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You shouldn't assume that changing tires out of season is always illegal because it depends entirely on the country and region where you live: in some places it's mandatory to change them on specific dates and you'll get fined if you don't, in others it's just a recommendation. Check your country's or province's traffic regulations to find out what applies to your case.
The legality depends entirely on where you live, so the first thing is to check the specific regulations in your country or region before assuming anything. What a lot of people overlook is that some jurisdictions not only fine you for using off-season tires, but can also consider it a failure to maintain your vehicle and affect your insurance policy or coverage in case of an accident. If your area has mandatory tire change periods, you'd better verify it with your local traffic authority or call them directly; the fines vary quite a bit and it's not worth the risk.
I've had to change tires at different times of year, and what nobody mentions is that you don't get fined just for changing them - you get fined for driving on them! In Spain for example there's no penalty for keeping them stored, but there is one if you drive on winter tires in summer or vice versa during the prohibited periods, and you can check that on your regional traffic authority's website. The trick is that some cars draw less attention than others, but traffic police know exactly when tire season is and that's what they're actually checking for!
In most Latin American countries and Spain, there's no fine for having off-season tires in your house or garage, but there is one if you drive with them when you shouldn't. What a lot of people miss is that the violation is about driving, not owning them, so changing them outside the scheduled time won't cost you anything as long as you don't hit the road with the wrong ones. That said, check your region's regulations carefully because some places have very strict dates and surprise roadside checks.
The key is distinguishing between having them and using them: storing off-season tires at home is completely legal, but driving on them outside the permitted period is what gets you the fine. What people usually overlook is that the penalty isn't for the change itself, but for the risk involved in driving with tires unsuitable for the current weather conditions.
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