Cupertino, CA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Loading zone color
- Yellow curb, top and face
- Passenger loading zone marking
- White curb stenciled 'PASSENGER LOADING ONLY'
- Materials loading limit
- 20 minutes unless otherwise posted
- Passenger loading limit
- 3 minutes unless otherwise posted
- Who designates zones
- City Traffic Engineer
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100 under Chapter 1.12
Summary
Cupertino's Traffic Engineer marks loading zones under Sections 11.24.080 through 11.24.100, with yellow curbs for commercial materials and white curbs stenciled 'PASSENGER LOADING ONLY' for passenger drop-off, each carrying its own time limit.
11.24.080 Authority to Establish Loading Zones. The City Traffic Engineer is authorized to determine and to mark loading zones and passenger loading zones in commercially zoned areas and elsewhere, either 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. ... 11.24.090 Loading Zones–Marking. Loading zones shall be indicated by a yellow paint line upon the top and face of all curbs within such zones. ... 11.24.100 Passenger Loading Zones. Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by a white line stenciled with black letters “PASSENGER LOADING ONLY” upon the top of all curbs within such zones.
Full Breakdown
Section 11.24.080 authorizes the City Traffic Engineer to determine and mark loading zones and passenger loading zones in commercially zoned areas and elsewhere, in front of a business entrance or a hall used for public assembly. Section 11.24.090 requires loading zones to be indicated by a yellow paint line on the top and face of the curb. Section 11.24.100 requires passenger loading zones to be indicated by a white line stenciled in black letters reading 'PASSENGER LOADING ONLY' on the curb top. The underlying time limits come from Section 11.24.040: a yellow loading zone permits stopping only to load or unload commercial deliveries, capped at three minutes for passengers and twenty minutes for materials unless the Traffic Engineer posts a different period; a white passenger loading zone caps stopping at three minutes for passenger loading unless signs post a longer period. Section 11.24.050 requires drivers to obey any signs erected under Sections 11.24.040 through 11.24.110.
Violations & Fines
Stopping, standing, or parking in a marked loading zone outside its permitted use, or exceeding the posted time limit, violates Chapter 11.24 and is an infraction under Section 11.24.210, punished under Chapter 1.12: up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each later violation of the same section within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
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Loading Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle loading zones.