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Norwalk staff outlines implementation, outreach for California’s new daylighting law (AB 413)
Summary
City staff briefed the council on AB 413 — the state’s new daylighting law requiring clear sightlines at crosswalks — and described education efforts, enforcement timing and potential impacts to hundreds of intersections and curb spaces across Norwalk.
City staff presented an informational briefing Tuesday on implementation of AB 413, California’s new “daylighting” law that restricts parking and other obstructions near crosswalks to improve pedestrian visibility.
Ozzie Ramos of the City of Norwalk’s public safety/traffic team said the law generally prohibits parking within 20 feet of crosswalks — and that it applies to both marked and unmarked crosswalks. “The intent of the law was to save lives and make streets safer everywhere,” Ramos said, describing before-and-after photos showing how removing parked cars near crosswalks improves a driver’s sightline to pedestrians.
Ramos told council staff and residents the city has about 770 intersections and roughly 20 schools that may be affected; staff estimated that fully marking and enforcing the curbs could touch about 80,000 curb spaces. He said the city will lead with education and outreach, deploying social media, print materials and quadrant officers to inform residents, and that enforcement can begin after March 1. Ramos said staff has met with school-district transportation officials to discuss drop-off impacts and noted limited exemptions for commercial vehicles during loading.
Councilmembers pressed staff for clarity about unmarked crosswalks and neighborhood corners. Vice Mayor Jennifer Perez asked whether the requirement applies to every curb-to-curb crossing in residential areas; Ramos responded that the law covers both marked and unmarked crosswalks and that staff will publish examples and a QR link to detailed guidance. Councilmember Jose Rios urged the city to identify marking and sign options now so residents understand what to expect before citations are issued.
Ramos gave residents two phone numbers for questions and reporting: the city public safety nonemergency line at (562) 929‑5732 and the Los Angeles County sheriff’s nonemergency line at (562) 863‑8711. He said staff is consulting traffic engineers, public safety and department analysts to determine marking options and city costs before any widespread painting or signage program.
The briefing was informational; no council action was taken.
Councilmembers and staff agreed to continue public education prior to enforcement and to return with refined policy recommendations and cost estimates for any physical marking program.
