How to Fight a Speed Camera Ticket in Long Beach, CA (2026)
Long Beach is one of seven California cities authorized to operate automated speed cameras under AB 645 (Stats. 2023, Ch. 610). The program is administered by the Long Beach Department of Public Works. The City Council approved the program in December 2025. The initial deployment covers 18 cameras at 9 locations. AB645 cameras will issue civil citations to the registered vehicle owner — not the driver — for vehicles clocked at 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit. There are zero DMV points, no driving-record entry, and no insurance impact. Each new camera corridor undergoes a mandatory 60-day warning-only period before civil penalties can be assessed. IMPORTANT: As of the date this page was last updated, the Long Beach AB645 program is in its launch phase. Cameras were being installed through spring and summer 2026, with a 60-day warning period running through summer 2026. Penalty citations were targeted to begin in fall 2026, with November 2026 cited as the target date. If you have received a notice, check whether it is a warning or a penalty notice before taking any action. Long Beach has adopted a local policy explicitly prohibiting sharing plate data with law enforcement. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is excluded from the Long Beach program pending a separate legislative bill. The AB645 pilot runs through January 1, 2032.
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Long Beach Speed Camera Fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Speed — 11–15 mph over the posted limitStatutory base fine set by AB645 (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(d)(1)). Income-qualified owners may reduce this 50% (at ≤200% FPL) or 80% (at ≤100% FPL). Community service may be substituted. NOTE: Penalty citations were targeted for fall 2026; confirm your notice type before paying. | $50 |
| Speed — 16–25 mph over the posted limitIncome-based reduction: 50% (at ≤200% FPL) = $50; 80% (at ≤100% FPL) = $20. Community service option available. NOTE: Program targeting fall 2026 for penalty citations. | $100 |
| Speed — 26–40 mph over the posted limitIncome-based reduction: 50% (at ≤200% FPL) = $100; 80% (at ≤100% FPL) = $40. Community service option available. NOTE: Program targeting fall 2026 for penalty citations. | $200 |
| Speed — 41+ mph over the posted limitIncome-based reduction: 50% (at ≤200% FPL) = $250; 80% (at ≤100% FPL) = $100. Community service option available. NOTE: Program targeting fall 2026 for penalty citations. | $500 |
| Warning period citationsFor 60 days after each corridor activates, Long Beach Public Works mails warning notices only — no monetary penalties. Per Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(e)(2). The 60-day clock runs per-camera corridor, not program-wide. | $0 |
How to Contest a Long Beach Speed Camera Ticket
Where: Long Beach Department of Public Works (administrative — NOT a court)
How / where to file: Long Beach Department of Public Works — administrative citation process. The online contest portal will be identified on your citation notice (portal TBD at time of writing; confirmed to appear on the citation notice). Refer to the City of Long Beach official website at longbeach.gov for current contact information once the penalty phase begins.
Long Beach Deadline
The contest deadline will be printed on your citation notice. AB645 requires the notice to specify the deadline (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(g)(1)(B)). Use the date on your specific notice. Missing the deadline may result in a default determination.
AB645 citations are administrative — not criminal — proceedings. There is no court, no bail, and no Notice to Appear. Two steps: Step 1 (Initial Review): submit a written statement and supporting evidence to Long Beach Department of Public Works within the deadline shown on your notice. Long Beach will review camera evidence, speed measurement data, signage compliance, and AB645 procedural requirements. If dismissed, no further action is needed. Step 2 (Administrative Hearing): if the initial review does not resolve the citation, request an administrative hearing before a hearing officer. If still not resolved, judicial review via writ of mandate (CCP §1094.5) to Superior Court is available. Key grounds to raise: owner was not in possession of the vehicle (stolen, car-share, transferred title); plate or vehicle misidentification; warning-period violation (citation within 60 days of corridor activation, with each corridor having its own 60-day clock starting on that corridor's activation date); speed survey / 85th-percentile compliance challenge; calibration records defect; income-based reduction (50% at ≤200% FPL; 80% at ≤100% FPL); community service substitution. NOTE: Long Beach explicitly prohibits sharing automated enforcement plate data with law enforcement — this is a local policy protection beyond the AB645 state requirements.
Notable Speed Camera Locations in Long Beach
- Long Beach Boulevard (North, Central, South segments) — 3 of the 9 camera locations are on Long Beach Blvd; runs north-south through the city; 3 separate speed camera deployments
- 7th Street between Cherry Avenue and Termino Avenue — 6,700 daily speeding violations documented before camera installation; one of the most dangerous corridors in the program
- 7 of 9 camera locations are in proximity to school zones — reflecting the program's safety-area prioritization (Long Beach Department of Public Works program documentation)
- Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) — EXCLUDED from the Long Beach program; a separate legislative bill is pending for PCH enforcement
Long Beach Speed Camera — By the Numbers
Long Beach is one of seven California cities authorized under AB 645 (Stats. 2023, Ch. 610, signed October 13, 2023) to operate automated speed cameras — the first general speed camera law in California history (California Legislative Information, AB-645).
The Long Beach City Council approved the AB645 speed camera program in December 2025, with 18 cameras at 9 locations as the initial deployment (Long Beach Department of Public Works).
55 people were killed in Long Beach traffic crashes in 2025 — the deadliest year since the pre-1990s. More than 400 people were killed in Long Beach traffic crashes between 2014 and 2024 (Long Beach Department of Public Works program documentation).
7th Street between Cherry Avenue and Termino Avenue documented approximately 6,700 daily speeding violations prior to camera installation — among the highest volume corridors in the program (Long Beach Public Works data).
7 of the 9 camera locations in the Long Beach program are near school zones, reflecting the program's safety-area prioritization (Long Beach Department of Public Works).
The Long Beach AB645 program operates under a 5-year budget of approximately $8.9 million (Long Beach Department of Public Works program documentation).
Long Beach adopted a local policy explicitly prohibiting the sharing of automated speed enforcement plate data with law enforcement agencies — a protection beyond AB645's state-level requirements (Long Beach City Council, December 2025).
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is excluded from the Long Beach AB645 program; a separate legislative bill was pending as of this page's last update (Long Beach Department of Public Works).
AB645 cameras cite the registered vehicle owner — not the driver — for speeds 11 mph or more over the posted limit. Citations carry zero DMV points and cannot affect insurance rates (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(c)(1), (j)(1)–(2)).
Each new camera corridor must run a 60-day warning-notice-only period before any civil penalty can be issued. A penalty citation within 60 days of a specific corridor's activation date violates the statute (Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1(e)(2)).
Which California defenses apply to your ticket?
Long Beach AB645 cameras operate under California Sts. & Hwy. Code §22405.1 (AB 645), so all California-level defenses apply — including the registered-owner presumption rebuttal (stolen vehicle, car-share, title transfer), the 60-day warning-period requirement, speed survey / 85th-percentile challenge, and the statutory income-based fine reductions. This page adds Long Beach-specific information: Long Beach Department of Public Works administration; the December 2025 City Council approval; the 18-camera / 9-location deployment; the plate-data non-sharing local policy (stronger than AB645 requires); the community service payment alternative; the PCH exclusion; and the 7th Street corridor (Cherry to Termino) volume data. Distinct from San Francisco (SFMTA, transit agency), Los Angeles (LADOT, 125 cameras, LA-specific income threshold), and Oakland (OakDOT, 18 cameras, slowest rollout). NOTE: The program is in its 2026 launch phase targeting fall 2026 for penalty citations.
See all California speed camera defenses →Long Beach Speed Camera Ticket FAQ
Has Long Beach actually started issuing AB645 speed camera tickets?
As of this page's last update, Long Beach's AB645 program is in its launch and installation phase. Cameras were being installed through spring and summer 2026, with a 60-day warning period running through summer 2026. The target date for penalty citations was fall 2026, with November 2026 cited in city planning documents. If you received a notice from Long Beach Public Works, check the document header: it will state whether it is a warning notice or a penalty citation. Refer to longbeach.gov for current program status.
What is the AB645 speed camera program in Long Beach?
AB 645, signed into California law in October 2023, authorized Long Beach and six other California cities to operate automated speed cameras as a pilot. Long Beach's program is administered by the Department of Public Works. The City Council approved the program in December 2025. The initial deployment is 18 cameras at 9 locations. Cameras cite the registered owner of vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the posted limit. No DMV points, no driving-record impact, no insurance effect. The pilot runs through January 1, 2032.
How much is a Long Beach AB645 speed camera ticket?
Fines are set by state law: $50 for 11–15 mph over; $100 for 16–25 mph over; $200 for 26–40 mph over; $500 for 41+ mph over. Income-qualified owners may reduce fines: 50% at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; 80% at or below 100% FPL. Long Beach also allows community service as an alternative to payment. These are legal rights under AB645, not discretionary waivers.
Can Long Beach share my license plate data with police?
No. Long Beach adopted a local policy explicitly prohibiting the sharing of automated speed enforcement plate data with law enforcement agencies. This is a stronger protection than AB645 itself requires and is specific to the Long Beach program.
Does Long Beach have red-light cameras?
Long Beach ended its red-light camera program around 2011. As of this page's last update, the city does not operate an active red-light camera program. The only automated enforcement program is the AB645 speed camera pilot.
Is Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) covered by Long Beach speed cameras?
No. PCH is explicitly excluded from the Long Beach AB645 program. A separate legislative bill addressing PCH enforcement was pending as of this page's last update.
What is the warning period for Long Beach AB645 cameras?
AB645 requires each camera corridor to run a 60-day warning-notice-only period after activation. During those 60 days, Long Beach sends warning notices but cannot impose civil penalties. The 60-day clock runs per-camera corridor — each activation date starts a new 60-day window for that specific corridor. A penalty citation issued within 60 days of a specific corridor's activation date is a violation of the statute and grounds to contest.
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ParkingFight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information is for informational purposes only and based on publicly available California statutes, Long Beach program documents, and primary-source research as of 2026-06-05. Verify current rules with your court or a licensed attorney.