Boston Temporary No Parking Signs: Cost & Permit Guide

To get enforceable No Parking signs for moving in Boston, you need a City of Boston moving truck permit. The Boston moving truck permit reserves street space and authorizes official signs. Easy Moving Permits handles City Hall pickup and sign posting for a service fee from $85. Your card is not charged until your permit is confirmed.

How to Get No Parking Signs for Moving in Boston

Here is the complete process, from application to moving day:

Step 1: Apply for a City of Boston Moving Permit

Boston requires a formal permit application to reserve on-street parking and authorize No Parking signs. You submit your moving address, move date, number of spaces needed, and truck details. Boston accepts online applications 15 days to eight weeks before a move and in-person applications three days to eight weeks before it. Apply at least 3 days before your move.

With Easy Moving Permits, this step takes under 60 seconds. You fill out one short form and we handle everything from there.

Step 2: The City Reviews and Issues the Permit

The City of Boston Parking Clerk reviews your application and issues the permit, confirming the location, date, and reserved space. The permit gives you legal standing to reserve the street space — without it, no parking signs carry no legal weight and parking enforcement will not assist if another vehicle takes your spot.

Step 3: No Parking Signs Are Posted at Least 48 Hours Before Your Move

City rules require no parking signs to be posted a minimum of 48 hours before your permit start time. Boston recommends 72 hours. Signs must be placed correctly — wrong placement or timing, and police may not honor the reservation.

Easy Moving Permits posts your signs and sends you photo confirmation so you know they're up before moving day.

Step 4: Your Truck Has a Legally Reserved Spot on Moving Day

With signs posted and a valid permit, the curb zone is reserved for your moving truck. If a vehicle remains in the properly posted zone, call Boston Police at 617-343-4911 with the plate number. The permit supports enforcement, but the City does not guarantee that the space will be empty.

What No Parking Signs for Moving Cost in Boston

There are two costs involved: the city permit fee and the service fee if you use a permit service.

City of Boston Permit Fee

• Direct city fee: $69 for a standard one-day permit covering two non-metered spaces and two signs. Two metered spaces add $40.
• City-related checkout cost: Starts at $71, including card processing.
• Service fee: Starts at $85.
• Total: Starts at $156. Use the cost calculator for your dates and space needs.

Service Fee

If you apply through a permit service, the service fee covers permit handling, sign posting, and required flier distribution. Easy Moving Permits starts at $85. Sign removal is separate where that option is available.

Total Cost

• DIY: Pay the current city fee and manage the application, posting, distribution, and removal.
• With Easy Moving Permits: From $156 total. We handle the permit and signs.

How Far in Advance Do No Parking Signs Need to Be Posted in Boston?

The City of Boston requires No Parking signs and vehicle notices to be posted at least 48 hours before your move. The City recommends posting three days ahead. This means:

• Moving on a Saturday: Signs must be up by Thursday morning at the latest (Wednesday morning to be safe)
• Moving on a Monday: Signs must be up by Saturday morning
• Moving on September 1 (Boston Moving Day): Apply 3–4 weeks in advance. Street demand is extreme and lead time matters more than any other day of the year

Easy Moving Permits coordinates sign posting timing with your move date as part of the standard service.

Boston Neighborhoods Where No Parking Signs Are Most Important

No parking signs matter everywhere in Boston, but these neighborhoods have the tightest street parking and highest moving traffic:

• Allston and Brighton — especially around September 1 (Boston Moving Day). Street competition is extreme.
• Back Bay — metered spaces are common; a standard two-meter moving permit costs $40 more than the non-metered permit.
• Beacon Hill — some of the most constrained streets in the city. Do not move here without a permit.
• South End — consistent demand on long residential blocks.
• Fenway and Kenmore — high student turnover in August and September drives permit demand.
• North End — limited street access during summer months. Signs are essential to reserve space.

If you're moving in a ZIP code outside Boston proper, check whether your city is covered. We serve Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, and several other Greater Boston cities with their own permit systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to post no parking signs for moving in Boston?

Yes. Boston requires an official City of Boston Temporary No Parking permit before any no parking signs can be posted. Signs without a permit carry no legal weight — parking enforcement will not remove vehicles parked in an unpermitted zone, regardless of what the sign says.

Can I post my own no parking signs in Boston?

You can apply for the permit yourself through the City of Boston's online portal or in person at the Parking Clerk's office. However, you are also responsible for posting the signs correctly, including timing, placement, and neighbor flier distribution. You must also remove the signs after your move. A mistake in placement or timing can void the permit's enforceability. Easy Moving Permits handles the permit and sign-posting steps from $85.

How many no parking signs do I need for a Boston move?

A standard Boston moving permit covers two parking spaces and includes two No Parking signs. If you need more curb space, confirm the correct permit and sign count with the Parking Clerk; Boston lists signs at $4 each.

How long are no parking signs up in Boston?

No parking signs are posted at least 48 hours before your permit start date and must be removed after your permit end date. A standard Boston permit covers one day (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Multi-day permits are available for longer moves.

What if someone parks in my no parking zone?

Call Boston Police at 617-343-4911 with the vehicle's plate number. A valid permit and correctly posted signs support enforcement, but the City does not guarantee that a space will be empty.

Easy Moving Permits: We Handle the Signs for You

Getting no parking signs in Boston means navigating the city's permit system, timing sign postings correctly, distributing neighbor fliers, and removing everything after your move. Most people have enough to manage on moving day without adding a permit logistics checklist to the mix.

Here's what you get with Easy Moving Permits:

• 60-second application — fill out one short form and you're done
• We handle the permit and posting — city application, permit submission, No Parking sign posting, and required flier distribution
• Photo confirmation — we send you proof your signs are posted, so you're not guessing the morning of your move
• Current service fee from $85 — shown before payment authorization
• Card not charged until confirmed — if we can't fulfill your permit for any reason, you pay nothing

Moving around September 1? See our Boston Moving Day guide for everything you need to know about moving on the city's busiest moving day. Moving to Brookline? See the Brookline moving permit guide or the Brookline permit page for Brookline's separate sign-based system.