Understanding Parking Enforcement Near Pedestrian Crossings

Many drivers in the City of West Hollywood may still be adjusting to statewide changes in curbside parking near pedestrian crossings and intersections. Although some community members may think this is a new rule, California’s Daylighting Law – AB 413 – has been in effect since January 2024. Full citation enforcement began last year, in January 2025.

The law, which was signed in October 2023, included a one-year grace period before enforcement. Citations for violations are fully active across California.

Just what is “Daylighting” and why does it matter?

Daylighting is a safety practice used across the country to improve visibility at intersections by keeping parked vehicles away from the edges of crosswalks.

Even though AB 413 has been active for two years, many drivers remain unfamiliar with its purpose, and its importance:

• Improved visibility saves lives. Cars parked too close to intersections block sightlines, making it harder for drivers and pedestrians to see each other.
• Children are especially at risk. Their shorter height makes them more likely to be hidden behind parked cars.
• Intersections are the most dangerous places on the road. Nearly half of all traffic-related injuries occur near intersections, according to the Federal Highway Administration, and according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, nearly 36% of pedestrian fatalities occur at intersections.

By clearing the approach to a crosswalk, daylighting gives everyone more time to react and reduces the chance of a devastating accident.

Since January 1, 2025, drivers throughout California have been subject to citations for stopping, standing, or parking:

• Within 20 feet of the approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or
• Within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension (a bulb-out).

These requirements apply to all intersections, including T-intersections, because California law recognizes every intersection as having a legal crosswalk unless signage indicates otherwise.

A common source of confusion are curbs within 15-20 feet of a crosswalk that are not painted red. The law applies even if the curb is not painted. While the City has painted some curbs red to help drivers visually understand no-parking areas, the legal restriction exists with or without red paint.

By the time enforcement began in 2025, drivers statewide were expected to know and follow these parking setback rules.

Leading up to and following the start of enforcement, the City undertook extensive outreach to educate residents, businesses, and visitors before the law went into effect. City engineers also evaluated intersections across West Hollywood and added some red curb markings to align with the law. Remember, parking in a daylighted zone has been subject to citation since January 1, 2025, whether or not the curb is painted red.

This renewed effort to educate the community is part of West Hollywood’s long-term strategy to prioritize pedestrian safety.

West Hollywood is dense, vibrant, and filled with people walking at nearly every hour of the day. That means visibility at intersections is especially critical. Daylighting is a simple, proven tool for safety.

The City’s broader pedestrian safety plan focuses on:

• Engineering: Examples include signalized pedestrian crossings on Fountain Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, as well as upgrades at N. San Vicente Boulevard and Rosewood Avenue.
• Enforcement: Since January 2025, enforcement of AB 413 has supported safer parking and driver behavior at pedestrian crossings and intersections.
• Education: Continuous outreach helps drivers understand how small changes in where they park can prevent life-threatening collisions.

Understanding where you can and cannot park is more than a legal requirement, it’s a shared commitment to keeping our streets safe for everyone.

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the Daylighting Law, please visit the City’s parking division web page at www.weho.org/parking.