San Diego County, CA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit (materials)
- 20 minutes max, commercial vehicles only
- Time limit (passengers)
- 3 minutes maximum
- Enforced hours
- 7 a.m.–6 p.m., except Sundays/holidays
- Zone marking
- Yellow curb stenciled "LOADING ONLY"
Summary
In unincorporated San Diego County, marked yellow loading zones limit commercial vehicles to 20 minutes for loading or unloading materials and 3 minutes for passengers, enforced 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays.
(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 20 minutes. ... (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.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
The Road Commissioner marks loading zones with a yellow curb line stenciled "LOADING ONLY." Under County Code § 72.136, stopping to load or unload materials is limited to commercial vehicles and cannot exceed 20 minutes; loading or unloading passengers and their baggage is capped at 3 minutes. Section 72.135 sets the yellow-zone hours as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays, and Section 72.138 separately bars standing in any alley for any purpose other than loading or unloading. These rules apply only in the unincorporated county: the City of San Diego and its 17 incorporated neighbors enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Stopping longer than 20 minutes for materials or 3 minutes for passengers, or parking a noncommercial vehicle in a yellow zone, is an infraction under § 72.50; a third violation within two years becomes a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my personal car in a yellow loading zone in San Diego County?
How long can a delivery truck stay in a loading zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
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