In Los Angeles, parking near intersections is now under closer watch. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has started active enforcement of California’s “daylighting” law in county-patrolled and unincorporated areas.
That means parking officers are now on the ground actively issuing citations to vehicles stopped too close to crosswalks, turning a common parking habit into a potential fine.
How the daylighting law impacts drivers
The “daylighting” law takes its name from a simple idea: clearing visual “blind spots” near intersections so drivers and pedestrians can see each other before stepping into conflict. This visibility initiative is particularly vital across Los Angeles County, where approximately 36% of all pedestrian traffic fatalities occur directly at street intersections.
In practice, the state law bans parking within 20 feet of the approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet if there is a curb extension. This strict safety restriction applies universally, meaning a citation can be issued even if there is no painted red curb or posted parking signage present.
That space is meant to keep corners open and sightlines clear, especially in dense neighborhoods where parked cars often act like accidental walls. Because what looks “close enough” usually isn’t, drivers are being urged to measure their distance from crosswalks, which is roughly the length of one large SUV.
The rule itself has technically existed since January 1, 2025, but local enforcement has only now become consistent on the ground. At the same time, officials are also applying a separate nonconforming vehicle ordinance introduced in March 2026.
This local regulation targets oversized, commercial, or improperly parked vehicles (specifically those exceeding 20 feet in length, 8 feet in width, or 7.5 feet in height) in unincorporated parts of the county.
Both rules carry a $63 fine, and the nonconforming vehicle violation can also lead to immediate vehicle towing, plus costly storage and removal fees.
