Moving companies sometimes restricted by regulations that prohibit truck traffic

According to real estate expert Steve McLinden, America's moving back downtown.

Writing in Bankrate.com, McLinden noted that “To a growing segment of society, the ownership of large-lot McMansions with two-car garages in some labyrinthine suburb far away from the urban landscape no longer represents the American dream”. According to supporters, transportation will continue to be a huge issue in driving the growth of this new urban migration.

Unfortunately most cities have strict land use codes implemented because of limited space and high population densities. Often thoroughfares that were first constructed to handle horse and buggy traffic during the nation’s colonial era are the cornerstones of today’s modern transportation infrastructure.

As a result, older metropolitan areas like Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC strictly enforce transportation regulations that restrict truck traffic and parking in some established neighborhoods. The length, width or height of a moving company’s normal, over-the-road equipment makes it unsafe, impractical or illegal to operate on some posted highways, roads, streets, alleys, or approaches to a customer’s home.

New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) traffic regulations, for instance, prevent 53’ long or 102” wide trailers used by many licensed interstate moving and storage companies from operating in many sections of the five boroughs. Smaller, two axle straight trucks or cargo service vans must be used to shuttle the household goods of residents living within the restricted area between their home and the larger, over-the-road truck.

When there is a possibility that a mover might be prevented from performing their contracted services due to equipment size or traffic laws, the customer is either responsible to make their shipment available at the closest point that the mover’s equipment is allowed to operate; or, pay for have the mover use a smaller truck and/or additional manpower and equipment to perform the pick-up or delivery service. (See ‘Impractical Operation – Shuttle Service’)

Don’t assume that the company providing your moving service has access just because you see large tractor-trailers and delivery trucks using the road in front of your property. The high profile or oversized equipment normally used may be prevented from operating in some neighborhoods because of height and weight restrictions.

Downtown Chicago is notorious for its low hanging railroad viaducts. Entrance ways over some gated communities in Florida and Arizona prevent even some 13’6” straight trucks from gaining access on these private roads. Access to some homeowners in Reston, Virginia is restricted by the attractive bridge across the winding creek in front their neighborhood that sports a 10 ton weight limit.

Residents of Boston, San Francisco and Washington, DC may have to pay for permits to allow a moving company to park in their street or alley, or allow a mobile storage unit to be dropped on a public access road in front of their home or business to perform their relocation regardless of the size of the truck or unattended portable container.

Knowing the local truck access ordinances and completing the arrangements for parking permits or authorization is the customer’s responsibility. Some movers may complete the process for you but expect to pay a premium for the service if there is a cost involved.

Fees can range from $25 to over $200 in each location. Some city DOT departments require that you apply in person. Allow two (2) hours to complete the application process. In some locations, signs must be posted 48 - 72 hours before your planned move date.

Access, egress, and parking issues usually aren’t considered when scheduling a move. Taking the time to investigate the local traffic ordinances during the early stages of relocation planning can save a lot of unnecessary grief and unexpected expense on moving day.

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