From the Village of Lakewood comes most of the information:
Vehicle Stickers Replaced with Yearly Fee issu
Village police are not allowed to go on one’s property for inspections.
The only enforcement mechanism is finding those without stickers in public park or on days when electronic devices are brought in for disposal. (Those without a sticker cannot participate.)
The result has been the village not getting as much money as village officials think necessary.
Collection history is below:
- 2025 – 48%
- 2024 – 54%
- 2023 – 51%
- 2022 – 50%
- 2012 – 25%
- 2011 – 41%
Clearly the vehicle tax is not fair.
On February 10, 2026 the Village Board approved Ordinance 2026-03 replacing vehicle sticker sales with a yearly vehicle license fee.
35.01 ANNUAL LICENSE FEE Each household shall pay an annual vehicle license fee of $30.00. The license fee shall be included in March or April of each year in the “Billing for the Use of Water and Wastewater Facilities” as set forth in Section 24.06 of the Village Code
Vehicle stickers are currently used to verify residents at electronic recycling drop-offs and for parking at Turnberry Lakes. The Police Department will now confirm residency via license plates or identification.
HISTORY and COMPLIANCE
On January 22, 2019, the yearly Vehicle License sticker program was reinstated. The proceeds of license fees, after deducting the cost of administering and collecting the license fees therefrom, shall be used as follows:
- 65% shall be used for the purpose of improving, paving, repairing, or maintaining the streets and other public roadways within the Village, and
- 35% of such fees shall be used for payment of the salaries and wages of police officers engaged in the duty of regulating traffic in the Village.
Collections for fiscal year’s ending:
- April 2025 $21,070
- April 2024 $23,050
- April 2023 $19,070
- April 2022 $21,195
The figures are before the cost for printing, mailing and labor.
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The following may explain why village officials think they need more money:
