You can buy a Chicago city sticker online, by mail, or in person at one of several city locations
The Chicago city sticker is a vehicle registration decal required to park on Chicago streets. You must display it on your vehicle's windshield, and the city enforces the requirement through parking tickets and boot placement on non-compliant vehicles. The sticker costs vary by vehicle type — passenger cars, motorcycles, and electric vehicles each have different prices — and you renew it annually.
The fastest route is the city's online portal at chicago.gov/citysticker, where you can purchase and print a temporary permit when ready while waiting for the physical sticker to arrive by mail. If you prefer not to go online, you can mail a check or money order to the city, or visit one of the city's service centers in person with cash, check, or card.
Key Takeaways
- You can buy a Chicago city sticker online at chicago.gov/citysticker, by mail with a check or money order, or in person at city service centers with cash, check, or card.
- The cost depends on your vehicle type: passenger cars, motorcycles, and electric vehicles pay different rates, and the exact amount changes annually.
- When you buy online, you receive a temporary permit to print when ready and the physical sticker arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
- The sticker expires on March 31 each year, so you must renew before that date to avoid parking tickets and vehicle boots.
- You will need your vehicle's license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and proof of current vehicle registration to complete a purchase.
What documents and information you need before you buy
Before you start the purchase process, gather your vehicle's license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). Both appear on your vehicle registration document, and the VIN also appears on the driver's side of your windshield at the base of the glass. You will also need proof that your vehicle registration is current — the city verifies this electronically when you buy online, but if you are mailing in a purchase order, include a copy of your registration card.
If you are buying for a vehicle registered to a business rather than an individual, have the business registration or tax ID number available. The city treats commercial and personal vehicles differently for pricing and renewal purposes, so accuracy here matters.
Buying online at chicago.gov/citysticker
The online purchase portal is the fastest option. Go to chicago.gov/citysticker, enter your license plate number, and the system will pull your vehicle information from the Illinois Secretary of State database. Verify that the vehicle type, year, and registration status match your records. If the system cannot find your vehicle, your registration may be expired or the plate number may be incorrect — double-check both before trying again.
Select your vehicle type from the dropdown menu. The city charges different rates for passenger cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles, and commercial vehicles, so choosing the correct category is important. Enter your payment information — the site accepts credit and debit cards — and complete the transaction. You will receive a temporary permit as a PDF that you can print when ready and display on your windshield. The physical sticker will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. Do not remove the temporary permit until the permanent sticker arrives.
Buying by mail with a check or money order
If you prefer not to purchase online, you can mail a payment to the city. Write a check or money order payable to the City of Chicago and include a note with your license plate number, VIN, vehicle type, and current mailing address. Mail the payment to the address listed on the city's sticker page — this address changes periodically, so verify it on chicago.gov/citysticker before you send anything.
Processing by mail typically takes four to six weeks from the time the city receives your payment. During that time, you have no legal protection against parking tickets, so this method is best used well before your current sticker expires. Keep a copy of your check or money order receipt as proof of purchase in case a question arises.
Buying in person at city service centers
The city operates several service centers where you can buy a sticker on the spot. Bring your vehicle registration, driver's license, and payment — cash, check, or card are all accepted. The staff will verify your information, process the payment, and issue you a temporary permit to display when ready. The physical sticker will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.
Service center locations and hours are listed on chicago.gov/citysticker. Call ahead to confirm hours, as some locations have limited availability or may close for city holidays. Visiting in person eliminates the wait for mail delivery of a temporary permit, which can be useful if your current sticker is about to expire.
Understanding sticker costs and vehicle type categories
The Chicago city sticker price varies by vehicle type and changes each year. Passenger cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles, and commercial vehicles each have separate rates. The city publishes the current year's rates on chicago.gov/citysticker, and you will see the exact cost before you complete your purchase online or at a service center.
Electric vehicles often receive a lower rate than gas-powered cars as part of the city's environmental policy, but you must select the correct vehicle type during purchase for this rate to explore. If you buy a sticker for the wrong category, you will need to contact the city to request a refund or correction. Motorcycles are typically cheaper than passenger cars, but the city may require additional documentation to verify the vehicle type.
When your sticker expires and how to renew
All Chicago city stickers expire on March 31 each year, regardless of when you purchase them. If your sticker expires and you have not renewed it, you are subject to parking tickets and vehicle boots. The city does not send renewal reminders, so mark the date on your calendar or set a phone reminder in early March.
Renewal follows the same process as an initial purchase — you can renew online, by mail, or in person. If you renew online before March 31, you can print a temporary permit when ready and avoid any gap in coverage. Many people renew in late February or early March to avoid the rush and may support they have time to receive the physical sticker before the important date.
What happens if you do not have a valid sticker
Parking without a valid Chicago city sticker results in a ticket. The fine amount varies but is substantial enough that buying the sticker is cheaper than paying even one ticket. If you accumulate unpaid parking tickets, the city can boot your vehicle, preventing you from driving it until you pay the tickets and boot removal fee.
If you have a valid sticker but it is not visible on your windshield — for example, if it fell off or was damaged — you can still receive a ticket. The city's position is that the sticker must be displayed, not that you must own one. If this happens, contact the city with proof of purchase and a photo of the damage, and request a replacement sticker or ticket dismissal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a sticker for someone else's vehicle?
No. The person named on the vehicle registration must be the one to purchase the sticker. If you are buying for a vehicle registered to a business, someone with authority to act on behalf of that business must complete the purchase. The city verifies registration ownership during the online process.
What if my vehicle registration is expired?
You cannot buy a city sticker until your vehicle registration is current. Renew your registration with the Illinois Secretary of State first, then purchase the city sticker. The city's online system checks registration status electronically, so an expired registration will block the purchase.
Do I need a new sticker if I move to a different address in Chicago?
No. The sticker is tied to your license plate, not your address. You can update your mailing address with the city if you want renewal notices sent to a new location, but you do not need to buy a new sticker when you move within Chicago.
Can I get a refund if I buy the wrong sticker type?
Yes, but you must contact the city to request it. Call the number on chicago.gov/citysticker or visit a service center with proof of purchase. The city will issue a refund or credit toward a corrected sticker, though the process may take several weeks.
What if I sell my vehicle before the sticker expires?
The sticker is non-transferable and stays with the license plate. If you sell the vehicle and the new owner keeps the same plate, they will need to buy their own sticker. If the plate changes, the old sticker is no longer valid. The city does not refund unused sticker value.