Dark windows on your car? Be careful parking in Philly

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who is working with New Jersey lawmakers to confront the boom car party menace, is tackling another summertime safety nuisance: cars that have illegally tinted windows.

Drivers cruising through Pennsylvania could already be pulled over and ticketed for illegally tinted windows, but Philadelphia is adding an additional penalty by targeting parked cars that have windows with illegal tint grades.

Here's what you need to know.

What is Philadelphia's new tinted window law?

Parker signed the new Tint Enforcement Ordinance on May 1, and enforcement started July 1.

Any parked car found to have illegal tint can now be ticketed with a $100 fine.

"Previously, only moving vehicles in violation were ticketed by the Philadelphia Police Department. These changes will allow the Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia Parking Authority to ticket parked vehicles in violation as well,” the city has said.

How much tint can you have?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's vehicle window tint fact sheet, every window on all passenger vehicles must allow 70% of sunlight to pass through.

Philadelphia's window tint ordinance adds that it must be possible to see inside the vehicle through the windshield and side windows.

Tints installed by the manufacturer and window tints with a valid exemption for medical reasons will be allowed.

Police have typically used tint meters to determine the tint level. Older versions of the meter required a sensor be placed on both sides of the glass to read how much light passes through. Newer models can take that measurement from one side.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.