New State Law prohibiting parking near crosswalks--looking for clarification.
The new State law prohibiting parking within 20 feet of crosswalks at corners goes into effect today. From what I've read, though, it's not clear how the width of unmarked crosswalks is taken into account in calculating the parking distance.
For a marked crosswalk, it does seem clear. 20 feet back from the marked edge of the crosswalk, on the further side from the intersection. So, if the marked crosswalk is five feet wide, that would be five feet PLUS 20 feet, so no parking within 25 feet of the intersection.
For an unmarked crosswalk, though, how does the implied width of the unmarked crosswalk get calculated? Or is the default 20 feet from the curb of the cross street?
Here's a link to the text of the law: The relevant section is 22500 (n) (1) (a).
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB413
Here's the key phrase: "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."
Here's the SFMTA announcement of enforcement of the law.
https://www.sfmta.com/blog/statewide-‘daylighting-law-warnings-begin-nov-11-2024
But even it's ambiguous. "...we will begin issuing written warnings for vehicles parked within 20 feet of any crosswalk in the direction of approaching traffic. For example, you could receive a warning if you park less than 20 feet in front of a stop sign."
So the location of the stop sign is the starting point for estimating / measuring 20 feet? That doesn't seem to be mentioned in the other sources I've looked at. (Does anyone know if there's a State standard for how far from intersections stop signs should be placed?)
Elsewhere, SFMTA says: "remember to leave at least 20 feet (or one large car length) between a marked or unmarked crosswalk and your vehicle..."
https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/walk/daylighting
But, again, that raises the question of what is the implied width of an unmarked crosswalk? Can anyone clarify?
Note: I'm hoping there is a simple answer to this. I'm also anticipating some snark in comments, but this is an issue that should be clarified. In many dense Bay Area cities (San Francisco, Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley...), in residential neighborhoods at least, every parking space on a street is usually filled up, so it should be made clear whether "20 feet", or a longer distance--from the corner is the standard at unmarked crosswalks.