What Is SB 720? California's Civil Red Light Camera Law
Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed
What Is SB 720?
Senate Bill 720 (Ashby) is Chapter 782, Statutes of 2025, signed on October 13, 2025. It added Vehicle Code section 21455.9, which took effect on January 1, 2026. It lets any California city, county, or city and county choose to run an automated red light camera program that treats violations as civil penalties handled by the local agency, not the court.
SB 720 did not replace the older red light camera law. Vehicle Code 21455.5(j), as amended by SB 720, says a local jurisdiction may use cameras under either section 21455.5 or section 21455.9. So California now has two kinds of red light camera ticket, and they are contested in different places.
The Two Kinds of Red Light Camera Ticket
- Traditional (Vehicle Code 21455.5): a court citation for a Vehicle Code 21453 infraction. For running a red light, the base fine is $100 and the total under the Judicial Council’s 2026 bail schedule is $486 ($234 for a right turn on red under Vehicle Code 21453(b); some counties charge more), a conviction adds 1 DMV point, and you can contest it in superior court, including by Trial by Written Declaration.
- Civil (SB 720, Vehicle Code 21455.9): a notice of violation from a city or county that opted in. No DMV point and no license suspension. The penalty is $100 if you had no violation in the previous three years, and $200, $350 or $500 for a second, third, or fourth or later violation within three years. You contest it with the agency, not the court.
Which California Cities Use SB 720?
Only cities and counties that opt in. As of October 2026 we have not confirmed any city issuing SB 720 civil red light citations. The Fresno City Council approved a resolution on June 25, 2026 to set up a 36-month SB 720 pilot, and the City of Sacramento’s SB 720 program page shows it still in planning, with vendor selection expected in fall 2026.
Several cities still run traditional court-based programs under Vehicle Code 21455.5. For example, San Jose started citations at four intersections in January 2026, and San Francisco’s program is run by SFMTA with the Superior Court of San Francisco. Some cities, such as Los Angeles (2011) and San Diego (2013), ended their programs. There is no official statewide list, so the notice you received is the best guide.
How Are SB 720 Notices Contested?
- Request a free initial review from the issuing agency within 30 calendar days of the notice’s mailing date (Vehicle Code 21455.9(j)).
- If the review is denied, request an administrative hearing before an independent examiner.
- If the hearing decision goes against you, appeal within 30 days 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)).
What Else Does SB 720 Require?
- Only warning notices for the first 60 days, and a public announcement at least 30 days before enforcement starts (Vehicle Code 21455.9(g)).
- Fixed cameras that capture the license plate and video of the violation.
- No processing fees other than electronic payment fees, and late fees capped at $50 for the first and $100 after that.
- An 80% reduction for indigent people and a 50% reduction for people up to 250% of the federal poverty level (Vehicle Code 21455.9(l)).
How Do Red Light Camera Tickets Differ from Speed Camera Tickets?
SB 720 civil red light notices work much like AB 645 speed camera notices: civil penalties, no DMV points, and a city review before any court appeal. Traditional red light camera tickets are different: they are court infractions with a point. AB 645 speed cameras exist only in six cities (Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco).
Sources: SB 720 (Chapter 782, Statutes of 2025) and Vehicle Code 21455.5 and 21455.9 on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov; Fresno City Council resolution ID 26-904; City of Sacramento Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement Program page. Checked October 7, 2026.
Learn how to contest a red light camera ticket. How to Contest a Red Light Camera Ticket →
Compare with speed cameras under AB 645. What Is AB 645? →
Ready to Contest Your Ticket?
Upload your citation and answer a few questions. We generate your declaration or administrative review request in minutes.
Check if my ticket qualifiesFrequently Asked Questions
It depends on the type. A traditional red light camera ticket (Vehicle Code 21455.5) is a court citation, and a conviction adds 1 DMV point. A civil SB 720 notice (Vehicle Code 21455.9) carries no point and cannot lead to a license suspension.
No. Vehicle Code 21455.5(j) lets a city use either the older court-based program or the SB 720 civil program. Existing programs such as San Jose’s and San Francisco’s are court-based.
Yes. Request an initial review from the issuing agency within 30 calendar days of the mailing date. If it is denied, you can request an administrative hearing, then appeal to the small claims or traffic division of the superior court within 30 days of the final decision.
$100 if you had no violation in the previous three years, then $200, $350 or $500 for repeat violations within three years (Vehicle Code 21455.9(h)). A traditional court red light ticket for running a red light has a $100 base fine and $486 total under the 2026 bail schedule ($234 for a right turn on red under Vehicle Code 21453(b)).
This article provides general educational information about California traffic law. It is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney. TicketClear is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Results vary. Every citation is unique.
Your ticket has a deadline. Tell your side today.
Most California citations have a 60-day deadline. Write what happened in your own words, then review, edit and sign your declaration.
Start my declarationFree to start · $49.99 when you're ready to download