Montebello staff brief commission on new state "daylighting" law that bans parking within 20 feet of crosswalks

Montebello staff briefed the Traffic and Safety Commission on Assembly Bill 413, the state’s new daylighting law, and said local enforcement will begin March 1, 2025.

Matthew Ramos, assistant director for planning and community development, told the commission that “AB 413 is a new state law that prohibits stopping, standing or parking within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of a crosswalk.” Ramos said the city ran an education period in January and February and that Montebello’s public information office produced bilingual (English/Spanish) material to notify residents.

The law, authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, takes effect statewide and establishes new vehicle-code prohibitions Ramos described as applying regardless of whether curbs are painted. Ramos summarized key points: on two-way streets the right-side approach to a crosswalk is affected; on one-way streets both left- and right-side curb areas within 20 feet of the crosswalk are restricted; and where a curb extension exists the distance is 15 feet.

Ramos said the daylighting requirement “provides clear visual field for pedestrians” and “improves visibility for drivers.” He added that enforcement can proceed with or without new signage and that Montebello will begin full enforcement March 1, 2025. During the education period, parking enforcement issued warning notices, Ramos said.

Commissioners asked procedural and compliance questions. Commissioner Knox sought clarification about whether the 20-foot rule applied to stopping as a driver approaching a crosswalk; Ramos responded that the regulation discussed at the meeting applied to parking and standing near crosswalks and that the 20 feet is measured from the beginning of the crosswalk. Vice Chair Beas asked whether the city planned new signage; Ramos said there would not be blanket new signage but that red curb would be applied on a case-by-case basis and added that the city is introducing its new traffic engineer, who will advise on implementation.

Ramos provided one concrete enforcement detail: the typical fine for parking that violates the daylighting rule is $70. He reiterated that the city’s outreach included bilingual video and that enforcement in Montebello will move from warnings during the education period to full citations after March 1.

City staff said they would continue outreach and coordinate parking enforcement, but no formal action was taken by the commission on AB 413 at the meeting.