Most homes here share a parking lot
Chicago Ridge is one of the most apartment-heavy suburbs on our list. Census estimates put close to 60% of its housing units in buildings with five or more units, and about half of households rent. A junk car here is often in an assigned stall, a condo garage or a complex lot rather than a private driveway.
That’s no obstacle to pickup, but it adds a step. Find out whether your landlord or association wants notice before a tow truck enters, and tell us about any gate or underground garage with a height limit. The towing itself costs you nothing.
Ten hours on the street, then a tow
The village is quick to clear abandoned cars from public streets. A vehicle left unattended on a street for 10 hours or more can be towed on police authorization. After 2 inches of snow, street parking stops for 12 hours unless the block has been plowed, and some blocks carry their own evening bans, such as 107th Street between Ridgeland and Lombard from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The local definition of an “abandoned motor vehicle” is worth knowing too: no unexpired plate (or, for residents, no current village vehicle license) combined with a wrecked, dismantled or inoperative condition. Leaving one in public view, even on your own property, is a public nuisance, and removal can follow after 7 days.
Loans, titles and getting paid
Some junk cars still carry a loan. If a lender appears on your title, read our guide to selling a car with a lien in Illinois before you call, since the lien affects who can sign. If the title is just missing, tell us which papers you have, and on the phone we’ll explain how Illinois rules apply to them. You’re paid at pickup.
Landmarks and neighbors
The name comes from ridges of dirt the Wabash Railroad piled up while the 1893 Columbian Exposition was being built. Today the easy landmarks are Chicago Ridge Mall at 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue, and the Metra SouthWest Service station. On Ridgeland in front of businesses, parking is limited to 30 minutes, so a dead car there won’t sit long.
Oak Lawn wraps around the village to the north and east, Worth sits to the south, and Palos Hills lies to the west. All three appear on our list of towns we serve.
Selling a car in Chicago Ridge: common questions
Can you tow a junk car out of a Chicago Ridge apartment or condo lot?
Yes. Most homes in the village are in larger buildings, so shared lots are normal here. Tell us the building, your space number, and whether the lot has a gate, a low garage ceiling or management rules for tow trucks, and we'll plan the pickup around them.
There's still a loan on my car. Can I junk it in Chicago Ridge?
Tell us if a lender is listed on the title. A lien usually has to be paid off and released before ownership can pass, and our guide on selling a car with a lien in Illinois explains how that works. Once the title is clear, the pickup works like any other.