SB 720 Red Light Cameras: Every California City Can Now Opt In

SB 720 (Chapter 782, Statutes of 2025) was signed on October 13, 2025 and added Vehicle Code 21455.9, which took effect on January 1, 2026. It lets any city, county, or city and county choose to run an automated red light camera program with civil penalties handled by the local agency. A jurisdiction is covered only if it opts in and sets up a program.

Got red light camera mail? Tell the three kinds apart first: Court Citation, SB 720 Notice or a Who-Was-Driving Notice →

SB 720 Did Not Replace the Older Program

Vehicle Code 21455.5(j), as amended by SB 720, says a city may use cameras under the older section 21455.5 or the new section 21455.9. Under the older program, a red light camera ticket is a court citation for a Vehicle Code 21453 infraction. For running a red light under 21453(a), that means a $100 base fine, $486 total under the 2026 bail schedule, 1 DMV point if convicted, and Trial by Written Declaration available. San Jose, for example, began issuing 21455.5 citations in January 2026, after warnings from October 2025.

How SB 720 Citations Work

• Civil penalty only: no DMV point and no license suspension (Vehicle Code 21455.9(h)(1)).
• $100 if no fine was assessed in the previous three years; $200, $350 or $500 for a second, third, or fourth or later violation within three years.
• No processing fees other than electronic payment fees; late fees capped at $50 for the first late fee and $100 for each later late fee on the same violation.
• Only warnings for the first 60 days, with a public announcement at least 30 days before enforcement starts.
• Penalty reductions of 80% for indigent people and 50% for people with incomes up to 250 percent above the federal poverty level; indigent people can also choose community service or a payment plan of no more than $25 a month.

The SB 720 Contest Process

1. Request a free initial review from the issuing agency within 30 calendar days of the notice’s mailing date.
2. If the notice is not canceled, request an administrative hearing before an independent examiner within 21 calendar days after the review results are mailed. You can choose a hearing by written declaration, by video conference or in person. You must pay the penalty first unless the agency accepts proof that you cannot pay.
3. Within 30 days after the final decision is delivered or mailed, appeal to the small claims or traffic division of the superior court, where the case is heard again from the start.

Which Cities Use SB 720?

As of October 9, 2026, we have not confirmed any city or county issuing SB 720 citations. Fresno’s City Council approved a resolution on June 25, 2026 asking the City Manager to set up a 36-month SB 720 pilot, and the City of Sacramento’s program page shows its SB 720 program in planning, with vendor selection in fall 2026 and a planned launch in spring 2027. There is no official statewide list; each SB 720 jurisdiction must publish its own program report.

See the dated list of places with an official SB 720 step, with sources. SB 720 Red Light Camera Cities →

Learn how to contest either kind of red light camera ticket. How to Fight a Red Light Camera Ticket →