Vehicle Stickers, Residential Parking, Tickets

Chicago City Vehicle Stickers

All Chicago residents driving and/or parking a vehicle for which they are responsible in the City of Chicago are subject to the Chicago Wheel Tax and must purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker. This includes Chicago residents that maintain their registration outside of the City of Chicago, but use the vehicle in the City. You must purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker within 30 days of moving to the City to avoid late fees and fines.

For more information on this topic, visit the City Clerk’s City Vehicle Sticker FAQ page.

Residential Zone Parking

Chicago residents living within an established Residential Parking Zone may be eligible to include a Zone Number on their City Sticker, and/or purchase Chicago Residential Parking Daily Permits. The Daily Permits are guest passes that are valid for 24 hours upon the date and time of display. By law, the date and time must be printed in ink, and the Daily Permit must be displayed in the lower passenger corner of the windshield.

For more information about zone parking, visit the City Clerk’s Zone Parking Permit FAQ page.

Residential Zone Parking FAQs


What is Residential Zone Parking?

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.

How do I find my Residential Zone?

The Residential Zone Parking Map was created in partnership with the Smart Chicago Collaborative and is an open source of data for you, as well as technology developers, utilizing the City of Chicago’s Data Portal. Please be advised that the Zone Lookup tool on the City Clerk’s website is directly managed by the Office of the City Clerk and provides the most reliable zone record data.

Request a Letter of Exception (restrictions apply)

Under Chicago’s Residential Zone Parking (RZP) law, Ward offices have the ability to issue “letters of exception” to residents who live near a RZP zone, but whose address does not fall within the specific address range of the zone. The Letter of Exception allows those residents to purchase zoned parking stickers from the City Clerk. This is intended to provide a solution for corner buildings with address that fall outside of the zone but physical footprints that fall within it, etc.

You may be eligible for a Letter of Exception if:

  • Ward residents who live within one block of Residential Zoned Parking are eligible for a Letter of Exception if they meet any of the following criteria:
    • over 65 years of age
    • holder of a state disabled parking placard
    • licensed home care provider of a resident within the zone

You are not eligible for a Letter of Exception if:

  • Your building is more than two street addresses away from the terminating street or intersection.
  • You live in a multi-unit dwelling on business/commercial streets.

Residents who are not eligible for a Letter of Exception, but who reside on residential streets, are encouraged to use the Residential Zoned Parking (RZP) petition process to add zoned parking to their block, if desired. RZP zones are only available on residential streets — residents on business/commercial streets are not eligible for Letters of Exception and cannot petition for zoned parking.

Request Residential Disabled Parking Signage

Residential Disabled Parking was established to provide disabled City residents with convenient and accessible parking in close proximity to their residences.

To learn more and to apply for Residential Disabled Parking, visit the city’s Department of Finance page or call the City at (312)744-7275.

Driveway Permits

No person has the right to use the public sidewalk or parkway as a driveway without first obtaining a use of public way permit authorized by the Commissioner of Transportation.

  • The purpose of the permit process is to ensure that the section of the Public Way being used as a driveway is insured and that the City of Chicago, its officers, employee or agents are listed on the policy as an additional insured.
  • For residential properties, the amount of insurance must be $250,000. For commercial properties, the required amount is $1,000,000. Having the City listed does not incur any cost to the applicant or affect the cost of the policy.
  • Many applicants are made aware of the need for a Driveway Permit when applying for a building permit at the Department of Buildings. Proof of a Permit is necessary for the issuance of a Building Permit.

Please check the Department of Transportation’s Driveway Permit website for more information.

Special Parking Restrictions

Per Chapters 9-64 and 9-68 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, there are special parking restrictions that apply to certain types of vehicles and certain areas. Read about towing and special events parking restrictions which are handled by the Department of Streets and Sanitation. Note that while the city provides 10 days notice prior to towing an abandoned vehicle, our office works to extend that period to 14-days to allow for more notice to vehicle owners who may be out of town, etc.

Be aware that the City additionally imposes Winter parking restrictions from December 1 through April 1 and when snowfall is 2in or greater.

Commercial and Non-Commercial Residential Truck Parking

In an effort to update an outdated section of Chicago’s parking restrictions which adversely affects small, non-commercial pick-up truck owners and their ability to park on business and residential streets in the City, Section 9-64-170 of the Municipal Code has been revised to insure that non-commercial pick-up trucks weighing less than 8,000 pounds may park in the City of Chicago – provided certain conditions are met:

  • If the non-commercial pick-up truck is owned by a City Resident and has a current and valid City Sticker, the owner may park the vehicle on a Residential or Business street.
  • If the non-commercial pick-up truck is owned by a Non-Chicago resident, (e.g. a visitor from the suburbs) and does not have a current and valid City Sticker, the owner may park the vehicle on a Business street.

Commercial pick-up trucks, junk vehicles, and any pick-up truck weighing more than 8,000 pounds are still prohibited from parking on ANY residential and business streets.

Contractor Parking Placard

Section 9-64-170(a)(3) and (b)(3) of the Municipal Code of Chicago allows a contractor who is actually engaged in delivery, service or repair work at a particular address for a particular customer to park their vehicle within a reasonable distance of the address where such work is being performed if:

  • The vehicle is emblazoned with the business name and business license number of its owner; and
  • The customer’s address is clearly displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard; and
  • The vehicle is lawfully parked in accordance with the general parking requirements of this Code.

Parking is permitted only while such work is actually being performed and at no other time. If a service vehicle permit is required under Section 9-68-060, such permit must be obtained.[/vc_column_text]

Taxicabs and Residential Parking Permits

The 40th Ward has expanded the parking options to allow for taxicabs displaying a special parking permit to park on a residential street adjacent to the owner’s residence. 

Residential Zone Parking restrictions still apply. 

In order to acquire a Residential Taxi Permit, applicants must email info@40thward.org, subject Line “Residential Taxi Permit.”

Please include a photo or scan of the following items:

  • Driver’s License 
  • Proof of Address (utility bill/lease/etc)
  • Taxi Chauffeur License 

Applicants will receive an email confirmation within 1-3 days. Upon approval, permits will be sent to the applicant by mail. If you are unable to apply over email, please call (773) 654-1867 for assistance.

Winter Snow Parking Restrictions

In order to ensure that the most critical roadways in Chicago are kept open to full capacity at all times, the City of Chicago instituted and vigorously enforces a Winter Overnight Parking Ban on 107 miles of vital arterial streets from 3 am to 7 am between December 1st and April 1st, regardless of snow. Motorists who ignore this permanently posted seasonal tow zone face fees of over $200 (minimum).

  • The Winter Overnight Parking Ban is in effect December 1 through April 1, from 3am to 7am.
  • $150 towing fee (minimum) in addition to a $60 ticket and an initial $20 daily storage fee.

A separate snow-related parking ban exists for another 500 miles of main streets and can be activated after there are at least two inches of snow on the street, no matter the time of day or the calendar date. While the 2” inch snow ban is not activated often, motorists who are parked there when it snows could receive a ticket or find that their vehicle has been relocated in order to facilitate snow clearing operations. Learn more about Winter Snow Parking Restrictions.

Clear Path Relief Pilot Program (CPR)

This program provides low-income motorists with relief for vehicle-related debt, excluding expired meter tickets.

To qualify for the Clear Path Relief (CPR) Pilot program and the Fix-It Defense, an applicant must reside in a household currently enrolled in the Utility Billing Relief program or have a household income of less than, or equal to, 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. CPR applications will be accepted through December 31, 2023. To learn more, please visit www.chicago.gov/cpr.

Contact the 40th Ward Office

Our office works to ensure you feel supported, connected, and valued. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have—we are here to help!