Dozens of Long Beach City College students return to their cars only to find a $74 citation on their windshield, most commonly for violating the campus’s “Head In Only” parking rule that is posted only once at the entrance of each parking structure, making it easy for drivers to miss, especially during busy mornings when most students are rushing to find any open spot.
Once inside, there are no additional signs on any of the five floors reminding drivers that backing into a stall is prohibited.
As a result, many students unknowingly violate the rule and face an expensive fine.
According to Long Beach City’s Parking Regulations and Citations, the “Head In Only” requirement is meant to ensure “clear visibility for all drivers and pedestrians, improved safety in parking lots, and efficient enforcement of parking permits,” emphasizing that a vehicle’s license plate must remain visible to parking enforcement at all times.
The rule originally addressed the growing number of drivers who remove their front license plates for aesthetic reasons.
This trend has become more common as 21 U.S. states, excluding California, no longer require a front plate.
Visibility is the core concern the policy is supposed to address.
Despite this, many LBCC students who have both required plates clearly displayed, front and back, are still being fined for backing in.
California law requires both plates, and many students comply fully, yet the enforcement targets the method of parking rather than whether the plate is actually visible.
This disconnect creates a system where students who meet the intended visibility requirement are still penalized on a technicality.
For young students balancing tuition, textbooks, gas, and often unstable part-time jobs, a $74 fee for a fully visible license plate feels disproportionate and avoidable.
The signage itself exacerbates the situation.
The “Head In Parking Only” notices are limited to one small square sign at each entrance, with no additional postings throughout larger lots or multi-level structures.
If a student misses that initial sign, and many do, there is no reinforcement anywhere else.
Staff lots have the same issue: small-print signs at the entrance that are difficult to notice and have not been updated or made more visible.
The lack of consistent signage directly contributes to the number of citations issued, yet the responsibility and financial burden fall entirely on the students.
Because many LBCC students already comply with the visibility standard by displaying both plates, the strict enforcement and outdated signage raise questions about fairness.
Adding more signs throughout each parking structure, especially on every floor, would greatly reduce confusion and prevent unnecessary fines.
Additionally, reconsidering citations for vehicles whose plates are fully visible would align enforcement with the actual purpose of the rule.
Ultimately, LBCC’s current approach to the “Head In Only” requirement has created a preventable citation issue, one that could be solved with clearer signage, updated enforcement practices, and policies that reflect the realities of student life and actual safety needs.
