For the past nine months, the Santa Maria Police Department has issued warnings for vehicles violating a new state parking law. The officers will begin ticketing individuals later this month with $100 citations.
The “daylighting” law, AB 413, prohibits drivers from stopping or parking vehicles within 20 feet of corners, intersections, and crosswalks, even if they are unmarked, according to the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law in 2023, and it took effect this year on Jan. 1.
Daylighting refers to efforts to make intersections safer through improved visibility. Keeping intersections clear of parked cars helps increase visibility for everyone on the road, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.
Santa Maria Police Sgt. Felix Diaz, who works in the community services unit, said the extra space can help people be more aware of their surroundings.
“It helps in that aspect where [people] have at least a 15- to 20-feet buffer to look toward the intersection,” Diaz told the Sun. “It gives them that visibility, not only for the walker but also for the person driving.”
Considering that the law is new, the department started with warnings this year to give drivers an adjustment period before transitioning to citations.
“I know it’s tough to find parking anywhere you go, but we don’t just want to start enforcement,” Diaz said. “It’s new for all of us. New for us and for them.”
Diaz researched how to accurately cite the violation code and how to input it into the data system. Officers will begin issuing the $100 tickets to violators later in September, Diaz said, which is Pedestrian Safety Month in California.
Educating community members about the daylighting law is one way the city works to keep pedestrians safe. The city explained the new law on social media and in an episode of Santa Maria Today, which is available on YouTube and community television channels.
“It’s just for the safety of all people, the whole community, in terms of watching out for one another,” Diaz said about the campaign.
As another part of Pedestrian Safety Month, the police department reminds the public that safety is everyone’s responsibility. Drivers and walkers should put any distractions away, and pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
Diaz said the city will post another explanation of the daylighting law on social media before issuing citations in the coming weeks.
This article appears in Sep 11 – Sep 18, 2025.