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Citrus Heights council declines proposed parking fine tied to California’s ‘daylighting’ law
Summary
The council voted 3‑2 against adding AB 413 daylighting provisions to the city’s parking fine schedule (proposed $62.50 fine), citing concerns about residential impacts and a desire to target enforcement to school, park and commercial zones; staff will return with a revised approach.
Citrus Heights — The City Council on Sept. 24 rejected a staff proposal to add California’s Assembly Bill 413 daylighting requirement to the city parking violation fine schedule, with the motion failing 3‑2.
Lieutenant William Dunning of the Citrus Heights Police Department told the council AB 413, effective Jan. 1, 2025, prohibits stopping, standing or parking within 20 feet of most crosswalks and within 15 feet of curb extensions. He recommended the council add the statute to the city’s parking fine schedule and set the fee at $62.50 — described as a $50 base fine to the city plus a $12.50 state fee — and to accompany enforcement with a 30‑day education period.
"The purpose of AB 413 is to enhance visibility at crosswalks for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers," Lieutenant Dunning said, adding that enforcement priorities would focus on residential neighborhoods and school zones and that observed violations and community complaints would be routed to the city’s traffic committee for striping or signage consideration.
Council debate centered on whether the measure should be enforced citywide or limited to high‑pedestrian areas. Vice Mayor Lopez Taft asked whether the council could adopt a tiered approach or limit enforcement to school and commercial zones; several council members said parking directly in front of one’s home on a corner lot could be captured by the law and would be unfairly punitive in residential neighborhoods.
Council Member Nelson moved to adopt a resolution amending the Citrus Heights parking violation fine schedule to include the daylighting provision of the California Vehicle Code. Council Member Middleton seconded. The roll call vote was Nelson — Aye; Schaeffer — No; Middleton — Aye; Vice Mayor Lopez Taft — No; Mayor Karpinski Costa — No. The motion failed 2‑3.
After the vote, staff said they would return with revisions and more focused recommendations, including potential distinctions between school zones, parks and commercial corridors and additional community outreach before implementing fines.
What happens next: Staff will revisit the proposal, incorporating council direction to explore targeted enforcement in high‑pedestrian areas and options for differing fee approaches, and bring an updated recommendation to a future meeting.
