Last reviewed July 2026. Boston moving permit fees and rules can change, so confirm current information with the City of Boston before applying.
Why You Should Get a Boston Moving Permit
A Boston moving permit reserves a legal parking space for your moving truck on moving day. The City does not require a permit for every move, but having one can prevent double-parking, tickets, long carries and expensive delays.
This matters in a city with narrow streets, resident-only parking, meters and very limited loading access. Without a reserved space, your moving truck may have to park down the block or continue circling while the crew waits. If movers have to carry every box and piece of furniture an additional 100 feet, that distance adds up quickly.
A permit gives your truck a safe, legal and accessible place to park. That can reduce labor time, make loading safer and lower the risk of furniture or property damage.
Boston Moving Permit Rules at a Glance
- A standard permit reserves two parking spaces for one day.
- The standard permit hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- A permit for two non-metered spaces currently costs $69 and includes two signs.
- Reserving two metered spaces currently adds $40, bringing the usual total to $109.
- You can apply online when the move is between 15 days and eight weeks away.
- You can apply in person when the move is between three days and eight weeks away.
- The official signs must be posted at least 48 hours before the permit begins.
- The permit applies only to legal parking spaces on City of Boston streets.
Important: A Boston permit does not override snow emergency rules, construction zones, accessible parking spaces, existing no-stopping zones or other locations where parking is already prohibited.
How to Get a Boston Moving Permit in Five Steps
1. Confirm Who Controls the Street
Before applying, confirm that the address is on a City of Boston street. Boston moving permits only apply to streets controlled by the City.
Some major roads are controlled by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, commonly called the DCR. These include all or portions of roads around the Emerald Necklace, Fenway and Jamaica Plain.
If the location is on a DCR-controlled road, a City of Boston moving permit will not reserve the space. You will need to contact the DCR about a temporary road access or moving permit.
Learn about temporary DCR road access and moving permits.
2. Choose Between Applying Online and Applying in Person
You can apply online when your moving date is at least 15 days away but no more than eight weeks away. After approval, the City mails the permit, signs and neighborhood notices to the mailing address on the application. Physical materials are generally received within seven to ten business days after approval.
Apply online for a Boston moving truck permit.
If the move is less than 15 days away, you may apply in person as long as the moving date is at least three days away. You can also apply in person when you need a permit for more than one day or when your situation cannot be handled through the standard online application.
Where to Apply in Person
Office of the Parking Clerk
Boston City Hall, Room 224
Windows 4 and 5
1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
The current office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
When applying, be prepared to provide the moving date, the address where the truck will park and whether the requested space contains parking meters.
3. Pay for the Permit and Signs
A standard one-day permit for two non-metered parking spaces currently costs $69. That amount includes the permit and two official signs.
If the reserved area includes two parking meters, the City currently charges an additional $40. The usual total for two metered spaces is therefore $109.
Online applications can be paid by credit card or debit card. In-person payments can be made with cash, major credit cards or qualifying debit cards. The City no longer accepts personal checks for moving truck permits. Card payments made in person may also include a processing fee.
4. Post the Signs and Notify Parked Cars
Receiving the permit is not the end of the process. You or someone acting for you must post the official signs at least 48 hours before the permit begins at 7 a.m. The City recommends posting them three days before the move when possible.
The signs should clearly identify the beginning and end of the reserved parking area. Post them securely and make sure they remain visible. Rain, wind or loose tape can cause signs to fall, and missing or poorly posted signs may make enforcement more difficult.
The City also provides a notice for nearby vehicles. Make copies and place them on cars within approximately half a block of the reserved area. For non-metered spaces, the City instructs applicants to distribute the notices every day for at least two days before the move. For metered spaces, notices only need to be distributed one day before the move.
Giving neighbors plenty of warning is usually better than relying on a tow truck. Many Boston residents leave their cars in the same place for several days, especially on residential streets.
5. Check the Space Before the Movers Arrive
Check the reserved area early on moving day. Do not wait until the moving truck and crew are already outside.
If a vehicle is parked in the properly posted space, call the Boston Police Department’s non-emergency line at 617-343-4911. Tell the dispatcher that it is not an emergency and provide the vehicle’s license plate number.
The police may first try to contact the registered owner. If the owner cannot be reached, the police can arrange to have the vehicle towed.
This process can take time. A permit gives you the right to use the reserved area, but it does not make an illegally parked car disappear immediately. Check the space several hours before the move whenever possible, particularly on a busy moving date.
How a Moving Permit Can Save You Money
Most Boston moving companies charge by the hour. A longer walk between the building and the truck can increase the total cost of the move.
An extra 20 feet may not sound significant until it is repeated for 60 boxes, mattresses, couches, dressers and other furniture. A long carry also means more time moving through sidewalks, doorways and public areas where people, pets and vehicles may cross the crew’s path.
The right parking space can be especially important when moving from:
- A Back Bay or Beacon Hill brownstone with a long staircase
- A North End apartment on a narrow street
- An Allston or Brighton apartment during the September moving rush
- A building with scheduled elevator or loading-dock access
- A home on a busy street where double-parking would block traffic
- A property where the moving truck cannot safely fit in the driveway
A permit will not solve every access problem, but it gives your movers a much better chance of parking close to the correct entrance.
Moving Containers, PODS and Rental Trucks
Boston moving permits are intended for moving trucks, including rental box trucks. They cannot be used to reserve street space for a personal car, SUV or minivan.
Moving containers generally require an in-person application. The City may require documentation or authorization from the company that owns the container. PODS containers use a separate permit process through the City’s designated permit service.
If you are renting a U-Haul, Penske or Budget truck and need help loading or unloading it, Safe Responsible Movers also provides labor-only moving services.
Special Boston Moving Situations
North End Summer Moves
Summer feasts and related street closures can affect moving permit approvals in the North End, particularly during July and August. Contact the Parking Clerk before applying if your move may conflict with a feast, parade or street closure.
This is especially important on and around Hanover Street, Battery Street, Fleet Street, Lewis Street, North Street, Endicott Street, Prince Street and other streets used for summer events.
August 31 Through September 2
Boston sometimes creates designated moving-truck drop-off areas around the September 1 moving period. Some of these areas may not require individual permits. Check the City’s current moving guidance before applying because locations and restrictions can change from year to year.
Even when a special drop-off area is available, it may not be directly in front of your building. Plan for possible congestion, longer carries and limited truck access.
Common Boston Moving Permit Mistakes
- Applying too early: Applications cannot be submitted more than eight weeks before the move.
- Applying too late: Online applications require at least 15 days, while in-person applications require at least three days.
- Requesting an illegal space: A permit cannot turn a bus stop, accessible space, fire lane or no-stopping zone into legal parking.
- Using a City permit on a state road: DCR-controlled streets require a different process.
- Posting signs too late: Official signs must be posted at least 48 hours before the permit begins.
- Failing to notify parked cars: Flyers give vehicle owners time to move before towing becomes necessary.
- Checking the space too late: Towing a vehicle can take time, even when your permit was posted properly.
- Leaving signs behind: Remove the signs, flyers, tape and other materials after the move.
Boston Moving Permit FAQs
Is a moving permit legally required in Boston?
No. The City does not legally require a moving permit for every move. However, a permit reserves a legal parking area for the moving truck and can help prevent tickets, double-parking and long carries.
How much does a Boston moving permit cost?
A standard one-day permit for two non-metered spaces currently costs $69 and includes two signs. Two metered spaces add $40, making the usual metered-space total $109.
How far in advance can I apply?
You can apply online when the move is between 15 days and eight weeks away. You can apply in person when the move is between three days and eight weeks away.
When do the signs need to be posted?
Post the official signs at least 48 hours before the permit begins. The City recommends posting them three days before the move when possible.
What happens if someone parks in the reserved space?
Call the Boston Police non-emergency line at 617-343-4911. Provide the license plate number and explain that the car is parked in a properly permitted and posted moving space.
Can I reserve a space for my personal vehicle?
No. Boston moving truck permits are for moving trucks and eligible moving containers, not personal cars, SUVs or minivans.
Who should I contact with questions?
Contact the Boston Office of the Parking Clerk at 617-635-2560 or movingtrucks@boston.gov. You can also review the City’s official moving truck permit instructions.
Need Boston Movers Who Understand Parking and Access?
A moving permit is only one part of planning a Boston move. Truck size, stairs, elevators, loading docks, long carries and building requirements can all affect the crew size and total time required.
Safe Responsible Movers has handled Boston apartment, condo and residential moves since 2008. We plan around real Boston access conditions and can help you choose an appropriate crew and truck setup for your addresses.