California window tint law, in plain English.

Updated for 2026 · California Vehicle Code §26708

California's window tint law is set once, at the state level. It doesn't change by county or city — San Diego, Los Angeles and Sacramento all follow the same numbers. What changes is how strictly it gets checked, not what's legal.

Front side windows

Must let more than 70% of visible light through (measured on the glass and any film together — your factory glass already blocks a little on its own). The film also can't be a mirrored or metallic finish. This is the strictest limit on the car, because it's the glass an officer needs to see through.

Rear side windows and the back glass

No state minimum, as long as the vehicle has two outside mirrors (driver and passenger side). That's why rear glass can legally go as dark as 5% — the "limo" look — while front windows can't.

Windshield

Only a non-reflective strip along the top, down to the manufacturer's AS-1 line (usually the top 4–6 inches). Full windshield tint, even a very light shade, isn't legal for daily street driving.

How it's actually enforced

A traffic stop can result in a fix-it ticket requiring the film removed, plus a fine if it isn't corrected. Some drivers qualify for a medical exemption for front window darkness, which requires a signed certificate — that's a conversation with your doctor and the DMV, not something a tint shop can issue.