Navigating parking on a university campus can sometimes feel like a maze. At Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Transportation Services has established specific regulations to ensure smooth traffic flow and equitable parking access for everyone. Understanding these rules is crucial for students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike to avoid parking violations and associated fines. This guide breaks down the common parking violations at PSU, helping you stay informed and park smart.
Common Parking Violations at PSU
Parking violations at PSU range from minor infractions to more serious offenses, each carrying different fines. It’s important to be aware of these categories to understand the potential consequences of improper parking.
Minor Parking Infractions
These violations typically involve simple oversights or misunderstandings of parking regulations. While the fines are lower, consistently avoiding these is still important.
Head-In Parking Only: Many parking areas on campus are designated as “Head-In Parking Only.” This regulation is clearly indicated on signage at the entrance of these lots. Backing into a space in these areas, even if you have a valid permit, will result in a violation.
Improper Display: Ensuring your parking permit or license plate is clearly visible is essential. This violation occurs when a license plate is facing away from the drive aisle, preventing parking enforcement from reading it. Similarly, if you are required to display a physical permit and it’s missing or not properly displayed (e.g., information is obscured), you will receive a citation.
Permit Not Linked to Plate: PSU utilizes license plate recognition technology for parking enforcement. Therefore, even if you have a valid parking permit, it must be correctly linked to your vehicle’s license plate in the parking system. Parking on campus with a valid permit that is not registered to your vehicle will result in a violation.
alt: Head-in parking example at PSU campus parking lot, showing correct vehicle orientation.
Moderate Parking Violations
These violations often involve parking in restricted areas or exceeding time limits, indicating a more significant disregard for parking rules.
Loading Zone: Loading zones are designated for short-term parking to facilitate loading and unloading. Parking in these zones without a valid permit, without using your vehicle’s hazard lights, or for longer than the posted time limit is a violation. Event fines for loading zone violations are significantly higher than standard fines, emphasizing the importance of keeping these areas clear.
Encroachment: Parking within the designated lines of a parking space is crucial. Encroachment occurs when your vehicle is parked over or outside the lines, or in a way that obstructs other vehicles from parking or maneuvering in the area. This can lead to inconvenience and safety issues for other parkers.
Exceeded Space Time Limit: In areas with time limits, such as visitor parking or short-term parking zones, exceeding the posted time is a violation. It is crucial to pay attention to signage and ensure you do not park for longer than permitted. Note that event fines for exceeding time limits can be substantial.
Failure to Pay: Visitor parking areas on campus require payment or a valid visitor permit. Parking in these designated areas without either will result in a “Failure to Pay” violation. Similar to exceeding time limits, event fines for this violation are also higher.
Restricted Area: Certain areas on campus have parking restrictions during specific hours. This includes overnight parking restrictions (typically between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.), periods designated for snow removal (“Midnight Clear”), or times when your assigned permit is not valid for a particular parking location. Parking in a restricted area during restricted hours will result in a violation.
No Parking Area: Parking is only permitted in designated parking spaces. Parking in areas not intended for parking, such as grass, sidewalks, or areas not marked or signed for parking by Transportation Services, is strictly prohibited and will result in a violation.
Parking in Reserved Space: Some parking spaces on campus are reserved for specific permit holders or vehicles. Parking in a reserved space without the proper permit or authorization is a violation. Always check signage carefully to ensure the space is not reserved before parking.
alt: Example of parking encroachment violation at PSU, car improperly parked over the white line.
Serious Parking Violations
These are the most severe parking violations, reflecting a significant disregard for safety and parking regulations, and carry the highest fines.
Parking in Fire Lane: Fire lanes are critical for emergency vehicle access and must be kept clear at all times. Parking in a posted fire lane is a serious violation with a substantial fine. Event fines do not increase for fire lane violations as they are already at a maximum penalty due to safety concerns.
Fraudulent/Unauthorized Use of Permit: Any attempt to alter, misuse, or misrepresent a parking permit or credential for unauthorized parking access is considered a serious offense. This includes using a fake permit, altering a valid permit, or using someone else’s permit improperly. In addition to the fine, fraudulent use of a permit can lead to extended parking revocation.
Revoked Parking Privileges: If your parking privileges on campus have been revoked due to previous violations, parking on campus will result in a “Revoked Parking Privileges” violation, carrying a significant fine.
Shared Parking Permit: PSU parking permits are intended for use by one vehicle at a time. Sharing a parking permit in a way that results in two or more vehicles parked on campus simultaneously using the access granted by a single permit is a violation. This also applies to paid parking sessions being used for multiple vehicles concurrently.
ADA Parking Space: Parking in or obstructing an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) parking space or ADA accessible area without a valid state-issued ADA parking placard or license plate is a severe violation. These spaces are reserved for individuals with disabilities, and unauthorized use is illegal and inconsiderate. ADA parking violations carry the highest fines, and event fines also increase, reflecting the seriousness of this offense.
alt: PSU ADA parking sign with international symbol of accessibility for disabled parking.
Bicycle Parking Violations
Parking regulations also extend to bicycles on campus to ensure pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow is maintained.
Unauthorized Bike Parking: Bicycles must be parked at designated bicycle racks. Parking bicycles in any other location is considered an unauthorized bike parking violation.
Unauthorized Bike Parking – ADA: Parking a bicycle in a manner that obstructs access to an ADA accessible pathway is a more serious bicycle parking violation with a higher fine, reflecting the importance of maintaining accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Event Parking and Increased Fines
During major events or periods of increased campus activity, “Event Parking” may be in effect. Transportation Services will announce these periods on their website. During Event Parking, fines for select violations, particularly Loading Zone, Exceeded Space Time Limit, Failure to Pay, and ADA Parking violations, are significantly increased. This is due to the increased demand for parking, the need for additional personnel and resources, and the importance of maintaining parking availability during these times.
Appealing a Parking Violation
If you believe you have received a parking violation in error, PSU Transportation Services provides an appeal process. Information on how to appeal a parking citation is typically provided on the citation itself and on the Transportation Services website. Appeals are usually reviewed, and decisions are made based on the evidence and information provided.
Understanding PSU’s parking regulations and the different types of violations is the first step in ensuring a hassle-free parking experience on campus. By being informed and parking responsibly, you can avoid fines and contribute to a smoother and safer campus environment for everyone.
