Blog

Dec 01, 2023

Park a Car in Cambridge

The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of

The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at [email protected], 617-349-4700 (voice), or via relay at 711.

dt { display: block; font-size: 1.5rem; font-family: "alternate-gothic-no-3-d", sans-serif; margin-top: 1rem; } dd { display: block; margin-left: 20px; } .garageFlexBoxBoxes:first-child { margin-right: 3rem; } h4 { font-size: 1.5rem; } h5 { font-size: 1.2rem; } ul { margin: 0 0 1rem 0; } .faq ul { margin-bottom: 1rem; } @media only screen and (max-width: 450px) { .garageFlexBoxBoxes:first-child { margin-right: 0; } }Whether you live in Cambridge or are just visiting, you may need to park a car. This page provides information about the different types of parking available in Cambridge.

Could your photo or artwork be featured on thousands of vehicles throughout Cambridge? Submit an original photograph or piece of artwork by Monday, July 31, and it could be featured on Cambridge's 2024 Resident Parking Permits.

Learn More

Most residential streets are designated "Parking by Permit Only." To park in these areas, you must have a permit.

There are multiple ways to pay a parking ticket. If you believe the ticket is invalid, you may submit a dispute.

DPW mechanically sweeps each street twice a month, April through December. You must move your car to avoid ticketing and towing.

If you believe that your vehicle was towed, use our Towed Vehicle Lookup to get more information.

If you have a disability placard or plate, you may request a disability parking space in front of your home.

When a snow emergency is declared, a number of garages around Cambridge offer reduced rate parking.

You'll find parking meters throughout Cambridge. In addition to metered parking, City of Cambridge manages two parking garages and nine parking lots. Find more information about costs and locations below.

Looking for electric vehicle chargers? Each garage or lot marked with [EV] has two dedicated parking spaces and one charging station that can charge two cars with a level 2 charge at the same time. City-owned stations charge a rate of $0.189 per kWh drawn and $0.15 per hour. Standard parking fees still apply. More City-owned EV Charging Stations: In addition to chargers at the lots and garages listed below, Cambridge is installing a network of EV charging stations in other locations. Click here for the latest list.

In locations with parking meters, there are signs which indicate:

When in a location that has metered parking and during a time when the meter is in effect, you must:

When parking in metered locations, note:

You may not park at a broken meter without paying. If you believe that a meter is broken, you must pay via the Passport Parking App or park at another meter.

Signs at meters that say "Except" during certain hours and days, mean that the meters and the maximum time limit are not in effect on those days or during those times. For example, a sign that says "2-HR Parking, 8AM - 6PM, Except Sat & Sun" means:

Outside of the posted time, you may park for more than two hours and you do not have to pay the meter. Other signs (e.g., street sweeping) may require you to move your vehicle. Otherwise, if you have a Resident Parking Permit, you may park for the entire time that the meters are not in effect. If you do not have a Resident Permit, you are still required to move your vehicle every 24 hours.

The City of Cambridge manages nine parking lots. See their locations on the public parking map.

Payments are required Monday through Saturday, except for holidays, during the hours listed below. No payment is required for vehicles that have a visible disability plate or placard.

You may only park in the lot for the posted amount of time (2 hours or 4 hours). If your vehicle is parked in a lot for longer than the posted time limit, we will issue a ticket for an overtime violation. You may not move to a new space to get additional time.

110 Mt. Auburn Street

Lot 4: 96 Bishop Allen DriveLot 5: 84 Bishop Allen Drive [EV charging available]

36 Bishop Allen Drive

Lot 8: 375 Green Street [EV charging available]Lot 9: 9 Pleasant Street [EV charging available]

984 Cambridge Street

Macarelli Way / 9 Warren Street [EV charging available]

15 Springfield Street

Contact: You may contact the garage office at 617-349-4754.

Cambridge residents may apply for monthly parking at the First Street Garage.

Monthly Parking Application

In order to be eligible you must:

Payments are not required at City of Cambridge parking meters and parking meter pay stations on the following Commonwealth of Massachusetts holidays. Payments are required in Garages everyday of the year except December 25.

Under state law, all holidays falling on Sunday are observed on Monday.

The Public Parking Map below includes information about location and other key details about our parking meters, lots, garages, and disability parking spaces in commercial areas. Please note that meter locations may change in between map updates.

Instructions: