Chicago parking ticket fines
An expired meter costs $50–$70 in Chicago and parking at a fire hydrant costs $150. Parking tickets go to the city, not traffic court.
Expired meter$50–$70
Fire hydrant$150
Disabled space$150–$250
Most expensive$150–$250parking in a disabled space
What does each parking ticket cost in Chicago?
The steepest Chicago parking ticket is parking in a disabled space at $150–$250. The cheapest is street cleaning at $50–$60.
| Ticket | Fine |
|---|---|
| Expired meter outside downtownDowntown (central business district) is $70. | $50–$70[8] |
| Street cleaningSome street cleaning tickets are $60 depending on the code. | $50–$60[8] |
| Within 15 feet of a fire hydrantLate penalty is $100. | $150[8] |
| Double parking$250 in the central business district. | $100–$250[8] |
| Parking in a disabled spaceDisabled parking zone violations are $250. Late penalty is $100 for the $150 ticket. | $150–$250[8] |
| Residential permit parking | $75[8] |
| Blocking an alley, driveway or fire laneLate penalty is $100. | $150[8] |
| Parking on a crosswalk | $60[8] |
| Bus, taxi or carriage stand | $100[8] |
| Rush hour parking or standing restriction | $100[8] |
| Snow route | $60[8] |
| Expired plate or temporary registration | $60[8] |
| No city sticker (vehicle up to 16,000 lbs)Late penalty is $50. | $200[8] |
How do you pay or fight a Chicago parking ticket?
Who handles it
The City of Chicago Department of Finance (Citation Administration) collects payment. Contested tickets go to the Department of Administrative Hearings.[9][11]
Pay a Chicago parking ticket online[11]
How to contest it
You have 21 days from the notice of violation to pay or contest. You can ask for a hearing by mail, online (virtual) or in person.[10]
If you pay late
If a ticket is found liable and not paid by the due date, the late penalty equals the lesser of the original fine or $250 minus the original fine. So most fines double, and fines of $250 get no added penalty.[10]
How do Chicago parking fines compare with other big cities?
At $50–$70, the Chicago expired meter fine is number 5 of 15 among the big cities listed here.
| City | Expired meter | Fire hydrant |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $50–$70 | $150 |
| New York, NY | $35–$65 | $115 |
| Houston, TX | $30 | $105 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $26–$36 | $76 |
| San Diego, CA | $42.5 | $104.5 |
| Dallas, TX | $90 | Not published |
| Jacksonville, FL | $15 | $25 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $40 | $105 |
| Columbus, OH | $70 | $90 |
| Charlotte, NC | $25 | Not published |
| Indianapolis, IN | $20 | $75 |
| San Francisco, CA | $107–$108 | $108 |
| Seattle, WA | $65 | $69 |
| Denver, CO | $35 | $35 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $15–$24 | Not published |
Got a speeding or other moving ticket in Chicago?
Moving violations go to the courts, not the parking agency, and they can bring points and higher insurance. See the local court's fines. Illinois ticket rules. Do parking tickets affect your license?
What else do people ask?
How much is a parking ticket in Chicago?
It depends on the violation. An expired meter is $50–$70. Parking at a fire hydrant is $150. The most expensive common ticket is parking in a disabled space at $150–$250.
What happens if I pay a Chicago parking ticket late?
If a ticket is found liable and not paid by the due date, the late penalty equals the lesser of the original fine or $250 minus the original fine. So most fines double, and fines of $250 get no added penalty.
How do I fight a Chicago parking ticket?
You have 21 days from the notice of violation to pay or contest. You can ask for a hearing by mail, online (virtual) or in person.
Does a parking ticket add points to my license?
No. A parking ticket is not a moving violation, so it adds no points and does not show on the driving record insurers check. Unpaid tickets can still lead to holds or a boot.
Sources (4)
- Parking, Standing and Compliance Violations, City of Chicago Department of Finance.
- Contest Tickets, City of Chicago Department of Finance.
- Notice of violation and determination information, City of Chicago Department of Finance.
- Pay parking and red-light tickets online, City of Chicago Department of Finance.