Moving in San Francisco: Parking, Hills and Stairs

Reserve the curb for the truck

In San Francisco the truck needs to be close to the door. If it has to park down the block, every trip becomes a long carry, and on an hourly move you pay for that time. The legal way to hold the space is the SFMTA Temporary Signage program (temporary tow-away signs for “commercial or residential moves”).

• Where to apply: the SFMTA online portal, or call 311 (415-701-2311 from outside San Francisco). Email: TemporarySign@sfmta.com.
• When: at least 5 business days before the move, not counting legal holidays. Streets under the Port of San Francisco need 15 calendar days.
• Posting: signs must go up at least 72 hours before the start on unmetered streets, and 24 hours before on metered spaces. Moving times must be between 7 AM and 10 PM.
• Fees (rates since July 1, 2026, for a permit of up to 3 days): $355 for 1–4 signs, $489 for 5–9, $614 for 10–15, plus $21 per meter per day on metered spaces. The fee schedule also lists an additional $64 for 311 applications covering 4 to 7 days. The exact amount is confirmed after SFMTA staff inspect the site.
• What the signs don’t override: street cleaning, No Stopping and No Parking signs, and red curbs. White zones need written permission from the zone’s owner.
• Not for your car: the signs are for the moving van, not a personal vehicle.

Ask your mover who handles the permit. Some leave it to the customer: JH Moving’s rates page says the customer handles parking and permits, and that “in San Francisco, SFMTA permits are required for truck parking.”

Using a PODS or storage container? That needs a separate permit from SF Public Works (Bureau of Street-Use & Mapping, 628-271-2000).

Hills

San Francisco law requires drivers to curb their wheels when parking on a grade of more than 3%, and movers know it. The city restricts parking of commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds in residentially zoned areas, and some streets are closed to heavy vehicles; the SFMTA’s restricted-streets map notes that vehicles with business in that block are exempt. Steep, narrow streets can still mean a smaller truck or a longer carry, so mention them when you ask for a quote.

Stairs and walk-ups

Many San Francisco homes are walk-ups. On an hourly move, stairs cost time, not a separate fee: California’s Maximum Rate Tariff 4 allows no additional charge for flights or long carries on hourly moves. B2 Moving’s guide adds 30–60 minutes per flight, and Jay’s Small Moves says most 1–2 bedroom moves need a 3-person crew. Reserve the elevator and loading dock if your building has them, and ask whether the building needs a certificate of insurance from the mover.

Oakland

To block street parking, a curb, sidewalk or lane, Oakland requires an Obstruction (OB) Permit.

• Signs: No Parking signs come with the permit and must be posted 72 hours ahead. Keep at least 5’6” of sidewalk clear.
• Where to apply: email DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov, or the Transportation Permit Counter, 2nd floor, 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (510-238-3199).
• Fee: not published on the permit page.

San José

San José’s Department of Transportation issues Tow-Away Permits that reserve parking meters for moving trucks. Apply through the city’s getaPERMIT site; “No Parking – Tow Away” signs are posted a day or two before. Contact: (408) 535-3850 or DOTPermits@sanjoseca.gov. Check the current lead time and fee on the city’s Tow-Away Permit FAQ, since we couldn’t confirm them.

Sources

All checked September 28, 2026:

• SFMTA: Temporary Signage
• SFMTA: Why curbing your wheels is important and commercial vehicles
• City of Oakland: Obstruction Permit
• City of San José: Tow-Away Permit FAQs (read from the city’s published summary)
• BHGS Maximum Rate Tariff 4, Item 140
• JH Moving: Rates, B2 Moving: Cost guide, Jay’s Small Moves: Rates