Moving Permit in Cambridge, MA
Permit Summary
Moving Permit Scope
Permit Scope
Cambridge's moving permits are Street Occupancy Permits that reserve curb space on a City street. A Moving Van Permit reserves curb space for a vehicle while goods are moved into or out of a building; a Moving Container/Crate Permit reserves curb space for placing a container or crate during a move.
Moving Equipment Covered
The City's moving-specific permit paths cover a moving vehicle under the Moving Van Permit and a moving container or crate under the Moving Container/Crate Permit.
Moving Container Rules
A Moving Container/Crate Permit is required for the City's curb-space reservation process when placing a crate or container on a City street while moving goods into or out of a building. The City issues these permits for three consecutive days.
Parking & Reserved Space
Location Restrictions
General Cambridge traffic rules prohibit stopping or parking so as to obstruct a curb ramp, sidewalk, or bicycle lane/facility, and prohibit parking on a crosswalk, in front of a driveway, within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, or within 20 feet of an intersection. Parking also may not leave less than 10 feet of roadway for traffic or conflict with posted street-cleaning, maintenance, plowing, or snow-removal restrictions.
Timing & Permit Duration
Temporary No Parking Signs
Sign Posting Rules
For a short-duration temporary parking restriction such as a moving van, Cambridge Traffic Regulations require signs no more than 75 feet apart. If the restriction covers less than an entire block, the start and end points must be marked with arrows on the signs.
Enforcement & Street Restrictions
Enforcement / Towing Rules
Vehicles parked in a temporary No Parking area may be ticketed and towed. Cambridge states that paper signs for moving vans are posted 48 hours in advance; a Street Occupancy Permit holder with a vehicle in the reserved area may call Cambridge Police at 617-349-3300 to request towing.
Traffic / Street Restrictions
Moving activity remains subject to Cambridge traffic rules. Trailers may not be parked on a public way. Commercial vehicles or trailers with a capacity of 2.5 tons or more generally may not remain parked for more than one hour between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. or all day Sunday, except while actually being used, loaded, or unloaded; other posted parking and street restrictions also apply.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Use the applicable Street Occupancy Permit when reserving City-street curb space for a moving vehicle or placing a moving container/crate on a City street. The reserved area remains subject to Cambridge traffic regulations, and temporary parking restrictions must be properly signed to be enforceable.
Exemptions
The moving-permit process regulates use or reservation of City-street curb space rather than the act of moving itself. If a move does not reserve or occupy City-street curb space, these Street Occupancy moving permits are not applicable.
Required Documents
The current public Street Occupancy Permit page does not identify a separate document checklist for moving permits. Applicants complete the applicable online Moving Van or Moving Container/Crate application through the City's permit portal.