§ 12-5-12. COMMERCIAL VEHICLES LOADING OR UNLOADING FROM A METERED SPACE, COMMERCIAL LOADING ZONE, OR CURB-SIDE TRAVEL LANE.

(A)

This section applies to commercial vehicles loading or unloading within the Downtown Austin Project Coordination Zone, as defined in the Austin Utilities Criteria Manual, Monday through Saturday, except for on a roadway or facility within the jurisdiction of the State of Texas, including but not limited to the University of Texas campus; the Capitol Complex, bounded by Lavaca Street, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Trinity Street and 10th Street.

(B)

The director of the Austin Transportation Department may issue a permit to an owner of a commercial vehicle to allow the use of the vehicle to conduct loading or unloading activities from a metered space, commercial loading zone, or curb-side travel lane.

(C)

The owner of a commercial vehicle is in violation of this section if the owner or the owner's designee:

(1)

conducts loading or unloading activities without a valid permit, unless the commercial vehicle is:

(a)

parked in a designated commercial loading zone for less than the amount of time allowed, as specified on the sign for that area; or

(b)

parked in a metered parking space regulated by the City of Austin and the meter fee has been paid;

(2)

fails to adhere to the loading or unloading hours restrictions imposed by the director under Subsection (E) of this section;

(3)

conducts loading or unloading activities for longer than the amount of time allowed by the permit;

(4)

blocks any portion of an adjacent travel lane while conducting loading or unloading activities from a curb-side travel lane;

(5)

blocks any portion of a designated bike lane while conducting loading or unloading activities;

(6)

conducts loading or unloading activities in an area reserved by the City for special event parking;

(7)

fails to display the permit issued under Subsection (B) in a location where the entire permit may be easily read from outside the vehicle;

(8)

conducts loading or unloading activities from a travel lane, if it is the single travel lane moving in that direction; or

(9)

conducts loading or unloading activities in a manner that violates existing City parking regulations, including, but not limited to, blocking crosswalks, alleys, or handicapped parking spaces.

(D)

Fees for permits issued under Subsection (B) of this section shall be established by separate ordinance.

(E)

In order to minimize impacts to congestion during peak traffic hours, the director shall limit the hours of permitted loading and unloading activities from a curb-side travel lane.

Source: Ord. No. 20140501-034, Pt. 1, 5-12-14 ; Ord. No. 20150212-018, Pt. 1, 2-23-15 .