Salinas commission recommends $45 fine for 'daylighting' violations under AB 413, asks council to consider transit exemption

The Salinas Traffic and Transportation Commission on Dec. 11 recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to add a $45 parking citation for ‘‘daylighting’’ violations under California Assembly Bill 413, a law aimed at keeping intersections and crosswalk approaches clear.

Staff described AB 413 as state law signed in October 2023 that took effect Jan. 1, 2024, and explained the city extended a warning period during 2024. "It went into effect, on 01/01/2024," staff said, and recommended the $45 fine because it is similar to comparable citations already in the city’s parking schedule.

Why it matters: the change would formally authorize citations — not only warnings — when vehicles stop, stand or park within 20 feet on the approach side of a marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet where a curb extension exists. That can remove a small number of parking spaces near intersections, including some locations used for transit stops.

Commissioners and members of the public pressed staff on how the rule will be implemented. Commissioner Daley warned downtown parking could feel the impact as several lots are slated for reuse: "I just see parking downtown going to be a huge issue," she said. Commissioner Metelli described receiving a ticket when holiday decorations obstructed a sign and urged clearer public access to the citation schedule: "I got a ticket on Tuesday... the decorations... were blocking the sign that said 90 minutes." Staff said PMB handles online ticketing and Laz is the city’s field enforcement contractor and offered to provide contact information for customer service and to review enforcement routes.

Staff said red curb striping will only be applied where existing parking markings and the law allow it, and that fire hydrant violations remain enforceable under the California Vehicle Code without a painted red zone. The staff estimate for locations affected was small — roughly 15–20 locations citywide and "10 or less" in the downtown core — but commissioners noted that even a few lost spaces can matter in more constrained blocks.

Monterey Salinas Transit (MST) urged the commission to consider transit operations when the measure goes to council. Michelle Overmyer of MST said the agency operates stops that could fall within the 15–20 foot clearance and asked the commission to ask the city attorney to review AB 413’s effect on public transit or to recommend an exemption. "We operate a number of bus stops throughout Salinas... and we don't want to get a ticket," Overmyer said.

Commissioner Peterson moved to recommend council approval with an explicit exemption for MST; another commissioner seconded the motion. The roll-call tally in the record shows Commissioner Daley in favor, Commissioner Metelli yes, Commissioner Hammer yes and Commissioner Guerra no; the transcript does not clearly record Commissioner Peterson’s audible vote. The clerk completed the roll call and the commission proceeded; staff said citations can be disputed and the city can issue refunds where appropriate if the city failed to implement required striping or signage.

What happens next: the commission’s recommendation will go to the Salinas City Council for consideration. If council adopts the amendment to the parking citation schedule, the city will shift from warning-only enforcement (the earlier implementation approach) to issuing $45 citations for AB 413 violations. Staff said it will provide contractor contact information and post materials so the public can appeal or dispute citations.

Key details: the proposed fine amount is $45; AB 413 went into effect Jan. 1, 2024; staff estimated roughly 15–20 locations citywide could be affected; PMB manages online ticketing and Laz performs field enforcement. The commission urged public outreach and better signage to reduce inadvertent violations.