New parking regulations enforced in Boston during COVID-19 outbreak

Catherine McGloin, Editor-in-chief
March 27, 2020

LAST UPDATED: June 8, 2020.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Transportation Department announced ticket amnesty for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Parking Garages for Medical Professionals

Boston Transport Department created a list of facilities offering free, reduced rate or reserved parking for medical professionals. Medical staff need to present a hospital ID for discounted parking.

Bluebikes 

On May 1, the City of Boston and its municipal partners of Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville announced they are offering all hospital staff a free 30-day pass for the public bike share Bluebikes. To sign up, medical personnel must send an email from their hospital account to a contact specific to their organization, which they can find on boston.gov.

The City also announced the following updates to parking enforcement policies, which are in effect until further notice. These measures are designed to help improve access to medical facilities and small businesses. They also remove some of the burden for Boston searching for long-term parking spots while they self-isolate, or those worried about expiring registrations during this period.

Where can I park in Boston during the COVID-19 public emergency?

Because the last thing anyone needs right now is a ticket, below is a full list of the new rules.

Read about how we’re covering COVID-19 and our sustained commitment to telling stories of hope, justice and resilience.

Note: Parking and transportation changes will only be in effect as long as the city’s state of public emergency remains in place. Apart from the exemptions listed, BTD will continue to enforce parking violations, particularly those which jeopardize public safety, like blocking fire hydrants and handicap ramps.

Resident parking restrictions in Boston during public emergency, COVID-19 outbreak.
RESIDENT PARKING: Locals with a valid resident parking permit, displayed in their vehicle, can now park in a metered or time-limited parking space in their neighborhood without worrying about paying or rushing back before the clock’s up on their spot. Drivers without the appropriate resident permit sticker must continue to adhere to normal time limits and meter requirements. On April 7, the mayor announced a parking ticket amnesty for health care workers and those providing care during the pandemic. For as long as Boston’s state of public health emergency persists, medical staff will have up to six months to appeal tickets received near a hospital or medical facility.

Street cleaning regulations while Boston is in a state of public emergency.
STREET CLEANING: Boston Transport Department will not ticket or tow vehicles during for street cleaning, given challenges to finding alternative places to park in neighborhoods, the mayor’s office wrote in a recent statement.

Registration and inspection sticker requirements in Boston during COVID-19 outbreak.
INSPECTION STICKERS AND REGISTRATIONS: Boston Transport Department will not ticket for expired inspection stickers or registrations, given potential challenges for people to renew inspections and registrations at this time.

New five-minute pick and drop off zones for shoppers picking up take days or visiting local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak in Boston.
PICK UP AND DROP OFF ZONES: New temporary pick up and drop off zones will be established outside restaurants offering take out and delivery services. For the convenience of patrons, parking in these zones is restricted to five minutes and will accommodate social distancing requirements.
It is hoped this will encourage customers to continue frequenting small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Restaurants looking to set up a temporary pick up zone can do go to  boston.gov. Requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

PARKING GARAGES: The transport department has a list of parking garages offering free, reduced rate or reserved parking for medical professionals. To receive discounted parking, medical staff should present a hospital ID to garage staff.

PARKING TICKET APPEAL UPDATE:

City Hall is only open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays but if you received a notice for a parking ticket appeal hearing for a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you do not need to reschedule.  You can come in on a Tuesday or Friday, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.