STEP 4: PARKING
Parking for the moving truck on moving day is VERY important and varies for each move depending on the building, street, and city you live in. Typically, parking in the Suburbs of Chicago is easy, however, parking in the City of Chicago can be quite cumbersome, especially for a truck. Ideally, parking should be as close to the residence as possible to ensure an efficient move. This step is to inform you about parking options and to help determine what your parking situation is for your move.
Please be aware that the customer is 100% responsible for making sure that there is adequate parking for our vehicle. Therefore, you are REQUIRED to secure adequate parking for our vehicle during your move, whether parking is free, permitted, or pay to park. You must provide us with a parking sticker on a permitted street, or have your credit card handy to pay for any garage or metered parking. Additionally, any parking fees that we incur during your move will be applied to the final bill, including any citations. If you do not secure parking, then this can result in significant delays in finding adequate parking for the truck, and may also increase the time for the overall move since the walking distance will be greater.
SUFFICIENT PARKING
If you have a specified and secure moving area such as a parking lot, loading dock, or loading zone, then this is considered sufficient. However, if you do not, then you are REQUIRED to secure space on the street by blocking off 40 feet of space (3 car lengths), or by obtaining an enforceable parking permit from the City of Chicago Department of Transportation, see below.
CDOT PERMIT PARKING
As a licensed moving company, we are authorized to obtain enforceable parking permits called "Parking Moving Van Permit" from the City of Chicago Department of Transportation to secure space on the street for a specified date and time. On moving day, if there are vehicles parked in the permitted parking space, then the City will issue a citation and remove the vehicles at the owner's expense. The parking permit must be ordered no earlier than 10 business days and no later than 5 business days prior to your move. The charge for a parking permit is $50 per location. On the day before your move, the CDOT will post the permits outside the addresses specified notifying residents that the area is reserved for your move on the date and time requested. Parking permit charges will be applied to the final bill.
Please Note:
It is the customer's responsibility to monitor and secure the permitted parking area prior to the moving truck's arrival. If there are cars parked in the space, you must call 311 to report the vehicles and have them removed. Please be aware that this process takes time and will impede your move if not done prior to the moving truck's arrival. Additionally, parking permits are not transferable, and if your moving date changes, an additional permit will need to be ordered, and you will be charged accordingly.
UNENFORCEABLE FREE PARKING SIGNS
You may contact your local Alderman's office to obtain free parking signs that are NOT permits, and therefore, NOT enforceable. They are simply signs to notify your neighbors that you are moving. You can pick them up from your local Alderman's office and post them outside your residence. However, they DO NOT guarantee adequate parking space for the moving truck. Our experience is that residents DO NOT abide by these signs.
INSUFFICIENT PARKING
Insufficient parking includes, but is not limited to, parking in the alley and blocking the drive; double parking on the street; parking without paying the meter; parking in an unauthorized loading zone or tow zone; parking on private property; or illegal parking per posted signs. In addition, there are many risks if you do not secure sufficient parking including a parking citation from the City of Chicago for illegal parking; added time to your move from improper parking; damage to your furniture from a passing vehicle; damage to our truck or equipment from a passing vehicle; and injury to a mover from a passing vehicle. Ultimately, the customer is 100% responsible for any parking issues or citations received because of inadequate parking. Any parking citations received during a move will be added to the final bill. Also, any citations received by mail after your move will be charged accordingly.
Please remember, parking for the moving truck is VERY important. If you are unsure of your local parking rules, please contact your local City Hall or Alderman's office to discuss.