Huntington Beach, CA Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- HBMC § 10.80.020
- Mandatory crosswalk zones
- Central traffic district, business districts
- Signed extensions
- Any roadway posted by Public Works
- Mid-block crosswalk minimum block
- 400 feet, § 10.80.010(B)
- Default penalty
- Infraction, § 1.16.040, up to $500 repeat
Summary
Pedestrians in Huntington Beach's central traffic district or any business district must cross only at a marked crosswalk under Municipal Code Section 10.80.020. Anywhere else, crossing outside a crosswalk is also illegal wherever the City has posted a sign prohibiting it.
No pedestrians shall cross a roadway other than at a crosswalk in the central traffic district or in any business district. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than at a crosswalk when there are official signs posted prohibiting such a movement.
Full Breakdown
80 (Pedestrian Crosswalks), states that no pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than at a crosswalk within the central traffic district or in any business district, and separately bars crossing outside a crosswalk anywhere official signs are posted prohibiting the movement. 010, which directs the Director of Public Works to establish and maintain crosswalks at intersections citywide, plus at other locations, inside or outside the central district, where a particular hazard to crossing pedestrians is identified. Subsection B of that section limits mid-block crosswalks to blocks at least 400 feet long, and requires them to be placed as near the middle of the block as practicable.
010 to post signs barring pedestrians from crossing at a particular marked crosswalk, or barring pedestrian crossing anywhere except at crosswalks along a hazardous stretch of roadway, which is the specific mechanism that extends the crosswalk-only rule beyond the central and business districts. 020, even though doing so still carries obvious safety risk and remains subject to any conflicting state Vehicle Code crosswalk rules.
Violations & Fines
Crossing outside a crosswalk in violation of Section 10.80.020 is punishable under the Code's general penalty provisions: an infraction under Section 1.16.040, carrying a fine of up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for each further offense within a year, since Chapter 10.80 sets out no separate penalty of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaywalking illegal everywhere in Huntington Beach?
Can the City ban jaywalking on a specific dangerous street?
What is the fine for jaywalking in a Huntington Beach business district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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