Moving to a new city brings excitement and plenty of planning. As you rent a truck, pack your home, and gather supplies, don’t forget to secure a moving permit. Many major U.S. cities require one to park a moving truck on the street, and failing to get it can lead to fines. In this article, we explain where permits are required and how to get one before moving day.
What Is a Moving Permit?
A moving permit is a city’s temporary parking authorization. It allows an individual to park a vehicle, such as a moving truck or other commercial vehicle, on the street for a specific time. Moving permits are required or recommended in large U.S. cities.
A moving permit ensures that you won’t have to park too far away from your new home, making it easier to move your items. Most municipalities will provide temporary parking signs so you have a designated space to park your moving truck. However, you should avoid double parking because you could end up with a parking ticket.
Pro Tip
- When arranging your moving permit, consider how many crew members and trucks you’ll need. Our moving survey found that nearly 38% of moves used a three-person crew, while about 18% required four movers—all of whom may arrive in separate vehicles. Contact your city’s parking or transportation department at least two weeks in advance to reserve enough space and confirm signage will be posted in time for your move.
U.S. Cities That Require Moving Permits
Whether you’re in California, Virginia, Nevada, or anywhere in between, every metropolitan area has its own types of permits and requirements to obtain them. You will need to confirm the guidelines to obtain a moving permit based on the city you’re moving to.
Pro Tip
- Moving permit costs are just one piece of the overall expense puzzle. In cities like San Francisco and Boston, where permit fees tend to run higher, you may also face added costs for extra trucks or larger crews. According to our Q1 2025 Moving Survey, 77% of movers required only one truck, but those who needed two or more often encountered added fees—making it even more important to factor permit costs into your total moving budget early on.
Below is a list of some large U.S. cities that require or recommend moving permits. We sourced each city’s moving permit information via its “dot gov” or official city website.
Pro Tip
- In dense metro areas like New York City and Chicago—where moving permits are common—our Q1 2025 Moving Survey found that moves tend to require larger crews: in New York, 38% of respondents used a crew of two and 31% used three, while in Illinois, the most common crew size was three movers. Larger crews and tighter urban logistics are exactly why many cities regulate moves through permits in the first place.
How To Get a Moving Permit
It’s easy to get a moving permit for one day. Request your permit at least two weeks before your move, but check each city’s recommendations because it may take longer for the authorities to approve your application. Below are the steps you can take to obtain one:
- Confirm that you need a moving permit: Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or city hall to confirm whether you need a moving permit. You may also be able to check moving permit requirements on your city’s website.
- Apply for a moving permit: Once you’ve confirmed that you need one, you’ll need to file the permit application online or in person. Methods for obtaining a moving permit differ by city, so you’ll have to confirm the exact instructions and what items you’ll need to register. Most cities share this information on their websites. During the application process, they may ask you for your new address and information about the truck, such as its license plate number or proof of insurance.
- Get the signs: Once the city has approved your application, you may receive temporary No Parking signs to block off parking spaces where you can park the moving truck. Some cities will handle this part for you. Make sure you check with your local government to confirm instructions on parking signs.
Pro Tip
- According to our 2025 Moving Survey of 1,000 recent movers, 77% of moves required just one truck, while about 20% needed two and nearly 3% required three or more. If your move calls for multiple trucks, you’ll need to account for each vehicle when applying for your moving permit, as you may need to reserve additional parking spaces or file separate requests for each truck.
Some full-service moving companies include a moving permit’s cost in the quote they send you before filing for the permit, but ask your movers if they will handle this. You can end up with a parking ticket if you don’t file for a permit, so always determine whether you need one.
Moving Permit Costs
Factoring a moving permit into the cost of a move will help you create an accurate budget. The moving permit price varies according to the city, the truck’s size, and how long you need the space, so check with your local municipality to learn how much a moving permit costs for your situation.
Pro Tip
- When filing for a moving permit, you’ll want to gather key documents in advance. Many cities require the moving truck’s license plate number, proof of insurance, and your new address. If you’re using a professional mover, ask them for a binding estimate—a guaranteed rate for the move—so you can include accurate vehicle and service details on your permit application. As This Old House Magazine has advised, having all documentation in order, from the bill of lading to your inventory list, helps prevent costly surprises on moving day.
Our Conclusion
A moving permit is a valuable resource even if the city in which you’re parking your moving truck doesn’t require it. It helps you avoid parking tickets and the hassle of finding space to load or unload your truck on a busy city street. We recommend filing for a moving permit when you’re eligible. Most city websites tell you when to file your application, but consider filing at least two weeks before your move.
TOH survey data also shows that about 37 percent of movers had a crew of three people on relocation day, while another 18 percent had four. With that many people loading and unloading on a busy street, a reserved parking spot guaranteed by a moving permit helps keep the process safe and efficient for your crew and your neighbors.
Pro Tip
- According to our recent survey, about 75 percent of moves require just one truck, but roughly 22 percent need two trucks and nearly 3 percent require three or more. If your move falls into the multi-truck category, securing a moving permit becomes even more critical—you’ll need guaranteed curb space to stage multiple vehicles without blocking traffic or risking citations.
FAQs
What do I need to get a moving permit in Boston?
You don’t need to get a moving permit in Boston, but the city recommends you file for one. Registering for a permit guarantees a parking space for your moving truck, which can give you peace of mind. You might struggle to find parking otherwise, making moving day a hassle.
What are the steps to getting a moving permit in Los Angeles?
The steps to getting a moving permit in Los Angeles are to visit the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s (LADOT) website and fill out the application. You may also visit the LADOT in person or mail a form to apply. Call 311 for more information.
How much is a moving permit in Chicago?
A moving permit in Chicago will cost you $25 per day.
What happens if I don’t have a moving permit and park my truck on the street?
If you don’t have a moving permit and park your truck on the street, you may end up with a parking ticket or you might have to park far from your new home, which makes it more difficult to move your items. You may want to consider obtaining the permit even if you don’t need one. You’ll have a designated spot on the street to load or unload your truck, and you won’t need to worry about where to park on the day of your move.
