Chapter 10.32
LOADING AND UNLOADING1
Sections:
10.32.010 Loading zones – Indication.
10.32.030 Commercial vehicles.
10.32.050 Stopping in loading or unloading zones.
10.32.060 Stopping in passenger loading zones.
10.32.080 Bus and taxi stands.
10.32.010 Loading zones – Indication.
A. The traffic engineer is authorized to determine and to mark loading zones as follows:
1. At any place in the central traffic district or any business district;
2. 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.
B. In no event shall more than one-half of the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes exclusive of the passenger loading zones at the entrances to public theaters.
C. Commercial loading zones and combined commercial loading and passenger loading zones shall be indicated by signs or a yellow paint line stenciled with black letters, “Loading Only,” upon the tops of all curbs within such zones; the combined commercial loading and passenger loading zone shall in addition be marked with a suitable sign.
D. Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by signs or a white line stenciled with black letters, “Passenger Loading Only,” upon the tops of all curbs in the zone. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.010.)
10.32.020 Bus loading zones.
A. The City Council may, by resolution, determine and mark bus loading zones at any place in the central traffic district or any business district.
B. Bus loading zones shall be indicated by signs and red paint on the curb in the zone.
C. No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle in any bus loading zone (except that a bus may stop in a bus loading zone for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or their baggage).
D. A “bus,” for the purposes of this section, is defined as a publicly owned vehicle designed to carry eight or more passengers. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.020.)
10.32.030 Commercial vehicles.
A. Permission granted in this chapter to stop or stand a vehicle for purposes 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 20 minutes.
B. The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries, and also the delivery or pickup of express and parcel post packages and United States mail.
C. Permission granted in this chapter 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.
D. 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 by this chapter. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.030.)
10.32.040 Stopping in alleys.
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose other than the active loading or unloading of persons or materials in any alley. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.040.)
10.32.050 Stopping in loading or unloading zones.
When authorized signs or marks are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or materials and only for such time as is permitted in any of the following places:
A. In any yellow loading zone;
B. Within 50 feet of any entrance to any school;
C. In any parking area or parking places in or near which signs are posted to limit stopping, standing or parking to loading or unloading as designated in this chapter. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.050.)
10.32.060 Stopping in passenger loading zones.
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 by appropriate signs. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.060.)
10.32.070 Zones established.
Whenever the City Council has determined that parking shall be limited and authorized signs or marks are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or materials in any of the following places:
A. At any curb where the grade of the street exceeds 12 percent;
B. On any part of a roadway having a width of not more than 25 feet;
C. In front of any hall or place used for the purpose of public assemblage;
D. In front of the entrance to any place in use for business outside of the central traffic district;
E. At any other place where the parking of vehicles would result in traffic congestion or particular hazard. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.070.)
10.32.080 Bus and taxi stands.
A. No person shall park or stand any vehicle used or intended to be used in the transportation of persons for hire on any street while awaiting patronage for such vehicle without first obtaining a permit so to do from the chief of police of the City designating the exact location where such vehicle shall be permitted to park or stand. The chief of police shall only issue permits for such vehicles to park or stand at such points as may from time to time be designated by resolution of the City Council.
B. The traffic engineer shall cause the curb opposite to such stands to be painted red with the words in white letters “Taxi Zone” or “Bus Zone,” as the case might be, stenciled thereon. (Ord. 1243 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1005 § 2, 2003. Code 1964 § 12.36.080.)
For statutory provisions on local parking curb markings, see California Vehicle Code § 21458; for provisions authorizing local authorities to regulate the location of standards for public carriers, see California Vehicle Code § 21112.