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Resident Parking Permits

The program gives Boston residents preferential access to on-street parking spaces in City neighborhoods.

“Resident Parking Only” parking restrictions are in place on multiple streets in most neighborhoods of Boston. The program prevents long-term parking by non-residents on residential streets.

PERMIT AUTO-RENEWAL CYCLES

Parking permits do not have expiration dates attached to them and will not have expiration dates printed on the physical sticker. Please refer to the 'Permit Auto-Renewal Cycles Table' below to see when the City will be conducting a compliance audit for your Resident Parking Permit neighborhood. 

About the program

When you need a permit

Resident parking restrictions apply to all vehicles not registered in the neighborhood. These include:

  • vehicles that belong to friends and family of local residents, and
  • vehicles owned by residents, but registered to an address outside of the neighborhood. 

A small number of “Visitor Parking” spaces with short-term time limits exist. But, the vast majority of parking spaces are reserved for residents.

For streets with restrictions, you can only park when the restrictions are active if you have a valid Resident Parking Permit. Each sign will have the neighborhood across the top. Any vehicle parked must have a valid Resident Parking Permit for the same neighborhood. If you park on the street without a valid permit, we will ticket you.

For Example:

Let’s say you see a sign that says, “Resident Permit Parking, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. to Fri.” That means that, Monday through Friday, only vehicles with a valid permit can park between the hours of 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

  • Signs that do not have time restrictions mean they are in effect all day and night.
  • Signs that do not have day restrictions mean they are in effect seven days a week.
VISITOR PARKING

All areas with “Resident Parking Only” restrictions also have visitor parking spaces. There are two types of visitor parking:

  1. Two Hour Limit: You can only park for two hours during specific hours. There is no parking limit before or after the times posted on the sign. Restrictions apply to both visitor cars and vehicles displaying resident permits.
  2. Two Hour Limit Except Resident Sticker: You can only park for two hours during specific hours. There is no parking limit before or after the times posted on the sign. This restriction does not apply to if you have a valid Resident Parking Permit.

Business vehicles meeting our commercial vehicle criteria can park in “Resident Parking” or “Visitor Parking” zones. But, they must be performing legitimate work in a local building for a limited time.

Keep in mind:
  • There is no charge for Resident Parking permits.
  • You need to place the permit sticker in the rear window of your car on the passenger side. If your window is tinted, display your sticker on the side window of the front passenger side.
  • New college students face the same requirements as new residents.
Resident Parking Permits for Military Personnel

Please note that military personnel must meet unique criteria to apply for a resident parking permit

Read the Requirements 

Auto-Renewal

RESIDENT PARKING PERMIT NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL CYCLES

Please note: Resident Parking Permits do not have expiration dates printed on them. The City conducts neighborhood-wide audits to confirm that permit holders remain eligible on an approximately two-year cycle. If determined to be no longer eligible with the program requirements, the City will notify you and terminate your permit. Otherwise, your permit will be automatically renewed and will remain active.

Neighborhood Approx. Renewal Cycle
NeighborhoodAllston/Brighton
Approx. Renewal CycleMarch 31, 2026
NeighborhoodBack Bay 
Approx. Renewal CycleMay 31, 2026
NeighborhoodBay Village
Approx. Renewal CycleJanuary 31, 2026
NeighborhoodBeacon Hill
Approx. Renewal CycleDecember 31, 2025
NeighborhoodCharlestown
Approx. Renewal CycleSeptember 30, 2026
NeighborhoodChinatown 
Approx. Renewal CycleMay 31, 2027
NeighborhoodDorchester
Approx. Renewal CycleJanuary 31, 2026
NeighborhoodEast Boston
Approx. Renewal CycleJanuary 31, 2027
NeighborhoodFenway/Kenmore
Approx. Renewal CycleJune 30, 2026
NeighborhoodHyde Park
Approx. Renewal CycleJanuary 31, 2026
NeighborhoodJamaica Plain
Approx. Renewal CycleFebruary 28, 2027
NeighborhoodLeather District
Approx. Renewal CycleMay 31, 2027
NeighborhoodMattapan
Approx. Renewal CycleDecember 31, 2025
NeighborhoodMission Hill
Approx. Renewal CycleJune 30, 2027
NeighborhoodMotorcycle 
Approx. Renewal CycleMay 31, 2027
NeighborhoodNorth End
Approx. Renewal CycleNovember 30, 2026
NeighborhoodRoslindale
Approx. Renewal CycleJanuary 31, 2026
NeighborhoodRoxbury
Approx. Renewal CycleMay 31, 2027
NeighborhoodSouth Boston
Approx. Renewal CycleDecember 31, 2025
NeighborhoodSouth End 
Approx. Renewal CycleApril 30, 2027
NeighborhoodWest End
Approx. Renewal CycleDecember 31, 2025
NeighborhoodWest Roxbury
Approx. Renewal CycleMay 31, 2027

Renew or Apply for a permit sticker

Many of the City’s residential streets are now “Resident Parking Only.” If you live in one of these neighborhoods, you need a permit to avoid getting a ticket. When you are approved for a permit, you will receive a sticker to place on your car.

Renew or apply for a resident Parking permit

Resident sticker graphic

Boston-Based Business Permits

The City of Boston issues a limited number of Boston-Based Business Permits to provide eligible local residents and business owners with parking access to designated "Resident Parking Only' parking spaces on local streets in their neighborhood. Eligible households may only be issued one Boston-Based Business Permit for their neighborhood.

There are three types of Boston-Based Business Permits

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