Parking Information
- 2024-2025 CBD Annual parking permits available for purchase beginning March 18, 2024. Annual and monthly parking permits may be purchased online (www.aptvsa.com/lakeforest/commuter) and at the Municipal Services Building (800 N Field Drive) Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm
- Questions may be directed to the Finance Department (847) 810-3622
Parking Information:Please note: Parking is prohibited on all streets from 3:00 am - 5:00 am
Submit a request for on-street or overnight parking permission.
(for matters related to street parking, please call Police Records (847) 810-3845)
The City of Lake Forest requires payment of a $3 daily fee or display of a parking permit hang tag to park in one of the Central Business District (CBD) city owned lots or Metra train station parking lots. Please refer to the CBD Parking Map or the Telegraph Road Parking Map to view the various parking lots. See further information about daily fee and permit parking below. A parking permit does not include the Forest Park Beach parking lots.
Parking permits may be purchased online; by mail-order sent to the City of Lake Forest, attention of Finance - Parking Permits, 800 N. Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045, or payment can be placed in a City drop box. Questions regarding parking permits can be directed to the Finance Department via phone at (847) 810-3622 or email.
Find more information about parking permits for persons with disabilities.
Lake Forest is served by two Metra Rail Lines:
- Union Pacific North Line at 701 N. McKinley Road (downtown Lake Forest / "CBD"/ Parking Zone 852)
- Milwaukee District North Line at 911 S. Telegraph Road (west Lake Forest / Parking Zone 851)
Daily Fee Parking in the Central Business DistrictDaily parking is available in the numbered parking spaces located at Westminster, McKinley, and Oakwood* parking lots in the central business district near the Lake Forest Metra train station (Union Pacific/North Line - Ogilvie Transportation Center to Kenosha). Please see the "Daily Fee" areas on the CBD Parking Map. After parking in either the Westminster or McKinley lots, note your space number and locate the pay station for that lot. To pay for parking, enter your space number and insert your payment ($3.00 cash, or $3.25 with credit or debit card). Please take your receipt and retain for your records. No change or refunds will be given. Daily fee parking can also be paid by phone at (877) 727-5004, or by the ParkMobile Phone Application (view the detailed brochure). The ParkMobile App requires a one-time entry of credit card information. After registering a credit card, payment is made by simply entering your space number and the Zone number "852". The fee that will be charged when paying by phone or using the App will be $3.62. The App allows users to avoid having to physically make payment at the pay station. Parking lot patrol will verify there is a fee paid for the occupied spaces by using a program that is connected with the pay station, so be sure to enter the correct space number. If you experience a problem when making payment at the pay station, please contact the Police Records at (847) 810-3845.
Overnight Parking in the Central Business DistrictOvernight parking is allowed only in designated areas and requires payment of a daily fee or a CBD Parking Permit. Please note, when parking overnight or long-term and paying a daily fee, you must pay for parking by phone or online. When paying at the pay station, your daily fee is paid only until midnight. When paid by phone or online, the parking fee is paid for 24 hours and you may pre-pay up to seven days. See designated overnight areas on the CBD Parking Map. Parking is not allowed from 3 a.m. - 5 a.m. anywhere other than designated overnight areas, unless permission is obtained from the police (Police Records (847) 810-3845). Requests for on-street or overnight parking permission may be submitted here.
*The Oakwood parking lot will not have an electronic pay station in place, so payment of parking must be made by placing $3 in bills or coins into the pay slot that corresponds with the space number. Please note: daily parking tokens are no longer accepted as payment for daily fee parking.
Central Business District "CBD" Annual Parking PermitsAnnual CBD parking permit hang tags are valid from May 1 through April 30. The yearly fee for a resident is $313, non-resident fee is $700, and CBD Employee fee is $180. The CBD parking permit may be used in any "CBD Permit Required" areas indicated in pink, in the "Daily Fee/Permit" areas in orange/black, in the "Daily/Overnight with CBD Permit" areas in yellow/black, and in "Daily Fee/Permit/Overnight" areas in yellow on the CBD Parking Map. The CBD annual parking permit can also be used to park at the Telegraph Road Metra Station and at Fort Sheridan lot north of Old Elm Road. The CBD annual parking permit is prorated throughout the year (see schedule below). If permit is lost/stolen, the current price for the permit will apply. Please note the following important information about the CBD annual parking permit:
EXPIRES APRIL 30, 2025
- Hang on rear view mirror with the other side facing the windshield.
- There is no replacement fee for the hang tag. If this tag is lost or stolen, you will have to pay the current price for a replacement.
- The tag is only valid for the time period on the tag. There is no grace period.
- Purchase of this hang tag does not guarantee you a parking space. The parking lot spaces will be filled on a first come basis.
- The hang tag is valid in the City-owned permit required lots in the CBD, Telegraph Road, and Ft. Sheridan north of Old Elm Road.
- This hang tag is not valid for beach parking.
Central Business District "CBD" ANNUAL PARKING PERMIT PRICING SCHEDULE
| CALENDAR MONTH | RESIDENT PRICE | NON-RESIDENT PRICE | CBD EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PRICE |
| MAY | $313 | $700 | $180 |
| JUNE | $313 | $700 | $180 |
| JULY | $300 | $665 | $180 |
| AUGUST | $270 | $600 | $180 |
| SEPTEMBER | $240 | $530 | $160 |
| OCTOBER | $210 | $470 | $140 |
| NOVEMBER | $180 | $400 | $120 |
| DECEMBER | $150 | $335 | $100 |
| JANUARY | $120 | $270 | $80 |
| FEBRUARY | $90 | $200 | $60 |
| MARCH | $60 | $135 | $40 |
| APRIL | $30 | $60 | $20 |
Central Business District "CBD" Monthly Parking PermitsCBD parking permits are also available on a monthly basis. The monthly resident fee is $30, non-resident fee is $60, and CBD Employee fee is $20. A CBD monthly permit is valid for the calendar month specified on the permit. The CBD parking permit may be used in any "CBD Permit Required" areas indicated in pink, in the "Daily Fee/Permit" areas in orange/black, in the "Daily/Overnight with CBD Permit" areas in yellow/black, and in "Daily Fee/Permit/Overnight" areas in yellow on the CBD Parking Map. A CBD monthly parking permit can also be used to park the Telegraph Road Metra Station and at the Fort Sheridan lot north of Old Elm Road. If a permit is lost or stolen, the current price for the permit will apply.
Central Business District "CBD" Employee Parking PermitsA reduced rate for annual or monthly CBD parking permits is available to employees in the Central Business District. To obtain the reduced rate, the business must first be registered with the Finance Department, and the parking permit(s) must be ordered online with the PIN provided by the Finance Department, or paid for with a company or business check (or business credit card) from the CBD business when purchased over the counter at Municipal Services. The fee is $20 per calendar month or $180 per year. The price for the annual permit is prorated throughout the year (see schedule "EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PRICE" above). If permit is lost/stolen, the current price for the permit will apply. To register your CBD business, or for more information, please call the Finance Department 847.810.3622 or email the finance department.
Telegraph Road Metra Train Station Lot ParkingDaily fee and CBD Annual or monthly permit parking is available at the Telegraph Road Metra train station off Waukegan and Everett (Milwaukee District/North Line - Union Station to Fox Lake). To pay for parking, locate a pay station on the east side of the depot, enter your space number and insert your payment ($3.00 cash, or $3.25 with credit or debit card). Please take your receipt and retain for your records. No change or refunds will be given. Daily fee parking can also be paid by phone at (877) 727-5004, or by the ParkMobile Phone Application (click here for a detailed brochure). The ParkMobile App requires a one-time entry of credit card information. After registering a credit card, payment is made by simply entering your space number and the Zone number "851". The fee that will be charged when paying by phone or using the App will be $3.62. The App allows users to avoid having to physically make payment at the pay station. Parking lot patrol will verify there is a fee paid for the occupied spaces by using a program that is connected with the pay station, so be sure to enter the correct space number. If you experience a problem when making payment at the pay station, please contact Police Records at (847) 810-3845.
Overnight Parking at the Telegraph Road Metra Train StationOvernight parking is allowed in Lot A only and requires payment of a daily fee or a CBD Parking Permit. Please note, when parking overnight or long-term and paying a daily fee, you must pay for parking by phone or online. When paying at the pay station, your daily fee is paid only until midnight. When paid by phone or online, the parking fee is paid for 24 hours and you may pre-pay up to seven days. Parking is not allowed from 3:00am - 5:00am anywhere other than Lot A, unless permission is obtained from the police (Non-Emergency (847) 234-2601).
Parking ViolationsIf you wish to contest a violation and your appearance is not required, you may send in a written plea disputing the violation by completing the Contest by Mail form (click here) or contact Records at (847) 810-3845 within 14 days of receipt to make an appointment to appear before the Hearing Officer in person.
Citations may be paid at the Public Safety Building, Monday-Saturday between 8 am and 6 pm. The Records Department is closed on Sunday and City Holidays.
Payments may also be mailed to The City of Lake Forest, Public Safety Building, 255 W. Deerpath, or paid online at payquicket.com.
Beach ParkingFor the latest information on parking at Forest Park Beach, please visit the Parks & Recreation Department website.