Color Curb Program Details

SFMTA home > Parking > Color curbs > Details

For any new requests or information about the Color Curb program, please call the San Francisco 311 Customer Service Center. The Center can take applications over the phone.

Red zone details

Red zones are “No Parking” zones. Red zones may be installed near intersection corners; at certain bus stops; fire hydrants; curb ramps; and, most commonly, at the edges of driveways. Driveway red zones are intended to provide additional turning and clearance for vehicles entering and exiting driveways. When driveway red zones are requested, consideration is also given to the preservation of adjacent parking spaces.

Some driveway red zones may not be approved for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: the loss of legitimate parking spaces, e.g., where a 15-feet to 19-feet space exists between driveways; on streets with parallel parking, or over-wide, abandoned or improperly constructed driveways. Because application fees are non-refundable, assessing your specific driveway situation prior to applying for driveway red zones is advised.

Driveway red zone installations are two-foot red zones on each side of the driveway. Multiple driveways of the same property are invoiced accordingly; see the red zone fee schedule. Driveway red zones are not required to be renewed at regular intervals and may be repainted on an as-needed basis upon request. Renewal requests are fee-required and include the processing fee as well as the paint/installation fee. The new requests are reviewed again and may be subject to denial.

When applying, please do not combine processing and paint/installation fees. Please send only the processing fee with your application. See the red zone fee schedule.

Business zone details

White zones are for passenger loading and unloading with a time limit of five minutes. The effective time of white zones vary and are indicated by signs or by stencils on the curb. The driver must remain with the vehicle at all times (limited exceptions apply at preschools and hospitals.)

White zones are not intended for private parking. Such zones are intended for establishments that have active passenger loading and unloading needs. Typical establishments that may qualify for a white zone are hospitals, senior centers, medical offices with five or more practitioners, restaurants with a 100 or more seats or valet parking, hotels, apartment or condominium buildings with over 50 units, theaters, churches or other large places of worship or assembly, schools and government buildings. Other establishments are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Among other reasons, white zone requests may be denied if private off-street parking is available, seating or unit requirements are not met, or if there are adjacent passenger loading zones nearby.

A processing fee is required for white zones. If approved at the public hearing, white zones are required to be renewed every two years; see the white/green zone fee schedule. When applying, please do not combine processing and paint/installation fees. Please send only the processing fee with your application.

Green zones are for short-term parking, generally less than 10 minutes. In non-metered areas, green zones are indicated by a green curb marking with a ten-minute time limit. Standard effective hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

In metered areas, short-term parking can be designated by a green meter with either a 15- or 30-minute time limit, in lieu of a painted curb. The effective hours for green meters are the same hours of operation as adjacent meters. Green zones and green meters are for public use and are not reserved for particular establishments. Please also note that vehicles bearing disabled placards or plates are exempt from the time limits for green zones or green meters.

Green zones or limited time meters are not intended for private parking. Such zones are intended for establishments where transactions are predominantly short-term - 10 minutes - in nature. Typical establishments that may qualify for a green zone are dry cleaners, florists, small neighborhood grocery/deli convenience stores, audio-visual repair shops, shoe repair shops, postal shipping centers, and hardware stores. Other establishments are reviewed on a case-by case basis. Among other reasons, green zone requests may be denied if private off-street parking is available, there are adjacent limited time zones nearby, or the establishment’s transactions are not predominantly short-term in nature.

A processing fee is required for either a green zone or a green meter. If approved at the public hearing, painted green zones are required to be renewed every two years thereafter; see the white/green zone fee schedule. When applying for a painted green zone, please do not combine processing with painting/installation fees. Please send only the processing fee with your application. Green meter zones are not required to be renewed and there is no paint/installation fee.

Yellow zones are for active freight loading and unloading only by commercial vehicles. Yellow zones are not intended for long-term parking of vehicles with commercial license plates. The effective times of yellow zones vary and are indicated by signs on the meter and/or by stencils on the curb. Non-commercial vehicles (those without a commercial license plate) parked in a yellow zone will be cited and can be towed if the sign specifies it is a tow zone. Six-Wheel Truck Loading Zones are indicated by signs only. When signed for six wheels or more, such trucks can use the zone. Six wheel loading zones can typically be distinguished by their red-capped meters in metered areas. There is no fee for establishing yellow zones.

A Blue zone designates parking spaces for persons with a valid disabled parking permit. Blue zones are normally located in areas with high public use, such as in dense commercial areas, and near public parks and playgrounds, where the blue zones can serve a large number of individuals. (Blue zones are not established for a specific individual or a small seclect group of individuals at a specific location.) There is no fee for establishing blue zones.

Blue zone locations (PDF)

Blue zone locations (Web page)

Public Hearing Process

Public Hearings are held once a month at City Hall to legislate the installation of new colored zones. The zones usually recommended for this process are yellow, green, white and blue. The purpose of the hearing is for residents to express their concerns regarding proposed changes affecting their streets. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. At the Public Hearing, the Hearing Officer will review the items and listen to residents, then make a final decision. Postings for proposed changes are posted in the vicinity of the proposed zone approximately 10 days before the hearing date and requestors are notified. Agendas are also posted on the MTA website at http://www.sfmta.com/cms/ccurb/curbindx.htm .

Upon approval at the public hearing, invoices are mailed to the requestor for payment (see fee schedule). Paint/installation fees for white and green zones are required before installation begins. Zones will be installed as soon as scheduling permits

Explore:

On this page:
Links to SFMTA partner websites:
Also on sfmta.com:
Share/follow:
Parking links:
- Top
- Updates
- Where to Park
- Color Curbs
- Enforcement
- Meters
- Permits
- Temp. Signs
Sitewide links:
Visit the 311 Self-service portal


Transit Bike Livable Streets Taxi Walk Parking Traffic About Us