Parking Rules in Des Plaines, IL: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Des Plaines or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Des Plaines has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

EV Charging

Des Plaines permits residential EV charger installation under the Illinois Electric Vehicle Charging Act and the city's electrical permit requirements. Illinois law (765 ILCS 605/18.11) protects the right to install chargers in condominiums and HOA-governed properties.

Key details: Electrical Permit: Required for Level 2. State Right-to-Charge: 765 ILCS 605/18.11. Licensed Electrician: Required. Public Chargers: Rivers Casino, Metra lots. Contact: CED (847) 391-5380.

Installing a charger without an electrical permit may result in stop-work orders, double permit fees, and required removal until inspected. Unsafe wiring may trigger additional fines and insurance issues.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Des Plaines gives residents more flexibility on ev charging.

Driveway Rules

Des Plaines City Code Title 12 (Zoning) and Title 8 (Building) require residential driveways to be paved with approved hard-surface materials and meet width limits set by the Zoning Ordinance. A driveway permit and right-of-way permit for the apron are required from Community and Economic Development.

Key details: Max Width (SFR): ~20 feet at property line. Approved Surfaces: Concrete, asphalt, pavers. Gravel: Not permitted. Apron Permit: Required from Public Works. Contact: CED (847) 391-5380.

Parking on unpaved or unapproved surfaces may result in citations of $50 to $200 per offense. Building a driveway without permits can trigger stop-work orders, double permit fees, and orders to remove non-conforming work at owner expense.

Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned or inoperable vehicles on public streets subject to towing under Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/4-203). Des Plaines enforces nuisance vehicle provisions on private property.

Key details: State Law: 625 ILCS 5/4-203 — abandoned vehicle provisions. Public Streets: Des Plaines Police authorize towing. Private Property: Nuisance code enforcement applies. Contact: Des Plaines Police: 847-391-5400.

Towing at owner's expense; storage fees accrue daily.

Dibs & Space Saving

Des Plaines does not officially recognize 'dibs' or any practice of using chairs, cones, or other objects to reserve cleared on-street parking spaces after a snowstorm. Public streets remain public, and obstructing the right-of-way violates Des Plaines City Code.

Key details: Dibs Recognized: No. Street Obstructions: Prohibited. Item Removal: By Public Works. Snow Permits: Use overnight permit system. Contact: Public Works (847) 391-5464.

Items left in the public right-of-way may be removed and discarded by Public Works, and residents may face citations of $50 to $250 for obstructing a public street. Vandalism or threats related to space disputes may result in criminal charges.

This is one of the stricter rules in Des Plaines's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Overnight Parking

Des Plaines does not impose a blanket citywide overnight street-parking ban, but restricted resident districts post 'No Parking 9:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M.' signs, and semitrailer truck cabs and commercial vehicles are barred from overnight on-street parking under Section 7-3-2.

Key details: Citywide Ban: None (sign-based). Resident District Hours: 9:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. (7-3-10). Semitrailer Cabs: Overnight prohibited (7-3-2). Antique Vehicle Fine: $200 (third+ time, 7-10-6).

Parking in a posted 9 p.m.-6 a.m. resident district without a permit is ticketed; a third or more consecutive overnight antique-vehicle violation is $200 under Section 7-10-6. Consecutive-day violations of many parking rules run $115 each after the fine increases adopted in 2024.

RV & Boat Parking

Des Plaines residents may park a travel trailer, camper, recreational vehicle, boat, or moving trailer on the public street directly in front of their dwelling only for loading or unloading, for no more than 24 hours, and must first notify the police department.

Key details: Code Section: City Code 7-3-2. Street Time Limit: 24 hours (loading/unloading only). Notice Required: Police department before parking. Proposed (2025): 1 RV per lot; no living/utilities.

Exceeding the 24-hour loading window or parking without police notification subjects the vehicle to citation under Title 7 and possible tow; abandoning a vehicle on the street is a $150 fine under Section 7-10-6.

Compared to other cities, Des Plaines takes a harder line on rv & boat parking. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Des Plaines City Code Section 7-3-2 makes it unlawful to park a commercial vehicle (over a B plate or exceeding 8,000 pounds gross weight) on any property in a residential district, except inside a fully enclosed garage, and bars overnight commercial-vehicle parking on the public right of way.

Key details: Code Section: City Code 7-3-2. Commercial Threshold: Over B plate or 8,000 lbs GVW. Residential Districts: Banned unless fully enclosed garage. Service Exemption: Active delivery/service work.

A commercial vehicle parked in a residential district outside an enclosed garage, or parked overnight on the public right of way, is subject to citation and tow under Title 7; fines are set by the Section 7-10-6 fine schedule.

Compared to other cities, Des Plaines takes a harder line on commercial vehicle restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Street Parking Limits

Des Plaines regulates on-street parking through Title 7, Chapter 3, with prohibited and time-limited zones; restricted resident parking districts post 'No Parking' signs that override general rules. Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1303 sets the baseline of where stopping, standing, and parking are prohibited statewide.

Key details: Code Section: City Code 7-3-2 through 7-3-4. Resident Districts: 7-3-10 (permit required). State Authority: 625 ILCS 5/11-1303. Time-Limit Fine: $50 (7-10-6).

Overstaying a one-, two-, or three-hour limited zone carries a $50 fine; parking in a posted tow-away zone or abandoning a vehicle is $150 (Daily Herald, 2024 fine increase, Section 7-10-6). Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1303, parking on railroad tracks carries a mandatory $500 fine or 50 hours of community service.

The Bottom Line

Des Plaines is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Des Plaines, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Des Plaines's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.