Renew Residential Parking Permits Online Starting December 1, 2024

It's almost the new year – and that means it’s time to renew your Cambridge parking permit! Starting December 1, 2024, the online permit renewal process opens. Make sure to renew your Resident and/or Visitor Parking Permit by March 31, 2025 at www.cambridgema.gov/rpp.

Resident Parking Permit Limits

In 2024, the City of Cambridge limited the number of resident parking permits each Cambridge resident may get. 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?

• Beginning December 1, 2024, Cambridge residents can renew their Resident and Visitor Parking Permits online at www.cambridgema.gov/rpp. Apply for renewal before March 2, 2025 to ensure receipt of your permit by April 1. Permits are not mailed until early January.
• In-person renewal at 344 Broadway begins January 2, 2025. Residents must renew their parking permits by March 31, 2025. Renew in person at the City of Cambridge’s Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department in the City Hall Annex at 344 Broadway.
• From January 2 to March 31, 2025, you may use either a 2024 or 2025 parking permit to park in "Parking by Permit Only" areas.
• Starting April 1, 2025, you must display a 2025 parking permit to park in "Parking by Permit Only" areas.
  
  

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 the Department of Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Parking Permits webpage for more information.

Where do I put my permit?

When you receive your Resident Parking Permit, it must go on the inside lower driver’s side corner of the windshield and remove all prior year permits. 

About the Permit Photo

Out of 275 submissions, Mary Leno's photo of Richard B. Modica Way, known as "Graffiti Alley" was selected as the featured image in the 2025 Resident Parking Sticker. The vibrant 80-foot stretch of ever-changing graffiti and street art is a landmark of Central Square, Cambridge. Created in 2007 by Geoff Hargadon and Gary Strack, Graffiti Alley has drawn artists from around the world, including Shepard Fairey and Momo. Leno shared her inspiration, calling it "a source of daily inspiration." Past contest winners featured local landmarks like Cambridge City Hall and the Fire Department.