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Parking Rules in Medford, MA (2026)

7 verified parking rules for Medford, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

RV & Boat Parking

In the City of Medford, Massachusetts, an unregistered or inoperable RV, boat, trailer or camper cannot be stored in the front yard of a residential lot, which the ordinance defines as the 15-foot setback area from the property line. The rule targets vehicles that are unregistered or non-functional rather than banning front-yard parking outright.

Front-yard RV and boat storage limits, Medford

Some Restrictions

Medford Revised Ordinances § 38-35(b)

(b)No unregistered or inoperable motor vehicle, boat, trailer, camper or recreational vehicle shall be stored in the front yard, which is 15-foot setback from the property line, of the residential district.

Driveway Rules

New driveways in Medford, Massachusetts residential districts need a permit from the city engineer before construction. The zoning ordinance requires paving with stones, grass pavers, pervious concrete, or porous asphalt unless graded to drain onto permeable ground or a waiver is granted for adverse site conditions.

Medford Residential Driveway Permit & Paving Rules

Some Restrictions

Medford Revised Ordinances § 94-6.1.4(11)

11.Additional provisions for driveways in residential districts:a.New driveways shall require a permit from the city engineer.b.Driveways must be paved with paving stones, grass pavers, pervious concrete, or porous asphalt unless graded to direct runoff onto on-site permeable areas or granted a waiver by the city Engineer to mitigate adverse site conditions.c.Ribbon driveways ate highly encoura...

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Medford's zoning code bars overnight parking of any commercial vehicle over 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight in the city's Residence Districts unless it sits inside an enclosed garage. Revised Ordinances § 94-3.3.6 lists the ban among the accessory uses specifically prohibited on residential lots, alongside commercial auto repair and outdoor storage.

Medford Ban on Overnight Truck Parking

Heavy Restrictions

Medford Revised Ordinances § 94-3.3.6

94-3.3.6 Prohibited Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses are prohibited: ... 2.Residence Districts. In the Residence Districts, the following accessory uses are prohibited: ... c.Overnight parking (except in an enclosed garage) of any commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than 15,000 pounds.

Street Parking Limits

On private ways open to public right-of-access, Revised Ordinances § 78-147 bars parking that blocks a driveway, sits within ten feet of a hydrant or 20 feet of an intersection, blocks emergency vehicles or snowplows, or leaves an unregistered vehicle, and lets Medford police tag or tow offenders.

Medford Private Way Parking Prohibitions

Some Restrictions

Medford Revised Ordinances § 78-147(a)-(c)

(a)Intent of section; prohibited acts. It is the intent of this section to ensure the orderly flow of traffic on private ways (ways on which the public has a right-of-access) and to ensure that public safety vehicles at all times have access to all properties and facilities therein situated. The following acts are unlawful:(1)It shall be unlawful to park an unregistered and/or uninsured vehicle...

EV Charging

Medford requires developers of covered nonresidential and multi-unit projects to incorporate vehicle charging infrastructure into their parking areas to the maximum extent feasible, and to plan for a decade of future expansion. Section 94-6.4.7(14) folds the mandate into the transportation-access performance standards reviewed alongside every special permit and site plan application.

Medford EV Charging Infrastructure Requirement

Light Restrictions

Medford Revised Ordinances § 94-6.4.7(14)

14.Vehicle charging stations. The applicant will incorporate vehicle charging infrastructure to the maximum extent feasible into its parking areas, and make provision for the future expansion of such infrastructure over the next ten years. This information will be clearly indicated in the applicant's engineering plans.

Abandoned Vehicles

In the City of Medford, Massachusetts, no one may keep a junk motor vehicle, boat, trailer, camper or recreational vehicle stored ungaraged on residential property for more than 48 hours if it is inoperable and in disrepair. The Medford Revised Ordinances set a flat $300 fine per offense once that 48-hour notice period runs out.

Junk vehicle storage rules in Medford

Some Restrictions

Medford Revised Ordinances § 38-35(a), (c)

(a)No person shall have, keep, or store ungaraged on his or her premises for more than 48 hours in a residential district, a junk motor vehicle, boat, trailer, camper or recreational vehicle that is inoperable and in a state of disrepair. A junk vehicle, for the purpose of this chapter shall include, but not be limited to, any one of the following conditions:(1)Parts dismantled and or removed.(...

Loading Zones

Medford's noise performance standards let the Community Development Board restrict loading, unloading, and container handling at nonresidential or multi-unit developments between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Section 94-6.4.5 also sets a citywide 10 dBA-above-ambient sound ceiling at the property line, administered by the Board of Health, for the same class of special permit and site plan projects.

Medford Loading and Unloading Noise Hours

Some Restrictions

Medford Revised Ordinances § 94-6.4.5(2)(a)

94-6.4.5 Noise Standards. The proposed development shall not unreasonably interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment of property within the city as a result of the generation of noise. ... 2.Hours of operation. As a condition of any special permit or site plan approval, the SPGA or community development board may prohibit or regulate the following circumstances regarding hours of operation...