What is Zone vs Buffer?

Zone refers to a specific parking area that requires a permit to park there long-term. You probably can park for a few hours (depending on signage) without a permit, but if you plan to leave your car there for an extended period, you need to have the appropriate permit for that zone.

Buffer, on the other hand, is a surrounding area around a Zone where parking restrictions do not apply. Residents in the Buffer area are eligible to park in nearby Zone areas after obtaining a permit. This is defined in the City of Chicago's Residential Parking Dataset.

Zone & Buffer indicates that the area is Zone parking on one side of the street and Buffer parking on the other side. Look up your specific address here or see the physical signage on the street for more details.