Why a parked dead car costs money in Evanston
Two local rules make it hard to just leave a broken car sitting. First, the wheel tax. Every vehicle registered to an Evanston address owes the city license fee each year, and the code says the violation happens whether or not the car is actually on the streets. A car you haven’t driven since last winter still counts.
Second, the property standards. Evanston amended its property maintenance code so that no inoperative, unlicensed or unregistered vehicle can be kept on a premises, and no car can be half-stripped in a driveway. Parking it on the grass is out too.
So the usual plan of “I’ll deal with it in spring” tends to cost a license fee and risk a violation notice.
Street parking and snow
On the public way, the clock is short. Seven days without moving, or two days without valid plates, and the car meets the city’s definition of abandoned. Derelict cars missing major parts can be towed without notice.
Snow is its own problem. After 2 inches in a day, signed snow routes close overnight from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. At 4 inches the city declares a snow emergency: 34 hours of even and odd side parking on other streets. A car that won’t start can’t follow either rule.
Pickup from garages, pads and alleys
Close to half of Evanston’s homes are in larger apartment and condo buildings, so the car may well be in a shared garage or on a rear parking pad. Tell us the entrance, any clearance limits and whether the car rolls. At a house, an alley or driveway pickup is simplest. If the car still turns over but you’re weighing repairs, our guide to selling a car that doesn’t run compares the options.
Paperwork: a signed title is best. Lost it? Tell us what you’ve got, such as registration or proof of insurance plus ID, and we’ll explain what Illinois accepts for a scrap sale before scheduling.
Next door
Evanston borders Chicago at Howard Street, Skokie to the west and Wilmette to the north. We cover all of them; see the complete list of towns.
Selling a car in Evanston: common questions
My car is in my own garage in Evanston. Can the city still cite me?
The property code language Evanston adopted says no inoperative, unlicensed or unregistered vehicle may be kept on any premises, and the wheel tax applies to cars registered in the city whether they move or not. If the car isn't coming back to life, selling it ends both issues.
Can you get a car out of a condo or apartment garage near Northwestern?
Usually, yes. Ask your building manager about clearance height and whether the truck can enter, then tell us the garage entrance and space number. If a low ceiling blocks the truck, the car may need to be rolled or towed out to the street or alley first.
Does the wheel tax license transfer if I sell my junk car?
Evanston lets the owner move a wheel tax license to another of their own vehicles, for a fee, but never to another person. If you're replacing the car, ask the city collector about a transfer; the license doesn't go to us.