Sacramento residents voice concerns over red curb repainting and parking rules

Sacramento residents are frustrated after unauthorized red curbs were repainted gray by the city, leaving drivers confused about parking near crosswalks under a new law.

Anahita JafarySACRAMENTO, Calif. —

In a Sacramento neighborhood, residents are frustrated after the city repainted unauthorized red curbs back to gray, creating confusion about parking rules and leaving drivers at risk of tickets.

The red curbs, painted without city approval, neighbors say were intended to warn drivers not to park in certain areas. However, the city has since restored the curbs to their original gray color.

“Well I was wondering why they would do that first of all and yeah, I don’t think it’s right for an individual to do that,” said Joan Muttera, a Curtis Park resident.

The unauthorized red curbs were reportedly painted by someone to prevent drivers from parking in areas where they might receive tickets, even if the curbs were gray.

Linda Story, a Sacramento resident, expressed disappointment over the city’s decision to repaint the curbs.

“[It’s] a little disappointing because, you know, it’s like citizens trying to help citizens. Who wants to get a ticket? And I’m always going to have my neighbor not get a ticket,” she said.

The confusion stems from a new law that went into effect this year, prohibiting parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, even if there is no red curb or “No Parking” sign.

“Honestly, I didn’t realize that there was that new law that you can’t park that close to a sidewalk or a crosswalk,” Story said.

Muttera added, “I wasn’t aware that you couldn’t park within 20 feet of a crosswalk. So I think that either they need to paint [the sidewalk] red or put up a sign that lets you know.”

“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,” the city of Sacramento said in a statement.

However, some residents feel the city could have handled the situation better.

“The city maybe should have taken a little better control of the situation and made it clear to people with signage. I don’t really know what the protocol is,” said Curtis Park resident Karol Moncrief.

The city stated it will continue making daylighting improvements as resources allow, but some residents question the city’s priorities.

“They don’t have the money to paint it red? But they can come back and paint it a different color…I don’t understand,” said Sacramento resident Marissa Ruxin.

The city has not yet clarified why it has not painted the curbs red or installed additional signage to warn drivers.

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