Southborough, MA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

On-street loading in Southborough runs through service zones, which the Select Board sets by regulation in Chapter 207. Section 207-6 provides that the location of all bus stops, taxicab stands and service zones is specified by the Select Board. Section 207-14 then limits their use: no person can park a vehicle upon any street in any service zone for longer than 30 minutes, and not at all except while actually engaged in loading or unloading. The section prints a duration limit and does not print hours of the day, so the 30-minute cap applies whenever the zone's signs are in place.

Those signs matter. Under § 207-9(B), the service zone section is effective only during such time as official signs are erected and maintained in each block designating its provisions and located so as to be easily visible to approaching drivers. The Superintendent of Streets places and maintains the official traffic signs, signals and markings under § 207-9(A). The chapter's definition of PARKING also excludes standing a vehicle temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.

Off-street loading is a zoning requirement. Section 174-12(C)(1) requires each loading space to be not less than 10 feet in width and 14 feet in height, long enough that a truck or trailer sits entirely in the space without projecting into any street, vehicular accessway or pedestrian walk. Spaces within 50 feet of a residence district, or used frequently at night, must be enclosed, and loading spaces cannot be located within the required front yard. The § 174-12(D) table requires one space for retail, wholesale, storage and manufacturing buildings of 5,000 to 15,000 square feet, rising to four spaces at 150,001 to 300,000 square feet, and the Building Inspector interprets and applies the loading requirements.