Parking Rules in Somerville, MA (2026)
7 verified parking rules for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
RVs, boats, and trailers may not be parked on Somerville streets overnight. Storage on private property must be behind the front building line and screened.
Somerville RV and Boat Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDriveway Rules
New driveways in Somerville require a curb cut permit from DPW plus zoning approval. Many lots are grandfathered and cannot add new curb cuts.
Somerville Driveway and Curb Cut Rules
Heavy RestrictionsCommercial Vehicle Restrictions
Commercial vehicles over 2.5 tons cannot park overnight on Somerville residential streets. Loading zones are time-limited and signed by block.
Somerville Commercial Vehicle Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 90, Section 16A
Section 16A. No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the unnecessary operation of the engine of a motor vehicle while said vehicle is stopped for a foreseeable period of time in excess of five minutes. This section shall not apply to (a) vehicles being serviced, provided that operation of the engine is essential to the proper repair thereof, or (b) vehicles engaged in the delivery or acc...
Street Parking Limits
Most Somerville streets are resident-permit zones. Non-residents are limited to 2 hours on posted blocks from 8 AM to 8 PM daily including weekends.
Somerville Street Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsOvernight Parking
Overnight street parking in Somerville requires a resident permit citywide. Snow emergencies trigger odd-even or posted-side bans.
Somerville Overnight Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsEV Charging
Somerville requires EV-ready wiring in new residential and commercial construction. Public on-street chargers are for active charging only, 4-hour limit.
Somerville Electric Vehicle Charging Rules
Some RestrictionsAbandoned Vehicles
Under MGL c.90 s.22D and city rules, Somerville can tow vehicles left unmoved more than 72 hours, or any unregistered or uninspected vehicle.
Somerville Abandoned Vehicle Rules
Some RestrictionsMassachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 22C (Abandoned motor vehicles; removal and disposal — 72-hour threshold)
Section 22C. If the superintendent of streets or other officer having charge of the public ways in a city or town reasonably deems that any motor vehicle apparently abandoned by its owner and standing for more than seventy-two hours upon a public or private way therein or on any property therein without the permission of the owner or lessee of said property, is worth less than the cost of remov...
Looking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Somerville city rules.
Parking Rules in Middlesex County →