Permits
| Permit Type | Who Is Eligible? (see proof of residency requirements) | More Info | Download Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
Permit fees are non-refundable | |||
| Handicapped Parking Permit | Drivers with disabilities who can document the need for a reserved space |  | |
| Residential Parking Permit | Residents of Somerville with personal vehicles registered in the city | | |
| Military Parking Permit | Military personnel on orders currently living in Somerville | | |
| Visitor Parking Permit | Residents who would like a permit for their visitors | | |
| Extended Visitor (up to 30 days) | Residents who already own standard guest permits and would like to purchase a permit for a guest planning an extended stay (3 or more days) | | |
| Small Event Permit | Residents who are hosting a special event and require additional temporary parking permits | | |
| Resident Moving Into the City | An individual moving into Somerville from Massachusetts or from out of state | | |
| Moving Van/Container/Pod | Individuals or moving companies requiring permit/signs for a moving van and/or reserved street space | | |
| Rental | Somerville residents who are using a rental car | | |
| Funeral | An individual attending a wake or funeral within the city. Multiple permits are available for individuals arranging for services | | |
| Religious Organization | Organizations who would like to provide permits to their patrons | | |
| Medical Care | A caretaker of a resident of Somerville who has medical needs | | |
| Health Care/Home Professional | A health care or home professional who routinely visits individuals within Somerville | | |
| Commercial Vehicle (Day) | Somerville businesses with commercial vehicles registered in Somerville | | |
| Residential Commercial Vehicle (Overnight) | Residents of Somerville who drive unmarked commercial vehicles for personal use | | |
| Landlord | A Somerville landlord whose primary residence is outside of Somerville | | |
| Landlord Viewing Permit | A Somerville landlord who needs a permit to temporarily lend to potential renters while showing a property | | |
| Landlord Maintenance Permit | A Somerville property owner who needs a permit to provide to their maintenance company | | |
| Contractor (Buildings) | Contractors working on projects within Somerville with valid building permits | | |
| Realtor | Realtors who show properties in Somerville | | |
| Artist Permit | Artists who maintain working Somerville studio space | | |
| Business Permit Parking Program | Somerville employers and employees who would like to purchases permits (childcare/nannies) | | |
| Consideration | Somerville residents planning an event that requires additional parking than currently available via visitor passes, 2-hour only areas, and metered parking | | |
Parking Shortage
Somerville is one of the most densely populated cities in all of New England. In fact, today, Somerville has more than 11,600 registered vehicles per square mile, roughly 7,600 more cars per square mile than Boston and almost 3,600 more than Cambridge. This works out to roughly one vehicle for every 1.6 residents in Somerville.
So it goes without saying that that we take our traffic and parking polices seriously when it comes balancing the legitimate interests of visitor and business parking against the equally legitimate concerns of residents and their expectation to curbside parking outside their homes.
As a result, Somerville offers an array of visitor parking (1-, 2-, and 3-hour metered parking, both on- and off-street, 2-hour thoroughfares, overnight visitor parking in municipal lots on weekends, etc).
So while parking prohibitions and the violations we issue to enforce them can be an inconvenience and cause frustration, they are necessary to create parking spot turnover. If drivers overstay time limits, others can't find a space and businesses suffer due to low turnover -- not to mention the negative environmental impacts and traffic congestion that result from driving and circling a business district while looking for a convenient parking spot.
