Beverly Hills Police Begin Enforcing 'Daylighting' Law: What Drivers Should Know

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Police in Beverly Hills this week advised the public to be aware of the state's new "daylighting" law, which is aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety by making pedestrians and motorists more visible to each other.

Daylighting refers to keeping parked cars away from crosswalks. Under a state law that took effect last year, drivers are prohibited from parking a certain distance from any marked or unmarked crosswalks. That's generally 15 to 20 feet — and it applies even if the curb isn't painted red.

The law generally prohibits vehicles from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk on the side of the street where vehicles approach a crosswalk (the right side on a standard two-way street), or 15 feet in instances where the curb around the crosswalk bumps out into the street.

The law's been on the books since last year, but on Jan. 1 it became enforceable with a fine.

"Throughout 2024, only warnings were issued for violations to allow time for public education and awareness," police said in a statement. "However, as of Jan. 1, 2025, citations are now being issued for non-compliance."

As Patch reported in an in-depth explainer last year, advocates say the law will make for safer streets, less parking and plenty of confusion.