The California daylighting law, officially known as Assembly Bill 413, took effect on January 1, 2025, and has already begun reshaping how cities approach pedestrian safety. Though signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023, enforcement was delayed to give municipalities time to prepare. Now, cities across California must ensure compliance with this new law aimed at reducing pedestrian accidents and improving visibility at intersections.
What Is Daylighting?
Daylighting refers to the practice of keeping 20 feet of road space clear on the approach side of any crosswalk to increase visibility for both drivers and pedestrians. In intersections with curb extensions (also known as bulb-outs), the required distance is reduced to 15 feet. While some crosswalks are unmarked, California law considers every intersection to have crosswalks by default—even if they’re not painted.
This visibility buffer removes parked cars and other obstructions that can block a driver’s view of pedestrians attempting to cross. The policy shift reflects a growing understanding that pedestrian safety is closely tied to urban planning and traffic enforcement practices.
Daylighting and Pedestrian Safety
The goal of Assembly Bill 413 is to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths by improving visibility at crossings. When reviewing the bill, legislators considered studies indicating that daylighting can reduce pedestrian collisions by up to 30% at busy intersections.
In 2024 alone, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 1,108 pedestrian fatalities and 125 cyclist deaths, making California one of the most dangerous states for non-motorists. Even cities like Fremont reported dozens of pedestrian accidents in a single year.
While Hawaii and Kansas remain among the few U.S. states without daylighting laws, California’s late adoption reflects a longstanding car-centric culture now colliding with urban walkability goals. Still, opponents of AB 413 argue that the law may unintentionally encourage excessive ticketing and municipal revenue generation.
How Cities Are Implementing the Law
Different California cities have adopted varied strategies to comply with the daylighting law. Some, like Santa Clara, mark the 20-foot zone with red paint. Others, like San Francisco, are going further by implementing bulb-outs, which physically extend the curb to improve sightlines and accommodate accessible infrastructure like wheelchair ramps.
In San Diego, the law’s enforcement quickly became controversial. According to a report by the Davis Vanguard, the Parking Enforcement Team of the San Diego Police Department issued more than 4,000 citations related to daylighting violations by May 2025. Initial enforcement began with 1,500 warnings before officers began issuing fines ranging from $100 to $117 per ticket.
If all these tickets are paid, San Diego alone could generate over $450,000 in revenue—raising concerns that cities may exploit the law for financial gain rather than public safety.
Public Concerns and Push for Uniformity
While many residents, especially in pedestrian-heavy areas like Isla Vista in Santa Barbara, support the law, others worry that it could be misused. Critics claim that vague or inconsistent markings—like 10-foot red zones in San Francisco—lack proper justification and may lead to unfair penalties.
Organizations such as CalBike and California Walks advocate for statewide consistency and urge city councils to prioritize pedestrian protection over ticket revenue. These groups support more effective daylighting solutions such as bicycle racks or strategically placed planters to mark no-parking zones without relying solely on enforcement.
A Step Toward Safer Streets
The California daylighting law represents a clear step forward in reducing pedestrian fatalities in a state where urban design has long favored motorists. However, its success depends on how fairly and uniformly it’s enforced.
With over 1,100 pedestrian deaths reported in a year, California’s streets demand safer design. AB 413 addresses that need by introducing visibility-enhancing measures that protect walkers and cyclists alike. Still, lawmakers and city officials must monitor implementation closely to prevent the law from being weaponized for revenue.
The law may require future amendments or oversight from the Office of Traffic Safety to establish uniform guidelines and avoid discrepancies from city to city. Until then, the daylighting law stands as a hopeful but controversial new tool in the fight to protect California pedestrians.