California's New Daylighting Law (AB 413)

Starting January 1, 2025, it will be illegal in California to park within 20 feet of the vehicle approach of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, even if a red curb is not present, or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present.

California Assembly Bill 413 was signed into law in October 2023. Specifically, the law:

• Creates a new section of the Vehicle Code, CVC 22500(n), which prohibits the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any unmarked or marked crosswalk, or 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension anywhere in California.
• On a two-way street, only the space on the right-side approaching a crosswalk as one is driving is affected. However, on a one-way street, both the left and the right curb areas 20 feet from the crosswalk are no parking zones.
• Allows local jurisdictions to paint zones that are longer or shorter than 20 feet. If there is no red curb paint, the 20 feet distance still applies. 20 feet is about the length of a standard parking space or one large car-length.

For more information on Assembly Bill 413, visit the California Legislature website.

How Daylighting Works

Daylighting with a red curb before the crosswalk

Daylighting with no red curb before the crosswalk

Daylighting No Parking Zone (15-Feet) at Curb Extension/Bulb-out

Curb extensions (also called bulb-outs) extend the sidewalk into the

parking lane to narrow the roadway and provide additional pedestrian

space at key locations; they can be used at corners and at mid-block.

Daylighting No Parking Zones (20-Feet) on a One-Way Street

Commitment to AB 413:

The City of Pacifica will be installing new red curb markings to be consistent with the new law. Installation will be completed in phases, and focus on areas with high pedestrian-activity, commercial areas, schools, parks, and high priority locations. Street parking may be removed for new red curb markings where there is existing parking next to the crosswalk.

The Pacifica Police Department will issue parking citations for violators parked in areas where the curb has been painted red. For areas where the curb is NOT painted, there will be a period of education (“grace period”) and the City will issue warnings for vehicles parked in those areas until July 31, 2025. However, repeat offenders in an unpainted curb are subject to receive a citation, within the grace period. The grace period for unmarked curbs will conclude at the end of the day on July 31, 2025 and citations will be issued on and after August 1, 2025 for all violations of AB 413.

Over the next few months, residents should expect to see new red curb markings. However, as noted above, vehicles may not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension, regardless of whether the curb is painted red. 

What is Daylighting?

Daylighting is a safety improvement that restricts parking next to crosswalks. 

Daylighting improves the visual field for both pedestrians and drivers: pedestrians crossing a street have a clear view of oncoming cars without stepping into the street and without a parked car in the way, and drivers approaching an intersection can easily see if a person is waiting to cross the street well in advance. By keeping the area next to crosswalks clear of parked vehicles, all street users can see each other better, reducing the potential for conflict.

With the implementation of AB 413, please remember to leave at least 20 feet (or one large car length), or 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension between a marked or unmarked crosswalk and your vehicle.

The graphic at the top of this webpage shows how daylighting, or removing parking next to crosswalks, increases the field of view for pedestrians and drivers at painted and unpainted crosswalks

Oversized Vehicles Parking:

The City of Pacifica’s OSV (Oversized Vehicle) Ordinance limits where OSVs can park in the city without impacting the safety of roadway users (Pacifica Municipal Code Sec. 4-7.1205). Signs restricting OSV parking are located at entrances to specific neighborhoods and along stretches of specific city roadway. The list of where OSVs cannot park is viewable here: Streets prohibited for OSV parking.  The list of streets available for OSV parking is viewable here: Streets allowable for OSV parking. The map showing the streets where OSVs can park is viewable here: Map of streets allowable for OSV parking.

72-hour Parking Restrictions:

As a reminder, the City of Pacifica prohibits the parking of any vehicle on a highway, road, or alley for a period exceeding seventy-hours (72) hours (Pacifica Municipal Code Sec. 5-2.01). Vehicles found to be parked exceeding the 72 hours will either be issued a citation and/or impounded pursuant 22651(k) CVC.