Last reviewed: July 2026
Somerville is one of the most densely populated cities in New England, and street parking can be difficult even on an ordinary day. On moving day, finding enough legal curb space for a 16-foot or 26-foot moving truck can be even harder.
A Somerville moving permit allows you to reserve legal street parking near your home, apartment, or business. Having the truck close to the entrance can reduce long carrying distances, prevent delays, and keep your moving costs under control.
Whether you are moving into a triple-decker in Winter Hill, an apartment near Davis Square, a condo in Union Square, or a home elsewhere in Somerville, securing parking in advance is one of the most useful things you can do before moving day.
The current City application lists a $50 base permit fee, $5 per temporary no-parking sign, and additional charges for metered spaces.
A permit is not required for every move. You may not need one when the moving truck can fit entirely within a private driveway, designated loading dock, or other legal off-street area.
A permit is strongly recommended when:
Simply having a permit does not make an illegal parking location legal. The reserved area must already be a legal parking space.
A permit cannot be used to reserve space across a driveway or crosswalk, within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, or within 20 feet of an intersection. It also cannot override an accessible space, bus stop, loading restriction, or another existing parking prohibition.
Moving van and container permits are issued by the:
City of Somerville Parking Department
133 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144
The Parking Department is located near Davis Square.
Current public office hours are:
Office hours and procedures can change, especially around holidays, so check with the City before making a special trip. (City of Somerville)
Applying in person is usually the fastest and simplest option.
The City’s current permit information states that applications submitted at the service window are processed immediately. This allows you to complete the paperwork, pay the required fees, and leave with the permit and signs without waiting for mail processing.
Before visiting 133 Holland Street, complete the Somerville Moving Van or Container Permit Application. Be prepared to provide:
The person applying must also sign an acknowledgment accepting responsibility for following the City’s permit and sign-posting rules.
The application checklist says the Parking Department accepts:
These payment methods appear on the City’s current application. The application you supplied also confirms the required moving-company, truck-length, parking-location, sign, and posting information.
You may also mail the completed application, supporting information, and payment to:
Somerville Parking Department
133 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144
Do not treat mailing as a last-minute option. The City’s current permit information says mailed applications may take up to 15 business days after receipt to process.
The City also states that permits may be mailed to the resident address, but temporary no-parking signs cannot be mailed. Anyone applying from outside Somerville should contact the Parking Department before relying on a mailed application so they understand how and when the signs will be collected.
Applying in person is generally more practical when the move is approaching.
Do not wait until the day before your move.
The temporary no-parking signs must be posted at least 48 hours before the date and time when the restriction begins. The City’s moving guide advises obtaining the required signs at least four days before the move so they can be posted properly and the reservation can be enforceable. (City of Somerville)
A sensible schedule is:
Applying early also gives the Parking Department time to identify problems with the requested location, truck size, meter numbers, or amount of curb space.
The current City of Somerville permit materials list the following charges.
A moving van or moving container permit costs $50 for up to three days.
A valid Somerville guest parking permit may sometimes be used for a moving van. However, a guest permit only allows the vehicle to park legally. It does not reserve curb space or prevent another vehicle from taking the spot.
A moving container requires its own moving-container permit.
Temporary no-parking signs cost $5 each.
The application says the reserved area requires beginning and ending signs and lists two signs for each 20 feet of truck or container space. Do not automatically assume two signs will be enough for every reservation. The number required may depend on the length of the truck and the total curb space being reserved.
Ask the Parking Department to calculate the correct number of signs when you apply.
When the requested parking area includes meters, the application lists:
You must provide the number of each meter being reserved. Temporary signs are not required when the City bags the meters.
A simple reservation might include:
The actual total may be higher when additional signs, multiple meters, multiple days, or a larger reserved area are required.
Because the City’s website has contained older fee information on some pages, use the current permit application or confirm the total directly with the Parking Department before submitting payment.
The permit application asks for the total length of the moving van or container. Give the City the actual vehicle length rather than guessing.
The truck also needs enough room to enter the space safely, open the cargo area, and use its loading ramp. A 26-foot moving truck may require more curb space than its advertised box length because the full vehicle includes the cab and other equipment.
As a general planning rule:
The City may require signs on both sides of a narrow street for an oversized truck so that traffic can pass safely. Permits may be denied when the truck would leave less than 12 feet of roadway passage, and some Somerville streets cannot accommodate oversized trucks at all.
Giving the Parking Department accurate truck information helps prevent the City from approving a space that is too short or a street that cannot safely accommodate the vehicle.
Receiving the permit does not complete the process. The parking restriction may not be legally enforceable unless every posting requirement is followed.
After posting the tow zone signs, call Somerville 311 and report:
This call creates a record that the signs were installed at least 48 hours in advance.
Dial 311 from a phone within Somerville. From outside Somerville, call 617-666-3311.
You must contact 311 again after the restriction ends and the signs have been removed.
Do not skip this step. A printed permit and posted signs may not be enough if the City has no record of timely posting.
Signs may be attached to:
You may use:
Do not use nails or staples. Do not cover or obstruct existing traffic signs.
Somerville weather can change quickly. Use enough tape, rope, or twine to keep each sign visible and upright.
Check the signs after heavy rain or wind. A sign lying face down on the sidewalk may not provide adequate notice.
Photograph:
Photographs provide a record that the signs were installed in the correct location and on time.
Even when signs are posted correctly, a vehicle may still be parked in the reserved area on moving day.
Check the space early, preferably well before your movers are scheduled to arrive. If a car is parked there, call Somerville 311 immediately.
Have the following information ready:
Do not move the permit signs or attempt to tow or block the vehicle yourself.
Calling early matters because towing is not always immediate. If the moving crew arrives before the space is cleared, the truck may have to wait or park farther away. Since movers normally charge by the hour, parking delays and longer carrying distances can increase the cost of the move.
A permit gives the City the authority to enforce the restriction when the rules were followed. It does not guarantee that the curb will automatically be empty when the truck arrives.
Somerville issues permits for moving vans and portable moving containers, but the City does not allow an unattached wheeled trailer to be treated as a storage container.
A container placed on the street must not have wheels. Unattached trailers are not eligible for these permits and may violate the City’s unattached-trailer ordinance.
This distinction matters for customers using:
Before arranging delivery, tell the container company that Somerville requires an approved street permit and does not allow an unattached wheeled trailer under the moving-container permit.
Also confirm the exact container length and delivery date. The permit should cover the entire time the container will occupy the street, not only the day it is loaded or unloaded.
A Somerville moving permit does not override a declared snow emergency.
During a snow emergency:
The City may also revoke permits because of excessive snow, emergency work, street closures, or other public-safety concerns.
When snow or severe weather is possible, monitor City announcements and contact 311 before placing a truck or container on the street.
A moving van or container permit may be issued for up to three days. The maximum approved hours are generally 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Signs must be removed as soon as the approved restriction expires. The City’s posting policy says signs cannot remain posted for longer than five days. After removing them, dispose of or recycle them properly and notify 311.
Do not leave expired signs attached to trees, poles, or city property.
Although it is not a substitute for posting official signs, giving neighbors extra notice can help avoid problems.
A friendly note can explain:
Do not place notes inside mailboxes unless they are sent through the mail. Instead, hand them to neighbors, slide them under doors where allowed, or use another appropriate method.
Official signs and 311 notification are what make the parking restriction enforceable. Neighbor notices are simply an additional courtesy.
Somerville streets vary considerably. Parking conditions near Davis Square, Union Square, Winter Hill, Teele Square, Spring Hill, East Somerville, and Assembly Square are not the same.
Before applying for a permit, inspect the location and look for:
Also consider where the truck’s rear ramp will open and whether the crew can move furniture from the building to the truck without blocking pedestrians, bicycle lanes, or traffic.
A permit solves the curbside parking issue. It does not solve every access problem. Buildings may also require elevator reservations, certificates of insurance, loading-dock appointments, or specific move-in hours.
Safe Responsible Movers has handled moves throughout Somerville and Greater Boston since 2008. Our crews regularly work in Davis Square, Union Square, Winter Hill, East Somerville, Spring Hill, Teele Square, Assembly Square, and surrounding neighborhoods.
For customers who book their move with us, we may also be able to help acquire and post Somerville moving permits so the parking is handled before moving day.
Call or text 617-606-9098 to request a moving quote or ask about permit assistance.
Permit fees, office hours, and City procedures can change. Always confirm current requirements with the Somerville Parking Department or Somerville 311 before applying.