Chicago City Wire

The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) in Chicago has announced the commencement of the city's winter overnight parking ban starting December 1, 2024. This regulation will remain effective until April 1, 2024. The ban is enforced on 107 miles of main streets across the city from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., irrespective of snowfall.

DSS Commissioner Cole Stallard stated, “The City’s Winter Overnight Parking Ban helps ensure public safety each winter by allowing emergency vehicles and public transportation to move freely and reducing hazardous conditions for motorists, pedestrians and other travelers.” He emphasized that this rule aids snow removal crews in planning and executing their operations efficiently. Residents and visitors are urged to adhere to posted parking restriction signs to allow critical routes to be salted and plowed during winter weather events.

Snow accumulation next to parked vehicles can hinder traffic flow and create unsafe conditions. DSS prioritizes clearing main streets and DuSable Lake Shore Drive to maintain safe passage for motorists, buses, and emergency vehicles.

Permanent signage marks the affected routes, with additional flyers placed on cars as reminders before restrictions take effect. Vehicles parked on these roads obstruct snowplows, preventing thorough plowing and salting during snowfalls. Violators face towing with a minimum fee of $150, a $60 ticket, and a daily storage fee of $25. Towed vehicles will be relocated to Pounds 2 or 6.

For more information on impacted streets or real-time tracking of snow plows during storms, residents can visit shovels.chicago.gov or call 311 for assistance regarding vehicle towing due to the ban.