Cook County, IL Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Driveway blocking fine
- $50 per offense
- Fire hydrant clearance
- 15 feet minimum
- Fire lane violation
- $75 fine
- Railroad track clearance
- 10 feet, $100 fine
- Applies to
- County roads + agreement municipalities
Summary
Cook County's Vehicle Code bars stopping or parking in front of driveways, within 15 feet of hydrants, or within 20 feet of crosswalks on roads under County jurisdiction: unincorporated areas and municipalities with an intergovernmental enforcement agreement.
Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device, no person shall...Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge passengers:a.In front of a public or private driveway;b.Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;c.Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection...Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any provision of the above section...shall be fined $50.00 for each offense.
Full Breakdown
Section 82-86 of the Cook County Vehicle Code bars stopping or parking on the roadway side of a parked car, on a sidewalk, in a crosswalk, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, and bars standing in front of any driveway except to briefly load or unload passengers. Section 82-87 requires vehicles on a one-way roadway to park facing the direction of travel, wheels within 12 inches of the curb -- parking against traffic ('wrong-way') violates this. Most violations carry a $50 fine; blocking a fire lane carries $75, and parking within ten feet of railroad tracks carries $100. Applies on County property, unincorporated roads, and municipalities with an enforcement agreement.
Violations & Fines
Stopping in front of a driveway, within 15 ft of a hydrant, or on a sidewalk/crosswalk draws a $50 fine; blocking a fire lane is $75; parking on/near railroad tracks is $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park in front of my own driveway on a Cook County road?
Does this rule apply inside Chicago or other Cook County towns?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois parking rules overview
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