Hawthorne, CA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Hawthorne Code Ch. 10.44
- Default loading limit, no sign
- 20 minutes
- Passenger loading limit
- 3 minutes
- Alley material loading limit
- 5 minutes
- Max curb reserved per block
- One-half of total length
- Max bus zone length
- 80 ft (125 ft if justified)
Summary
Hawthorne caps loading-zone use at posted time limits, or twenty minutes with no posted sign, and reserves loading privileges to commercial vehicles making deliveries. Passenger loading is capped at three minutes, and no more than half of any block's curb length may be set aside for loading under Chapter 10.44.
A. Permission herein granted 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 the posted time limit, or 20 minutes where a time limit is not posted, except as otherwise limited herein. B. The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries, also the delivery or pickup of express and parcel post packages and United States mail. C. Permission herein granted 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.
Full Breakdown
010 authorizes the police chief, with the city manager's approval, to designate loading and passenger loading zones in business districts or in front of any place of business or public assembly hall, but bars reserving more than half of a block's total curb length for loading. mail pickup or delivery, never beyond the posted time limit or, absent a posted sign, twenty minutes. Passenger loading and unloading, including baggage, is capped at three minutes. 100 applies the same three-minute passenger limit to white passenger-loading zones.
110; no other vehicle may stop, stand or park there. 120 separately caps alley loading at three minutes for passengers and five minutes for materials. 070, the cost of painting curbs to establish these zones is billed to the requesting party unless the chief of police orders the marking for public safety.
Violations & Fines
Violating the loading-zone time and use limits in Sections 10.44.080 through 10.44.120 is listed as an infraction under Hawthorne Code Section 1.22.010, subject to the escalating fine schedule in Section 1.22.030: $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each additional offense in that year. Parking enforcement officers and police are authorized under Section 10.36.015 to cite unattended vehicles by attaching a written notice of violation to the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a delivery truck park in a Hawthorne loading zone?
Can I drop off a passenger in a Hawthorne loading zone?
How much curb space can Hawthorne reserve for loading on one block?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
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Loading Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle loading zones.