Parking rules in San Francisco have caused confusion for both drivers and city officials. A key rule, which prohibits parking within 20 feet of a pedestrian crosswalk, has created widespread misunderstanding. The law, known as the “Daylighting” rule, was meant to make crosswalks safer, but it hasn’t been as effective as expected.
According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the law was intended to be a simple driving guideline rather than a rule requiring painted red curbs. A year ago, officials assumed that people would understand the rule without further enforcement. But that approach didn’t work.
“It’s not painted because it’s a state law, like a driving rule,” said Ricardo Olea from the SFMTA. “That’s why we’re doing this story to raise awareness.”
Realizing the confusion, the SFMTA decided to take action. Instead of issuing fines immediately, they began painting curbs red to clearly indicate where parking is not allowed. This project is expected to take 18 months to complete, especially in neighborhoods like the Richmond District, where residents have expressed frustration.
Julie Kirschbaum, the Acting Director of Transportation at SFMTA, said, “We’re speeding up the process to get the curbs painted red.”
The Mission and Russian Hill areas saw the highest number of “daylighting” violation tickets. However, street cleaning violations still top the list of parking fines in the city. From January 2024 to January 2025, more than 570,000 street cleaning tickets were issued, generating over $51 million in revenue.
Unpaid parking meters and expired meter tickets were the second most common violations, with over 190,000 citations. Tow-away zone violations and yellow zone tickets also contribute to significant fines. The area between the Ferry Building and the Ballpark in downtown generated the most parking citations.
Residents have shared mixed feelings about the city’s strict enforcement. Jim Marcmin, a San Francisco local, said, “We tell people not to park on the street around here. They really watch it.” Oakland resident Nicky Batill added, “I park in Oakland and take BART in. It’s just too complicated to park in the city.”
One violation that frustrates many drivers is double parking, which costs a $108 fine. While this is a common issue, it’s difficult for traffic officers to catch offenders. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are often guilty of this, as are self-driving cars.
Chris Ludwick, a Product Manager for Waymo, a self-driving car company, explained that autonomous vehicles sometimes have to double park. “If we can’t find a spot, we stop in the lane,” said Ludwick. “We can detect if we’re blocking traffic, and we’ll move if necessary to avoid disruption.”
However, there’s a twist. California law states that tickets must be issued to a driver, not a vehicle. Since self-driving cars don’t have drivers in the traditional sense, they can’t be ticketed under current regulations.
In summary, while parking violations in San Francisco may seem complicated, understanding these rules is key to avoiding costly fines. Whether it’s daylighting, street cleaning, or double parking, paying attention to the signage and curb markings is crucial to navigating the city’s streets without getting a ticket.
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