Curb Color Rules: Phoenix vs Surprise
How do curb color rules rules compare between Phoenix, AZ and Surprise, AZ?
Phoenix and Surprise have similar restriction levels.
Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa County
Phoenix Chapter 24 and Arizona Revised Statutes §28-873 establish standardized curb color meanings: red for no stopping, yellow for loading, white for passenger pickup, green for short-term, and blue for accessible parking. Only the city may paint regulatory curbs.
View full Phoenix rules →Surprise, AZ
Maricopa County
Arizona Revised Statutes section 28-873 lets Maricopa County paint curbs to mark parking restrictions but does not lock in color meanings. The county Department of Transportation uses red for no parking, yellow for loading, white for passenger pickup, and blue for accessible spaces.
View full Surprise rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Phoenix | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Red curb | No stopping, standing, parking | No stopping |
| Blue curb | Disability placard required | Accessible parking only |
| Yellow curb | Commercial loading only | Active loading only |
| Authority | City paints all curbs | - |
| State law | ARS §28-873 | - |
| Statute | - | ARS 28-873 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Phoenix FAQ
Can I paint the curb in front of my house red?
No. Only the City of Phoenix may paint or modify regulatory curbs. Unauthorized painting is a code violation and the marking has no legal enforcement effect against parked vehicles.
How do I request a curb color change?
Contact the Phoenix Street Transportation Department to request a parking restriction review. Approved changes typically require a study of traffic, sight distance, and abutting land-use needs.
Surprise FAQ
Can a homeowner paint the curb in front of their unincorporated parcel?
No. The curb is public right-of-way controlled by MCDOT. Painting without an encroachment permit risks an obstruction citation under ARS 28-873 and the cost of restoration billed to the property owner.
Is a yellow curb the same as a freight-only loading zone?
Functionally yes for active loading. The driver must stay with the vehicle, engage hazards, and limit the stop to the time needed to load or unload. Maricopa County treats the yellow curb as both passenger and freight loading.
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