Key takeaway: Parking in Chicago runs from a $25 to $35 yearly residential zone permit and $2.50 an hour at most neighborhood meters up to $7 an hour at Loop meters and $135 to $320 a month for a downtown garage.
Where you park changes the cost of owning a car here more than almost anything else. Here are the official rates, so you can budget for the spot that fits your block.
Residential permit parking
Many neighborhood blocks are residential permit zones. During posted hours, your car needs a City Sticker with the matching zone number, or a daily guest pass. Zones are created by City Council ordinance, usually at a neighborhood’s request (City Clerk).
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Residential zone permit | $25 to $35 a year, added to your City Sticker (the Clerk’s City Sticker page lists $25 and its zone FAQ lists $35) |
| Daily guest passes | $15 for a sheet of 15 |
| Guest pass limit | Up to 3 sheets ($45) per 30 days |
| Changing zones | $20 |
Source: City Clerk of Chicago, residential zone parking FAQs, checked October 25, 2026. Daily passes expire every December 31. The City Sticker itself is $105.18 a year for a small passenger vehicle; see our guide to what it costs to own a car in Chicago.
Street meter rates
| Area | Rate per hour | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Loop | $7.00 ($3.50 overnight) | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; overnight 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
| Downtown outside the Loop (Lake Michigan to Halsted, North Ave to Roosevelt) | $4.75 | 8 a.m. to midnight |
| West Loop (Grand to I-290, Halsted to Ashland) | $4.75 | Posted on meters |
| Neighborhoods | $2.50 at most meters | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
Source: ParkChicago rates and hours, checked October 25, 2026. Some neighborhood meters are free on Sundays; check the meter.
Garages and lots
Monthly garage rates listed on SpotHero for downtown garages ranged from $135 to $320 when we checked in October 2026. Paid parking in lots and garages also carries combined city, county and state parking taxes: 35.25% on hourly and daily stays and 41.25% on monthly parking, according to the Civic Federation. Most posted rates already include them, but ask before you sign a monthly contract.
Ways to spend less
- Ask your building about a parking spot before you sign. A monthly spot often costs less than a downtown garage.
- Use the ParkChicago app to pay meters and avoid overtime tickets.
- Book garages ahead for events and downtown trips; app rates are often lower than drive-up prices.
- For guests, a $1 daily pass beats a meter or a ticket.