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 Q: Does the Village of Oak Park enforce special parking rules when it snows?
A: Yes. When snowfall exceeds two inches, the Village of Oak Park may put the snow parking ban into effect. The ban prohibits parking on major thoroughfares designated as snow routes (see the map at right) and initiates specific parking rules for other streets in the community.
Q: Who determines if the snowfall level requires the snow parking ban?
A: The Public Works Department determines when a snow parking ban is necessary to allow for plowing activities.
Q: When will the snow parking ban be determined?
A: A snow parking ban may be called for daytime or nighttime. If a daytime ban is called, it will always start at 8 a.m. If a night ban is called, it will always start at 10 p.m.
Q: How will I know if the snow parking ban is in effect?
A: Call the snow hotline 708.358.SNOW (7669). The message will be updated at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. if necessary. Information also is broadcast on VOP-TV, the Village’s cable television station available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and AT&T subscribers on channel 99.
Q: Where should I park during the day when the snow parking ban is in effect?
A: If you usually park on a designated snow route, you must move your car to a side street. If you park on a street that is not a posted snow route, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. you must park on the even numbered address side of the street on even number days (east and north sides of street) and on the odd numbered address side of the street on odd number days (west and south sides of street).
Q: What about overnight parking?
A: Snow parking regulations do not apply from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on residential side streets. However, parking continues to be prohibited on all posted snow routes.
Q: Does the odd/even parking regulation affect snow routes?
A: No. All snow routes must be completely cleared of parked cars, on both sides of the streets, anytime a snow parking ban is in effect.
Q: Is the daytime odd/even street parking in effect for all non-snow route streets, or is this rule in effect only in certain areas?
A: When the snow parking ban is in effect, all Village streets except snow routes where all parking is prohibited follow the odd/even street parking regulations. The snow parking ban is in effect from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on side streets in residential areas. The odd/even street parking regulation is in effect from midnight to 8 a.m. in designated commercial districts during the snow parking ban.
 Q: Where are the commercial districts?
A: The commercial districts that follow the odd-even parking rule from midnight to 8 a.m. include the West side of Maple Avenue from Garfield to Lexington; Marion Street from Lake to Ontario; Marion Street from South Boulevard to Pleasant) the West side of Marion Street from Superior to Chicago; North Boulevard from Euclid to Kenilworth; Pleasant Street from Marion to Maple; South Boulevard from Euclid to Kenilworth; South Boulevard from Forest to Maple; the north side of Westgate Street Harlem to 1126 Westgate); and the north side of Harrison Street from Oak Park to Grove. Signs are posted on theses streets
Q: Is the odd/even rule in effect on weekends and holidays?
A: Yes. When the snow parking ban is in effect, all snow parking regulations are in effect even if it is a weekend or a holiday.
Q: What happens if it snows in the middle of the night — am I supposed to get up and go move my car?
A: When snow is predicted, the Public Works Department will announce by 7 p.m. whether or not the snow parking ban will go into effect for that night starting at 10 p.m. You can call 708.358.SNOW (7669) after 7 p.m. to determine where to park your car for the night.
Q: I have an on-street overnight parking permit in a zone that includes a snow route. Where do I park when a snow parking ban is in effect?
A: When the snow parking ban has been announced for the night and you have a valid on-street overnight zone parking permit you must move your vehicle from the snow route. You then may park on either side of available side streets from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., even if the street you park on is not designed as a part of your zone. Be sure to follow safety restrictions such as “No Parking Here to Corner” and do not block fire hydrants or driveways.
Q: I have an on-street overnight parking zone permit. Will I be ticketed if I park outside of my zone when the snow parking ban is in effect and I cannot find a space within my zone?
A: No. When the snow parking ban has been announced for the night and you have a valid on-street overnight parking zone permit you may park on either side of any street not designated a snow route from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., even if the street you park on is not part of your zone. However, be sure not to park on a designated snow route, follow safety restrictions such as “No Parking Here to Corner” and do not block fire hydrants or driveways.
Q: What if I go to work and it isn’t snowing but it starts to snow later. How do I move my car?
A: Whether you work days or nights, when snow is predicted, you can determine if the snow parking ban has been announced by calling 708.358.SNOW (7669). Remember, snow parking bans are called for the day or night by 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. respectively, and are in effect during the day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in residential areas, overnight from midnight to 8 a.m. in commercial districts and around the clock on snow routes. Use this information to plan accordingly about where to park while at work. If you work a non-standard schedule that is not compatible with the day/night snow parking ban times, you may want to consider private parking or off-street parking in a Village permit lot.
Q: If I come home before 10 p.m. and the daytime snow parking ban is in effect, which side of the street do I park? After 10 p.m., do I need to move the car again?
A: When you come home, you must comply with the daytime restrictions if the snow parking ban is in effect – which you can verify by calling 708.358.SNOW (7669). It is possible that the snow parking ban was put into effect at 8 a.m. that day and later lifted if all snow plowing activity was completed for the day. If the ban was not lifted for the day, then you need to follow the odd/even street parking restrictions until 10 p.m. You should also check the snow hotline after 7 p.m. to determine if the snow parking ban will continue to be in effect overnight starting at 10 p.m. If the ban is not in effect overnight, permit holders must park within their designated zone for the night.
Q: If I come home after 10 p.m., on which side of the street should I park?
A: The snow parking ban is not enforced after 10 p.m. in residential areas. However, if the ban is in effect you may not park on a designated snow route anytime or in a commercial district overnight. Call 708.358.SNOW (7669) to find if the snow parking ban is effect. And if the ban is in effect, and you park in a residential area, be sure to move your car to the proper side of the street by 8 a.m.
Q: If I leave my car parked, go out of town overnight and a snow parking ban is put into effect, will my car be towed?
A: Cars in violation of a snow parking ban may be ticketed and towed. Consider parking in a Village-owned garage while traveling in the winter.
Q: How will I find my car if it is towed?
A: If you believe your car was towed, call the Police Department at 708.386.3800 for information on how to find your car.
Q: What happens to my guests’ vehicle during a snow parking ban?
A: Guests staying in Oak Park must follow the same snow parking regulations as residents.
Q: If I park in a lot, how will I know to move my car for plowing?
A: Village-operated permit parking lots and metered lots are cleared routinely as part of the snow removal plan. Crews will work around vehicles as conditions permit. If a lot needs to be closed for plowing, signs announcing the times will be posted a day in advance. If your lot is closed during the day, you need to find another legal parking spot on a side street. If your lot will be closed overnight, you will likely be instructed to call 708.358.PARK (7275) between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. – select option 2 and request an overnight parking pass. Quarterly permit holders who choose to leave their cars parked and not moved during multiple snow events are responsible for clearing snow that may have piled up around their car since the removal equipment is too large to clear snow between parked cars.
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