How can I reserve a parking space for my move?
If there’s no space near your home to park your removal van, moving can get quite stressful. Comparis shows you how to reserve a no-parking sign in different cities – plus further tips on parking spaces when moving.
08.03.2023
City of Winterthur/Department of Construction
1. How can I reserve a parking space for my move?
Do you need a parking space for your move? You can reserve a parking space with a temporary no-stopping or no-parking sign. You then place the signs at the desired parking space.
Most moving companies take care of organizing the no-parking sign. In some cases, you do not have to pay a surcharge.
2. Where can I get a no-parking sign for my move?
You can obtain temporary no-stopping or no-parking signs from police stations or other responsible authorities. The procedure varies from place to place.
No-parking signs in Basel City
In Basel City, you can obtain and return no-parking signs for moving at Güterbahnhof Wolf (link in German).
Alternatively, you can have the signs delivered and set up for a surcharge of 50 francs (link also in German).
Order signs at least ten days before the moving date
Place signs 48 hours before use
Cost: five francs per day
Deposit: ten francs
Reserving parking spaces in Bern
In the city of Bern, you can get no-parking signs from the cantonal police (link in German). The signage department is responsible for this. You first need to contact them by email or phone before you can pick up the signs.
Order signs at least eight days before the moving date
Put up signs: 48 hours before use in the white and blue zones as well as in the lower old town; 24 hours before use in paid or short-term parking spaces
Cost: between 100 and 300 francs depending on the location
Reserving a white or blue zone in Zurich
In Zurich, the city police department is responsible for reserving parking spaces. Get in touch with the police station responsible for your postcode.
Order signs: in the white zone three days before; in the blue zone no later than seven days before your moving date
Place signs: in the white zone 24 hours before use; in the blue zone five days before use
Cost: between 75 and 100 francs, depending on the zone and rate
Reserving parking spaces in Lausanne
The city police department of Lausanne authorizes the reservation of parking spaces (link in French). You can submit a request by filling out a form. The service includes setting up and removing the signs required to reserve the necessary parking spaces.
Order signs at least seven days before the moving date
Cost for the basic fee: 130 francs (plus VAT)
Additional fees: between eight and twelve francs per half day or between 15 and 24 francs per day, depending on the parking zone
Reserve a parking space in Geneva
In the canton of Geneva, the relevant municipal authority is responsible for parking space reservations (link in French). The municipality will usually provide you with the no-parking signs. Some municipalities don’t offer this service. In those cases, you can alternatively contact private providers (e.g. Traceroute or Carbonie).
Order signs at least five days before the moving date
Place signs 72 hours before use
3. Reserving a parking space: how much parking space do I need?
You need space for the vehicle and enough space to load and unload. The rule of thumb is: the length of the vehicle plus three to five metres for loading and unloading. Here are some tips on how to decide what size removal van you need.
4. Can I reserve a parking space for my move using barrier tape?
Resist the temptation to create your own no-parking signs and don’t cordon the area off yourself. This is against traffic regulations. You can get a fine for this. If you do not have official approval for reserving the area, you are not legally entitled to stop anyone parking there.
5. What if someone ignores my no-parking sign?
Is a vehicle parked in the closed-off area despite your approved no-parking sign? Try to find the owner of the vehicle. If you are unable to locate the owner, you can contact the police. They will arrange for the vehicle to be towed.
6. What should I bear in mind if parking is not normally allowed?
You can also park the removal van in areas where parking is not normally permitted. Ensure the rules for loading and unloading are observed, otherwise you may be fined.
You may only park the removal van there for as long as it takes to load or unload. Strictly speaking, you should not leave the vehicle but drive it away as soon as it is loaded or unloaded. If the parked vehicle poses a risk to other traffic, you must set up a warning triangle.
Beware: you are not allowed to park in a no-stopping zone. Generally, loading and unloading are also not permitted here. Exceptions are clearly indicated on the no-stopping sign.
In certain cases, a ban on stopping also applies even without a sign (Art. 18 para. 2 of the Road Traffic Regulations, not available in English). For example, this is the case five metres in front of a pedestrian crossing.
7. Can I park the removal van in the blue zone?
You can park your removal van in the blue zone. Please note: the vehicle may only be parked there for as long as it takes to load or unload. You must observe the permitted parking time and display the parking disc where it can be clearly seen through the windscreen. You are not allowed to reset the parking disc.
This article was first published on 04.11.2020
