Kingsport, TN Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

Division 2 of Chapter 98, Article IV governs loading zones in Kingsport, Tennessee. Under Sec. 98-262 the department of planning and traffic engineering determines the location of loading zones and passenger loading zones and must place and maintain signs stating the hours during which the division applies. A freight loading zone is established only where five conditions are met: the applicant has no available off-street loading facilities or the available ones are grossly inadequate; the loading is necessary to the conduct of the applicant's business; the zone is in the interest of public convenience, welfare and safety; the freight or merchandise is too heavy or bulky to be conveniently carried by hand; and existing street loading space is too inconvenient or far away. In no event can more than one-half of the total curb length in any one block be reserved for loading.

The time limits differ by zone. In a passenger loading zone, Sec. 98-263 allows only expeditious loading or unloading of passengers, for a period not to exceed three minutes. In a loading zone for property, Sec. 98-264(a) allows only expeditious unloading and delivery or pick up and loading. The stop cannot exceed 30 minutes, and no vehicle can be left unattended in the zone for more than ten minutes. Subsection (b) lets a driver stop temporarily to load or unload passengers if the stop does not interfere with a vehicle waiting to enter or about to enter the zone to load or unload property.

Oversize vehicles have their own cap. Under Sec. 98-265, a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer wider than 80 inches cannot stop, stand or park on any city street longer than necessary for expeditious loading and unloading of freight or property, and never longer than two hours at any one time.

Signs control enforcement. Section 98-268 makes the department of planning and traffic engineering responsible for erecting signs, and no restriction is effective unless the signs are in place at the time of the alleged offense clearly indicating the limits of the zone. Bus stops and taxicab stands are handled separately in Secs. 98-266 and 98-267.