Moving in the City of San Diego

How much do movers cost in San Diego?

HireAHelper's San Diego page (updated October 2026) reports a two-mover crew at about $150.19 an hour with a two-hour minimum, a median labor-only job of $503.72 and a median full-service move of $973.45. Labor-only medians by home size ran from $393.63 for a one-bedroom apartment to $708.81 for a five-bedroom house.

Those are medians from one booking marketplace, which leans toward labor-only jobs. For a full picture of pricing, including how California's tariff caps hourly and distance rates, see our San Diego moving cost guide.

Do you need a permit for a PODS container on a San Diego street?

Yes, if it sits in the public right-of-way, including the sidewalk. Information Bulletin 718 (July 2026) requires a Traffic Control Permit: $87.68 per week for a storage container, with a one-week maximum, plus an $87.68 processing fee and $20 per meter per day where meters are blocked.

Give the City at least three working days' notice and post Tow-Away/No Parking signs 72 hours before placement. The container must be at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant and 25 feet from an alley or curb return. Larger right-of-way permits take about 15 business days to review.

Can moving trucks park downtown during the day?

Not if they're longer than 24 feet. San Diego Municipal Code §85.02 bars trucks and equipment over 24 feet from driving or parking in the Central Traffic District from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays. Commercial loading zones allow 20 minutes for goods, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For downtown high-rises, a Sunday or early-morning slot with a smaller truck is often the only workable plan. Reserve the building's freight elevator and loading dock first.

Can you park a moving truck overnight in a San Diego neighborhood?

Usually not. Vehicles over 27 feet long and over 7 feet high can't park on public streets from 2 to 6 a.m. or within 50 feet of an intersection at any time (§86.0139), and heavy-duty commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds GVWR or more can't park on residential streets except while loading or unloading (§86.0149).

SDPD's June 2026 training bulletin confirms that active loading and unloading is an exception, so a crew at work at the curb is fine. A rental truck left overnight is not.

Which San Diego neighborhoods have permit parking?

Five residential permit areas cover parts of Hillcrest (Area A), the SDSU/College Area (B), Logan Heights (D), the Mesa College area (E) and El Cortez downtown (F). Residents can buy a two-week temporary permit for $9, which is the simplest way to keep a space for the moving truck.

Beach communities such as Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach aren't in a residential permit area, so curb space there is first come, first served. We cover each neighborhood in its own guide as they're published.

When is moving in San Diego busiest?

Summer is peak season nationally, and military households add to it: Military OneSource defines the PCS peak as May 15 to September 30. College calendars add more. SDSU's fall 2026 move-in was August 19–21, and UC San Diego's ran September 16–25.

On the coast, the stratus season of low clouds runs April through September and peaks in June, so mornings are cool. Inland neighborhoods heat up much more, with daily temperature swings of 30 degrees or more.

Frequently asked questions