The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) reminds motorists that the Chicago winter overnight parking ban begins on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, and runs through April 1, 2021. The parking ban is enforced regardless of snow on 107 miles of main streets throughout the city during the hours of 3 a.m. to 7 a.m.

“Safety is our top priority during winter storms,” said DSS Commissioner John Tully. “Residents can help us keep the City’s critical roadways safe by following posted restrictions, allowing for snow vehicles to gain immediate access to these roads.”

Over the weekend, crews from DSS posted flyers on cars parked on streets affected by the parking ban as an additional reminder before restrictions begin.

During a snow event, DSS works to clear the City’s main streets and Lake Shore Drive first to ensure that roads are safe and passable for motorists, buses, and emergency vehicles.
Cars left parked on these designated roadways obstruct the path of snowplows and prevent routes from being fully plowed and salted when it snows. During a snowfall, a build-up of snow next to parked vehicles on these routes impedes traffic flow.

Violators of the parking ban will be towed and face a minimum $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket, and a storage fee of $25 per day. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be towed to Pounds 2 (10301 S. Doty Ave.) or 6 (701 N. Sacramento).

There is also a separate snow related ban that affects another 500 miles of main roadways across the city that is activated by the Department during extreme weather, when there are at least two inches of snow on the street, regardless of time of day or calendar date.

DSS manages more than 9,400 lane miles of roadway with a fleet of salt spreaders that are fully prepared to respond when needed. In addition, the Department has 400,000 tons of salt stationed at salt piles throughout the city.

For more information on the overnight parking ban and to view a map of streets impacted by the ban, visit www.cityofchicago.org/dss.

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