Downtown San Diego parking can seem a little confusing at first, but once you get the hang of things, it’s quite simple. The city uses various colored curbs to mark all the parking zones in downtown. Parking in the wrong spot can lead to being towed, fined, or experiencing other unpleasant consequences, so it’s important to know what each color means. Here’s some information you need to know about the yellow curb areas you’ll see as you search for a parking spot in downtown San Diego, brought to you by the downtown San Diego real estate experts at 92101 Urban Living.
What Does a Yellow Curb Mean?
A yellow curb means the parking area in front of the curb is a commercial loading zone. It’s intended for use by the companies situated near the curb, and it helps them have a space free to load and unload vehicles that are working with the company. Commercial vehicles can park in this area for up to 20 minutes to transport goods between their vehicle and the building.
Can You Park in a Yellow Curb Zone?
If you’re driving a vehicle registered as a commercial vehicle with the state of California, you can park in a yellow curb zone at any time. Noncommercial vehicles can also stop in this zone for no more than three minutes to drop off or pick up a passenger. Those who don’t have any commercial loading business shouldn’t park in the zones during regular business hours. However, you can park there if it’s Saturday, Sunday, or a city holiday. You can also park in commercial loading zones in the evening as long as it’s after 6pm and before 6am.
What Happens if You Park at a Yellow Curb at the Wrong Time?
If you park in a loading zone during a time you’re not allowed to park, you’ll have to pay fines. These fines usually start at around $50, but they may increase if you have multiple offenses or don’t pay the fine on time. You do have the option of appealing the fine or asking for a deferred payment plan, but the city doesn’t always accommodate this request. In addition to this fine, you run the risk of being towed.
Where Can You Find Yellow Curb Zones?
Many yellow curbs in San Diego are situated in the downtown area, though you can find them throughout the city. These curbs are often by spots with street parking, but sometimes they may be along an alley. There are quite a few yellow curb areas around Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and other areas where parking is tight. As long as you’re visiting these spots in the evening or on the weekends, a yellow curb can provide much-needed parking as you explore downtown San Diego.
Luckily, most of the condos, penthouses, and lofts in downtown San Diego have assigned parking spots. If you want to find your downtown dream home, and part of that dream includes guaranteed parking, make sure to connect with the trusted agents at 92101 Urban Living. Give us a call today at 619-649-0368.