San Diego, CA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

Loading-zone regulations for unincorporated San Diego County are in County Code Title 7, Division 1. Sec. 72.131, 'Loading Zones,' provides that loading zones are indicated by appropriate signs or by a yellow line stenciled with black letters 'LOADING ONLY' on the top or side of all curbs within the zone. Sec. 72.132 separately addresses passenger loading zones. The County's curb-marking rule, Sec. 72.135, ties the colors to use: a yellow curb means no stopping, standing, or parking between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or materials, with loading or unloading of passengers limited to no more than three minutes and loading or unloading of materials to no more than 20 minutes; a red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking at any time except as permitted by the Vehicle Code, and except that a bus may stop in a red zone signed as a bus zone. These County rules sit on top of California Vehicle Code Sec. 21458, under which yellow indicates stopping only to load or unload passengers or freight, and white indicates stopping only to load or unload passengers or deposit mail.