Staff Report-Daylighting Law, AB 413
01-22-2025 Page 1 of 4
STAFF REPORT
TO
: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Brad Donohue, Director of Public Works
VIA: Dan Barros, City Manager
MEETING DATE: January 22, 2025
SUBJECT: Daylighting Law-Assembly Bill 413
RECOMMENDATION
This item is a study session for information purposes only. No City Council action is required; the purpose of this item is to discuss the concerns of the law and have an open discussion with City Council and members of the public on the new law’s impact on the community.
CO
UNCIL ADOPTED VALUES
The recommendation is consistent with the Council value of Vision . City Council goal is to anticipate the broader regional and statewide implications of the State of California’s decisions and issues and develop strategies to only comply with the law and mitigate hardship when feasible.
BAC
KGROUND
The State of California passed Assembly Bill (AB) 413 or the “dayl ighting” law (Attachment “A”), which prohibits parking twenty (20) feet in advance of a crosswalk), or fifteen (15) feet when the location has a curb extension (commonly called bulb outs). The term d aylighting is the simple concept that safety is improved by removing parked cars next to crosswalks. By keeping the area next to crosswalks clear of parked vehicle obstructions, it allows pedestrians walking and people driving or riding on the str eet to see each other more clearly in the hopes of allowing safe pathways of travel through and across roadways.
AB 4
13 instructs that b oth “marked” and “unmarked” crosswalks exist at all intersections, thus this the new law requires agencies to designate no parking prohibitions through curb markings, street signage and or hardscape features if they provide the required clearance from the crosswalk. AB 413 went into effect on January 1, 2024, the law stipulates that only warnings may be given for violations with the ability to start citing January 1, 2025. The Town did not implement a warning policy for violators during the past year, it is the intent of the Colma Police Department and the Department of Public Works to start a process this year to inform, educate implement various parking barriers (paint, signage and hardscape features) to adhere to the requirements to AB 413.
AGENDA ITEM #4
Staff Report-Daylighting Law, AB 413
01-22-2025 Page 2 of 4
Staff has received funding to update the Town’s 2018 Systemic Safety Analysis Report, (SSAR).
The SSAR is a comprehensive review of the Town’s roadway system and a analysis of safety with in our roadway system. The report is aimed at providing safety to both pedestrians, bicyclists, other forms of micromobility and multimodal transportation options and vehicles. The updated SSAR will incorporate new legislation such as the “Daylighting Law” AB 413.
ANALYSIS
In any urban area, it is well noted that street parking is a commodity. Adhering to the mandates of AB 413 within the business districts can be accomplished relatively easy, in most cases within the Town, meeting the demands of AB 413 is already in place, and where no parking restrictions need to be installed to adhere to the new law, will have no or very minor impacts on that portion of the community. For the most part the painting of curbs will be the appropriate delineation to define the no Parking zone. Attachment “C” has defined the crosswalk areas within the business/commercial areas within the Town.
The Town’s residential neighborhoods, specifically the Sterling Park Neighborhood, this law will have an impact on street parking (Attachment C). The diagram below is a typical example of an intersection in the Sterlig Park Neighborhood. Within the diagram you notice the areas that will be designated no parking (red zones), the blue triangles represent an individual on a corner wanting to cross the street and with the car removed from that corner parking spot, it has open up their line of sight to see oncoming vehicles, it also allow the vehicle driver to see individuals wanting to cross the street
Staff has consulted with outside traffic engineers to see if there are exceptions that could allow the Town to keep the parking spaces in place (Please see attachment B). Per the memo, the
Staff Report-Daylighting Law, AB 413
01-22-2025 Page 3 of 4
law is specific, the intent is to provide that element of safe passage for pedestrians, giving them a clear line of sight to oncoming vehicles.
AB 413 does state that the no parking zone can be used for other temporary parking needs.
Below are some exceptions in the law that could apply to Colma’s Residential and commercial districts:
• On a crosswalk, except that a bus engaged as a common carrier, or a taxicab may stop in an unmarked crosswalk to load or unload passengers when authorized by the legislative body of a city pursuant to an ordinance. • In front of a public or private driveway, except that a bus engaged as a common carrier, school bus, or a taxicab may stop to load or unload passengers when authorized by local authorities pursuant to an ordinance. • This subdivision does not apply to any vehicle owned or operated by a fire department and clearly marked as a fire department vehicle. • Commercial vehicle loading and unloading
• A local authority may permit parking for bicycles or motorized scooters within 20 feet of a crosswalk.
• Except for a school bus when stopped to load or unload pupils in a business or residence district where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less.
How can daylighting an intersection be accomplished:
• From the crosswalk, you can paint a 20’ red no parking zone o In most areas of Town where we have intersections or midblock crosswalks, painting of the curb may be a reasonable option.
o In the Sterling Park Neighborhood, the curb paint maybe an undesirable option
• Signage can be installed 20’ feet out from the crosswalk to delineate no parking o This can also be installed where applicable in our commercial areas, red paint would still be preferable.
o The issue with signage, you would have to install poles either 20 feet or 15 feet from the crosswalk prohibiting parking in that area. The issue is there would be an abundance
• Hardscape can be installed to delineate the 20 feet or 15 feet to delineate no parking. o The use of hardscape raised curbs can be installed to give the required clearance and provide the line of sight for the pedestrians and drivers to respond to each other.
o Staff’s recommendation would be to do a quick build installation. Quick build projects are flexible, low-cost installations that simulate long term build out scenarios. In the case of no park zones at crosswalks this quick build would be temporary and would allow public and staff to review how it will work and if modifications need to be introduced, if also allows staff to see if this does not work for the community, other options as stated above can be installed. The quick build system would be in place anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
Staff Report-Daylighting Law, AB 413
01-22-2025 Page 4 of 4
F
ISCAL IMPACT
None currently.
There is no fiscal impact in reviewing and discussing the implications, suggestions and potential solutions to AB 413.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Reviewing AB 413 the Daylighting Law is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15301. CEQA Guideline 15301 is applicable because this would be considered the operation and/or minor alteration of an existing public street with no expansion of use.
CONCLUSION
The City Council and members of the public are encouraged to ask questions about the State mandated Daylighting Law, (AB 413) and explore options on how to implement the requirements as stated within the new law.
A
TTACHMENTS
A. Assembly Bill 413
B. Traffic Engineer’s review
C. Business/Commercial, Residential Crosswalks
345 California Street | Suite 450 | San Francisco, CA 94104 | (415) 348-0300 | Fax (415) 773-1790 www.fehrandpeers.com
Memorandum
Date: January 13, 2025
To: Brad Donohue and Abdulkader Hashem, Town of Colma, CA From: Erin Ferguson, Fehr & Peers
Subject: AB 413 Daylighting Law
Introduction
On October 10, 2023 California Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413) was signed into law with the effective date of January 1, 2025. The bill modified California Vehicle Code 22500 to include provisions that prohibit parking near crosswalks. AB 413 is also referred to as the Daylighting Law.
Purpose
The purpose of the AB 413 law is to improve visibility of people crossing the street to approaching motorists as well as improve visibility for people who are looking for a safe opportunity to cross the street. The practice of making the crosswalk more visible is referred to as “Daylighting).
Scope of Changes to the CVC
AB 413 modified the California Vehicle Code (CVC) 22500 to prohibit vehicles from stopping [unless obeying a traffic control device], standing, or parking1:
(n) (1) (A) Within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a local authority may establish a different distance if both of the following requirements are met:
1https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&division=11.&title=&part= &chapter=9.&article=
Brad Donohue and Abdulkader Hashem, Town of Colma, CA
January 13, 2025
(i) A local authority establishes the different distance by ordinance that includes a finding that the different distance is justified by established traffic safety standards.
(ii) A local authority has marked the different distance at the intersection using paint or a sign.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a local authority may permit commercial vehicle loading or unloading within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present if both of the following requirements are met:
(A) A local authority authorizes the commercial vehicle loading and unloading by ordinance and identifies the crosswalk or crosswalks in the ordinance. (B) A local authority has marked the commercial loading and unloading areas with paint or signage.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a local authority may permit parking for bicycles or motorized scooters within 20 feet of a crosswalk.
(4) Prior to January 1, 2025, jurisdictions may only issue a warning, and shall not issue a citation, for a violation unless the violation occurs in an area marked using paint or a sign.
The CVC 275 (both before and after AB 413’s passage) defines a crosswalk as either 2:
(a) That portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of such lines from an alley across a street.
(b) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, there shall not be a crosswalk where local authorities have placed signs indicating no crossing.
The above means the AB 413 provisions are applicable regardless of whether a crosswalk is marked (as described in CVC 275(b)) with pavement markings or is not marked (as described CVC 275(a)). The above also indicates that AB 413 can be enforced (i.e., citations may be issued) after January 1, 2025 regardless of whether or not the curb in advance of a crosswalk is marked with red paint or signed as “No Parking”. The only exceptions identified in the new provision are
2 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=275.&lawCode=VEH Brad Donohue and Abdulkader Hashem, Town of Colma, CA
January 13, 2025
related to (i) commercial vehicle loading zones, (ii) use of the space for bicycle or motorized scooter parking, or (iii) a local authority establishing via ordinance a different distance justified by established traffic safety standards and marking that different distance.
What does this mean for local agencies?
The revisions in the CVC allow for law enforcement to write citations for vehicles that are parked, stopped, or standing within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. As of January 1, 2025, parking, stopping, standing is prohibited in those locations regardless of if the curb is painted red or signed as “No Parking”.
If local agencies have marked parking spots or parking meters within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present, those should be removed. No other further action is required by local agency traffic engineers, public works, or officials.
Some cities are choosing to take further action such as the following:
Provide information regarding the changes to the CVC on their websites, examples include South San Francisco3, San Mateo4, Livermore5, and San Francisco6. Issue warnings for violations prior to transitioning to writing citations. Examples of such cities include San Francisco and South San Francisco.
Prioritize marking affected curbs with red paint or installing “No Parking” signs for a subset of locations that are located on a priority safety corridor or location (identified in Local Road Safety Plan or similar) and/or near schools or senior centers. Examples of such cities include South San Francisco, Livermore, and San Mateo.
Finally, cities can choose to determine, with the appropriate justification, a different distance for crosswalk daylighting per CVC 22500(n)(1)(B). However, Fehr & Peers is not aware of a city who has elected to do so in replace of the provisions in CVC 22500(n)(1)(A).
Summary
As of January 1, 2025, state law under CVC 22500 prohibits vehicles from parking, stopping [unless obeying a traffic control device], standing within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of
3 https://www.ssf.net/Departments/Police-Department/AB-413-Daylighting-Law 4 https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/4844/AB-413---Daylighting-Law 5 https://www.livermoreca.gov/departments/community-development/engineering/transportation- traffic/california-s-daylighting-law-ab-413
6 https://www.sfmta.com/getting-
around/walk/daylighting#:~:text=California's%20New%20Daylighting%20Law%20(AB%20413)&text=Creat es%20a%20new%20section%20of,curb%20extension%20anywhere%20in%20California.
Brad Donohue and Abdulkader Hashem, Town of Colma, CA
January 13, 2025
any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. Law enforcement may issue citations for such violations regardless of whether or not the location is marked by red paint or a “No Parking Sign”. Exceptions are limited to designated commercial vehicle loading zones, bicycle or motorized scooter parking, or a locally established daylighting distance justified by established traffic safety standards.
ATTACHMENT C
California Assembly Bill 413
Town of Colma
January 2025
• California Assembly Bill 413, also known as the "Daylighting" law, is a new law that prohibits parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk, marked or unmarked. It also prohibits parking within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension. The law applies to all intersections in California, regardless of whether there are no parking signs or a red curb.
• The law's purpose is to increase the visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists entering crosswalks, which can help improve safety.
List of the streets and parking spots in Town of Colma that California Assembly Bill 413 applies to is listed below:
Mission Road:
• Mission Rd & Holy Cross Cemetery South Entrance
• Mission Rd & Holy Cross Cemetery Main Entrance
• Mission Rd & Molloy's
Hillside:
• Hillside Blvd & Hills of Eternity Memorial Park
• Hillside Blvd & Colma Community Center
F Street:
• F St & Clark Ave / Italian Cemetery
Clark Ave:
• Clark Ave & E St
• Clark Ave & D St
• Clark Ave & C St
• Clark Ave & B St