Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Boston, MA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

Resident Permit Hours
6 PM to 8 AM
Sticker Cost
Free
Snow Emergency Routes
~170 streets
Shoveling Rule
6 hours (16-12.16)

Summary

Boston requires a resident parking permit to park on most residential streets 6 PM to 8 AM. Snow emergencies trigger tow-and-plow on posted routes with 48-hour tow windows.

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 or if a captain or lieutenant of the state police reasonably deems that any motor vehicle apparently abandoned by its owner and standing for more than seventy-two hours upon any property under their respective jurisdictions, is worth less than the cost of removal and storage and expenses incident to disposition pursuant to sections seven to eleven, inclusive, of chapter one hundred and thirty-five, sections eighty-nine to ninety-four, inclusive, of chapter ninety-two, or sections forty-five to forty-eight, inclusive, of chapter twenty-two C, he may, without incurring liability on his part or on the part of the city, town or the commonwealth, take possession of such motor vehicle and dispose thereof as refuse.

Source: MGL c. 90, §22CView official code

Full Breakdown

Boston resident parking zones apply in all neighborhoods from Allston-Brighton to Charlestown. Without a sticker, overnight parking on marked streets results in $40 tickets and, in chronic cases, tows. Stickers are free through the Boston Transportation Department but require proof of Boston residency and vehicle registration to a city address. During declared snow emergencies, the city activates tow-and-plow on roughly 170 posted snow emergency arteries with tows to designated relocation lots. The City Code 16-12.16 six-hour shoveling rule (sidewalks must be cleared within 6 hours of snowfall end) applies separately to property owners. Street cleaning months (April to November) have posted no-parking days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors park overnight?
Residents can request a temporary visitor pass online through BTD, typically valid 24 to 72 hours.
Where are cars towed in snow emergencies?
Tow locations are posted on boston.gov at the start of each snow emergency; common sites include Tow Lot 200 Frontage Rd.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Boston

All Boston rules

How Boston compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·Compare Boston to another location·View the Massachusetts parking rules overview

Get notified when Overnight Parking in Boston, MA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Overnight Parking in Nearby Cities

How other cities in this county handle overnight parking.

Chelsea, MA
Significant Restrictions
Revere, MA
Significant Restrictions