Moving resources
Parking a Moving Truck in Montreal: Permits and Temporary No-Parking Signs
A moving truck parking permit in Montreal is what keeps your movers from circling the block or carrying a sofa half a street. Most boroughs let you reserve the curb in front of your building with temporary no-parking signs, but the steps, lead times and who installs the signs differ from one borough to the next. This guide explains what to ask for, when to ask, and where the official pages are.
Updated September 6, 2026
Why reserve the curb at all
A moving truck needs a long, legal stretch of curb close to the door. Without a reserved space the crew parks wherever it can, the carry gets longer, and every extra metre is paid time on an hourly move. On narrow one-way streets in the Plateau, Rosemont or Villeray, a reserved spot is often the difference between a smooth morning and a slow one.
How it works in the City of Montreal
The City of Montreal treats a reserved curb as an occupation of public property. Depending on your borough you either request temporary no-parking signs or a public-property occupancy permit for the truck. The City's page on parking a moving van or truck is the starting point: it tells you whether your borough requires a permit, how to apply and how far ahead.
- Rules and lead times are set by each borough, not city-wide; some boroughs ask for the request several business days before the move.
- Some boroughs install the signs; others have you pick them up and post them yourself.
- Signs usually have to be posted a set number of hours in advance so other drivers have fair warning.
- Fees, if any, are listed on the borough's page; check the current figure there rather than relying on a third-party site.
Official sources
Off-island: Laval, Longueuil, Brossard and the suburbs
Each municipality outside Montreal has its own rules. In many suburbs a driveway removes the question entirely; where the truck must stop on the street, check the municipal website or call the city's information line a couple of weeks ahead. If your building has a loading dock or a visitor lot, the property manager usually controls access to it rather than the city.
Official sources
Practical tips from moving day
Whatever your borough requires, a few habits make the reserved space work.
- Reserve more length than you think: a moving truck plus its ramp is longer than two cars.
- Avoid hydrants, bus stops and driveways when you choose the spot; a sign does not override those rules.
- On July 1 and end-of-month dates, request signs early; borough offices are busiest then.
- In winter, check the snow-removal schedule for your street so the truck is not on the wrong side on the wrong night.
- Tell your movers where the reserved space is and share a photo of the posted signs the day before.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to park a moving truck in Montreal?
It depends on the borough. The City's official page on parking a moving truck tells you whether your borough requires a permit or temporary signs and how to apply. Check it as soon as your date is set.
How far ahead should I request the signs?
Several business days is common and some boroughs ask for more, so request them as soon as you know the date. Around July 1 and month-end, earlier is better.
Does UnBox arrange the parking permit for me?
The request is made by the resident with their borough, because it is tied to your address. We tell you how much curb the truck needs and plan the closest safe spot with you if no signs are posted.
What happens if someone parks in the reserved space anyway?
Properly posted signs let the borough or police act on the vehicle; the procedure is on the borough's page. In practice the crew starts from the nearest legal spot so the move is not held up.
Related pages
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