Intersection Red Curb Policy

City installation of red cub restricting parking near intersections is guided by the California Vehicle Code as amended most recently by Assembly Bill 413 and the City of Albany Policy for Restricting Street Parking Near Intersections.

Most pedestrian-involved collisions in Albany occur at intersections and this is an effective measure to improve intersection visibility and safety, also known as intersection 'daylighting'. This provides pedestrians preparing to cross the street an unobstructed view of approaching vehicles and allows motorists to readily see pedestrians approaching a curb ramp.

The City will proceed with installation of 20 feet of red curb paint on the vehicle approach to an intersection consistent with the changes to state law and 10 feet of red curb paint on the vehicle departure to an intersection consistent with the City policy (with the flexibility to adjust on the departure side if it preserves a parking spot or clarifies that the remaining space is too small for vehicle parking). Additional detail can be found in this staff memo to the Transportation Commission.

 

Driveway Red Curb Policy

 The City of Albany Municipal Code Section 9-10.17 defines curb markings to indicate restrictions or prohibition to park at designated areas. Number 1 of this section states:

 “1. Red. Shall mean no stopping, standing or parking at any time, except as permitted by the Vehicle Code of the State, and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.”

 Considerations for Red Curb Treatment Adjacent to Driveways:

The installation of small segments of red paint adjacent to driveways, sometimes referred to as ‘red tipping’, is used as a visual cue to drivers of vehicles parking along the curb not to encroach on the driveway. Parking in a way that blocks a driveway is enforceable by the Albany Police Department without the red paint. Parking restrictions for driveway red curb markings is similarly enforceable, just as any other no-parking zone in the City.

Residents often request red paint to improve access in and out of driveways when there is a history of vehicles parked on the street making it difficult to do so. The intent with the red paint is to help reduce these conflicts. In evaluating requests, the City must balance the issue of maintaining access in and out of private driveways with the use of curb space for on-street public parking.

  • Red curbs can typically be installed in the following situations:
    • Short sections of red curbing, at the request of property owners, can be installed on one or both sides of a driveway to promote better maneuverability into and out of the driveway and to improve visibility from the driveway.
    • The amount of red curb shall be installed in a way that avoids the loss of existing on-street parking spaces. Requests for reducing the available curb length below 19 feet will be denied unless already less than 12 feet.
    • Up to two feet of red curb on either side of the driveway shall be installed to widen the combined driveway and red curb zone up to 11 feet. (For example, a 7 foot driveway could get 2 feet of red curb on either side; an 8 foot driveway could get 1 ½ feet of red curb on either side)

How to Submit a Red Curb Request

*Note - driveway red tipping is intended to help improve driver compliance with vehicle parking rules and reduce driveway access issues. These requests are reviewed and installed as staff time permits with other duties.

  1. Requests for painting a red curb near business/residential driveways shall be made by completing an application form and submitting it to the Community Development Department.
  2. An application fee per Master Fee Schedule must be submitted with the application form.
  3. The application will be reviewed by Community Development staff for approval.
  4. In evaluating the request, the department should consider:
    • Width of existing driveway
    • Curb length available for parking on either side of the driveway
    • Any other information deemed necessary by staff 

 Appeal Process for a Denied Red Curb

 Staff can deny a red curb request if it does not meet the criteria listed above. If staff denies a red curb marking, the applicant can request an appeal through the Traffic and Safety Commission.

  • The appeal request will be placed on the agenda of an upcoming Traffic and Safety Commission meeting.
  • Notice of the public meeting will be sent to property owners and residents on both sides of the street within 150 feet walking distance of the subject property.
  • In addition, a notice shall also be posted on the subject property. The notice shall be sent and posted at least 10 days prior to the meeting and shall describe the request and provide the date, time and location of the Traffic and Safety Commission meeting.
  • In evaluating the request, the Traffic and Safety Commission shall consider whether the applicant has demonstrated a need for the curb space that outweighs preservation of such space for public use.