Bozeman, MT Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

Bozeman Municipal Code § 36.04.280 gives the director of transportation and engineering the authority to decide where loading zones go and to erect and maintain the signs that mark them. The rule applies to any place marked as a loading zone, so the sign or curb marking is what triggers it.

Under subsection B, a loading zone belongs to the general public. A shop or restaurant next door cannot claim it, because the code says the zone is not restricted to the exclusive use of the occupants of property adjacent to it.

Subsection C limits what a driver can do there. Stopping, standing or parking is allowed only for the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers, or for unloading and delivery or pickup and loading of materials. The time cap is 30 minutes, or whatever period the director has established. The prohibition reaches any other purpose and any other period of time.

Several neighboring sections in Chapter 36, Article 4 work alongside the loading zone rule. Section 36.04.210 makes it unlawful to park a commercial vehicle on any street longer than one hour, but lets it stay as long as needed while lawfully and continuously loading or unloading. Section 36.04.290 requires vehicles carrying merchandise and materials to use an accessible rear entrance at pickup and delivery points in the main business district. It also bars standing or parking at an angle to the curb for loading when the vehicle extends into the street or roadway so as to impair the normal flow of traffic, unless the director has issued a special permit to cover emergency conditions. Section 36.04.250 separately lets the director post signs on either side of a street to prohibit or restrict standing and parking, and § 36.04.200 lets the director establish tow-away zones. Enforcement of parking rules falls to employees under the parking manager and the chief of police under § 36.04.380.D.