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San Antonio, TX Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Commercial time limit
30 minutes
Noncommercial restriction
Barred 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fine
$57.00 civil parking citation
Extended-load permit
Chief of police, on evidence of need
Construction permit fee
$15.00 per day per space
Governing section
Sec. 19-163; definitions Sec. 19-1

Summary

San Antonio limits commercial vehicles to 30 minutes in a marked loading zone under Sec. 19-163, bars noncommercial vehicles from loading zones between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and fines violators $57.00 per the city's parking fine schedule.

(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to park, cause to be parked, or permit to be parked any motor vehicle of which he is the owner, or of which he has the custody or control, in any loading zone of any of the streets of the city at any hour of the day or night, except after noon on Saturdays, on Sundays or holidays as defined in section 19-218, as provided below.(b)Commercial vehicles loading, unloading, delivering or picking up freight or materials shall be permitted to park in loading zones for a period not to exceed thirty (30) minutes.(c)In cases where, due to the nature of the freight and materials or the business involved, loading operations will necessitate parking vehicles for a period longer than thirty (30) minutes, then the chief of police department may issue, after evidence is presented him of such need, special permits for such operations.

Full Breakdown

Sec. 19-163 of the City Code governs parking in San Antonio's designated loading zones. Subsection (a) makes it unlawful to park any vehicle in a loading zone "at any hour of the day or night," with narrow exceptions for after noon on Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays. Subsection (b) then carves out the loading zone's purpose: commercial vehicles "loading, unloading, delivering or picking up freight or materials" may park there for up to thirty minutes. 00 per day per parking space. , unless the zone is posted "Loading Zone Day-Night," in which case noncommercial parking is barred at any hour. Sec. , depending on the block.

Violations & Fines

Sec. 19-163(f) makes overtime parking in a loading zone, or any unauthorized vehicle parked there, a civil parking violation subject to a citation, towing to the police vehicle impoundment facility, or immobilization with a wheel-locking device. Sec. 19-38(a) sets the fine for parking in a loading zone at $57.00, and Sec. 19-163(g) ties general violations to the citywide penalty provision in Sec. 1-5.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a delivery truck park in a San Antonio loading zone?
Thirty minutes, under Sec. 19-163(b), which limits commercial vehicles loading, unloading, delivering or picking up freight or materials to that window; longer jobs need a special permit from the chief of police under Sec. 19-163(c).
Can I park my personal car in a loading zone to run into a store?
Only outside the restricted hours. Sec. 19-163(e) allows noncommercial vehicles in a loading zone except between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and never in zones posted "Loading Zone Day-Night," which ban noncommercial parking at any hour.
What's the fine for parking in a San Antonio loading zone illegally?
$57.00, per the parking fine schedule in Sec. 19-38(a). An overtime or unauthorized vehicle can also be towed to the police department's vehicle impoundment facility or immobilized with a wheel-locking device under Sec. 19-163(f).

Sources & Official References

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