Parking
The City Clerk’s office handles most issues regarding parking permits, while the Department of Finance manages parking enforcement. Please note our office is only empowered to issue guest passes and permits for neighbors living in the Cubs LV2 Night Game zone. Click on the type of request that most matches your request:
Parking Permits
CiTy Stickers and Guest PAsses
LV2 Cubs Night Games
New Residential Permit Parking
Industrial Permit Parking
Commercial Vehicles and Contractors
Letters of Exception
No Parking Signs and Loading Zones
Enforcement
City Stickers and Guest passes
All Chicago residents who own vehicles are required to purchase a city sticker from the City Clerk. If you live in a residential permit zone, you can also add the zone number to your city vehicle sticker and access daily guest passes. Our office cannot issue city stickers or guest permits, except for LV2 Cubs Game guest passes. While some Aldermanic offices are able to issue guest passes, this program has been phased out, and new aldermanic offices do not qualify for the program. You can purchase your city sticker online, via mail, or at one of the City Clerk’s three locations:
City Hall, 121 N LaSalle, Room 107 - open M-F 8AM-5PM
Satellite Office, 5430 W Gale - open M-F 9AM-5PM
Finance Office, 4445 N Pulaski - open M-F 8AM-6:30PM - NO guest passes, transfers or exception letters at this location
Most currency exchanges. NO guest passes, transfers or exception letters at this location. Additional service fees may apply.
If you get a new vehicle, you may transfer your existing vehicle sticker to your new vehicle by going to the City Clerk’s office. Please bring your old sticker, state vehicle registration ID card, and proof of purchase date for the new vehicle. The transfer fee is $5, though it may change if the type of vehicle changes (i.e. sedan to SUV), and if the transfer is within two months of the sticker renewal date, you may be required to pay the renewal fee.
Steps
Additional resources
LV2 Cubs Night Games
LV2 is the only permit zone handled by the 47th Ward office, which is for zones in close proximity to Wrigley Field and is exclusive to the 47th ward. Restrictions in this zone are from 5PM-10PM on dates of all Cubs home games (including the postseason) or concerts at Wrigley Field.
We typically receive LV2 permits in mid-March, a couple of weeks ahead of the start of the MLB season. At the same time, residents who have a current city vehicle sticker registered in the LV2 zone should receive the permit and a permanent guest pass in the mail. In the winter before Cubs night game and concert season begin, our office will not be able to provide LV2 parking permits, as the zone will not be enforced while we wait for an updated night game and concert schedule.
Important Reminder: As of 2023, the LV2 zone expanded to include parking restrictions for all Cubs Games. It previously only applied to night games. This change was requested by the local neighborhood association to address parking issues after Cubs day games.
Steps
Confirm that you’re in the LV2 zone. Search your address once you pull up this map. LV2 streets are in grey.
Fill out this online application. Businesses and residents can apply for LV2 parking using this application.
Pick up your free permit at our office at 4243 N Lincoln Ave between 9 AM and 5 PM on weekdays.
Additional resources
Commercial Vehicles and Contractors
Any vehicles over 8,000 pounds are prohibited from parking on any residential and business streets. Sometimes we receive requests involving RVs and semi-trucks on residential streets. If you’re trying to park an RV or semi-truck, you may seek a private parking lot. Similarly, commercial vehicles are not allowed to park on residential streets. If an auto-shop, car rental company, or similar business is using residential streets to park their vehicles, please contact our office at info@aldermanmartin.com and include photos in your email.
Contractors engaged in delivery, service or repair work at a particular address for a particular customer can park their vehicle near the address that they’re working at, but they will need to print and fill out a parking placard.
Steps
Print and fill out this contractor placard. This allows you to park near the address you are working at, but does not allow you to block the public way.
Residential Permit Parking
Neighbors may request permit parking be added to their block. In order to qualify for a new permitted zone, neighbors must collect signatures in favor from 65% of units on the block. There is no guarantee that a successful petition will be supported by the Department of Finance, which after successful petition, will survey the block to determine whether vehicles not registered at addresses nearby are frequently parking on the street. The 47th Ward Transportation Committee may also be asked to consider successful petitions. Some factors that may be taken into account include proximity to transit, commercial corridors, and other permitted zones.
Steps
Email info@aldermanmartin.com to request a petition.
Once you believe you’ve collected signatures for 65% of units on your block, return the petition to info@aldermanmartin.com. Our office will notify you once we’ve confirmed the status of your petition.
The Department of Finance will conduct surveys to determine whether permit parking is appropriate for your block.
Additional resources
Industrial Permit Parking
The 47th Ward has several Industrial Permit Parking zones all along the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor intended to preserve parking for business employees and customers. These permits and guest passes are not available to non-businesses and Metra commuters.
Steps
[RECEIVING PASSES] If your business is located within the industrial zone, you can fill out this renewal form. Annual decals for employees costs $25 each. Business owners may also order daily passes. A booklet includes 15 daily passes for $5. Up to 50 booklets can be purchased each calendar year.
[CHANGING / ESTABLISH ZONE] Complete an industrial permit parking application. Neighbors with concerns can contact a customer service representative in the Department of Finance at 312-747-0114 or 312-747-0115.
Additional resources
Letters of Exception
If a neighbor lives very close to a residential parking zone, they can request a letter of exception from the Alderman’s office which allows them to park in a nearby permitted zone. These letters are given in a limited number of cases. You must meet the following criteria to receive a letter:
You previously received a letter of exception from the Alderman’s office at your current address that is on file.
OR you live within four lots of the residential parking zone you are requesting AND you do not live in a designated transit oriented development or a residential building with 10+ units and on-site parking.
Special considerations will be made for seniors and those with limited mobility.
No more than two letters of exception will be issued per household per year.
If you live in a residential building with 10+ units and on-site parking, but would otherwise qualify for a letter of exception, you may request a letter of exception to acquire guest permits at any time. In these cases, our office will also consider situations where the applicant can demonstrate an attempt to purchase on-site parking, but were unable to due to financial considerations or lack of availability.
Please give our office at least 2 business days notice if you are requesting a letter of exception. Our office cannot guarantee that we can provide letters immediately to those in line at the City Clerk’s office.
Steps
Confirm that you meet the above qualifications, and email info@aldermanmartin.com. Please include proof of address, your license plate number, make/model of your car, and the zone that you’re requesting a permit for.
Moving Signs
For residents moving in or out, our office provide non-enforceable “courtesy” no-parking moving signs that we can to you for no charge. The date and hours of the move would be written on the these paper signs and then the resident would post them using string or, in the event of rain, plastic wrap on nearby trees and light poles adjacent to the street section where the moving truck/van would be parked for loading & unloading. These moving signs should be posted 48 to 72 hours prior to the moving date.
For enforceable signs, moving companies can have TOW ZONE no-parking moving signs posted by the Chicago Department of Transportation. The application process is handled online at here. Note the application should be made far enough ahead of the moving date to allow the City to post the signs a few days prior to the moving date. For additional instruction, please read this document or contact CDOT permit office at 312-744-4652.
If you’re using a PODS (Portable on Land Storage) to move, please note that these must be placed on private property like a yard, driveway, or private garage. In order to be placed legally in the street, they should be placed on a moveable trailer. Any personal storage facilities placed in the public way could result in a fine ranging from $50 to $250, with each additional day spent in the public way counting as a separate offense.
Steps
Visit our ward office at 4243 N Lincoln Ave or email us at info@aldermanmartin.com. We can provide a PDF for you to print at home, or you can visit our office to pick up a printed copy.
Additional resources
Block Party "No Parking" Signs
If you are hosting a block party and want cars moved off of the street, make sure to notify neighbors in advance of the event. We provide non-enforceable “No Parking - Block Party” signs through our office that you can attach to trees.
Steps
Come to the ward office, located at 4243 N Lincoln Ave, to get copies of the “No Parking” signs with the date and times listed.
If it’s easier for you to print at home, contact info@aldermanmartin.com and we can send you a PDF copy of the signs. Make sure to write clearly in black marker and post the signs at least 48 hours in advance.
After the block party, make sure to remove the signs and anything used to attach them to the trees (plastic wrap, string, staples, etc.).
Additional Resources
Disabled Parking
If you have a permanent disability and want to request signs to reserve a parking spot in front of your home, the first step will be reaching out to the Secretary of State to receive a disability placard. These are issued through the State of Illinois, and while we do not process disability placard applications, we do keep paper applications available at our office.
If you have a disability placard and need a disabled parking sign, you will need you disabled placard number and a $70 application fee. Once the application is sent to the Department of Finance, they will ensure that the spot does not conflict with anything like a fire hydrant or another disability parking spot. If it’s approved, the application with be sent to the Chicago Department of Transportation which will install signs within 90 days of approval. If your sign is not recommended, there is an appeals process through the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities.
If you are concerned about disabled parking signs that are no longer being used, feel free to reach out to our office at info@aldermanmartin.com Please know that the city does regularly monitor these signs and has a process to automatically remove them if the applicant moves or no longer needs them.
Steps
Ensure that you have a disability placard through the State of Illinois.
Apply with the Chicago Department of Finance for a disabled parking sign in front of your home.
[IF SIGN IS NOT RECOMMENDED] Reach out to our office at info@aldermanmartin.com, and we can assist with an appeals process through the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities.
[IF INQUIRING ABOUT REMOVING A SIGN] If a sign is no longer being used because the applicant no longer lives at that address, please feel free to reach out to our office at info@aldermanmartin.com. Please know that the city does regularly monitor these signs and has a process to automatically remove them if the applicant moves or no longer needs them.
Additional Resources
Abandoned Vehicle
If you believe a car or vehicle is abandoned (e.g. has not moved in over 10 days), first contact your neighbors as they might know who it belongs to. If no one knows who owns the vehicle, and you believe it to be abandoned, then you can reach out to our office at info@aldermanmartin.com.
If your vehicle is missing from the street, you can check to see if it was towed or relocated by the City of Chicago through this link. If you feel your vehicle was stolen, call 311 to file a police report.
Steps
Contact your neighbors to see if they know who the vehicle belongs to. We recommend placing a note on the windshield with your contact information if you feel comfortable.
If you cannot successfully identify the owner of the vehicle, contact our office at info@aldermanmartin.com. Please be sure to include the exact address where the vehicle is located, the make and model, color, license plate number (noting if sticker is expired), Chicago city sticker if displayed (noting if it is expired), and dangerous conditions such as a broken window, flat tire, or damaged body.
Loading and Standing Zones
A loading zone is used for commercial vehicles that are loading and unloading. A standing zone is for customers or employees to use temporarily with flashers while loading or unloading their regular vehicle. Standing and loading zones are paid for by businesses, but note that they are available for any resident to use within the allowable restrictions listed on the signs.
If you are a business in the ward interested in getting a loading or standing zone outside of your space, there is an application where you will indicate what days of the week and hours you would like the zone to apply. The Chicago Department of Transportation will review all applications.
Steps
Email our office at info@aldermanmartin.com to let us know that you’re interested in applying for a loading or standing zone. Please include a description of what restrictions you are looking for, and a summary of why you feel they are beneficial.
Submit an application to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Additional resources
Requesting Parking Enforcement
Parking restrictions are enforced by the Department of Finance and the Chicago Police Department. The Department of Finance tracks data to determine where resources should be allocated for proactive enforcement, and their employees are the ones you most often see issuing parking citations. The Police Department is best equipped to respond to violations currently in progress like blocking an alley or a street. Other common standing violations include failure to display a city vehicle sticker or permit parking pass, street sweeping violations, blocking a crosswalk or fire hydrant, and parking a commercial vehicle on a residential street.
Steps
Residents can call 911 or 311 so that an officer or ticketing agent can be sent to issue a citation.
If there is an ongoing issue with illegal parking on your block, you can contact our office at (773) 868-4747 or info@aldermanmartin.com and we will request targeted enforcement through the Department of Finance.
Additional Resources
Appealing Parking and Red Light Tickets
As a registered owner of a vehicle, you have the right to contest a ticket issued in connection with a parking, compliance, automated traffic law enforcement (i.e., red light), or automated speed camera enforcement violation. Parking tickets are typically issued by the Department of Finance or the Police Department, and appeals of these tickets are considered by a separate Administrative Hearings body.
You have seven days from the date of issuance of a parking or compliance violation to contest the ticket. If neither a contest nor payment is received, a second Notice of Violation is mailed allowing 21 days to request a hearing. In addition, you have 21 days from the Notice of Violation date to contest the issuance of an automated traffic law enforcement (i.e., red light) or automated speed camera enforcement violation.
Steps
Submit a request for a hearing in-person, via mail, or on the city’s website. A notice will be mailed to you noting the start date of the week you can appear at a hearing facility.
Compile any evidence you wish to be considered, including, but not limited to, police reports, registration documents, receipts, and pictures.
In extremely limited cases, our office will issue a letter of support for your ticket contest. A letter of support from our office does not guarantee that the Administrative Law Officer will dismiss your ticket. To do so, we must see a copy of the ticket and an explanation of the circumstances. Our office only offers letters of support when we can offer definitive evidence contrary to the facts of the tickets based on unique information we have from our job duties. Before requesting a letter of support, make sure to search photo or video evidence through the city website, using the links below.
If you are dissatisfied with the Administrative Law Officer's decision, you can appeal to a judge under Administrative Review in the Circuit Court of Cook County located at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 602. This option must be exercised within 35 days of the Administrative Law Officer's decision.
Additional Resources
View a list of defenses accepted for various types of tickets
Search parking ticket photos, red light camera videos, and speed camera videos
Contact the City of Chicago's ticket helpline at (312) 744-7275 if you have any questions or concerns. The helpline is open Monday through Friday 7AM - 7PM CST.
Towing and Booting
In June 2016, the City awarded United Road Towing, Inc. (URT) a contract to provide towing and impoundment services. Specifically, the company is responsible for towing vehicles to City auto pounds when requested to do so by the City, and for staffing five City pounds. URT does not determine which vehicles should be towed; vehicles are towed only if a tow request is made in writing by the Departments of Finance, Police, Streets & Sanitation, Aviation or the Office of the City Clerk. In addition, the City (not URT) is responsible for notifying the vehicle owner of the tow. URT has GPS on all of their tow trucks and those of their subcontractors. This gives them the ability to tell where a towed vehicle is at any given time.
Vehicles may also be towed from private property by other contractors. The City has a much more limited role in regulating tows from private property.
From time to time, your vehicle may also be relocated by City workers (but not towed). This happens most often if your vehicle is parked in a restricted zone that construction crews need to access to complete necessary work.
Steps
If your vehicle has been towed or relocated, call 311 or use the city’s vehicle tracker to identify where it was taken.
The owner of a vehicle towed for parking violations must pay a towing fee, pound storage fees, and any applicable parking tickets. The owner of a vehicle impounded for illegal activity must also pay a fine.
The owner of an impounded vehicle is entitled to a post-tow hearing to contest the validity of the tow and any towing or storage fees. You can request a hearing when you recover your vehicle; if you have already claimed your vehicle you may visit the nearest auto pound within 15 days of the release and request a hearing. Please note that you must attend the hearing to contest the tow. All hearings are conducted in person by the Department of Administrative Hearings at 400 W. Superior.
Additional Resources
Blocked Bike Lane
Vehicles that are parked in striped bike lanes, even for a short while, are a danger to cyclists who must leave their lane to avoid them. To that end, parking in bike lanes is a violation of the Section 9-40-060 of the Municipal Code, which provides that “any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be subject to an immediate tow and removal.” If you witness a bike lane obstruction, there are a number of steps you can take.
Steps
Call 911 to inform the city’s Office of Emergency Management & Communication and request immediate enforcement;
Call 311 or use the 311 website or phone app to enter a “Vehicle Parked in the Bike Lane Complaint.” This ensures that, at bottom, the city has data regarding these matters;
Call our office to ensure that we are aware of particular problem areas. If the obstruction is related to a specific business, we may be able to communicate with them on the matter; or
Report the obstruction to Bike Lane Uprising on the website or phone app. Bike Lane Uprising gathers bike lane obstruction data to help inform policy and put pressure on specific offending companies.
Additional Resources
Have a suggestion about how to improve services?
We always welcome suggestions on how to improve city services, so we can pass the feedback along to the Department and the Mayor’s office. Please send feedback and suggestions to info@aldermanmartin.com. It’s important to know that our city budget plays a significant role in determining the quality and timeliness of service that departments can provide. You can sign up for updates about the budget process and our townhalls here.