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Apply for a Non-Resident Parking Permit

Traffic, Parking, and Transportation

You, or people who provide services at your home, may be eligible for a Non-Resident Parking Permit, if:

  • Business - Your business provides services to Cambridge residents in their homes on a frequent and recurring basis. This permit is intended for businesses that provide short-term services such as visiting nurses, realtors, and social workers. The permit is not intended for contractors or service professionals who work on homes.
  • Childcare - You are a Cambridge resident and one or more people provide childcare at your home on a frequent and regular basis.
  • Home-Based Business (Visitor Permit) - You are a Cambridge resident, you operate a business out of your home, and your home is in a primarily residential area where most parking spaces are designated “Parking by Permit Only."
  • Landlord - You own property in Cambridge and need to have access to that property. Note: these permits are only available if the property is in a building with fewer than 8 units.
  • Long-Term Home Care - You are a Cambridge resident and someone provides healthcare services at your home on a frequent and regular basis.
  • Non-Profit (Visitor Permit) - You manage a non-profit organization that provides housing to people in Cambridge (e.g., group homes, shelters, and hospice homes) and you need to provide parking to healthcare or other social-service providers who visit your organization.
  • School Department - You are a Cambridge School Department employee who must travel to service multiple school locations during the day. Note: this permit is not a resource for commuting. Applications must be approved and submitted by Ann Marie Picanco of CPSD Human Resources

General Requirements and Information

  • Parking Ticket Payments - We will not issue you a permit if you have any unpaid parking tickets in your name.
  • Vehicle Registrations - These permits are intended for people who are coming to Cambridge and providing business or services on a regular basis. Additional documentation may be required for out-of-state plates.
  • Updating Vehicle Information - If you purchase a new vehicle and get new license plates, we will update the plate information and send you a new permit free of charge.
  • Lost or Stolen Permits - If you need to replace your permit because it was lost or stolen, you may request and pay for a replacement.
  • Permit Limits - These types of permits only allow for parking in areas designated “Parking by Permit Only.” Additional restrictions for each permit type are listed under "Permit Details." All other traffic rules and regulations apply, including meter payment requirements.

Permit Details

Business Permit

You may be eligible for a business permit your business provides services to Cambridge residents in their homes on a frequent and recurring basis. This permit is intended for businesses that provide short-term services, such as visiting nurses, realtors, and social workers. The permit is not intended for contractors or service professionals who work on homes.

Permit Details and Requirement

Business Permits allow people providing services at Cambridge residences to park their vehicles in “Parking by Permit Only” areas for up to two hours. If the business/organization is located in Cambridge, parking is not allowed within a four block radius of the business/organization. All other traffic rules and regulations apply.

Each permit will be assigned to a specific vehicle and may not be used on any other vehicle. Business Permits expire June 30 each you. You may renew permits between May 1 and June 30.

Standard Fee: $200.00 per vehicle

Non-Profit Fee: $50.00 per vehicle

Application Process

Each business/organization should have one primary point of contact apply on behalf of everyone in the business/organization. The Primary Point of Contact may submit applications for multiple vehicles at once.

The primary point of contact must:

  • Get the name, license plate state, and license plate number for each person who needs a parking permit. Note: each permit will be assigned to a specific plate and may not be used on more than one vehicle.
  • Complete the online application form. You will need to:
    • Create a user profile or log into your existing account; we suggest that you use your work email address and the address of the business
    • Provide your business/organization name and address
    • Identify your business/organization as a for-profit or a non-profit
    • Provide two to three sentences about the service your business/organization provides to Cambridge Residents
    • Enter the vehicle information for each employee and upload a copy of each vehicle registration
    • If your business is a non-profit, you must upload documentation showing your tax-exempt status.
  • After you complete your application, we will review it.
  • Do not send your payment until after we complete our review. Any vehicles with outstanding parking tickets will be denied and you will have to submit a new application for them. Therefore, we don't know the amount due until after we complete our review.
  • Once our review is complete you will get an email letting you know that it’s time to pay. We accept:
    • American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit and credit cards;
    • Direct payments from personal checking, personal savings, and commercial checking accounts (you'll need the account number and routing number); and
    • Checks or money orders made out to the “City of Cambridge.” Write your permit number on the memo line. If you would like to pay by check or money order, you will need to mail or bring your payment to our office.
      TP+T | Parking Services
      344 Broadway
      Cambridge, MA 02139
  • After you pay, we will mail your permit(s) to you. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

Childcare Permit

You may be eligible for this permit if you are a Cambridge resident and one or more people provide childcare at your home on a frequent or regular basis.

Permit Details and Requirements

Childcare Permits allow people providing childcare at Cambridge residences to park their vehicles in “Parking by Permit Only” areas that are within a four-block radius of the resident’s home. All other traffic rules and regulations apply.

Each permit will be assigned to a specific vehicle and may not be used on any other vehicle. However, if there are people who come at different times, the permit fee covers multiple vehicles within a week. For example, if one provider comes on Tuesday and Thursdays, and another comes on Wednesdays and Fridays, the permit fee would be $200.00. There can be no overlap in days or times. If you have two or more people providing childcare at the same time, you will need to pay for multiple permits.

Childcare Permits expire one year after they are issued. You may renew permits up to two months before the expiration date.

Fee: $200.00 per permit

Application Process

You must be a Cambridge resident with a current Resident or Visitor Parking Permit to apply. If you do not have an existing Resident or Visitor Parking Permit, contact us.

  • Get the name, license plate state, and license plate number for each person who needs a parking permit. Note: each permit will be assigned to a specific plate and may not be used on more than one vehicle. You may add more than one person and vehicle to your application if multiple people provide childcare within the same week, and do not have overlapping schedules. We will provide one time-restricted permit for each person.
  • Complete the online application form. You will need to:
    • Create a user profile or log into your existing account, note: the applicant information must match the information we have on record for your Resident or Visitor Parking Permit
    • Confirm that you have a current Resident or Visitor Parking Permit
    • Enter the vehicle information for each childcare provider and upload a copy of each vehicle registration
  • After you complete your application, we will review it.
  • Once our review is complete you will get an email letting you know that it’s time to pay. We accept:
    • American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit and credit cards;
    • direct payments from personal checking, personal savings, and commercial checking accounts (you'll need the account number and routing number); and
    • checks or money orders made out to the “City of Cambridge.” Write your permit number on the memo line. If you would like to pay by check or money order, you will need to mail or bring your payment to our office.
      TP+T | Parking Services
      344 Broadway
      Cambridge, MA 02139
  • After you pay, we will mail your permit(s) to you. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

Home-Based Business Visitor Permit

Permit Details and Requirements

Home-Based Business Permits are Visitor Parking Permits for Cambridge Residents who operate business out of their homes and live in areas with limited metered parking availability. There is a maximum of two Home-Based Business Permits per household.

Visitor Permits are zoned and may only be used in areas that are designated “Parking by Permit Only” on streets that are shown on the back of the permit. Home-Based Business Permits expire March 31 each year. You may renew permits between January 1 and March 31.

Fee: $100.00 per permit

Application Process

You must be a Cambridge resident with a current Resident or Visitor Parking Permit to apply. If you do not have an existing Resident or Visitor Parking Permit, contact us.

  • Complete the online application form. You will need to:
    • Create a user profile or log into your existing account, note: the applicant information must match the information we have on record for your Resident or Visitor Parking Permit
    • Confirm that you have a current Resident or Visitor Parking Permit
    • Select the number of permits that you want to purchase, one or two
    • Upload proof of your business; note: you must upload documentation confirming the existence of a home-based business. Examples include: a copy of active professional licensure, business incorporation paperwork and/or tax documents. Letterhead alone is not acceptable proof of the existence of a home-based business. If you are using a tax form or any other documentation with a Social Security Number, please be sure to cover or delete it.
  • After you complete your application, we will review it. Once our review is complete you will get an email letting you know that it’s time to pay. We accept:
    • American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit and credit cards;
    • direct payments from personal checking, personal savings, and commercial checking accounts (you'll need the account number and routing number); and
    • checks or money orders made out to the “City of Cambridge.” Write your permit number on the memo line. If you would like to pay by check or money order, you will need to mail or bring your payment to our office.
      TP+T | Parking Services
      344 Broadway
      Cambridge, MA 02139
  • After you pay, we will mail your permit(s) to you. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

Landlord Permit

Permit Details and Requirements

Landlord Permits allow people who own residential properties (in buildings with fewer than eight units) to park within a four-block radius of their property. All other traffic rules and regulations apply.

Each permit will be assigned to a specific vehicle and may not be used on any other vehicle. Landlord Permits expire one year after they are issued. You may renew permits up to two months before the expiration date.

Fee: $200.00 per permit

Application Process

To be eligible, you must own a residential property in a building with fewer than eight units.

  • Complete the online application form. You will need to:
    • Create a user profile or log into your existing account
    • Provide the address(es) of the property that you own
    • Enter your vehicle information and upload a copy of your vehicle registration
  • After you complete your application, we will review it.
  • Once our review is complete you will get an email letting you know that it’s time to pay. We accept:
    • American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit and credit cards;
    • direct payments from personal checking, personal savings, and commercial checking accounts (you'll need the account number and routing number); and
    • checks or money orders made out to the “City of Cambridge.” Write your permit number on the memo line. If you would like to pay by check or money order, you will need to mail or bring your payment to our office.
      TP+T | Parking Services
      344 Broadway
      Cambridge, MA 02139
  • After you pay, we will mail your permit to you. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

Long-Term Home Care Permit

Permit Details and Requirements

Long-Term Home Health Care Permits allow people providing healthcare at Cambridge residences to park their vehicles in “Parking by Permit Only” areas that are within a four-block radius of the resident’s home. All other traffic rules and regulations apply.

Each permit will be assigned to a specific vehicle and may not be used on any other vehicle. However, if there are people who come at different times, the permit fee covers multiple vehicles within a week. For example, if one provider comes on Tuesday and Thursdays, and another comes on Wednesdays and Fridays the permit fee would be $50.00. There can be no overlap in days or times. If you have two or more people providing care at the same time, you will need to pay for multiple permits.

Long-Term Home Care Permits expire one year after they are issued. You may renew permits up to two months before the expiration date.

Fee: $50.00 per permit

Application Process

You must be a Cambridge resident with a current Resident or Visitor Parking Permit to apply. If you do not have an existing Resident or Visitor Parking Permit, contact us.

  • Get the name, license plate state, and license plate number for each person who needs a parking permit. Note: each permit will be assigned to a specific plate and may not be used on more than one vehicle. You may add more than one person and vehicle to your application if multiple people provide care within the same week, and do not have overlapping schedules. We will provide one time-restricted permit for each person.
  • Complete the online application form. You will need to:
    • Create a user profile or log into your existing account, note: the applicant information must match the information we have on record for your Resident or Visitor Parking Permit
    • Confirm that you have a current Resident or Visitor Parking Permit
    • Enter the vehicle information for each provider and upload a copy of each vehicle registration
    • Upload a doctor’s note that provides information about the type of care and how often it is needed; the note must be dated within the last 30 days
  • After you complete your application, we will review it.
  • Once our review is complete you will get an email letting you know that it’s time to pay. We accept:
    • American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit and credit cards;
    • direct payments from personal checking, personal savings, and commercial checking accounts (you'll need the account number and routing number); and
    • checks or money orders made out to the “City of Cambridge.” Write your permit number on the memo line. If you would like to pay by check or money order, you will need to mail or bring your payment to our office.
      TP+T | Parking Services
      344 Broadway
      Cambridge, MA 02139
  • After you pay, we will mail your permit(s) to you. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

Non-Profit Visitor Permit

Permit Details and Requirements

Non-Profit Visitor Permits are Visitor Parking Permits for Non-Profit organizations that provide shelter and/or medical care in Cambridge (e.g., group homes, shelters, or hospice homes). These Permits are not intended to support commuter parking and may not be used by people who work for the organization. Permits may be used by people who visit the organization to provide services to your clients, such as healthcare or social service providers.

Visitor Permits are zoned and may only be used in areas that are designated “Parking by Permit Only” on streets that are shown on back of the permit. Non-Profit Visitor Permits expire March 31 each year. You may renew permits between January 1 and March 31.

Fee: $50.00 per permit

Application Process

Applications must be submitted by the organization manager.

  • Complete the online application form. You will need to:
    • Create a user profile or log into your existing account; we suggest that you use your work email address and the address of the organization
    • Provide your business/organization name and address
    • Identify your business/organization as a for-profit or a non-profit and indicate the type of business
    • Provide two to three sentences about the service your business/organization provides to Cambridge Residents
    • Provide two to three sentences about why you need a Visitor Permit and who it will be used by
    • Select the number of permits that you want to purchase; requests for more than two permits are subject to manager approval
    • If your organization has multiple buildings, provide the addresses for the buildings where the permits will be used
    • Upload documentation showing your tax-exempt status
  • After you complete your application, we will review it.
  • Once our review is complete you will get an email letting you know that it’s time to pay. We accept:
    • American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa debit and credit cards;
    • direct payments from personal checking, personal savings, and commercial checking accounts (you'll need the account number and routing number); and
    • checks or money orders made out to the “City of Cambridge.” Write your permit number on the memo line. If you would like to pay by check or money order, you will need to mail or bring your payment to our office.
      TP+T | Parking Services
      344 Broadway
      Cambridge, MA 02139
  • After you pay, we will mail your permit(s) to you. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

School Department Permit

Permit Details and Requirements

School Department Permits allow Cambridge Public Schools employees who work at multiple school locations over the course of a day to park in areas designated “Parking by Permit Only." Each permit will be associated with a base school. Parking is not allowed within a four-block radius of the base school. This permit is not intended for commuter parking and may only be used while servicing Cambridge schools. All other traffic rules and regulations apply.

Each permit will be assigned to a specific vehicle and may not be used on any other vehicle. School Department Permits expire June 30 of each year. Cambridge Public Schools Human Resources will renew permits between May 1 and June 30,

Fee: $0.00

Application Process

Applications must be approved and submitted by Ann Marie Picanco of CPSD Human Resources.

  • Provide Ann Marie your name, license plate state, license plate number, and a copy of your vehicle registration. Note: each permit will be assigned to a specific plate and may not be used on more than one vehicle.
  • After Ann Marie submits your application, we will review it.
  • After your application is approved, Ann Marie will contact you
Page was posted on 6/2/2021 12:57 PM
Page was last modified on 8/3/2023 9:36 AM
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