Not violating any municipal code, probably, but definitely violating the first come, first served code. If a space is empty, it should go to the first car signaling or at least nearest the space. Standing in a space when others were there first is just rude.

Yes, standing in a parking spot to "save" it for a vehicle is widely considered rude, anti-social, and highly inflammatory. In 2026, while it is rarely a "crime" in most jurisdictions (unless it occurs on private property where the owner has specific rules), it is viewed as a major breach of unwritten social contracts. Parking is generally a "first-come, first-served" system for vehicles, not pedestrians. Standing in a spot creates a dangerous situation where a driver may not see the person, leading to potential injury, or it may trigger "road rage" incidents. Ethically, it is unfair because a single passenger can "reserve" space that a solo driver—who arrived earlier—rightfully deserves. Most etiquette experts and even local police departments advise against this practice; if a spot is empty, the first vehicle to reach it should be the one to claim it. Instead of standing in a spot, it is better to wait patiently for a spot to open up or to search in a less crowded area of the lot.