Yes, Different Curb Colors Have a Meaning — A Guide to Decoding Them

What Do Red Curbs Mean for Parking and Stopping?

Red curbs generally mean drivers can’t stop or park there, even for a few minutes. That includes waiting in the car while someone runs into a store. They’re common near fire hydrants, intersections, and bus stops, where parked cars could block traffic or get in the way. Some red zones still allow buses to stop to pick up or drop off passengers.

What Do White Curbs Mean for Picking Up and Dropping Off Passengers?

White curbs usually allow drivers to stop long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. They’re often found outside hotels, schools, and hospitals.

But they aren’t regular parking spaces. Drivers generally need to stay with their vehicles and leave once their passengers get in or out. Some cities have different rules, though. San Francisco, for example, also allows certain white curbs to be used for quickly loading or unloading goods.

What Do Yellow Curbs Mean for Loading and Unloading?

Yellow curbs usually mark loading zones. They’re often found near businesses where delivery drivers need somewhere to stop while dropping off packages or other goods. Commercial vehicles can typically use these areas for a short time, although some cities allow passenger vehicles to stop there, too. These aren’t regular parking spaces, and nearby signs usually explain how long drivers can stop.

What Do Green Curbs Mean for Short-Term Parking?

Green curbs generally mean drivers can park, but only for a short time. They’re common near businesses where customers might need to stop for a few minutes. The time limit isn’t always the same, so drivers should check the curb or nearby signs before leaving their cars. Some spaces also have parking meters or restrictions during certain hours.

What Do Blue Curbs Mean for Accessible Parking?

Blue curbs mark parking spaces for people with disabilities. Cities often place these spaces near building entrances to make them easier to access. Drivers need a valid disability parking placard or qualifying license plate to park in these spaces. Without one, they can’t use the spot, even for a quick stop.

The striped areas next to accessible parking spaces also need to stay clear so people have enough room to get in and out of their vehicles.

Sources

• California Department of Motor Vehicles, “California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads (Continued), Parking at Colored Curbs“
• Los Angeles Department of Transportation, “Colored Curb Zones“
• Seattle Department of Transportation, “Curb Colors“
• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, “Loading and Short-Term Parking“
• Federal Highway Administration, “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition with Revision 1“

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