Many people who move into the city choose street parking. Lets face it, not every condo or apartment is going to come with parking. Many people also don’t want to rent out a 200-300 parking spot in an alley or walk 5 blocks to the nearest garage for $350 a month for 24 hr parking. Hence, its time to chose the option of a free parking parking permit issued by the city. Buyers and renters always ask me how to obtain a parking permit. Below are the items required by the city of Boston. This was the cityofboston.com’s list of what is needed as of April 1, 2011

“In order to obtain a new Resident Parking Permit, residents must not have any outstanding parking tickets.
Changing your license plates
The registration number noted on the Resident Parking Permit must correspond with the registration number of the car to which the permit is affixed. If for any reason you receive new license plates for your vehicle, you should immediately obtain a new permit as well.

Where to Go:

Resident Parking Division at Office of the Parking Clerk, Room 224, City Hall.

When to Go:

Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.

What to Bring:

* The Massachusetts vehicle registration for your new license plates.
* Proof of residency acceptable by the BTD.*
* The Resident Parking Permit for your previous registration number, regardless of the condition when it was removed. If you do not have the old sticker, please contact the Office of the Parking Clerk for further instructions.

Changing your vehicle
The Resident Parking Permit is designed to invalidate itself if removed from the surface to which it was originally applied. Therefore, if you change vehicles you should remove the permit from your old vehicle and immediately obtain a new permit for your new vehicle.

Where to Go:

Resident Parking Division at Office of the Parking Clerk, Room 224, City Hall.

When to Go:

Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.

What to Bring:

* The valid Massachusetts automobile registration for your new vehicle.
* Proof of residency acceptable by the BTD.*
* The Resident Parking Permit from your previous vehicle, regardless of the condition when it was removed. If you do not have the old sticker, please contact the Office of the Parking Clerk for further instructions.

Changing your neighborhood
The name of the neighborhood on a Permit must correspond to the neighborhood on the Resident Parking sign for the permit to be valid at that location. Therefore, if moving from one neighborhood to another, a new permit must be obtained to park your vehicle in resident designated spaces in your new neighborhood.

Where to Go:

Resident Parking Division at Office of the Parking Clerk, Room 224, City Hall.

When to Go:

Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.

What to Bring:

* The valid Massachusetts automobile registration for your NEW BOSTON ADDRESS.
* Proof of residency acceptable by the BTD.*
* The Resident Parking Permit from your previous address, regardless of the condition when it was removed. If you do not have the old sticker, please contact the Office of the Parking Clerk for further instructions.

* Acceptable Proof of Residency:
BTD accepts the following proofs of residency bearing your name and Boston address. Must be current (for mail, postmarked within the past 30 days). Bills must have the same name as the vehicle registration.

* Gas, Electric or Telephone Bill
* Cable Television Bill
* Monthly Bank Statement (excluding mortgage)
* Credit Card Bill
* Water and Sewer Bill
* Signed Lease
* Notarized Rental Agreement”

For the most recent Parking Permit regulations, please visit :http://www.cityofboston.gov/parking/residentparking