+ Moving, No Parking Signs

Our office provides ‘No Parking’ signs, specifically for residential moves, to residents of the 1st Ward who are not using professional movers. We can provide signs to residents who plan to move individually, using a rental truck such as UHaul. Please note, these signs are not enforceable by ticketing or tow.

To obtain these signs, please email the 1st Ward address, moving date, and an estimated time frame for your move to info@the1stward.com.

Signs must be posted at the site of the move at least 48 hours in advance of the move.

The Chicago Department of Transportation also provides ‘No Parking’ signs for residential moves. For a fee of $25, CDOT will provide ticket and tow enforceable signs to eligible moving companies for the day of the move. This also requires 72 hours. For more information on this program, please contact the Department of Transportation at 312-744-4652 or click here for detailed information on how to apply for these permits.

Moving pods or containers are not allowed on the public way, no exceptions. By City ordinance, moving pods cannot be placed on the public way (sidewalks, streets, parkways, and alleys). Moving pods can only be dropped on private property (driveways, lawns, privately owned parking space), or they must remain on a movable trailer to be legally placed in the street.

+ City Stickers

All residents of Chicago who own or use a vehicle are required to display a valid city sticker on their windshield’s passenger-side corner, regardless of where the vehicle is registered. New residents and those who recently purchased a vehicle have thirty days to purchase a sticker and avoid the late fee. City stickers must be renewed annually. To renew, you must show proof of address, and your vehicle registration ID card or courtesy reminder when purchasing a sticker in person.

For pricing and senior discounts, click here. City stickers expire at the end of the month listed on them. You can purchase a City Sticker (and guest passes for residential permit parking) at one of the following locations:

  • Online
  • City Clerk: City Hall Office – 121 N LaSalle St, Room 107 (Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM)
  • City Clerk: North Side Satellite Office – 5430 W Gale St (Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM)
  • Department of Finance Payment Center – 4445 N Pulaski Rd (Mon-Fri, 8AM-6:30PM)
  • At most Currency Exchanges (search for locations, including hours, contact info, and additional service fees)

For State of Illinois vehicle registration requirements, please click here.

+ Residential Disabled Parking Permits

Residential disabled parking was established to provide disabled City of Chicago residents with convenient and accessible parking in front of their residences through the installation of parking signs. Applications are available at the 1st Ward office. Note that applicants are required to have a disabled placard or license plate (from the Illinois Secretary of State) and no access to off-street parking at their home.

You may return the disabled sign application to the 1st Ward office or mail it in to the Chicago Department of Finance. When submitting an application, please include a copy of your disabled placard or plate, proof of residency and a $70.00 check or money order made out to the “City of Chicago Department of Finance.” For more information on this program, please click here.

+ Parking Restrictions - Commercial & Large Vehicles

Residential Streets - The City prohibits the parking of any truck, van, tractor, truck tractor, semi-trailer, trailer, recreational vehicle more than 22 feet in length & 8,000 pounds in weight, self-contained motor home, bus, taxicab, commercial vehicle or livery vehicle on any residential street at any time. Some exceptions apply, visit the link below for more information.

Business Streets - The City prohibits the parking of any truck, truck tractor, semi-trailer, trailer, self-contained motor home, commercial vehicle or bus on any business street at any time. Some exceptions apply, visit the link below for more information.

You can review more city parking restrictions and exceptions here.

+ Snow Related Parking Bans

From December 1 to April 1 certain arterial streets in Chicago have additional types of parking restrictions related to snow fall. One pertains to times when there is 2 inches or more of snow on the street and the other restricts overnight parking (3AM to 7AM), regardless of snowfall.

Click here to find out more information on Winter Snow Parking Restrictions.

+ Residential Driveway Permits

Residential Driveway application can be found here

Please provide the following when submitting application:

  • 5 copies of plat of survey for proposed driveway
  • 2 copies for existing driveway or sketch showing location and curb cut
  • 1 picture of proposed location for driveway showing curb and sidewalk
  • Copy of home owner’s insurance policy for the amount of $250,000 with “City of Chicago, its Officers, Employees or Agents” added to insurance policy as Additional Insured
  • Application fee of $10, check or money order payable to the City of Chicago, Department of Revenue
  • Proposed Driveway Only:
    • Must be signed by Zoning Department, in City Hall Room 905
    • Must provide a Plat of Survey and verify driveway address(es) with Bureau of Maps and Plats, City Hall room 803.
  • Application must be taken to: Zoning Department City Hall 121 N LaSalle St Room 905

To receive tow zone parking signs for an existing driveway, click here

For more information, check out https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/driveway_permits.html.

+ Abandoned Vehicles

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 call 311. Be prepared to give them the following information on the vehicle:

  • exact address where it is located
  • make (brand)
  • model
  • color
  • license plate number, noting if the sticker is expired
  • Chicago vehicle/city sticker if displayed, noting if it is expired
  • Dangerous conditions such as broken window, flat tire, damaged body

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 911 to file a police report.

+ Fines & Fees Options

New Start Chicago is an initiative to stop regressive fines and fees. The program includes multiple options for addressing billing and debt relief. To learn more about New Start visit the City's website.

+ Residential Parking Permits

You can look up your parking zone here or see the below map to find your parking zone. Each parking zone is labeled with a different color. Please pay special note to the buildings outlined in black, as they are Transit-Oriented Developments and not eligible for permit parking.

Residents on permit-zoned streets are eligible to add their permit zone to their city sticker for an additional $25 as well as purchase daily parking passes for guests. Daily parking passes for residential permit parking zones can be purchased at the following City Clerk Offices or in our office. Remember to bring proof of residency:

  • 121 N. LaSalle Street, City Hall Room 107, 312-742-5375, Hours: M-F 8AM-5PM
  • 5430 W. Gale Street, 312-742-5375, Hours: M-F 9AM-5PM
  • 5672 S Archer Ave A, (312) 742-5375, Hours: M-F 9AM-5PM

You must register with the City Clerk’s office before purchasing passes in our office. See information about how to register here.

Our office may grant exception letters to residents who live on blocks perpendicular to and touching any zoned parking streets. However, the 1st Ward Office does not grant exceptions to Transit Oriented Developments (TODs), because these buildings receive specific density bonuses to encourage the use of the Chicago Transit Authority.

If you are seeking a change to your parking zone, please call our office (872) 206-2685 for more information.