San Jose Moving Permit: Curb Reservations & Tow-Away Fees

Permit Summary

Permit status

Permit may be required

Official permit name

Tow-Away Permit

Authority

City of San José Department of Transportation

Fee

For fiscal year 2026–27, the Tow-Away Permit fee is $67. City-issued tow-away signs cost $0.82 each plus tax. The Transportation Department lists lost meter revenue at $8 per meter per day, with no charge on Sundays or holidays. Depending on the meter type, the City's detailed fee schedule also distinguishes $4 per ordinary meter per day from $8 per smart meter per day. If a portable storage container needs a separate Public Works Revocable Encroachment Permit, the 2026–27 fee for a temporary portable storage unit in the right-of-way is $226 per unit plus the applicable record-retention fee. Other applicable service, meter-related and payment charges may apply.

Processing time

San José DOT advises allowing at least two business days or more to process transportation permits; actual Tow-Away Permit review depends on application completeness, the number of streets or meters, complexity and workload. Apply at least two weeks before the requested start date. No guaranteed approval time is published.

Inspection required

Sometimes

Moving Permit Scope

Permit Scope

The Department of Transportation's Tow-Away Permit temporarily reserves curbside parking or parking meters on City streets for moving trucks, storage pods, construction or events. It does not by itself authorize occupying travel lanes or placing objects in the public right-of-way without other required approvals.

Moving Equipment Covered

The City expressly identifies moving trucks and moving pods/storage containers as situations for which curb reservations may be requested. The permit authorizes the specified street parking restriction and tow support, not a general waiver of vehicle, traffic or encroachment rules.

Vehicle Eligibility Rules

The City does not publish a special vehicle-license category for this curb-reservation permit. A copy of the valid Tow-Away Permit must be displayed on vehicles parked within the approved zone, and use must conform to the authorized activity. Under San José Municipal Code § 11.36.290, commercial vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds are generally prohibited from residential-street parking, but the code exempts commercial vehicles making pickups or deliveries to buildings on that street.

Moving Container Rules

For a portable moving or storage container in the public right-of-way, Public Works administers a Revocable Encroachment Permit with a Portable Storage Unit work type. DOT states that a separate Tow-Away Permit is required if the pod will occupy metered curb space or a space with posted restrictions; it may also be needed if street parking must be reserved. Where an encroachment permit is required, obtain that Public Works permit first. Public Works lists a 2026–27 fee of $226 per temporary portable storage unit plus a record-retention fee.

Parking & Reserved Space

Reserved space size

The City does not specify a universal curb-length or number-of-spaces allowance for a household move in its Tow-Away Permit guidance. The application identifies exact streets and any metered spaces; City-issued signs must be posted at each metered space or at intervals of no more than 50 feet in nonmetered areas, including at the beginning and end of the work area.

Location Restrictions

The Tow-Away Permit applies only to the approved street side, segment, dates and hours. Availability is subject to existing parking and street restrictions, including meters, signed time limits, residential permit zones, fire hydrants, crosswalks and sidewalks. A curb reservation does not allow unauthorized travel-lane closures or use of the sidewalk.

Metered Parking Rules

List affected meter and pole numbers and the number of metered spaces in the application. The current DOT FAQ quotes $8 per meter per day of lost revenue, with Sundays and holidays excluded; the detailed City fee schedule distinguishes $8 per smart meter per day and $4 per conventional meter per day. One City-issued tow-away sign must be posted for each affected metered space. Physical meter removal, if needed, requires coordination with DOT and may incur separate charges.

Timing & Permit Duration

Application lead time

DOT strongly recommends submitting the Tow-Away Permit application at least two weeks before the scheduled moving date; this is advance-planning guidance rather than a guaranteed minimum processing period.

Maximum permit duration

The City publishes a six-month term for construction-related Tow-Away Permits, with one additional six-month extension if renewed before expiration. It does not publish a separate fixed maximum term for an ordinary residential move; applicants must specify the actual approved dates, days and hours and comply with the issued permit.

Temporary No Parking Signs

No parking signs required

Yes

Sign posting lead time

City-issued temporary tow-away signs must be posted at least 48 hours, but no more than 72 hours, before the authorized street-use period begins.

Sign Posting Rules

Use only City-issued signs. Clearly print the permit number and the authorized dates, days and hours on every sign, and do not alter or reproduce signs. Post one sign per meter; in nonmetered zones post signs at least every 50 feet, plus at the start and end of the zone, all within 6 feet of the curb. Use string at meter poles or suitable A-frame barricades, not damaging adhesive or wire. Maintain signs, email the posting log to DOTtowsupport@sanjoseca.gov after installation, and remove signs and fasteners when the authorized period ends or work is suspended. Incorrect posting or missing logs can invalidate tow support.

Enforcement & Street Restrictions

Enforcement / Towing Rules

Enforcement requires a valid permit, correctly posted and maintained City tow-away signs, and a posting log submitted to DOT. A permittee seeking a vehicle removal must request assistance through City parking enforcement or law enforcement, not directly through a towing company; officials verify the permit and supporting declarations. Unauthorized vehicles in a valid temporary no-parking zone may be cited or removed under San José Municipal Code § 11.36.200 and California Vehicle Code § 22651(m). DOT notes that tow support is available Monday through Friday subject to staffing; improperly requested tows may create liability for the permittee.

Traffic / Street Restrictions

A Tow-Away Permit reserves specified parking areas; it does not approve blocking a travel lane or closing a street. Downtown lane closures connected with construction require a separate DOT approval and any required Public Works encroachment permit. Loading must not obstruct sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections or fire hydrants (California Vehicle Code generally requires 15 feet clearance). Under San José Municipal Code § 11.36.220, a vehicle ordinarily may not remain at the same on-street location more than 72 consecutive hours; moving-truck parking must also observe posted restrictions.

What You Need Before Applying

Requirements

Apply for a Tow-Away Permit to reserve street curb space or metered spaces for a moving truck or pod. Use the City's getaPERMIT account, provide accurate location and schedule details, obtain approval, pay fees, and comply with temporary sign posting and tow-support procedures. For a container or another encroachment occupying the public right-of-way, obtain any required Public Works encroachment approval before applying for the DOT Tow-Away Permit.

Exemptions

A Tow-Away Permit is not generally needed simply to conduct a move where the vehicle can lawfully use available curb space without reserving it or overriding existing parking restrictions. For an on-street storage pod, the City says a Tow-Away Permit may not be needed if no curb reservation is necessary and no parking meters or posted restrictions are present; any separate Public Works right-of-way authorization must still be assessed. Ordinary parking and safety restrictions continue to apply.

Required Documents

For the Tow-Away application, provide applicant and contact information, purpose of the use, the affected street segment(s) and cross streets, requested days/dates/hours, meter identifiers and number of spaces if applicable, and the number of City tow-away signs. After posting, email the completed Tow-Away Permit Posting Log Worksheet to DOTtowsupport@sanjoseca.gov. A separate Public Works encroachment request generally requires its application, letter of intent, site-specific sketch or plan, and insurance documents when required.

How to Apply

Go to Official Application

Official Sources

Last verified: October 9, 2026