§ 6-16. Passenger and freight loading zones.

(a) Definitions.

(1) In general.

In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(2) Freight loading zone.

"Freight loading zone" means a space adjacent to a curb that, during specified times, is reserved exclusively for the use of commercial vehicles during the expeditious loading or unloading of property.

(3) Passenger loading zone.

(i) "Passenger loading zone" means a space adjacent to a curb that, during specified times, is reserved exclusively for the use of vehicles that are loading or unloading passengers and their baggage.

(ii) "Passenger loading zone" does not include:

(A) a valet parking zone established under Title 14 {"Valet Parking"} of this article; or

(B) a mobile vending zone designated under Article 15, § 17-5 {"Mobile vending zones"} for the use of mobile vendors.

(b) Establishment of zones; signs.

(1) The Director of Transportation may determine the location of and operational hours for passenger loading zones and freight loading zones.

(2) The Director shall place and maintain at each passenger loading zone and freight loading zone appropriate signs that:

(i) indicate the location of the zone; and

(ii) state the operational hours during which the restrictions of this section apply.

(1) No person may park a vehicle in a freight loading zone for any purpose or period of time during its operational hours.

(2) No vehicle person may stop a vehicle in a freight loading zone for any purpose or period of time during its operational hours unless:

(i) the vehicle is a commercial vehicle actually in the process of expeditiously loading or unloading property; or

(ii) the vehicle is a passenger vehicle stopping for the purpose of and while actually engaged in expeditiously loading or unloading passengers, as long as its stopping does not interfere with any commercial vehicle that is waiting to enter or about to enter that zone.

(d) Passenger loading zones.

(1) No person may park a vehicle in a passenger loading zone for any purpose or period of time during its operational hours.

(2) No person may stop a vehicle in a passenger loading zone for any purpose or period of time during its operational hours unless the vehicle is a passenger vehicle stopping temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in expeditiously loading or unloading of passengers and their baggage.