La Grange gives a dead car no grace period
A lot of towns give a broken car a few days on the driveway before the code kicks in. La Grange doesn’t. Section 6-4-1(f) of the village code says a car that is partly dismantled, not running, wrecked or junked can’t be left on any private property at all, unless it’s inside an enclosed building. Village-owned property allows only 48 hours. Either way, the village can call it a nuisance and tow it.
In practice that means a dead car in La Grange belongs in the garage until it’s sold. If the garage is full, or the car can’t be pushed in, it’s time to call.
Pickup logistics, from La Grange Road to the BNSF tracks
About two-thirds of La Grange homes are detached houses, so most of our pickups come off a driveway or out of a garage. The rest are at apartment and condo buildings, where we need to know the lot entrance and the space number.
The village sits on some busy corridors. La Grange Road and Ogden Avenue meet downtown, an intersection that carries four U.S. routes at once, and the BNSF main line runs three tracks through the north end with freight as often as every 10 minutes off-peak. Near the crossings a passing train can hold a truck up, which is one reason we don’t quote exact arrival times.
Street parking is tight for a car that can’t move:
- Overnight: no parking on any street from 2 to 6 a.m. Police can approve a night at a time, up to five a month.
- Long stays: 48 consecutive hours is the most any vehicle may sit on a street, alley or right-of-way.
- Snow: after 2 inches, the streets close to parking for 12 hours unless the snow is cleared sooner.
Lost title? Start here
If your title is missing, you may be able to get a duplicate from the Secretary of State; our guide to replacing a lost Illinois title covers it. If you’d rather sell now, tell us which documents you have, and we’ll confirm whether Illinois rules let the scrap sale go ahead with them.
We tow at no charge and pay you at pickup. Nearby, we also buy cars in La Grange Park, Western Springs and unincorporated La Grange Highlands. See the full list of towns for more.
Selling a car in La Grange: common questions
Is a broken car on my own La Grange driveway really a violation?
Under § 6-4-1(f), yes. La Grange doesn't allow a non-operating, wrecked or partly dismantled vehicle to be left on any private property unless it's in an enclosed building, and it can be declared a nuisance and towed. A garage is the only safe place for it to wait.
My car died on a La Grange side street. How long can it stay?
Two limits apply. No vehicle may sit on a street, alley or right-of-way for more than 48 consecutive hours, and every street is closed to parking from 2 to 6 a.m. You can request one-night permission from police, but a pickup is the lasting fix.