Do I Need A Parking Permit?
Apr 29, 2025
Don’t run into parking permit issues on moving day
Getting permission to park is a critical step when planning a move, especially when relocating to or from an urban area or a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association (HOA). Since not every home has a private driveway with plenty of room for equipment or space for overnight street parking, you’ll need to find an approved place for the trailer or container on moving day.
Keep reading for examples of cities requiring permits, how to check to see if you need permission to park and what to do if there’s not enough space.
Which cities require a parking permit?
Most large cities require permits to park moving equipment, but some places only recommend them. Here’s what these 7 U.S. cities require:
Austin
The city of Austin requires a permit to park on the street downtown or in other congested areas. For more details, contact the Austin government at 512-974-2000 or visit the Austin Government website.
Boston
Bostonians (or future ones) are not required to have permits for moving equipment, but city officials recommend obtaining one. Special authorization is needed for moving containers. For moving truck permits, apply online or in person, but in-person applications are necessary for containers. Visit the Boston Government website or call the parking clerk at 617-635-4410.
Chicago
As the third-most populous city in the U.S., Chicago’s parking is limited. The city requires permits for moving equipment to or from a residential or urban area. Apply online via the Chicago Government website or contact the office at 312-744-5000 for more information.
Los Angeles
LA, the second-largest city in the country, requires the display of parking permits at least 24 hours in advance for street parking of any moving equipment. The LA Bureau of Street Services handles all applications. You can contact them online or by phone at 213-847-6000.
New York City
NYC is the most populous city in the U.S. and requires permits through the New York City Department of Transportation for most street moves.
Here are the phone numbers for each Borough in NYC:
- Bronx, 212-748-6680
- Brooklyn, 646-892-1350
- Manhattan, 212-839-6210
- Queens, 212-839-2510
- Staten Island, 212-839-2400
Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Parking Authority requires advance permits to park moving equipment on the street. Contact the office at 215-686-5500 for more information.
San Francisco
In San Francisco, both trucks and moving containers must have permits, and you’ll have to post signage in advance to reserve the spots. Contact the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for more information at 415-701-2311.
Finding out if a parking permit is needed for moving
Because rules can vary from place to place, it’s best to check about getting a permit, even if you think you don’t need one. This is especially important if you need to park moving equipment at an apartment or storage facility, on the street, on a private driveway intersected by a public sidewalk or in a residential area with a Homeowners Association (HOA).
You can find city-specific information by searching “city name + parking permit.” Don’t forget to check the rules for both ends of your move! If you’re unsure who handles permits, try one of these contacts:
- City Hall
- Department of Finance and Administration
- Department of Transportation
- HOA
- Landlord or building owner
- Local Police station
- Traffic Enforcement
How to reserve parking for moving
Some towns offer online parking permit applications, while others require in-person paperwork. Check with the authorities in your neighborhood for details.
Before applying for a permit, figure out the amount of parking space you’ll need and for how long. If you're using U-Pack®, refer to our guide for parking moving trailers and ReloCubes®. For other services, verify the equipment dimensions, including upper clearance and room for opening doors or extending a loading ramp.
Remember to check about overnight parking for multiple days, since some places may not allow it.
Is equipment parking impossible?
If you don’t have enough space for moving equipment or can’t get permission to park it, U-Pack can help. Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to discuss your situation with a moving consultant and learn more about our delivery options.
Have questions?
Please don't hesitate to let us know in the comments if you have questions about parking permits for moving equipment. We’re happy to help!
If you’re still planning your long-distance move, don’t miss out on your free, no-obligation U-Pack quote online or by calling 844-362-5303844-594-3077.
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