Renew Cambridge Parking Permits Online Starting December 1, 2023

It's almost the new year – and that means it’s time to renew your Cambridge parking permit! Make sure to renew your Resident and/or Visitor Parking Permit by March 31, 2024. 

New Resident Parking Permit Limits

Beginning in 2024, the City of Cambridge has placed a limit on the number of Resident Parking Permits each Cambridge resident may obtain. An individual may have no more than four vehicles with Resident Parking Permits. You may only use a resident parking permit on a vehicle intended for personal use.

How do I apply for a parking permit?

You can apply for a permit online beginning on December 1, 2023, and in-person beginning on January 2, 2024. 

Permit renewal timeline: 

• December 1, 2023: residents can renew their permits online at www.cambridgema.gov/rpp. Permits will not be mailed before January 2, 2024. Apply online by Friday, March 1, to ensure you receive your permit in the mail by April 1.
• January 2, 2024: Residents can renew permits in person beginning on January 2, 2024. Renew permits in-person at the City of Cambridge’s Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department in the City Hall Annex at 344 Broadway.
• March 1, 2024: Apply online by Friday, March 1, to ensure you receive your permit in the mail by April 1.
• April 1, 2024: Cars parked in spaces with signs that  say “Parking by Permit Only” must use a 2024 Resident or Visitor Parking Permit. 
  • You can start using your 2024 permit as soon as you receive it! From January 2 through March 31, 2024, cars parked in spaces with signs that say “Parking by Permit Only” may use either 2023 or 2024 parking permits.

What do I need to apply for a parking permit?

Proof of residency

• To prove that you are a Cambridge resident, you must provide either:
  • one utility bill that shows your name, Cambridge service address, and mailing address dated within the last 30 days or
  • two pieces of mail that show your name and Cambridge mailing address dated within the last 30 days.
• If you are applying for a Resident Parking Permit, the proof of residency must have the same name and address as your vehicle registration.
• Residents that have received a permit at the same address for three or more consecutive years do not need to provide proof of residency.

Vehicle registration

• Vehicle must be registered in Massachusetts
• Vehicle must be registered in your name
• Registration must display your Cambridge residential address and match the address from your proof of residency
• Registration must list a garage code in Cambridge

Permit fees

• $25 per Resident Parking Permit. A Resident Parking Permit includes a maximum of one Visitor Parking Permit per household.
• $25 per Visitor Parking Permit for households without a vehicle.
• Permits are free for residents who are 65 or older or residents who have a disability plate or placard.

Pay all parking tickets

Parking permits will not be issued to residents with unpaid parking tickets.

Visit our Parking Permits webpage for more information. 

Where do I put my permit?

When you receive your Resident Parking Permit, immediately stick it on the inside lower driver’s side corner of the windshield. Remove all prior year permits. 

Visitors should place Visitor Parking Permits on their dashboard and return them to the Cambridge resident at the end of their visit. 

About the Permit Photo 

This year, TP+T received over 250 photos and pieces of art from Cambridge residents, and photographer Regina Mitarachi submitted this winning image.

The 2024 Residential Parking Permit features a photo of the Cambridge Latin School arch with a view of the Cambridge Public Library in the background. This arch was the historic entrance to Cambridge Latin School, built in the late 1800s. When the original school building was demolished in 1980, the City preserved the granite lintel and doorframe and set it up at the corner of Ellery Street and Broadway as an entry portal to Lorentz Park.