Chapter 11.48 — STOPPING FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING

11.48.010 Loading zones established.¶

The city traTc engineer is authorized to determine and to mark loading zones and passenger loading zones as

follows:

A. At any place in the central traTc district or any business district;

B. Elsewhere in front of the entrances to any place of business or in front of any hall or place used for the

purpose of public assembly.

(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12(a).)

11.48.020 Portion of block allowed for loading zone.¶

In no event shall more than one-fourth of the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes.

(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.12(b).)

11.48.030 Designation of loading zones.¶

Loading zones shall be indicated by yellow paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones. (Ord. 858 NCS §1;

prior code § 15.12(c).)

11.48.040 Passenger loading zones.¶

Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by white paint upon the top of all curbs in such zones. (Ord. 858 NCS

§1; prior code § 15.12(d).)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.48.050 Curb markings generally.¶

The city traTc engineer is authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter, to place, and when

required herein shall place, the curb markings designated in Sections 11.48.060 through 11.48.090 to indicate

parking or standing regulations, and such curb markings shall have the meanings as set forth in this chapter. (Ord.

899 NCS §l; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.12.1.)

11.48.060 Red curb marking.¶

Red shall mean 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 marked or signed as a bus zone. (Ord. 899 NCS §1; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code

§15.12.l(l).)

11.48.070 Yellow curb marking.¶

Yellow shall mean no stopping, standing or parking at any time between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day except

Sundays and holidays, for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials; provided,

that the loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three minutes nor the loading or

unloading of materials more than twenty minutes. (Ord. 899 NCS § 1; Ord. 858 NCS § 1; prior code §15.12.l(2).)

11.48.080 White curb marking.¶

White shall mean no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers

or for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox, which shall not exceed three minutes, and such

restrictions shall apply between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays, and except as

follows:

A. When such zone is in front of a hotel, in front of a mailbox or in front of a church, the restrictions shall apply

at all times;

B. When such zone is in front of a theater the restrictions shall apply at all times except when such theater is

closed.

(Ord. 899 NCS §1; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.1(3).)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.48.085 Parking in spaces for the disabled.¶

A. It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle in any stall or space designated for disabled

persons and disabled veterans unless the vehicle displays either a special identiRcation license plate or placard issued to disabled persons pursuant to the California Vehicle Code Sections 5007, 22511.55 and 22511.59.1

B. It is unlawful for any person to obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to those parking stalls or spaces in

either of the following places:

1. On the lines marking the boundaries of a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons or

veterans.

2. Blocking the sidewalk access ramps for wheelchair occupants.

C. A disabled person parking space shall be identiRed by the following:

1. For on-street parking:

a. The posting of a disabled person metal sign and one of the following:

(1) A blue curb; or

(2) A painted proRle view of an outline depicting a wheelchair with occupant.

2. For oU-street parking:

a. Posting a disabled persons parking sign and a blue curb marking or by outlining or painting the stall

or space in blue and outlining on the ground in the stall or space in white or suitable contrasting color a

proRle view depicting a wheelchair with occupant.

D. Any area of the pavement adjacent to a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons or disabled

veterans that is marked by crosshatched lines is intended for the loading and unloading of vehicles parked in the

stall or space designated for disabled persons or disabled veterans.

E. It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle, including a vehicle displaying a special

identiRcation license plate issued pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 5007 or a distinguishing placard

issued pursuant to Section 22511.55 or 22511.59 of the California Vehicle Code in any area of the pavement

adjacent to a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons or disabled veterans that is marked by

crosshatched lines.

(Ord. 2825 NCS §3, 2022; Ord. 1993 NCS, 1995; Ord. 1227 NCS §1, 1976.)

1 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=VEH

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.48.090 Violation of zone where curb marked.¶

When the city traTc engineer as authorized under this chapter has caused curb markings to be placed, no person

shall stop, stand or park a vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking in violation of any of the provisions of

Sections 11.48.050 through 11.48.085. (Ord. 1266 NCS §1, 1977; Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.1(4).)

11.48.100 Application only to commercial vehicles.¶

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 twenty minutes. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.2(a).)

11.48.110 Application only to commercial materials.¶

The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries, also the delivery or pickup of

express and parcel post packages and United States mail. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.12.2(b).)

11.48.120 Passenger loading or unloading.¶

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. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.2(c).)

11.48.130 Enforcement.¶

Within the total time limits speciRed in this chapter the provisions of Sections 11.48.100 through 11.48.120 shall be

enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but without permitting abuse of

the privileges granted. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.2(d).)

11.48.140 Parking in yellow loading zones.¶

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any yellow loading zone for any purpose other than loading or

unloading passengers or material for such time as is permitted in Sections 11.48.100 through 11.48.130. (Ord. 858

NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.3.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.48.150 Parking in passenger loading zones.¶

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any passenger loading zone for any purpose other the loading or

unloading of passengers for such time as is speciRed in Sections 11.48.100 through 11.48.130. (Ord. 858 NCS §1;

prior code §15.12.4.)

11.48.160 Stopping in alleys.¶

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of persons or

materials in any alley. (Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code §15.12.5.)

11.48.170 Coach zones.¶

A. The city traTc engineer is authorized to establish bus zones opposite curb space for the loading and

unloading of buses or common carriers of passengers and to determine the location thereof.

B. Coach zones shall normally be established on the far side of an intersection.

(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.6.)

11.48.180 Taxicab stands.¶

A. The city traTc engineer shall establish taxicab stands and determine the locations thereof.

B. The curb surface within each taxicab stand shall be painted white and marked "Taxicab Stand" in red

lettering, or shall be designated by signs of a type and size approved by the city traTc engineer.

C. No operator of any vehicle, other than a taxicab or automobile for hire shall park such vehicle in such taxicab

stand.

(Ord. 858 NCS §1; prior code § 15.12.7.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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