Joliet's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Joliet, Illinois, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Driveway Rules

Joliet prohibits parking any motor vehicle on yards or parkways except on a driveway or parking space built to city standards under Section 47-5.3. Parkway parking requires a permit under Section 19-149. Vehicles may not be parked on grass, dirt, or unpaved surfaces.

Key details: Code Section: Sec. 47-5.3, Sec. 19-149. Yard Parking: Driveway only. Parkway Parking: Permit required. Grass/Dirt: Prohibited.

Fines up to $750 per offense under Section 1-8. Vehicles may be ticketed or towed.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Joliet actively enforces its driveway rules requirements.

RV & Boat Parking

Joliet prohibits parking recreational vehicles, trucks over 8,000 lbs GVW, semitrailers, trailers, and buses on any city street, highway, or alley under Section 19-150, except for active loading/unloading. Vehicles may not be parked on parkways or yards without a proper driveway.

Key details: Code Section: Sec. 19-150. Street Parking: Prohibited for RVs. Yard Parking: Driveway only (Sec. 47-5.3). Maintenance: 72 hrs max on property.

Fines up to $750 per offense under Section 1-8. Vehicles may be towed at owner's expense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Joliet actively enforces its rv & boat parking requirements.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Joliet prohibits parking commercial vehicles over 8,000 lbs GVW, semitrailers, trailers, and buses on city streets under Section 19-150. The zoning ordinance prohibits outdoor storage of semi-trucks, school buses (4 PM-7 AM), and vehicles with more than two axles or over 5,000 lbs in residential zones.

Key details: Code Section: Sec. 19-150. Street Limit: 8,000 lbs GVW max. Residential Zone: 5,000 lbs / 2 axles max. School Buses: Not 4 PM - 7 AM residential.

Fines up to $750 per offense. Vehicles subject to towing at owner's expense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Joliet actively enforces its commercial vehicle restrictions requirements.

Street Parking Limits

Joliet limits street parking to 48 consecutive hours on any public street, alley, or public way under Section 19-138. During snowfall of 2 inches or more, parking is banned on most streets until snow removal is complete under Section 19-142.

Key details: Time Limit: 48 hours (Sec. 19-138). Snow Ban: 2" accumulation triggers. Downtown Fine: $30. Code Section: Ch. 19, Art. II.

Parking violation fines as provided in Section 1-8. Downtown enforcement by Public Enforcement Officers carries a $30 fine. Snow ban violations subject to towing.

Overnight Parking

Joliet does not have a blanket overnight parking ban but enforces a 48-hour limit on all street parking under Section 19-138. During snowfall of 2 inches or more, all street parking is banned until snow removal is complete under Section 19-142.

Key details: Overnight Ban: No blanket ban. Time Limit: 48 hours (Sec. 19-138). Snow Ban: All streets during 2"+ snow. Permit Parking: Sec. 19-151.

48-hour limit violations subject to ticketing. Snow ban violations subject to towing at owner's expense plus fines.

Dibs & Space Saving

Joliet does not have a specific ordinance addressing the practice of saving shoveled parking spots with chairs, cones, or other objects. The city's snow removal ordinance focuses on parking bans during snow events rather than space saving after clearing.

Key details: Dibs Ordinance: None. Space Saving: Not formally addressed. Snow Ban: Sec. 19-142. Obstructions: May be removed.

No specific dibs violation. Objects in the roadway may be removed as obstructions.

Joliet is more permissive than most cities when it comes to dibs & space saving. That said, there are still limits.

Abandoned Vehicles

Joliet prohibits storing vehicles on public streets for more than 48 consecutive hours under Section 19-138. The city actively enforces abandoned and inoperable vehicle removal. Vehicles on residential property must be parked on a proper driveway, not on yards or grass.

Key details: Street Limit: 48 hours (Sec. 19-138). Yard Parking: Driveway only (Sec. 47-5.3). Enforcement: Police & Neighborhood Services. Towing: At owner's expense.

Fines up to $750 per offense. Vehicles subject to towing and impoundment at owner's expense. Storage fees apply.

Compared to other cities, Joliet takes a harder line on abandoned vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

EV Charging

The City of Joliet has developed an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan to support growing EV adoption. Level 3 fast chargers are planned within one mile of highway interchanges, and Level 2 chargers at key locations throughout the city. Joliet does not currently mandate EV charging stations for new residential or commercial construction through local ordinance. Illinois state law (765 ILCS 1085, the EV Charging Act) protects residents' rights to install EV chargers.

Key details: Infrastructure Plan: City EV Charging Infrastructure Plan adopted. Level 3 Chargers: Within 1 mile of highway interchanges. Level 2 Chargers: At key municipal and commercial locations. State Law: IL EV Charging Act (765 ILCS 1085) protects installation rights. Building Mandate: No current local EV-ready building requirement.

HOAs or landlords who unreasonably restrict EV charger installation may be in violation of the Illinois EV Charging Act. Standard electrical permit requirements apply to charger installations.

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

The Bottom Line

Joliet is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Joliet, 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 Joliet'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.