By ordinance, vehicles that are principally garaged in the city more than 30 days must have a city vehicle sticker. It is illegal for you to purchase any city sticker or residential parking guest passes from any other person other than the city or an official agent of the city. It is illegal to sell any city sticker or residential parking pass unless you are an authorized agent of the city. Any person violating this can be fined $200 to $500 for each offense. Read Municipal code 3-56, which governs city sticker sales, here.

Regardless of when you purchase your sticker, all city vehicle stickers expire June 30 of each year.

If you purchase an annual residential parking permit, your vehicle sticker includes your residential parking permit zone number (as depicted below). The permit parking zone number is printed right on the vehicle sticker.

How to Purchase a City Vehicle Sticker and Residential Parking

• Online - Allow up to 14 business days to Receive your Sticker. Daily guest passes are also available online. Can be purchased with or without a renewal notice.

• In person - Receive same day. Can be bought at City Clerk Offices, Department of Revenue Substations or 300 community vendors. Note that community vendors can charge up to $5.50 convenience fee. Can be purchased with or without renewal notice.

• By Mail - Return your Renewal form and appropriate payment with check or money order by June 10. Allow up to 30 days.

• Transfer/Replacement City Stickers:
You're required to surrender your old sticker (regardless of the condition when peeled from the windshield) & original receipt in order to complete the transfer/replacement transaction. You must bring the sticker, your original purchase receipt and vehicle bill of sale (transfer only) to a City Clerk office location for this transaction. A transfer sticker is $20 and a replacement sticker is $30.

Anyone who received a defective 2010 - 2011 vehicle sticker can contact our office at 312-742-9200 or 312-744-6774, cityclerk@cityofchicago.org to receive a free replacement. The sticker can also be brought to any City Clerk office location to be replaced for free in person. You can mail the defective sticker to:
City Clerk's Office
Room 107, City Hall
Attn: Daveda Peeler/Defective Sticker
121 N. LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60602
A replacement sticker will immediately be mailed to you.

• New Residents of Chicago:
You have 30 days from the date of your move to Chicago to purchase your city sticker without incurring a late fee penalty. You can purchase your sticker online only from June 1 - July 15. After July 15 you must make this transaction in person at any sales location to avoid any late fees. You're required to present documentation at the time of purchase to establish your move date such as a valid lease or property bill of sale. Click here for more information and for the prorated fee structure based on move-in date. Click here for more information and for the prorated fee structure based on move-in date.

• New Vehicle Owners:
You have 30 days from the date of vehicle purchase to purchase a city sticker without incurring the late fee penalty. You can purchase your sticker online only from June 1 - July 15. After July 15 this transaction must be made in person at any sales location to avoid any late fees. You must bring your vehicle bill of sale. Click here for more information and for the prorated fee structure based on vehicle purchase date.

PLEASE NOTE: Only full price, late fee stickers are sold online after the renewal period (June 1st - July 15th each year). To purchase a city sticker outside of that time period at the prorated fee (if applicable) and without incurring a late fee (if applicable), you will need to do so in person at any sales location. You will need to bring proof of your recent move or car purchase (within the last 30 days) at that time to avoid the late fee.

• If you are age 65 or older and possess a valid Illinois driver's license, you are eligible for a senior citizen discount on one city vehicle sticker. For further information regarding city vehicle stickers, call 312-742-9200.                                                                                         

• The Sticker on your license plate is issued by the Illinois Secretary of State:
For information on license plate stickers, please visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com
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