Philadelphia, PA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Fee
- $0.10 per minute
- Max stay
- 1 hour
- Free grace period
- 3 minutes without payment
- Enforcement
- camera-based parking enforcement system
- Locations
- Walnut, Sansom, Chestnut Street segments
Summary
Philadelphia's Parking Authority runs sensor-equipped 'smart loading zones' on stretches of Walnut, Sansom, and Chestnut Streets, charging ten cents a minute with a one-hour cap and camera-based enforcement of violations.
(1) The Parking Authority shall install smart loading zones that include sensors, a camera-based parking enforcement system... (2) Motor vehicles may, upon payment of the fee of ten cents ($0.10) per minute, use smart loading zones for a period not to exceed one (1) hour. (3) Vehicles may not stop, stand, or parking in a smart loading zone for more than three (3) minutes without payment as required in subsection (2) or longer than one (1) hour in any case.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Philadelphia Code § 12-923 lets the Parking Authority convert curb loading zones into 'smart loading zones' fitted with sensors and camera enforcement, authorized on the south side of Walnut Street (12th to 20th), north side of Sansom Street (12th to Broad, and 17th to 19th), and north side of Chestnut Street (12th to 20th). Drivers pay $0.10 per minute for up to one hour; the first three minutes are free without payment. Overstays and unpaid use are enforceable by camera under § 12-924, with fines and appeals handled the same as any other Title 12 parking violation.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the one-hour limit, or stopping over three minutes without paying, is ticketed via the City's camera-based parking enforcement system under § 12-924, with standard Title 12 fines and appeal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
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