Is it legal to park at a broken meter?

[MisfitsFiend]

or will I get a ticket? I always plug the meter whenever I park at one. However, finding a meter in Downtown Chicago is often difficult. Last Tuesday I found one, and it was broken - had a sign taped to it. I didn't want to risk it, so I actually found another. Walked up to it to pay, and it was an electronic meter that has a flashing out of order sign. Actually drove around 2 more times, and found a working one.

So, if I parked at the broken one, would I have gotten a ticket? (ticket at least $60. in Chicago).

 

[brian_riendeau]

broken meter = free parking when i lived in boston. could be different in chicago.

 

[ironcrotch]

Yes sir.

 

[bernse]

Depends on the bylaws of the city.

Generally, you cannot but in my experience the metermaids are generally decent about it and won't ticket you, espescially if you can stick a note on the meter explaining.

 

[neovan]

in LA...if its broken, its free

 

[Jzero]

If it's an electronic meter, probably not. Back in the old days, though...

My bro and I were once in a crowded beach town looking for parking when we say a car pull out of a great spot, so we pulled in. There was a woman standing nearby who said her husband had just pulled out and didn't park there b/c it was broken....with 1:45 left on it. How would the meter maid know the difference?

Free parking! w00t!

 

[dquan97]

As a former meter maid, if the meter is broken, they CAN chalk your tires for the time allotted on the meter. So if you stay longer than allowed on a 2hr meter, you can get a ticket. It all depends on the enforcement.

 

[Zee]

in NY, if it's broken it's free

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: Zee
in NY, if it's broken it's free

not entirely true...if it's over the allowed time limit, you can still get a ticket ( i think)

 

[Sensai]

cant find a broken meter? make sure u have a sludge hammer handy with ya

 

[MisfitsFiend]

cant find a broken meter? make sure u have a sludge hammer handy with ya

LOL!!

I have been trying to find something on line from the city, just in case Chicago is different, but I have had no luck.

 

[Epic Fail]

and if they fix it while you are parked there, I think they even need to feed it

 

[phreakah]

just put a grocery bag over the meter and they'll think its broken

 

[MisfitsFiend]

I don't know, IL might be different:


City of Chicago:

Chicago likes to ticket cars parked at a meter that was installed after you parked your car.

City of Champaigne:

To report a jammed or broken meter, contact Parking Programs at 217/403-7050. Give the meter location and number. If you received a ticket, provide the ticket number and your license plate number. After the meter is checked, your ticket may be voided if the meter is found to be faulty.