Chapter 12.48
LOADING AND UNLOADING

Sections:

12.48.010    Authority to Establish Loading Zones.

12.48.020    Space per Block Limitation.

12.48.030    Zone Indicators.

12.48.040    Stopping and Parking Regulations—Curb Markings.

12.48.050    Green Curb Markings Outside Parking Meter Zones.

12.48.060    Loading Zone Use Regulations.

12.48.070    Use of Loading Zones Restricted.

12.48.080    Special Passenger Loading Zones.

12.48.090    Parking in Alley Prohibited—Exception.

12.48.100    Bus Zones.

12.48.010 Authority to Establish Loading Zones.

The City Traffic Engineer is authorized to determine and to make loading zones and passenger loading zones as follows:

A.    At any place in any business district.

B.    Elsewhere in front of the entrance to any place of business or in front of any hall or place used for the purpose of public assembly. (Ord. 1069, 1963: 1949 Code § 3776)

12.48.020 Space per Block Limitation.

In no event shall more than one-half of the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes. (Ord. 1069 (part), 1963: 1949 Code § 3276 (part))

12.48.030 Zone Indicators.

A.    Loading Zones. Loading zones shall be indicated by a yellow paint line stenciled with black letters, “LOADING ONLY,” upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

B.    Passenger Zones. Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by a white line stenciled with black letters, “PASSENGER LOADING ONLY,” upon the top of all curbs in said zones. (Ord. 1069 (part), 1963: 1949 Code § 3276 (part))

12.48.040 Stopping and Parking Regulations—Curb Markings.

The City Traffic Engineer is authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter, to place, and when required herein shall place, the following curb markings or signs or both to indicate parking or standing regulations, and the curb markings shall have the meanings as herein set forth:

A.    Red shall mean no stopping, standing or parking at any time except as permitted by the Vehicle Code, and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.

B.    Yellow shall mean no stopping, standing or parking at any time between seven a.m. and six p.m., or between such other hours as may be indicated by signs posted at any loading zone, for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials, provided that the loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three minutes nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty (20) minutes, and provided that the restriction shall not apply on Sundays or holidays if signs posted at the loading zone so indicate.

C.    White shall mean no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers which shall not exceed three minutes and such restrictions shall apply between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day, except as follows:

When such zone is in front of a hotel the restrictions shall apply at all times. When such zone is in front of a theater the restrictions shall apply at all times except when such theater is closed.

D.    Green shall mean no standing or parking for longer than thirty (30) minutes or such shorter time as may be indicated in a parking meter zone at any time between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle adjacent to any such sign or legible curb marking in violation of such size or marking or any of the provisions of this section. (Ord. 92-42 § 1, 1992; Ord. 1225 § 1, 1967: Ord. 965 (part), 1961: 1949 Code § 3277)

12.48.050 Green Curb Markings Outside Parking Meter Zones.

The City Traffic Engineer is authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter, to place, and when required herein shall place, green curb markings or signs or both outside of parking meter zones to indicate parking or standing regulations as follows:

A.    Green shall mean no standing or parking for longer than thirty minutes or shorter time as may be indicated outside a parking meter zone at any time between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day.

B.    In the same block on the same side of the street and within one hundred (100) feet of a United States Post Office, when it is deemed necessary by the City Traffic Engineer to provide for short-term parking, he may place and maintain green curb markings with words in white or aluminum red paint “PARKING LIMIT FIVE MINUTES” on the top of the curb or he may post signs giving notice of a five-minute time limit on parking. Except when parking is prohibited in the area, the five-minute limit shall apply during the hours of the day and during the days of week designated on the curb or on the signs giving notice thereof. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign in violation of such marking or sign or any of this section. (Ord. 96-38 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1225 § 2, 1967: Ord. 965 (part), 1961: prior 1949 Code § 3277.1)

12.48.060 Loading Zone Use Regulations.

The following regulations apply to the use of loading zones:

Permission herein granted to stop or stand a vehicle for purpose of loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial vehicles and shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefor, and in no event for more than twenty (20) minutes.

The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries, also the delivery or pickup of express and parcel post packages and United States mail.

Permission herein granted to stop or park for purposes of loading or unloading passengers shall include the loading or unloading of personal baggage but shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefor and in no event for more than three minutes.

Within the total time limits above specified, the provisions of this section shall be enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but without permitting abuse of the privileges granted. (1949 Code § 3278)

12.48.070 Use of Loading Zones Restricted.

A.    Yellow Loading Zone. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any yellow loading zone for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or material for such time as is permitted in this chapter.

B.    Passenger Loading Zone. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any passenger loading zone for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers for such time as is specified in this chapter. (1949 Code §§ 3279 and 3280)

12.48.080 Special Passenger Loading Zones.

No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park the vehicle in any special passenger loading zone when approved permanent or portable signs are in place, as hereinafter provided, for any period of time longer than is necessary for the loading or unloading of passengers and not to exceed three minutes.

The term “special passenger loading zones,” as used herein, shall mean those areas adjacent to the curb located between two approved permanent or demountable signs in front of or adjacent to, and within the projected real property boundaries of any church, theater, club or place of business or public gathering. (1949 Code § 3280.1, added by Ord. 1069; December 9, 1963)

12.48.090 Parking in Alley Prohibited—Exception.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of persons or materials in any alley except in areas the City Council has designated by resolution for vehicle parking, and where authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof. (1949 Code § 3281, as amended by Ord. 939; October 18, 1960)

12.48.100 Bus Zones.

A.    Establishment Authority. The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to establish bus zones opposite curb space for the loading and unloading of buses of common carriers of passengers and to determine the location thereof subject to the directives and limitations set forth herein.

B.    Bus Defined. The word “bus” as used in this section shall mean any motor bus, motor coach, trackless trolley coach, or passenger stage used as a common carrier of passengers.

C.    Length Restriction. No bus zone shall exceed eighty (80) feet in length, except that when satisfactory evidence has been presented to the City Traffic Engineer showing the necessity therefor, the City Traffic Engineer may extend bus zones not to exceed a total length of one hundred twenty-five (125) feet.

D.    Location. Bus zones shall normally be established on the far side of an intersection.

E.    Prohibited Location. No bus zone shall be established opposite and to the right of a safety zone.

F.    Markings. The City Traffic Engineer shall paint a red line stencil with white letters “NO STANDING,” together with the words “BUS STOP” upon the top or side of all curbs and places specified as a bus zone.

G.    Use Restricted. No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle except a bus in a bus zone. (1949 Code § 3282)