Which California Cities Have SB 720 Red Light Cameras?

SB 720 (Chapter 782, Statutes of 2025) added Vehicle Code 21455.9, in effect since January 1, 2026. It lets any California city, county, or city and county choose to run a red light camera program with civil penalties handled by a local agency instead of the court. A place is covered only after it opts in and sets up a program, so this page lists the official steps we have found, with dates. As of October 9, 2026, we have not confirmed any city or county issuing SB 720 citations.

Places With an Official Step (as of October 9, 2026)

• Fresno: on June 25, 2026, the Fresno City Council approved on consent a resolution (legislation ID 26-904) directing the City Manager to set up a 36-month automated red light camera pilot under Vehicle Code 21455.9. We found no posted date for warnings or citations.
• Sacramento (city): the Department of Public Works’ program page says the city is moving forward with an SB 720 program. Its timeline lists safety analysis and community engagement now (with a community workshop on October 7, 2026), vendor selection and impact report adoption in fall 2026, City Council adoption in winter 2026/27, and a planned launch in spring 2027.

Reported, not yet confirmed on a city page: the Santa Monica Daily Press reported on September 10, 2026 that the Santa Monica City Council voted 7-0 to authorize an automated red light camera program under SB 720, with a first deployment proposed at two intersections. We have not yet confirmed this on an official city page.

There is no official statewide list of SB 720 programs. Each place that runs one must publish its own program report (Vehicle Code 21455.9(f)), so other cities or counties may be planning programs we have not found. If you received a red light camera notice from a place not listed here, check your notice: it names the agency or court that sent it and tells you how and by when to respond.

What Vehicle Code 21455.9 Allows

• Any city, county, or city and county may opt in (Vehicle Code 21455.9(a)(3)). Nothing changes in a place that has not.
• Cameras must be fixed and record the license plate and video of the violation.
• Violations are civil: no DMV point and no license suspension or revocation (Vehicle Code 21455.9(h)(1)).
• Penalties are $100 if there was no violation in the previous three years, and $200, $350 or $500 for a violation within three years after one, two, or three or more earlier ones (Vehicle Code 21455.9(h)(3)). No processing fees are allowed other than electronic payment fees, and late fees are capped at $50 for the first and $100 after that.
• Before citations start, the agency must announce the program at least 30 days ahead and send only warning notices for the first 60 days (Vehicle Code 21455.9(g)(1)).
• Penalties must be reduced by 80% for people who are indigent and by 50% for people with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level (Vehicle Code 21455.9(l)(3)).

How to Contest an SB 720 Notice

1. Ask the agency that sent the notice for a free initial review within 30 calendar days of the notice’s mailing date (Vehicle Code 21455.9(j)(1)).
2. If the review does not resolve it, request an administrative hearing before an independent examiner. Check the review decision and your notice for how and by when to ask.
3. Within 30 days of the final decision, you can appeal to the small claims or traffic division of the superior court, where the case is heard again from the start (Vehicle Code 21455.9(k)(1)).

How It Differs From a Court Red Light Camera Ticket

SB 720 did not replace the older law. Vehicle Code 21455.5(j), as amended by SB 720, lets a city use cameras under either section. A traditional camera ticket under section 21455.5 is a notice to appear in court for a Vehicle Code 21453 infraction: a $100 base fine, $486 total under the Judicial Council’s 2026 bail schedule (some counties may charge more), and 1 DMV point if you are convicted. You contest it in superior court, including by trial by written declaration.

• Who handles it: an SB 720 notice comes from a city or county agency; a traditional camera ticket is a court case.
• DMV point: none under SB 720; 1 point if you are convicted on a court ticket.
• First penalty: $100 under SB 720; $486 total on a court ticket under the 2026 bail schedule.
• Where you contest: under SB 720, the agency’s initial review and hearing, then the superior court if you appeal; on a court ticket, the superior court from the start.

Not sure which kind of notice you have? Camera Ticket or Court Ticket? How to Tell →

See what applies in Fresno, where the council approved an SB 720 pilot. Fresno Red Light Cameras →

Already have a court red light camera ticket? How to Fight a Red Light Camera Ticket →

TicketClear is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page explains public information; the instructions and deadlines on your notice control.