Correct me if I'm wrong but do you measure from the middle of the headlights to the ground?

And can't be below 23 inches or is it 22? Thanks

 

Im not sure about CA, since they seem to take any fun out of modding your ride, but here in WA the lowest part of ones car has to be equal to or higher then the lowest part of the wheel. basically the smaller the side wall the lower the legal limit is. I would guess as strict as CA is they should have a whole list online somewhere, like the dmvs website.

 

wow a limit on ur ride height.. thats gay. i didnt even know we had one in WA

 

Ride height limits are actually federal, and set by the DOT.

However, most states seem to not enforce it (fully). Other states seem to make a huge deal over any lowering at all (NH for example).

Technically, my headlamps are too low. I've had a cop measure ground clearance and tell me the car is fine, completely ignoring lamp height.

Headlamps 22" from the ground, measured from the middle of the lamp.
Ground clearance (structural, plastic side skirts / lips don't count) must be greater than the tire sidewall height (I actually have a stock car that doesn't meet this requirement).