Calgary Moving Day Parking Permits: The Step-by-Step Guide

Nothing derails a move faster than having nowhere to park the truck. In Calgary's denser neighbourhoods — Beltline, Mission, Kensington, Bridgeland — street parking fills up by 8 AM and a 26-foot moving truck needs roughly 11 metres of curb space (two full parallel parking spots under Calgary's Land Use Bylaw 1P2007). A Street Use Permit from the City of Calgary reserves that space for you — legally, with posted signs, so no one parks in your spot on move day.

What Is a Street Use Permit?

A Street Use Permit is issued under Streets Bylaw 20M88 and allows you to reserve a section of public street for loading and unloading. When you apply, you can add a Temporary No Parking authorization at no additional cost — this is what triggers the posting of "No Parking" signs so other vehicles must clear out before your move.

The permit costs $31.50 + GST per calendar day. All permits are non-refundable, and changes to dates or length are not accepted once payment is made. In ParkPlus (metered) zones like the Beltline and Kensington, an additional per-metre daily charge applies — check the ParkPlus per-metre rates map for your zone.

How to Apply

There are three ways to apply:

• Online at epermits.calgary.ca — available 24/7. You will need a myID account (free to create).

• By phone — call 311 within Calgary or 403-268-2489 from outside the city. A traffic engineering assistant will process payment by credit card over the phone.

• By email — submit your request to the City's road permits team.

Note: permit applications cannot be processed in person at any City office.

Processing Times: Apply Early

The City of Calgary publishes minimum processing times that depend on the permit's impact level:

• 5 business days — low-impact permits (3 days or less, no detours)

• 10 business days — short-term permits (3 to 14 days) with low-impact detours

• 15 business days — high-impact permits affecting transit, cycling, signal operations, or loading zones

For a typical residential move, the 5-business-day minimum applies — but we recommend applying 7 to 10 business days ahead to avoid rush fees. Requests submitted within 7 business days of your move date are subject to additional rush fees. Applications for Saturday, Sunday, or Monday moves must be submitted by the previous Friday at noon. Processing times exclude weekends and statutory holidays.

If you are moving during the Calgary Stampede (July 3–12, 2026), apply even earlier. The City processes a surge of special event permits during Stampede week, which can slow turnaround. See our best and worst times to move in Calgary guide for more on seasonal timing.

What's Included in the Permit

The Temporary No Parking authorization is included with your Street Use Permit at no extra charge. However, the City does not supply the physical signs. You are responsible for obtaining "No Parking" signage from an authorized third-party sign supplier. Signs must be posted at least 12 hours before your reserved time window.

When we handle the logistics for our customers, we take care of signage, positioning, and timing. Get a free quote and mention that you need street parking reserved — we will advise whether a permit is necessary for your address and handle the details if so.

Neighbourhoods Where Permits Matter Most

Beltline

Calgary's densest neighbourhood at 8,665 people per km² — roughly 5 to 6 times the city average. Over 26,000 residents share 2.9 km² of land, and the community is planned to grow to 40,000 by 2035. Street parking fills early, especially east of 4th Street SW. ParkPlus meters charge $4.50 per hour (Zone 2) with a 4-hour maximum — but a moving truck typically needs 4 to 8 hours. A Street Use Permit is not optional here; it is essential.

Mission and Cliff Bungalow

Narrow streets with heavy parking demand. Many older apartment buildings lack dedicated loading areas. Mission has a Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) with a 2-hour limit for non-permit holders, meaning your truck would need to move mid-load without a Street Use Permit.

Kensington and Sunnyside

Mixed commercial and residential parking. Streets near Kensington Road and Kensington Crescent are particularly tight. Both neighbourhoods have RPZ restrictions. The Sunnyside area around 3rd Avenue NW between 10th and 9A Street NW has posted 2-hour limits.

Bridgeland and Renfrew

Growing density from new condo developments. Some streets have timed parking restrictions that would force your truck to move mid-load. Bridgeland's proximity to downtown means commuter parking spills into residential streets.

Inglewood

Historic neighbourhood with narrow lots. 9th Avenue SE has commercial parking restrictions during business hours. The area's older homes often lack driveways, making street parking the only option.

Downtown Core

Metered and permit-only parking everywhere. ParkPlus enforcement runs Monday to Friday 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM — free on Sundays and statutory holidays. A Street Use Permit is the only reliable way to secure truck space downtown.

Calgary has 80 Residential Parking Zones across the city. Check the interactive RPZ map to see if your street has restrictions. In RPZ areas, non-permit vehicles face a 2-hour limit — a Street Use Permit with Temporary No Parking signs overrides the RPZ restrictions for the duration of your move.

What If Someone Parks in Your Reserved Space?

If your "No Parking" signs have been posted for the required 12 hours and a vehicle is still in your reserved space on move day, call the Calgary Parking Authority at 403-537-7000, option 3. Safety and Compliance Officers can dispatch enforcement or towing.

CPA enforcement hours are Monday to Friday 6 AM to 12:30 AM and Saturday/Sunday 8:30 AM to 12:30 AM. Vehicles parked in violation of posted signs face a fine of $40 (paid within 10 days), $50 (10–30 days), or $75 (full penalty) under Traffic Bylaw 26M96, Section 13(1). In practice, most vehicles move once signs go up — the 12-hour posting window gives residents overnight to notice and relocate.

If a vehicle is towed, it goes to the Calgary Municipal Impound Lot at 400 39 Avenue SE (phone: 403-537-7111). Storage is $43 per day plus the towing fee.

Truck-Specific Parking Rules

Moving trucks are subject to rules that do not apply to passenger vehicles:

• Overnight residential parking: Under Traffic Bylaw 26M96, Section 18(1), trucks over 4,500 kg cannot be parked in residential areas between 8 PM and 8 AM. Fines: $120 / $150 / $215.

• Truck routes: Under Truck Route Bylaw 60M90, vehicles over 5,450 kg must stay on designated truck routes. They can deviate only to make deliveries (which includes your move). Fines up to $2,500. Check the Calgary truck route map to confirm your route.

• Truck dimensions: A standard 26-foot moving truck is approximately 11 metres long overall and 2.5 metres wide (body). With mirrors, width extends to roughly 2.6 metres. You will need at least 2 parallel parking spots (each 6.7 metres under Calgary's bylaw) — request enough curb length to accommodate your truck plus ramp space.

For more on what to expect from a Calgary move, see our Calgary moving costs guide.

Alternatives to a Street Use Permit

Building Loading Zone or Dock

Many Calgary condo and apartment buildings have a dedicated loading bay. Book it through your property manager at the same time you book your freight elevator — typically 7 to 14 days in advance. Be aware that loading docks have clearance height limits; some Beltline high-rises have 12-foot bays that will reject a standard 14-foot moving truck. Confirm your building's dock height before selecting a truck size. See our Calgary condo moving rules guide for elevator booking and COI requirements.

Back Alley Access

Many inner-city Calgary homes have rear alley (lane) access. Calgary's standard alley width is 6.1 metres (20 feet). Under the Traffic Bylaw, a parked vehicle must leave at least 3 metres of unobstructed width for other vehicles to pass, plus 1.5 metres clearance from any driveway or garage entrance. A standard moving truck (2.5 metres wide) leaves about 3.6 metres of clearance in a 6.1-metre alley — compliant, but tight. Confirm with your moving company that their truck can navigate the alley.

Note: alleys are not part of Calgary's snow and ice control services. In winter, ice and packed snow accumulate all season. If you are moving between November and April, check alley conditions before planning to load from the back. Our winter moving in Calgary guide covers how Chinooks and freeze-thaw cycles affect move logistics.

Loading Zone Pilot (Free 20-Minute Sessions)

Calgary runs a Loading Zone Pilot Project in select commercial areas — including Kensington Crescent NW and 9 Avenue SW — offering free 20-minute parking sessions. You register your licence plate in the ParkPlus system to start the clock. This works for quick pickups but is far too short for a full move.

Early Morning Start

In some neighbourhoods, starting at 7 AM means street parking is still available before commuters take the spots. This is not guaranteed but can work as a backup — provided you respect Calgary's noise bylaw (Community Standards Bylaw 32M2023): permitted activity hours are Monday to Saturday 7 AM to 10 PM and Sundays and statutory holidays 9 AM to 10 PM.

Snow Route Parking Bans

Calgary's snow route parking bans are declared after significant snowfall — typically beginning about 18 hours after the snow stops, though the City sets timing based on conditions rather than a fixed clock. Bans can last up to 72 hours and apply to all designated snow routes (marked with blue signs and a white snowflake).

If a ban is active on your move day, you cannot park a moving truck on any snow route — even briefly — without risking a $80 to $120 fine ($80 if paid within 10 days, $90 at 10–30 days, $120 full penalty) and possible towing. Check the snow route parking bans map or call 311 the morning of your move to confirm whether a ban is in effect.

Snow routes are typically active November through April. The City does not clear residential streets — crews maintain a hard snow pack only — and back alleys are not cleared at all. Snowbanks narrow available road width and can make curbside truck parking difficult even without an active ban. For winter move prep, see our winter moving in Calgary guide.

Moving During Stampede Week

The Calgary Stampede runs July 3 to 12, 2026. The Stampede Parade on Friday, July 3 triggers extensive road closures across downtown — starting as early as 6 AM with full vehicular access to downtown closed by 7:30 AM. Parking restrictions in the East Village begin at noon the day before the parade.

The parade route runs westbound on 9 Avenue from 3 Street SE to 10 Street SW, north on 10 Street SW to 6 Avenue, and eastbound on 6 Avenue to 4 Street SE. If your move is anywhere near the Beltline, Victoria Park, East Village, or downtown core during Stampede week, expect heavy traffic, limited parking, and slower permit processing.

Our advice: avoid moving during the first weekend of Stampede if possible. If you must, book your permit at least 10 business days ahead and plan for early morning loading before road closures take effect.

Construction Zones to Watch in 2026

Several major projects affect truck access and parking in 2026:

• Green Line LRT: Utility relocation and preparatory construction continues in the Beltline and downtown. Phase 1 is targeting a 2031 opening. Expect lane reductions and parking removal on affected streets, particularly around 10 Avenue S and 2 Street SW. Check the Green Line construction updates page for current closures.

• Macleod Trail SE Median Barriers: Construction of median barriers from Banister Road Bridge to 99 Avenue, plus resurfacing. At least two lanes maintained in each direction, but expect delays.

• Culture + Entertainment District: The new Event Centre near Stampede Park brings construction traffic and road changes to the Victoria Park area.

For a complete list of Calgary road closures and detours, see our 2026 Calgary road construction guide.

Calgary Moving Guides

Planning a Calgary move involves more than parking. These guides cover the rest:

• Calgary Condo & Apartment Moving Rules — elevator booking, COI, damage deposits, noise bylaws

• How Much Does Moving in Calgary Cost? — pricing by home size, distance, and add-on services

• Best & Worst Times to Move in Calgary — month-by-month demand, day-of-week pricing

• Calgary Rental Market 2026 — vacancy rates, average rents, best neighbourhoods

• Moving to Calgary: Newcomer Guide — immigration, housing, transit, healthcare

• Setting Up Utilities After Moving to Calgary — Enmax, ATCO, water, internet

• Pre-Move Decluttering in Calgary — donation centres, recycling depots, junk removal

When you book with our Calgary movers, tell us your address and we will advise whether you need a parking permit. We know which buildings have loading zones, which alleys are truck-accessible, and which streets need a permit booked in advance. Get a free quote and include any parking concerns — we will factor them into your move plan.