diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 610b96b5..ce287763 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Changed
+
+- Removed `minimum: 0` constraint from `stop_visits.departure_load`. This field is often derived from observations of boardings and alightings that are subject to observation error and those errors may result in negative values ([#270](https://github.com/TIDES-transit/TIDES/issues/270))
+
 ## [1.0] - 2025-12-23
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/spec/stop_visits.schema.json b/spec/stop_visits.schema.json
index 104473fd..0e0a90d9 100644
--- a/spec/stop_visits.schema.json
+++ b/spec/stop_visits.schema.json
@@ -139,10 +139,7 @@
     {
       "name": "departure_load",
       "type": "integer",
-      "description": "Number of riders on the vehicle when departing the stop.",
-      "constraints": {
-        "minimum": 0
-      }
+      "description": "Number of riders on the vehicle when departing the stop. `departure_load` is typically derived from boardings and alightings and negative values are possible and permitted due to errors in the APC observations; data producers should document how negative values should be interpreted if present."
     },
     {
       "name": "door_open",