With the new Peterson/Ridge Metra project around the corner, several changes to residential parking permit zones may be coming to a street near you!
Once the new Peterson/Ridge Metra station is operational (currently slated for June 2024), more people are likely to park near the station. Anticipating that increased demand for parking in the area, the 40th Ward office responded to neighbor feedback by establishing several new Residential Permit Parking zones near the station. There are also several areas which were already within an RPP zone, who petitioned to have their hours changed as a result of the station’s opening.
Concerned about how these changes might impact your block? We’ve got you covered. Find answers to all of your RPP questions below:
What is a Residential Permit Parking Zone?
Residential Zone Parking limits parking on designated streets in densely-populated or highly-trafficked areas to Chicago residents and their guests only, for either all times or for certain days/hours.
Vehicles parked in a Residential Parking Zone during applicable days/hours must display a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker with Residential Zone Parking or a Chicago Residential Parking Daily Permit. The Zone number on either the Chicago City Vehicle Sticker or the Daily Residential Parking Permit must match the Residential Parking Zone permit number posted on the street signs.
For $25 per year, Chicago residents living within an established Residential Parking Zone can purchase an RPP zone number for their City sticker, as well as daily permits for their guests (more on that below!).
Where are the new RPP zones located?
To see whether your block might be affected, you can check out this map of the RPP zones surrounding the new Metra station, and click each zone for details, including the hours and which sides of the street will be affected. See below for a rough area of which neighborhoods these zones will be located in.
How do I tell whether I’m in an Residential Permit Parking zone?
Residential Permit Parking zones will be posted with signs. To find out what RPP Zone you’re in, check out the Chicago City Clerk’s Zone Finder tool.
How do I purchase a Residential Permit Parking sticker?
Once your RPP Zone is established and poles have been installed, you can visit the City Clerk’s office to purchase a city sticker with your zone number. The Northside City Clerk is located at 5430 W Gale St, and their hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
To qualify, you will need to bring the following documentation to establish current residency within a Residential Parking Zone:
- Proof of identification. This can be a valid driver’s license or state ID or any government-issued ID, e.g. a U.S. Passport or U.S. Military ID.
- Proof of address. This can include any of the following documents, as long as it includes the same name as your ID, and the complete address:
- A current mortgage or lease;
- A bill for any of the following utilities or services:
- Property tax;
- Water, gas or electric;
- Landline phone (cell phone bill NOT accepted);
- Satellite or cable television;
- USPS Change of Address Confirmation.
If you already have a City Vehicle Sticker, please be sure to bring your City sticker with you the City Clerk’s office, along with the other documentation listed below.
You can also purchase an RPP sticker online at EZ>BUY, if you already have a Customer Code. If you would like to have a Customer Code created for you to purchase passes online, please email copies of your photo ID and proof of address to ezbuy@cityofchicago.org.
Once you pay for your RPP permit, the Zone number that corresponds with the signs on your street will appear at the top of your City Sticker. If the word NONE appears on your vehicle sticker, you do not have a Residential Parking Zone on your sticker.
How much does an RPP sticker cost?
The cost to add a Residential Zone to your City Sticker is $25 per year. The cost will be prorated based on the duration remaining on your City Sticker.
If you already have a Zone Number on your City Sticker and need to change to a different Zone Number (e.g. you moved from one Zone to another), the administrative fee is $5.00.
Do I have to renew every year?
Yes! You’ll have to pay $25 per year to continue parking within an RPP zone. The Residential Zone Parking Permit expires at the same time as the City Vehicle Sticker on which it was printed.
How do daily passes work?
Once you’ve paid for your zone sticker, you can also purchase daily parking permits: guest passes that are valid for 24 hours upon the date and time of display. You can either purchase these at the same time that you pay for your RPP zone sticker, or you can bring proof of ID and proof of address to a City Clerk location. You can also purchase daily passes online using this e-form.
Chicago Residential Parking Daily Permit cost the following per number of sheets:
- $8 for 1 sheet of 15 permits total
- $16 for 2 sheets of 30 permits total
- $24 for 3 sheets of 45 permits total
Each household is limited to three sheets per 30-day period.
In order to use the pass, you must write the date and time in ink, and the permit must be displayed in the lower passenger corner of the windshield.
Please also note that daily permits expire each year on December 31, which means that passes being purchased now will expire on December 31, 2024. The expiration date is printed on the back of each permit.