Windshield Tint & Sun Strips in Brentwood, CA

The California windshield rule

Vehicle Code section 26708 allows a non-reflective tint strip on the uppermost portion of the windshield, commonly stated as the top 4 inches. Many windshields have a small "AS-1" marking at the edge that shows the manufacturer's limit for shading; installers use it as a guide. Red, amber and blue films aren't allowed. See the full California tint law guide.

Sun strip, factory shade band, or full film?

Option	What it is	California status
Sun strip (visor strip)	Film strip across the top of the glass, inside	Allowed in the top 4 inches, non-reflective
Factory shade band	Tinted band built into the glass	Came with the car; a matching replacement windshield can include it
Clear full-windshield film	Near-clear infrared-blocking film over the whole glass	Not clearly permitted except under the medical provision for clear UV film; ask before buying

Sun strips around cameras and sensors

On many newer cars the forward camera, rain sensor and light sensor sit in the top center of the windshield, inside a dotted dot-matrix area. A good installer cuts the strip around that housing so nothing blocks the camera's view. If a strip is applied over the camera area, lane-keep or automatic braking may throw a warning.

After a windshield replacement

An aftermarket strip leaves with the old glass. If you're replacing the windshield, have the new strip applied after the urethane has set and any camera calibration is done. More on the replacement itself: windshield replacement in Brentwood.

What it usually costs

Sun strip	$50–$100
Full-windshield film (where lawful)	$150–$300

Published national ranges, not a quote. The provider confirms your exact price before any work. Sources: LM Car Detailing (2026). How we use price data

General information, not legal advice. Statute text: California Vehicle Code 26708.

Common questions

How far down can a windshield sun strip go in California?

The non-reflective strip may cover the top 4 inches of the windshield. Where the glass has an AS-1 line marked by the manufacturer, installers commonly use that line as the reference. Anything below the allowed area is a violation.

Can I put clear heat-rejecting film on my whole windshield?

Many shops sell it, but California's general rule only allows the top strip. The law separately allows clear, colorless UV-blocking film for drivers with a qualifying medical certificate. Outside that, full-windshield film is not clearly permitted, so treat claims that it's always legal with caution.

Will a new windshield come with a sun strip?

Some windshields have a factory shade band built into the glass, but an aftermarket film strip you added isn't transferred. It has to be reapplied on the new glass.

Does a sun strip interfere with the forward camera?

It shouldn't block the camera if it stays above the camera's viewing area. On many cars the camera sits within the top few inches, so the installer trims around the camera housing and the dot-matrix area.