Baltimore City Moving Permit: Right-of-Way, Fees & Parking

Permit Summary

Permit status

Permit may be required

Official permit name

Temporary Use of a Right of Way

Authority

Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT)

Fee

When a moving operation is permitted as a curb-lane closure, Baltimore City's 2026 fee study lists the Temporary Right-of-Way curb-lane fee at $65 per week. A full street closure is $85 per week, and an alley closure is $65 per week. The applicable charge depends on the public space occupied; other scope-specific charges may apply.

Processing time

Baltimore does not publish a fixed general review timeframe for a moving-truck Temporary Use of the Right-of-Way permit in the current materials reviewed. The permit application requires payment to be received and required NO PARKING signs to be posted at least 72 hours before the permit start time.

Inspection required

Sometimes

Moving Permit Scope

Permit Scope

Baltimore uses its Temporary Use of the Right-of-Way process when a moving truck temporarily occupies or blocks public right-of-way. The City's 2026 fee study specifically identifies moving trucks as a temporary right-of-way use and states that these applications are accepted and processed through OpenGov.

Moving Equipment Covered

Moving trucks are expressly identified as a temporary right-of-way use. Temporary self-storage containers, including PODS-type containers, are separately regulated by the Zoning Code; if their placement uses public right-of-way, appropriate DOT permission for that right-of-way use is also required.

Moving Container Rules

Baltimore Zoning Code § 14-415 allows temporary self-storage containers in any zoning district when used for loading or unloading. They may not be used for permanent storage, permanently attached to the ground, served by permanent utilities, or stacked, and they are limited on site to no more than 72 hours. Placement in public right-of-way remains subject to applicable DOT permission.

Parking & Reserved Space

Reserved space size

Baltimore's current right-of-way application asks for the number of parking spaces or meter IDs when applicable but does not publish a standard moving-truck curb length or fixed number of spaces.

Location Restrictions

A moving vehicle or reserved area must comply with the approved location and general traffic rules. Vehicles may not obstruct a crosswalk or the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and a vehicle may not stand within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless it is in the actual charge of a person capable of operating it.

Metered Parking Rules

The current DOT right-of-way application asks for parking-meter IDs and the number of spaces when applicable. For EZ Park meters, it states that requests for fewer than 10 spaces will not have the meter bagged; NO PARKING signs still must be obtained and posted at the location 72 hours in advance to reserve the spaces.

Timing & Permit Duration

Application lead time

No separate minimum application-submission lead time for moving-truck right-of-way permits is published in the current materials reviewed. Operationally, payment must be received and required NO PARKING signs must be posted at least 72 hours before the permit start time.

Maximum permit duration

No fixed maximum duration for a moving-truck Temporary Use of the Right-of-Way permit is published in the current materials reviewed. Applicants request start and end dates/times, and curb-lane fees are assessed by the week. Temporary self-storage containers are separately limited by zoning to no more than 72 hours on site.

Temporary No Parking Signs

No parking signs required

Yes

Sign posting lead time

Temporary parking restrictions must be posted at least 3 calendar days before they become effective. The DOT application expresses the same requirement as posting NO PARKING signs 72 hours before the permit start time.

Sign Posting Rules

Post the affected curb area with advance notice of the temporary parking restriction. Baltimore City Code § 2-6.1 requires the notice to state the effective dates and times, the responsible City agency or other person, a brief description of the work or event, and a phone number and email address for further information. The DOT application also requires payment and NO PARKING posting before the 72-hour deadline.

Neighbor / Property Notice Rules

If violating the temporary parking restriction will authorize impoundment, Baltimore City Code § 2-6.1 requires written notice to occupants of properties abutting the affected area at least 3 calendar days before the restriction becomes effective. The notice must include the same basic information as the posted notice and a prominent warning that violations may be enforced by impoundment.

Enforcement & Street Restrictions

Enforcement / Towing Rules

Parking, standing, or stopping during posted restricted hours is unlawful. If a temporary restriction will be enforced by impoundment, the required 3-calendar-day posting and abutting-property written notice must be provided. Vehicles that obstruct or impede traffic or pedestrian movement may also be removed under Baltimore's traffic code.

Traffic / Street Restrictions

Moving operations must stay within the permitted public-right-of-way area and remain subject to posted parking and traffic controls. Vehicles may not obstruct the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, block a crosswalk, or stand within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless the statutory exception applies. Broader street or lane closures require the corresponding DOT right-of-way approval.

What You Need Before Applying

Requirements

Obtain a Temporary Use of the Right-of-Way permit when a moving truck will temporarily occupy or block public street or curb space. Apply through the Baltimore DOT OpenGov system, identify the location and requested start/end time, and provide the number of metered spaces or meter IDs when applicable. Pay the required fee and complete required temporary parking-restriction posting before the permit starts.

Exemptions

The Baltimore DOT process regulates temporary use of the public right-of-way rather than the act of moving itself. A move that stays entirely on private property and does not reserve, occupy, or block City right-of-way does not use this permit pathway.

Required Documents

The current DOT right-of-way application requests applicant and contractor contact information, the proposed location and street limits, a description or reason for the use, requested start and end date/time, parking-meter IDs or number of spaces when applicable, related approvals, and a drawing when applicable. OpenGov may request supporting information based on the proposed scope.

How to Apply

Go to Official Application

Official Sources

Last verified: October 5, 2026