Prohibited and Restricted Parking

The City of Urbana enforces prohibited and restricted parking regulations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Special Parking Areas

The area generally bounded by Green Street, Race Street, Florida Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue has been designated a Special Parking Zone. Signs are posted on each street where parking is restricted from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you are a resident of the Special Parking Zone, you may purchase a permit that allows you to park during the restricted hours. A full-year permit is valid from August 1 of the current year to August 14 of the following year.

Residents who need to park their vehicle on the street between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. can apply for a free daytime permit. Temporary permits are also available for overnight parking. 

Residents may apply for free daytime guest permits. Residents also may obtain a Residential Parking Permit Waiver for special events, such as garage sales, meetings, etc. 

All types of permits are available during office hours from the Municipal Collector's Office at 217-384-2346. 

Annual permit holders can purchase and request temporary permits online.

Time Limit Parking

Parking lots surrounding Lincoln Square Village are separated into employee and customer lots. Lots 10X and 10E are restricted to employees only, and Lots 10A and 10F are two hour customer parking. Signs posted at each entrance and throughout the lots state the applicable parking restrictions.

Prohibited Parking

Prohibited parking is defined as parking that is not allowed at any time for any reason. Parking is prohibited in the following areas: 

• Yellow Zones (both painted-curbed and signed)

• Blocking driveways. Any part of a vehicle parked within five feet of the straight edge of a driveway is in violation.

• Blocking sidewalks. A vehicle is in violation if it is parked within 30 feet of an intersection or if any portion of a vehicle parked in a driveway extends over a sidewalk.

• Right-of-way. The right-of-way is the City-owned area between the road and private property, as well as the area between the sidewalk and the street, including driveways or paved areas. Also, parking a vehicle so that it obstructs the flow of traffic is a violation.

Restricted parking is defined as parking not allowed during certain conditions or time periods. Parking is restricted in the following areas: 

• Three-hour parking zones

• Loading zones

• 2 to 6 a.m. restricted parking areas 

Unmarked Areas

Even in unmarked areas, you may not park:

• Within five feet of any driveway
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• Within 30 feet of any intersection or crosswalk
• Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad grade crossing
• In any fire lane, whether on public or private property

Parking in Excess of 72 Hours is Prohibited

You may not park a vehicle for longer than 72 consecutive hours on any street in Urbana without obtaining a Resident 72-hr Ordinance Waiver.  Please note that this waiver request must be hand-delivered to and approved by the Finance Department.  Waivers can only be approved for up to three (3) consecutive weeks per quarter.

Expired or No Registration / Plates

Urbana Traffic Code considers any vehicle not displaying a license plate with a current sticker in violation. City code requires plates to have a current sticker at all times.

Abandoned / Inoperable Vehicles

Urbana Municipal Code prohibits vehicles that are abandoned or inoperable from parking on City streets or private property after notification. An abandoned vehicle is defined as a vehicle that has not moved for 72 hours. An inoperable vehicle is one that is not drivable or not displaying current license plates.

Vehicles determined abandoned or inoperable will be towed.

Motorcycle Parking

Special motorcycle parking spaces are provided in the campus area. When parking a motorcycle in a regular parking space, the vehicle must be parked parallel to the curb and within the dimensions of the parking space.

Disabled Parking

Only people with a disability who display a valid disabled license plate or permit may park a vehicle in spaces designated as parking for those with disabilities. The fine for violating this State and City regulation is $250. 

Valid identification forms are:

• State license plates for people with disabilities
• State-authorized decals issued for people with disabilities
• Decals or permits issued by a unit of local government for people with disabilities

Proper plates, decals, or permits must be displayed on a vehicle to park in a space designated for people with disabilities. Vehicles that display the proper identification may park in spaces clearly marked "Disabled Parking" or for free at any metered space. They may not, however, park in any manner or area that is marked as "Restricted or Prohibited."

Loading Zones

Signs designate loading zone areas. Vehicles may park in a loading zone for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or delivery of goods (not to exceed 15 minutes unless otherwise posted.) To assist parking enforcement personnel in identifying vehicles engaged in loading/unloading, we encourage operators of unattended vehicles to use their emergency flashers and display a sign indicating why they are in the loading zone, such as "Making Deliveries" or "Loading."

Tow-Away Zones

Vehicles parked in areas posted with signs indicating "Tow Away Zone" may be towed and impounded at the expense of the owner. If your vehicle has been towed, please contact the Urbana Police Department at 400 South Vine Street in Urbana or call 217-384-2320.

Alleys

Alleys are loading zones, and other parking is prohibited. Since the dividing line between a public alley and private property may be unclear, check with the City or the private property owner when in doubt.

Over-the-Line Parking

Vehicles parked in any designated parking space must be completely within the pavement lines marking the space.

Bridge, Viaduct, Overpass, or Underpass

Vehicles parked on bridges, viaducts, overpasses, or underpasses, including underpass approaches, are in violation.

Headed Against Traffic Flow

Any vehicle parked on a street in a direction opposite the flow of traffic is in violation.

Over 12 Inches from the Curb

Vehicles parked more than 12 inches away from the side of the curb are in violation.

Parkway (Seeded Area)

• No vehicle may be parked so that any portion of it is in the parkway (the seeded area between the curb and the sidewalk.)

Head-In-Only Parking

All City of Urbana parking lots are head-in-only parking.

Off-Street/Private Parking on Unapproved Surfaces

No person may park any vehicle in the front, back, or side yards of private property except on an approved form of hard surface, including oil-and-chip, cement, asphalt, or brick. Unapproved surfaces include grass, dirt, and wood chips. Properly maintained gravel driveways and parking areas may be used with preapproval from the Urbana Community Development Department.

Prohibited Hours for Parking

Certain streets are marked with signs prohibiting parking between specific hours. These hours may include:

• 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.
• 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The City performs street cleaning, maintenance, and snow removal during this time so as not to interfere with daytime parking. Vehicles parked in these areas during restricted hours are subject to towing.

From 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., from November through March, parking on the following streets is prohibited:

• Green Street westbound between Cedar Street and Busey Avenue
• Race Street northbound between Washington Street and Illinois Street
• Springfield Avenue westbound between Cedar Street and Busey Avenue

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days, parking may be prohibited. Certain streets surrounding schools have signs indicating no parking during the hours and days that school is in session.