Business Services Policies

BS03 Parking Rules and Regulations (formerly BS03, BS04, and BS05)

Policy Status
Active
Subject Matter Expert
Director, Transportation Services, parking@psu.edu
Policy Steward
Associate Vice President for Auxiliary & Business Services

Table of Contents

Purpose

This policy establishes The Pennsylvania State University ("University") requirements, expectations, and rules governing parking access, Parking Privileges, vehicle registration, parking compliance, accessibility-related parking accommodations, and enforcement for University Parking Facilities while ensuring efficient operations, safety, and compliance with University goals and community needs.

Scope

This policy applies to the use of University-owned, leased, managed, or controlled parking facilities, parking areas, parking access systems, and related parking operations administered by Transportation Services, a division of Auxiliary and Business Services, or other authorized University offices at University Park.

This policy is applicable to:

  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Visitors
  • Contractors
  • Service Providers
  • Individuals operating or parking vehicles within University Parking Facilities

Requirements governing the operation and use of University-owned vehicles are addressed separately in Policy BS20 University Vehicle Operations or Use.

Bicycle parking, bicycle registration, and personal mobility device requirements are governed by Policy PS03 Regulations for Bicycles and Personal Mobility Devices and associated Transportation Services Parking Regulations.

Penn State Commonwealth Campuses, Penn State Health or its subsidiaries, and Penn College of Technology, each having separate governance structures and policies, are exempt from the requirements of this policy.

Definitions

Accessibility Parking
Parking designated for individuals with qualifying disabilities who possess valid accessibility credentials.
Citation
A notice issued for an alleged violation of University parking requirements or restrictions (i.e., parking tickets).
Parking Authorization
Approval granted by the University that permits an individual or vehicle to access or use designated parking areas within University Parking Facilities, or Parking Privileges.
Parking Permit
A parking credential, authorization, or approval issued by the University that permits parking within designated parking areas within University Parking Facilities.
Parking Privileges
The parking access, parking permissions, or parking accommodations granted by the University to an individual, vehicle, department, or other authorized user.
University Parking Facilities
University-owned, leased, managed, or controlled parking lots, garages, parking areas, parking access systems, and related parking infrastructure administered by Transportation Services or another authorized University office.

Policy

This policy establishes the authority and responsibility of Penn State Transportation Services to manage University parking operations and facilities, ensuring efficient operations, safety, and compliance.

Associated procedures explain how to carry out these requirements by describing the steps, responsibilities, approvals, and controls needed to comply with this policy.

Compliance with both this policy and its associated procedures is required. Individuals and units must follow the requirements in both documents. Failure to comply could result in corrective action, loss of approval authority, financial responsibility, disciplinary action, or other consequences as appropriate under University policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable laws and regulations.

If there is a conflict between this policy and an associated procedure, the policy takes precedence unless a law, regulation, or funding requirement states otherwise.

Governance and Authority

Authority established here is implemented through all applicable sections of Procedure BS2003 Using University Parking Facilities.

Transportation Services is authorized by the University Administration as the entity responsible for administering University parking operations and University Parking Facilities. Transportation Services is authorized to:

  • Develop, implement, and enforce parking regulations for all campus users
  • Ensure parking enforcement through the ability to write Citations and tow vehicles on all University Parking Facilities
  • Establish parking zones and operational guidelines based on user categories, vehicle types, equipment types, and special-use cases, such as events, accessible parking, and seasonal adjustments
  • Establish reserved parking spaces, including Accessibility Parking, service parking, departmental parking, loading zones, and other designated parking areas
  • Establish an independent parking appeals committee to determine the adjudication of Citations outside of Transportation Services
  • Recommend and revise parking fees, permit structures, and enforcement protocols

University Parking Facilities are managed to support institutional operations, safety, accessibility, mobility, and traffic management needs.

Transportation Services is authorized to recommend and revise parking fees, payment methods, and related parking service requirements necessary to support University parking operations and institutional needs.

Eligibility and Parking Privileges

Parking access and Parking Privileges can be established for faculty, staff, students, visitors, contractors, service providers, departments, and other authorized users based on operational and institutional needs.

Parking eligibility and Parking Privileges can vary based on:

  • User classification
  • Campus location
  • Operational availability
  • Accessibility-related considerations
  • Departmental business needs
  • Institutional priorities

Parking access and Parking Privileges require:

  • Vehicle registration
  • Parking Permits or Parking Authorizations
  • Payment of applicable parking fees
  • Compliance with parking eligibility requirements and operational restrictions

Parking Permits, Parking Authorizations, and Parking Privileges can be limited, restricted, suspended, revoked, or denied based on:

  • Operational availability
  • Misuse of Parking Privileges
  • Violations of parking regulations and requirements
  • Failure to comply with directions from Transportation Services staff
  • Operational or institutional needs

Possession of a Parking Permit or Parking Authorization does not guarantee the availability of a parking space within a specific lot, parking area, or campus location.

Certain parking areas, Parking Privileges, or parking accommodations can require additional authorization or approval.

Parking Restrictions and Compliance

Individuals using University Parking Facilities are responsible for:

  • Parking only in authorized areas
  • Complying with posted parking restrictions and signage
  • Following temporary parking restrictions and parking notifications
  • Maintaining compliance with Parking Permit, Parking Authorization, and vehicle registration requirements
  • Observing accessibility-related parking requirements and restrictions

The University establishes temporary parking restrictions, parking modifications, or parking controls when necessary to support:

  • Safety
  • Accessibility
  • Traffic management
  • Construction activities
  • Weather and snow removal operations
  • Special events
  • Emergency operations
  • Institutional needs

Vehicles parked in violation of parking requirements, parking restrictions, accessibility-related parking requirements, or temporary operational controls are subject to enforcement actions.

Accessibility Accommodations

The University is committed to providing accessibility-related parking accommodations in accordance with applicable laws, accessibility requirements, and University accommodation processes.

Individuals utilizing accessibility-related parking accommodations are responsible for complying with:

  • Applicable Accessibility Parking requirements
  • Posted Accessibility Parking restrictions and signage
  • Parking Authorization or credential requirements associated with accessibility accommodations

Transportation Services coordinates accessibility-related parking accommodations and operational parking adjustments with other appropriate University offices as necessary to support accessibility needs and institutional operations.

Enforcement

The University can enforce compliance with parking requirements, parking restrictions, operational parking controls, accessibility-related parking requirements, and other University parking obligations through Transportation Services or other authorized University offices.

Parking enforcement actions can result from:

  • Violations of University parking requirements
  • Failure to comply with parking restrictions or operational controls
  • Misuse of Parking Permits or Parking Authorizations
  • Improper vehicle registration information
  • Unauthorized use of restricted parking areas
  • Unauthorized use of accessibility-related Parking Privileges
  • Repeated parking violations or noncompliance
  • Failure to comply with temporary parking restrictions or emergency parking directives

Potential parking enforcement actions include:

  • Citation issuance
  • Restriction, suspension, or revocation of Parking Privileges
  • Vehicle relocation, immobilization, or towing
  • Administrative parking restrictions
  • Investigation of misuse, fraud, falsification, or abuse of Parking Privileges
  • Other authorized enforcement actions necessary to support institutional operations and parking compliance

Parking violations and certain parking-related enforcement actions can be subject to appeal through an independent appeals process administered in accordance with University procedures and Transportation Services Parking Regulations.

Roles and Responsibilities

Transportation Services

Transportation Services is responsible for administering University parking operations and parking-related services, including:

  • Parking Permit and parking access administration
  • Parking enforcement activities
  • Accessibility-related parking accommodations
  • Parking communications and notifications
  • Citation and appeals administration
  • Temporary parking operations and event-related parking coordination
  • Parking guidance and related business resources

Transportation Services is authorized to establish administrative requirements, operational controls, parking designations, and supplemental guidance necessary to implement this policy.

Individual Using University Parking Facilities

Individuals using University Parking Facilities are responsible for:

  • Complying with University parking requirements
  • Maintaining accurate vehicle registration information
  • Properly using Parking Permits, Parking Authorizations, and Parking Privileges
  • Following posted parking restrictions, signage, and operational controls
  • Addressing parking Citations, parking-related obligations, and enforcement actions when required
  • Maintaining compliance with accessibility-related parking requirements, when applicable

Individuals are responsible for remaining informed regarding parking requirements, temporary parking restrictions, Transportation Services Parking Regulations, and other Transportation Services guidance resources.

Departments and University Units

Departments and University units coordinating parking-related activities, departmental parking resources, event-related parking operations, or service-related parking access are responsible for supporting compliance with University parking requirements and coordinating parking-related activities with Transportation Services.

Violations

Violations of University policy should be reported to the appropriate supervisor, unit manager, Human Resources representative, or the office responsible for the relevant policy or procedure. If these channels are insufficient or unavailable, individuals can submit an anonymous report through the Penn State University Hotline, accessible via the Reporting at Penn State website.

Sanctions

The University can issue Citations, restrict or revoke Parking Privileges, relocate or tow vehicles, or take other authorized enforcement actions for violations of University parking requirements or misuse of Parking Privileges, as determined by published regulations.

Disputes arising from enforcement actions will be handled through a formal appeals process including an independent appeals committee, as determined by published regulations.

University Records Retention and Disposition

University Records must be retained and managed in accordance with Policy AD35 University Archives and Records Management and the University’s Records Retention Schedules.

Additional questions should be directed to the Office of Records Management.

Further Information

For questions, additional details, or to request changes to this policy, please contact the Policy and Procedure Office by submitting a Technical Support Request.

Cross References

Policy Status

Most Recent Changes

  • August 19, 2026 - Modernized and consolidated former Policies BS03, BS04, and BS05 into Policy BS03 Parking Rules and Regulations, supported by Procedure BS2003 Using University Parking Facilities. Policy BS04 and BS05 were decommissioned/retired.

Revision History

  • February 8, 2015- Major revisions have been made to the entire policy to reflect current operations.
  • October 25, 2013 - Editorial changes. Addition of policy steward information, in the event that there are questions or requests for changes to the policy.
  • June 14, 2006 - Revision History added.
  • July 12, 2000 - Major Revisions. Policy wording suggested that unpermitted vehicles may not be driven on campus; wording clarified that is it parking that is disallowed. References to 'Department of Safety' changed to 'University Police'; references to 'District Magistrate' changed to 'District Justice'; changed parking lot reserved times from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Winter Parking discussion now appears as a separate section of policy. Under Parking Lot Classifications, several lots where no permits were required on certain days now require permits. The Park and Pool at the Research Park no longer exists. Penalty payments not received within 30 calendar days will now be payroll deducted for current permit holders. Other editorial changes.
  • March 10, 1998 - Policy revised, relocated and renumbered from SY15.
  • August 30, 1993 - Office address and Title changes. Major revisions throughout the policy.
  • September 1, 1987 - Revisions to Policy, Parking Privileges, Regulations, and Faculty/Staff Not Assigned to UP sections.
  • September 13, 1984 - Changed bumper sticker references to Window Sticker.
  • August 4, 1983 - Major changes.
Date Approved
Date Published
Effective Date