M/V Guidelines

Boston’s Resident Permit Parking Program is an initiative designed to give residents a better chance of finding an on-street parking space in their neighborhood. Many of the parking spaces on Boston’s residential streets are regulated as “Resident Parking Only.” A smaller number of parking spaces on these same streets are posted as “Visitor Parking” areas for the guests of neighborhoods residents.
Residents who live in areas where parking is regulated for residents only must apply for a Resident Parking Permit to avoid receiving parking tickets. All outstanding City of Boston parking tickets must be paid before applying for or renewing a resident parking permit.

To renew your current permit you may fill out the on-line renewal form and the new permit will be mailed to you.

Permits are distributed by the Office of the Parking Clerk, Room 224, City Hall. Residents, or their representatives, must apply in person Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

You may download the necessary application form » here and bring it to City Hall.

In addition to the application form, the following two pieces of information must be presented at the Office of the Parking Clerk when applying for a permit:

• A valid Massachusetts automobile registration showing your car registered and principally garaged in your name from your current Boston address.
• One of the following proofs of residency bearing your name and Boston address. The proof of residency must be current – postmarked within the past 30 days.
• Gas, Electric or Telephone Bill
• Cable Television Bill
• Monthly Bank Statement (excluding mortgage)
• Credit Card Bill
• Water and Sewer Bill.

Please call the Office of the Parking Clerk’s Resident Parking Division at 617-635-4682 with questions on how to apply for a permit.

• Changing Plates, Vehicle or Neighborhood?

Students wishing to obtain Resident Parking Permits, are subject to the same rules and regulations as any resident permit applicant.

Students are required to have a valid Massachusetts automobile registration showing their vehicle is registered and principally garaged in their name, from their current Boston address. *

Students must also provide proof of residency, bearing their name and Boston address. The proof of residency must be one of the following, postmarked or signed within the past 30 days.

• A signed lease, or Notarized rental agreement
• Gas, Electric or Telephone Bill
• Cable Television Bill
• Monthly Bank Statement
• Credit Card Bill

Towing

Trespass Tows: any vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked in a prohibited location or tow zone as established by the Boston Transportation Department Rules and Regulations will be removed by a private tow company. A trespass tow includes removing cars which are illegally parked in a store parking lot and cars that are repossessed by creditors. Private tow companies must report to the Boston Police Department the time and place from which a car was removed and who authorized or requested the tow.
Police Tows The following categories of vehicles will be towed by private contractors under the direction of the Boston Police Department: vehicles which impede snow plowing and removal operations; vehicles which are a threat or hazard to the public safety and peace; vehicles which interfere with the operation of the Boston Fire Department; recovered stolen motor vehicles; vehicles which have been involved in an accident; and vehicles subject to removal for violations of the B.T.D. Rules and Regulations. In addition, state agencies, such as the Department of Public Works, are authorized to have vehicles removed which interfere with the performance of their duties, such as the removal of snow or the collection of garbage.
Private Tow Company Complaint Information
Telecommunications & Energy Department regulates all tow companies in the state of Massachusetts. (617)-305-3559
This state office will handle any disputes relative to a vehicle wrongfully towed in Massachusetts.
This state office can explain the trespass laws for vehicles and necessary signage required for tow companies.
A Boston Police Incident Report is not necessary. The Telecommunications & Energy Department must receive all documentation relative to complaints in writing.
If your vehicle is towed in the city of Boston, tow operators are required to call the Boston Police Tow Line at (617)-343 4629, and give all information relative to the vehicle and why it’s being towed. This must be done prior to the tow company removing the vehicle. The Boston Police Tow Line keeps a record of vehicles towed and assigns a tow sequence number. To forward a complaint, call 617-343-4629 and give the operator your vehicle registration number and request the tow sequence number, reason the vehicle was towed, time the vehicle was towed and from where the vehicle was towed. In your written complaint to the Telecommunications & Energy Department you may want to include all the above information as well as receipts and pictures. You can fax your letter to 617-723-7947 and make it to the attention of Telecommunications & Energy Department, C/O Timothy Davis or mail all pertinent information to: Telecommunications & Energy Department100 Cambridge Street, Room #1203 Boston, MA 02202

Abandoned or Impounded Vehicle

To report an abandoned vehicle on public property in your neighborhood, please call Mayor Menino’s 24 Hour Service at Tel# (617) 635-4500. The Boston Transportation Department will investigate the complaint and proper action will be taken.

In 1987, the City of Boston filed legislation to authorize the Boston Transportation Department to establish and collect penalties for the abandonment of motor vehicles in the City of Boston. The purpose of this initiative was to minimize the abandonment of vehicles in Boston’s neighborhoods. In 1988, the legislation was approved by the legislature and the governor.

The penalty for a first offense is $250.00 and each subsequent offense is $500.00. Four or more offenses results in revocation of an owner’s license to operate motor vehicles, or when appropriate, the license or permit to operate business for one year. Additionally, the owner is responsible for costs incurred by the City of Boston for the removal and disposal of the vehicle, i.e., towing, storage and disposal fees.

Motor vehicles are auctioned at the:

BTD Tow Lot
200 Frontage Road
Boston, MA

Get information on the current auction.

Vehicles must be paid for in full by CASH ONLY at the office at the time of the sale. No other forms of payment will be accepted. NO DEPOSITS.

Report a Pothole

What causes a pothole?
Water can get under the pavement through cracks or from the side of the road. Over time, the water can cause the material under the pavement to erode, causing the pavement to sink down and break. During the winter, the water under the pavement freezes, then thaws (contracting and expanding). This freeze/thaw cycle can cause the pavement to crack so that it deteriorates quickly under the weight of traffic, and then streets can seem to break out in potholes overnight.

Why are there so many potholes in Boston’s streets?
You can expect to see more potholes in the winter and spring, following periods of cold temperatures and rain or snow. Coastal Boston area cities and towns experience extensive freeze/thaw cycles.

You filled a pothole, but a few days later, there it was again. Why don’t your repairs last longer?
Because making permanent repairs during the winter is both difficult and expensive, in winter months we fill potholes with both cold and hot patch and wait until spring to make permanent repairs with hot asphalt. These temporary repairs are intended to maintain safety and minimize damage to vehicles. Permanent repairs require waiting until the spring to thaw.

How do I report a pothole?
We rely on constituents to report potholes. If you see one, call the Mayor’s 24 Hour Hotline at 617.635.4500 or Make an Online Service Request.

What if the pothole is on a State-maintained road?
To report a pothole on state-owned roads, motorists can call 511 on a cellphone or dial 617-973-7800, the state Highway Department switchboard.

How long does it take to fill a pothole?
On average it takes approximately two business days to fill the typical pothole. Some potholes, because of their location in the road or proximity to other infrastructure such as manhole covers, are more difficult to fill and, consequently take longer.
We have at least ten crews working every day to cover 800 miles of streets in the City of Boston. And many times when a crew goes to repair one pothole, they find several others in the same area.

How can I file a claim for damage caused to my car by a pothole?
File a Notice of Claim Form with the City Clerk.