Moving Van / Container Permit

A moving van/container permit allows the temporary curbside placement on a street of the following vehicle or equipment types:

• Residential moving van
• Residential moving container or portable storage device (PSD), the latter being defined as a large container for temporary storage needs
• Roll-off dumpsters
• Dumpster bags
• Tour buses
• Mobile services vehicles (e.g., blood mobile)
• Funeral service vehicles

Time Limits

A moving van/container permit has a time limit to prevent long-term storage of personal items in the public right-of-way. The time limit varies depending on the type of vehicle or container the permit covers.

• Moving vans or trucks are limited to a maximum of two (2) consecutive days on the street.
• Moving containers and PSDs are limited to a maximum of 30 consecutive days on the street, unless the container/PSD is being used because of a natural disaster, such as flooding or a tree hitting a house.
• Upon permit expiration, the permittee must immediately remove the PSD, unless reapplication is made 72 hours prior to the expiration date and a new permit is issued. No permit or extension will be valid for more than one month per year.

Submission Requirements

Moving van/container permit applications must be submitted online.

• You must complete a Moving Van/Container Permit Application in Permit Arlington.
  1. From the Create drop-down menu, select Building Application, then select Moving Van/Container
  2. View Permit Arlington Help for assistance with the online system
• Submit the online permit application a minimum of five (5) business days prior to preferred permit start date. 

  If the 5-business-day period includes a County-observed holiday when offices are closed, submit the application at least seven (7) business days in advance of the desired start date.

• Full payment of fees is required before permit issuance. Online payment via eCheck or credit card is available.

• The online application requires the following information:
  1. Applicant’s name, address, phone number and email
  2. Placement start date and end date
  3. Placement location or address
  4. Dimensions of vehicle/equipment
  5. ID numbers of any parking meters impacted by placement of vehicle/equipment
  6. Image showing exact placement location on street
  7. For roll-off dumpsters only: rental company name, address and phone number

Applicants receive approved moving van/container permits by email.

Additional Information

• All permitted vehicles/equipment are required to be parked against the curb and should not:
  1. extend into the travel lane
  2. obstruct stop signs, fire hydrants or driveways belonging to neighbors
  3. be placed closer than 20 linear feet from a street corner
• At all times, the permittee must sufficiently protect the vehicle/equipment with reflective tape and/or reflective cones placed around the perimeter.
• No permit can be issued if it conflicts with a current permit holder in the same location, or an event or business in the area.
• PSDs: Upon permit expiration, the permittee must immediately remove the PSD, unless reapplication is made 72 hours prior to the expiration date and a new permit is issued. No permit or extension will be valid for more than one (1) month per year.
• Temporary signage reserving the requested space will be installed no earlier than 48 hours in advance of the start date/time as indicated on the permit application.
• If the permittee’s reserved space is occupied on the day the permit is active and temporary signage has been installed according to the permit application, call the Arlington County Police Department’s non-emergency number, 703-558-2222, for assistance.

• If temporary “No Parking signs” have been damaged, removed or are improperly installed, the permittee shall notify staff within 48 hours of the start date of the permit by calling DES Permitting office, 703-228-3629, or emailing dsbcustserv@arlingtonva.us. 

Permittee must send notification to dsbcustserv@arlingtonva.us at least 48 hours in advance of the start of the permit if a permit extension is desired, and at least 72 hours in advance if a cancelation is desired.

Fees

Fee Schedules provide the range of fees charged for each type of application or activity related to land development in Arlington. Fees cover permitting, plan review, enforcement, inspection, service delivery, performance agreements and conditions. There are separate fee schedules for Inspection Services Division (ISD), Planning and Zoning and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Some permits involve fees from more than one schedule.

For refund information: see Department of Environmental Services Fee Schedules

Questions/concerns: call 703-228-3629 or email dsbcustserv@arlingtonva.us