You may already know that a “no parking” sign means that you’ll get into trouble if you park anywhere near it. However, residents in Sacramento say that their “no parking” zones have gotten confusing due to a color-coded parking law. According to KCRA 3, the city typically paints the curbs red where residents aren’t allowed to park.
However, a 2025 law has created confusion when people were ticketed for parking in areas with gray curbs, which typically means parking is permitted in the area. This has prompted one parking vigilante to paint these spots red again, frustrating city officials and residents alike.
So why is all of this suddenly happening? A new law has finally gone into effect, changing how close people are allowed to park near crosswalks, requiring the revisions.
Confused? So are residents, who say they are disappointed in all of the back and forth.
You Can No Longer Park Within 20 Feet of a Crosswalk
KCRA 3 reports that the colors were changed on the curb after a new rule prohibited parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, no matter what the signage or the color of the curb says. This obviously confused people in the area, since the previous rules had only prohibited parking where the red curbs were.
“I wasn’t aware that you couldn’t park within 20 feet of a crosswalk,” Joan Muttera told a reporter. “So I think that either they need to paint [the sidewalk] red or put up a sign that lets you know.”
While the person who updated the color of the curbs in the newly prohibited parking spaces likely had good intentions, the city has since requested that residents contact them directly. “Residents with concerns about parking restrictions, intersection visibility or other traffic safety issues are encouraged to submit a request through 311 so city staff can evaluate the location and prioritize improvements alongside other transportation and maintenance needs,” Sacramento city officials said in a statement to KCRA 3.
The Issue Is Getting Mixed Feedback on Facebook
Responses were mixed in the comments of the network’s Facebook post about the issue, with some siding with the locals while others mocked the need for extra signage.
“Because if the city paints it red, less people will park there, less fines will be given and less revenue will be collected,” one person wrote.
“Not everything needs a sign, do we see any that show we have to wear clothes, even though that’s the law,” another person asked in a snarky response.
In the end, it’s up to the driver to know the local laws when they are operating a vehicle. In some places, like the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, no matter whether there are signs or not. Meanwhile, in other places, the rules may vary, making it important to double-check the rules to avoid potential fees or fines.