On January 1, 2025, California introduced a new statewide law aimed at enhancing traffic safety by mandating that no parking is permitted within 20 feet of crosswalks. This regulation, referred to as the “daylighting” law, seeks to improve visibility at crosswalks and help ensure safer interactions between pedestrians and vehicles. The implementation of this law in San Diego has revealed a slow start in enforcement, bringing on mixed reactions from residents about the impact on parking.
The City of San Diego has instituted a 60-day grace period that began on January 1, 2025, allowing drivers to adjust to the new regulations without facing immediate penalties. This grace period will last until March 1, 2025. Public records have indicated that during this initial timeframe, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has issued only one citation for this violation since December 2024, when the state first allowed warnings to be given.
The daylighting law is uniform across California, applicable to all intersections, even those without red curbs or specific signage calling attention to the restrictions.
The City of San Diego recognizes that it may take time for residents to adapt to the new parking law. Transportation Department Director Bethany Bezak stated, “It may take some time for San Diegans to get accustomed to it, but together we can make our roadways safer for all users.”
As the grace period comes to a close, full enforcement of the daylighting law will commence on March 1, with violations resulting in a $77.50 fine, consistent with penalties currently in place for parking at red curbs in San Diego.
