Many Chicago drivers should move their cars Thursday night: The city’s overnight winter parking ban is back Friday. Here’s what to know and how to avoid tickets.
Chicago winter overnight parking restrictions. (City of Chicago)
Where is the Ban Enforced?
Vehicles cannot be parked along 107 miles of city streets from 3–7 a.m. every day from Dec. 1 to April 1. Regardless of whether there is snow, the ban is enforced so as not to block snowplow routes.
When there are two or more inches of snow on the ground, a ban goes into effect on another 500 miles of city streets no matter the time of day or year.
What Happens If Your Car Gets Towed?
If you violate the ban, you could face a minimum $150 towing fee, $60 ticket, and a $25-per-day storage fee. Towed cars go to impounds in South Deering and Humboldt Park.
How Do You Avoid Tickets?
Last year, almost 250 Chicagoans woke up to news that their cars had been towed on the first night of the ban. Don’t let this annual tradition catch you off guard!
- Look for signs permanently posted on affected routes.
- Check for Streets and Sanitation flyers on cars.
- Follow the city’s live snowplow tracker.
