Lake County, IN Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 2+ inches of snowfall
- Ban window
- 12 hours after snowfall
- Covers
- Paved portion of county-maintained roads
- Enforcement
- County Sheriff's Department
- Release fee
- $25 to County Clerk
- Extra holding fee
- $25 per additional 24 hours
- Fine
- $50-$2,500, non-moving violation
Summary
Once two inches or more of snow has fallen, it's unlawful to park on the paved portion of any county-maintained street or highway in unincorporated Lake County for the next 12 hours. The Sheriff's Department can tow violators on the spot, and getting the vehicle back costs a $25 release fee to the County Clerk plus $25 for each additional day.
(A) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person, persons, firm, or corporation to park any vehicle upon the paved portion of any street or highway maintained by the county at any time within 12 hours after snowfall of two inches or more has occurred. (B) As used in this chapter, PAVED PORTION OF ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY shall mean that portion of a street or highway which has been either paved or improved for use by motor vehicles with concrete, asphalt, limestone, gravel, slag, cinders, or other similar materials or combinations thereof. (C) (1) The County Sheriff's Department and all members thereof are hereby authorized to remove and tow away, or have removed and towed away by commercial towing services any vehicle parked in violation of this chapter. (2) Vehicles so towed away shall be restored to the owner or operator of the vehicle upon payment of a fee of $25 to the County Clerk within 24 hours after the time the vehicle was removed (48 hours on weekends), plus $25 for each additional 24 hours or fraction thereof.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-14: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 6-9-2026; and State legislation current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
12 bans parking on the paved portion of any street or highway the county maintains for 12 hours after a snowfall of two inches or more, and defines "paved portion" broadly to include concrete, asphalt, limestone, gravel, slag, cinders, or similar surfacing, so the rule reaches gravel county roads as well as blacktop. 02, provided the rule doesn't conflict with state statute. Enforcement is direct: the County Sheriff's Department, or a commercial towing service it hires, can remove and tow any vehicle parked in violation without prior warning.
To reclaim a towed vehicle, the owner or operator must pay $25 to the County Clerk within 24 hours of the tow (48 hours if it happens on a weekend), plus an added $25 for each further 24-hour period the vehicle sits unclaimed. That clerk's fee is separate from whatever the towing company itself charges, which the owner pays directly, and a release must still be obtained from the County Police Department before the car is handed back. 99 as a non-moving traffic violation, with amounts set by the County Council in Ordinance 1343F.
Violations & Fines
Parking on a county-maintained street within 12 hours of a two-inch snowfall is a non-moving traffic violation carrying a $50 to $2,500 fine under § 70.99(B) (Ord. 1343F). On top of that fine, the Sheriff's Department or a contracted tow operator can remove the vehicle immediately; getting it back costs $25 to the County Clerk (48 hours on weekends), plus $25 per additional 24-hour period, in addition to the towing company's own bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much snow triggers the parking ban?
What counts as a paved street under this rule?
What does it cost to get a towed car back?
Does this ban apply inside Crown Point or Gary?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Indiana parking rules overview
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