I’ve been a mover in Boston since 2005. Here’s why it's often a good idea to get a moving permit and tow zone signs.

I've been a mover in Boston since 2005, and have had tons of good and bad experiences related to moving permits. I've put together a list of FAQ's regarding moving permits and hope to provide some insight on what can be a controversial topic

Q. What's the point of a moving permit and tow zone signs?

A. It gives your movers a safe, legal, and accessible place to park the moving truck close to where they are loading or unloading.

Q. Can't they just park on the street?

A. They can't park on the street if it's filled with already parked cars. I've been in situations where we've had to load furniture and boxes from blocks away, or have had to circle trucks around the block repeatedly. Not having proper parking often adds a bunch of time to the move, resulting in higher costs and a myriad of other problems.

Q. How much do they cost?

A. The base rate from the City of Boston is $69 per address for 40 ft of space. If there's a parking meter you'll need to pay the meter cost for the day, which depends on location but is usually $20/meter. Usually 40ft is enough for local moves, but if your movers are bringing multiple trucks or a tractor trailer you'll need to pay for the extra space.

Q. What if I have a driveway?

A. It depends where you're at, but it's very common for moving trucks to be too large to fit in a driveway. Remember, just because your car can make the turn into your driveway, it doesn't mean a larger vehicle can. This is especially an issue in Dorchester, Brighton, and Jamaica Plain, although it happens everywhere in the city to some extent.

Q. How do I get a Boston moving permit?

A. The easiest way is to reserve them online at www.boston.gov/reserve-parking-spot-your-moving-truck. They'll send the permit and signs to you, and you'll need to post them. You can only apply online if your moving date is at least two weeks away (15 days), and no more than eight weeks away. They'll send you the permit itself, 2 tow zone signs, and an informational flyer. Alternatively, you can go to City Hall yourself to pay and pick up the permit + signs. Another option is to have your movers handle acquisition and posting. Some moving companies in Boston like Safe Responsible Movers do this, there's a handling fee that's usually in the neighborhood of $99 per permit. Lastly, third party services like PermitPuller.com can acquire and post for you, also with an upcharge.

Q. Where do I post the signs?

A. You'll need to figure out the best spot for the moving truck, ( usually where the back of the truck can be lined up close to the entrance your movers will be using ) and post the tow zone signs at each end of the space you're trying to keep open. This can be tricky depending on your street, but generally the best way to do it is to secure the signs to light poles that are roughly 40ft apart. The tow zone signs will each have arrows on them, so make sure the arrows are pointing towards each other. You'll want to use a bunch of clear packing tape to make it difficult for someone to tear down the signs, ( this is a big problem in the North End particularly ) but make sure the signs are readable. If poles aren't available you can try a fence, trees, or the building itself, but again, make sure the signs can be seen from the road. You'll also need to make copies of the informational flyer and post that on cars who are parked in or nearby the spot you're looking to keep clear. The permit itself can either be posted with the signs or kept on your person on moving day. I find it best to post it with the signs, but as long as you have a copy accessible on moving day either way works.

Q. When do I post the tow zone signs?

A. The signs need to be posted on the street at least 48 hours before the start time of the permit (Usually 7am, but sometimes 12noon ). The city recommends posting these signs three days before your move. You can post them earlier if you wish, but I recommend keeping it within a week of the scheduled move.

Q. What if someone is parked in the permitted spot?

A. Unfortunately this happens constantly. You'll want to regularly check the spot on moving day, starting as early as possible. If a car is parked at your reserved spot, call the Boston police at 617-343-4911. Let them know it’s not an emergency and give them the plate number. They'll send out an officer in an attempt to reach the owner of the vehicle and have them move it. If the police can’t reach the car owner, they will arrange for a tow. This whole process can be VERY time consuming, so if there's an issue you're best off catching it early.

Q. I live on a pretty empty street, there's usually parking. Do I need a permit?

A. If you're in West Roxbury or Hyde Park, maybe you don't. If you can honestly say that there's a high likelihood of truck parking being available on moving day, then don't get one. However, is it really worth the risk? For a small move of a bedroom or something maybe it is. But if you're moving a large apartment or a whole house then you really need to make sure the truck has somewhere to park. Happy to answer any other moving permit related questions folks might have.