Ask the Moving Company: What Is a Moving Permit and When Do I Need One?

Moving to a new city can be exciting, but when you’re moving to a large city, sometimes there are rules you must follow to authorize parking for the vehicles you use during the move. Whether you’re moving across the country to a big city or just a few minutes away to a large metropolitan wonderland, you’re going to need a place to park your moving truck. That’s why it’s vital to get a moving permit.

A moving permit is a legal document that gives you permission to temporarily park certain vehicles — such as your moving truck — in a designated location at specific times of the day. You usually need a moving permit in large cities. Although getting a moving permit is an extra step you’ll need to take when moving to a big city, you get the benefit of saving time since you won’t have to waste time searching for places to park your moving truck at the last minute. Read on to learn more about what’s involved in getting a moving permit:

Big city move, big city permits

Several city governments require moving permits in order to reserve a guaranteed parking spot for your moving truck. You’ll need to submit an application for your moving permit to the city in order to receive the permit. Here are a few big U.S. cities that require moving permits:

• Boston
• Chicago
• Hoboken
• D.C. area, including Alexandria and Arlington
• Philadelphia
• Portland
• San Francisco
• Seattle

Understand the costs

It’s crucial to consider moving permit costs so you’re not caught off guard when it’s time to move. These permits typically cost $20 to $40. However, the amount you end up paying for your moving permit will depend on the city that you’re moving to and the type of permit you need. For example, the cost for a moving permit is $25 in Philadelphia as of 2017. However, this cost only covers parking for one day and 40 feet of space, which is about the size of two parking spaces. On the other hand, the city of Boston charges $69 for two non-metered parking spaces as of 2017. If you need metered parking in Boston, you’ll have to pay an extra $40. Also, some cities require that you buy permits in person, such as Hoboken.

When to post your sign

While some cities, such as Portland, may place the “no-parking” signs in their designated areas for you, most will not. So, don’t forget that you’ll need to post the sign on your own. You also want to post your sign at least 48 hours in advance of your moving day. By doing this, you’ll be able to be in compliance with your city’s posting requirements and avoid potential parking tickets.

Final thoughts

Moving to a new city can be a seamless process if you know what to do before you go. This includes knowing which cities require moving permits and when to get them. You don’t have to make moving to a big city a big issue. Most movers who are reputable will help you by coordinating pulling the permit for you. Simplify the process by using a trusted professional team of movers who are reputable and understand the process and permits required for moving to your new location, such as Suddath^®.