parking within 25 feet of an intersection. This later was amended to 20 feet. Many countries around the world also prohibit parking within 5 meters (or 16 feet) of an intersection.
California, however, opted to create the state’s own Vehicle Code. It did not include daylighting provisions. So, while daylighting is new to California, the concept is almost as old as the automobile itself.
Here in San Francisco, the Board of Supervisors in 2019 adopted a resolution “urging the SFMTA to create a daylighting plan and systematically implement parking restrictions at intersection corners,” especially on the city’s High Injury Network. That’s the 12% of city streets that account for 68% of severe and fatal traffic crashes.
Now, California joins the more than 40 states that mandate daylighting. So, remember to change the way you park at intersections. Leave a car-length space between your vehicle and the crosswalk in front of you if there is no red zone or parking sign.
You can learn more about daylighting and about the new law at our daylighting webpage (SFMTA.com/Daylighting).