Somerville is the most densely populated city in New England, so parking is always at a premium. If you’re lucky enough to have a driveway, use it! Make sure you know the parking rules if you want to avoid getting a ticket or inconveniencing your neighbors.

Get a Permit for Your Moving Van

You can reserve a parking spot before you move. That way, you won’t have to worry about finding a spot on the big day. Here’s what you need to know to get a permit:

You can find the application for a moving van permit here.

Permits cost $40 per day. If you want to put a sign up to reserve your spot, you can pay an extra $5 for a sign.

If there’s a meter, you’ll need to pay an additional $35 per day to reserve the spot.

You’ll need to buy the signs at least 4 days before you move, and post them at least 2 days before you move.

Don’t forget to call 311 and let them know about your sign.

If you mail in your application, you can pick up the permit within 10 business days. If you bring it to us, we’ll take care of it right away.

Once you’ve filled out your application, mail or bring everything to:

Parking Department

133 Holland St.

Somerville, MA 02144

You can find more information and rules here.

Get an Annual Resident Parking Permit

If you'll be keeping a car in Somerville, you'll need a resident parking permit for your car, which costs $40. The permit is good for up to 12 months, depending on where you live and what time of year the permit is purchased. Here's what you'll need to apply:

A copy of your vehicle registration showing that your car is garaged in Somerville. If your car is already registered in Massachusetts, you can find the steps to amending your registration here. If you're coming from out of state, you can find the steps to amending your registration here.

Proof of residency, like a gas or electric bill. Leases only count as proof for temporary permits. Find more information about what we’ll accept as proof here.

Once you have an updated registration and proof of residency, you can apply for an annual resident parking permit online. Or, you can print out this application and bring it to the Parking Department.

Need Extra Time to Get Your Registration Updated? Apply for a Temporary Parking Permit

If you're still waiting on an updated vehicle registration or proof of residency, you can apply for a 30-day temporary parking permit free of charge. Just fill out this application and bring it to the Parking Department.

How Parking Works in the City