Charleston, WV Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Sec. 114-564 of the Charleston Code of Ordinances deals with how a no parking zone or area is marked on the street. It starts from the ordinary method, posting official traffic-control signs, and then adds another: painting the curb yellow.

The opening words, in addition to or in lieu of, set how the methods relate. Yellow paint may be used in addition to signs, so a block can carry both. It may also be used in lieu of signs, so a block can carry paint and nothing else. In either case the section says a no parking zone or area may be established by the paint. A driver in Charleston who pulls up to a yellow curb and sees no sign cannot treat the missing sign as permission to park.

The section then fixes the size of the zone. The length of such curb as so painted yellow shall be the length of such no parking zone or area. In practice the zone starts where the yellow paint starts and stops where it stops. The ordinance does not state a standard number of feet. The painted stretch is the measurement. Curb beyond the end of the paint is not made a no parking zone by this section, though posted signs may still govern it.

Finally, the section gives the paint legal standing. The yellow paint shall constitute an official traffic control marker indicating a no parking zone or area. That language puts a yellow curb on the same footing as a posted sign for the purpose of telling drivers where parking is prohibited.

The quoted section names only yellow. It does not list hours or days, and it does not set out exceptions for particular vehicles. It also states no fine of its own. Violations are subject to the general penalty in Sec. 1-8.