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PTS: Parking Violations and Enforcement Policy

Last Revised Date:
August 21, 2026
Responsible Unit(s):
Parking & Transportation Services
Responsible Unit Email(s):
transportation@arizona.edu
Manual:
Parking & Transportation Policies
Status:
Active

Purpose and Summary

This Policy establishes the University of Arizona’s (University) parking and moving violations applicable to Vehicles on University Property. It also outlines the University’s enforcement and citation practices.

Pursuant to A.R.S. section 15-1627, the University is authorized to adopt policies governing the parking and operation of Vehicles on University Property. Violations of this Policy may result in parking citations issued by Parking & Transportation Services. Moving violations occurring on University Property may also be issued by the University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) under Arizona Motor Vehicle Code, Title 28, Arizona Revised Statutes.

Scope

All individuals who operate a Vehicle on University Property must comply with this Policy. 

Definitions

Abandoned Vehicle means a vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that is left on University Property. Evidence that a vehicle was left unattended for a period of 48 hours within the right-of-way of any road, street, or public thoroughfare or for a period of 72 hours on University Property can be used as evidence of abandonment.

Affiliate means an individual who is not a Student or Employee and who has a documented, University-sanctioned basis for being on University Property, including but not limited to retirees, volunteers performing University-approved service, participants in University-sponsored programs, vendors, contractors, and Designated Campus Colleagues (DCCs). Residing near University Property does not, by itself, establish Affiliate status.

Employee means all University employees, including faculty, staff, graduate assistants/associates, and student workers, whether their employment is full-time, part-time, permanent, or temporary.

Inoperable Vehicle means a vehicle that appears to be incapable of operating safely and legally on any highway, roadway, or public street. This includes vehicles that are abandoned, dismantled, nonfunctional, unlicensed, unregistered, or wrecked.

Legal Parking Space means a space designated by two white stall lines in a paved area, by concrete bumper blocks or wheel stops in an unpaved area, or by signage in the case of parallel parking.

Motor Driven Cycle means a motorized bicycle that does not have pedal-assisted power (including Mopeds).

Permit Holder means a University Employee, Student, or Affiliate who has been assigned a valid parking permit.

Persistent Parking Violator means an individual who accumulates six or more parking citations, whether paid or unpaid, within a twelve month period.

Responsible Party means the individual identified as the Permit Holder, vehicle operator, registered owner, or Affiliate of a Vehicle cited for a parking violation.

Student means any person enrolled in one or more credits at the University, including enrolled Employees.

Unit means any University college, school, department, program, or other operating unit.

University Property means all land, buildings, and other facilities owned, operated, leased, or controlled by the University.

Vehicle means a self-propelled vehicle used to transport people or cargo on public roads. This includes gas-powered cars, hybrid and electric cars, motorcycles, and autocycles.

Policy

  1. Parking & Transportation Services determines violations based on the appropriate use of University Property and roadways. The violations listed in this Policy do not constitute an exhaustive list. Parking & Transportation Services reserves the right to issue citations for any violation of applicable University regulations, posted signage, or state and local traffic laws, regardless of whether the specific violation is explicitly listed in this Policy. Violators of parking policies may be cited, booted, or towed at the Responsible Party’s expense. 
  2. Enforcement Timing
    1. The University of Arizona’s parking policies are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7) year-round, including the summer. Parking permit requirements are waived on official University holidays and closure. A valid parking permit or payment is required to park a Vehicle on University Property during posted hours. Visitor parking is available in hourly pay parking spaces located on streets, in lots, and in most parking garages. 
    2. Hours of Control
      1. Lot/Zone/Street Areas: Only Permit Holders are permitted to park in Lot/Zone/Street areas during the hours posted at the entrance(s) or on the street. Outside of these posted hours, a parking permit is not required to park in that area, but all other Parking Policies remain in effect.
      2. Parking Garages: A valid parking permit or payment is required to park in the parking garages.
        1. Gated Parking Garages: Assigned parking garage permits are valid 24/7. License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras located at entry and exit lanes will read license plates and raise the gates for Permit Holders. At Phoenix Bioscience Core Campus (PBC), a key card is required to enter/exit the parking garage. Marriott University Park guests will use their room key to enter/exit the parking garage. Individuals are required to possess either a valid parking garage permit or to pay upon exiting the parking garage. 
        2. Gateless Parking Garages: There are no physical gates present at the entry/exit. Assigned parking garage permits are required and valid 24/7. 
      3. Hourly Pay Spaces: All individuals parking in an hourly pay parking space must pay during posted hours. Posted signage will state the hours of enforcement. Hourly pay parking spaces that are reserved for disabled parking are restricted to Vehicles displaying a disabled plate or placard 24/7. Signs that are covered or bagged indicate a special restriction. This restriction supersedes hours of enforcement. Vehicles are prohibited from parking in hourly pay parking spaces that are covered, bagged, or blocked with cones or other barricade equipment.
      4. Most Restricted Spaces are enforced 24/7. However, specific hours of enforcement are posted on each sign.
    3. Parking & Transportation Services has the authority to reserve parking lots and parking garages in part or whole for the purpose of allowing parking for special events. There may be special event fees charged to use these areas or they may be reserved for special event parking permits or ticket holders. Vehicles parked in violation may be subject to citation and, in some cases, relocated or towed.
    4. The University reserves the right to close any campus parking area at any time if it is deemed necessary for maintenance, safety, or to meet other special access needs. Emergency personnel and emergency maintenance personnel may deviate from this Policy as necessary to perform their emergency duties. Personnel performing routine or scheduled maintenance must obtain prior approval from the Executive Director of Parking & Transportation Services or their designee prior to deviating from parking policies.
  3. Responsibility for Citations
    1. The Responsible Party of any Vehicle brought on University Property is subject to any citations issued to the Vehicle. The Responsible Party must notify Parking & Transportation Services immediately if the Vehicle is stolen or if it is sold to another party.
    2. When it is determined that a University Employee or Student has the same address or last name as the registered owner of a Vehicle with outstanding citations, a review will be performed to determine who is the Responsible Party. Based upon the information obtained from the University and the State Department of Motor Vehicles, the University Employee or Student may be held responsible for those citations.
    3. Drivers of state/federal Vehicles are responsible for knowing and abiding by all federal, state, and local vehicle and traffic regulations and University policies. Drivers of state/federal Vehicles will be held individually responsible for parking citations. 
    4. For citations received while conducting official University business, the Responsible Party is the Vehicle operator. If the Vehicle operator  cannot be determined, the University Unit that leases or owns the Vehicle may also be held responsible.
  4. Parking Permit Violations
    1. Parking a Vehicle in an area restricted to authorized Permit Holders without the appropriate parking permit or without the license plate linked to the parking permit for that area.
    2. Displaying a parking permit that is no longer current and valid.
    3. Failure to clearly display a current parking permit or displaying the parking permit in such a manner that parking personnel cannot read the parking permit type, expiration dates, and parking permit number.
    4. Improper application or prohibited use of a parking permit is defined as using a parking permit for anything other than its authorized purpose. This includes, but is not limited to: 
      1. Displaying or making use of an altered, stolen, lost, counterfeit or improperly shared parking permit. If a permit is improperly shared, all parties involved are in violation and may be cited.
      2. Using a parking permit to which the user is not entitled; this includes a parking permit wrongly obtained by falsifying information or eligibility for use.
      3. Falsifying a report regarding a lost or stolen parking permit.
      4. Use of a disabled parking permit by someone other than the Permit Holder.
      5. Parking multiple Vehicles simultaneously on University Property using the same parking permit.
  5. Parking Violations
    1. Parking outside a Legal Parking Space or parking in an area not authorized for parking, including crosshatched areas, red bumper blocks, sidewalks, or malls. 
    2. Parking a Vehicle over the stall line, including occupying two spaces with one Vehicle or parking in such a manner that prevents another Vehicle from using an adjacent Legal Parking Space. 
      1. When Vehicle tires are parked on white stall lines, it is the discretion of the Parking Service Officer to issue a citation when it prevents a driver or passenger in the adjacent Vehicle from safely entering or exiting their parked Vehicle. 
    3. Parking a non-electric Vehicle in an electric Vehicle space. In order to park in an electric Vehicle space, the Vehicle must:
      1. Be an electric Vehicle.
      2. Be plugged in and actively charging. The Vehicle must be moved immediately after the charging session is complete.
    4. Parking in a commercial/government space without a commercial or government license plate.
    5. Parking in a space or area designated for special access. 
    6. Parking in a reserved space designated for departmental use or by a Permit Holder.
    7. Parking in a carpool parking area without a carpool parking permit.
    8. Parking in such a manner as to obstruct areas necessary for vehicular or pedestrian movement (e.g., thoroughfares, driveways, pedestrian walkways).
    9. Parking on a marked bicycle path or in such a manner as to obstruct bicycle traffic.
    10. Parking on a landscaped area(s) (e.g., gravel, dirt, or lawn).
    11. Parking in such a manner as to obstruct trash collection areas.
    12. Parking on a street against the direction of traffic flow or in an aisle in a parking garage or surface lot.
    13. Parking an oversized Vehicle, SUV, truck, or van in a compact car space or a space designated for passenger cars only, resulting in the Vehicle extending beyond the stall lines and/or creating a safety hazard.
    14. Parking any non-motorcycle Vehicle in a space designated as Motorcycle Only.
    15. Parking in a disabled space without displaying a University disabled parking permit, state-issued disabled plate or placard/interim placard, or a valid temporary University disabled parking permit. A disabled parking permit, placard, or plate may only be used when the person with the disability is either driving the Vehicle or is a passenger in the Vehicle at the time of parking.
    16. Blocking access ramps or areas designated by crosshatching intended for disabled individuals.
    17. Parking alongside of, on top of or perpendicular to any red line/curb/hydrant or sign designating an area as emergency access even if the driver remains in the Vehicle.
    18. Backing a Vehicle in or pulling through a parking space so that the license plate is not easily viewable. Exceptions:
      1. Vehicles must back in when posted signage specifically states back-in only
      2. Vehicles may back into parking garage spaces when displaying a front license plate. When the traffic lane is one-way and the parking spaces are angled, Vehicles must park nose in, even if the Vehicles have a front plate.
      3. Electric Vehicles parked in an electric Vehicle space and actively charging may back into the space to access the charging equipment.
    19. Parking overnight on University Property for the purpose of habitation in the Vehicle.
    20. Parking over the allotted time in parking spaces on University Property which are time-restricted and have signage indicating these restrictions. Examples:
      1. 2-hour short term parking space
      2. 2-hour service vehicle space
      3. 20-minute zone space
      4. 10-minute parking garage repark to pay cashier space
      5. 15-minute courtesy parking
    21. Motorcycles and Motor Driven Cycles Parking Violations
      1. Motorcycles and Motor Driven Cycles must park only in areas designated for motorcycles.
      2. Where motorcycle spaces are individually marked, only one motorcycle is permitted per space. If there is more than one motorcycle parked in the space, all will be cited.
      3. Motorcycles are prohibited from parking/operating in bicycle parking areas or in parking garages at all times, except for the dedicated motorcycle parking area located on the south side of the Main Gate parking garage and the west side of the Park Avenue and Sixth Street parking garages.
  6. Parking Garage Violations
    1. Parking multiple Vehicles simultaneously in a garage using the same parking permit. 
    2. Exceeding the posted 15 mph speed limit.
    3. Driving the wrong way against the flow of traffic.
    4. Tailgating out of a University parking garage is strictly prohibited. Tailgating includes any of the following: 
      1. Following another Vehicle out of a gated parking garage without payment or use of a valid permit.
      2. Removal or lifting of a gate arm by the driver or passenger of a Vehicle.
      3. Bypassing a gate arm that is not functional.
      4. Leaving a parking garage without payment.
  7. Pay Violations
    1. Parking with an expired mobile pay parking session.
    2. Parking in an hourly pay space without payment.
    3. Parking in an hourly pay space that has been reserved, covered, or bagged to indicate a special restriction or designated as no parking.
    4. Bypassing a traffic control device used to prohibit or restrict access to an area such as a barricade, cone, parking sign, access control gate, or PTS personnel stationed at entry or exit. This includes entering or exiting a parking area other than by the established entry/driveway. 
  8. Other Violations
    1. Using University Property to repair, perform maintenance, or store Vehicles. Vehicles without a current parking permit are considered stored on University Property when there are visible signs that the Vehicle is not in use. Examples of these signs include: 
      1. The Vehicle being parked in the same parking garage or lot for more than 7-days without exiting. 
      2. Dust accumulation on the exterior of the Vehicle or use of a car cover.
    2. Tampering with or removing any boot device placed on a Vehicle.
    3. Parking an Inoperable Vehicle on University Property. 
    4. Parking an Abandoned Vehicle on University Property. 
    5. Not complying with football tailgating rules and regulations.
    6. Electric Vehicle charging is only permitted in designated charging spaces and requires payment. Charging an electric Vehicle using a standard electrical outlet elsewhere in a parking garage or lot is prohibited.  
    7. For violations involving other forms of transportation, such as bicycles, see the Additional Forms of Transportation Policy.
  9. Repeat Violations and Revocation or Suspension of Parking Privileges
    1. A Vehicle may be cited, booted, or towed at the Responsible Party’s expense after any of the following:
      1. Parking in a reserved space.
      2. Two or more citations for parking in a service space without a service permit. 
      3. Two or more citations for tailgating in or out of a parking garage. 
      4. Three or more unpaid citations. 
    2. Upon issuance of a sixth citation in a 12-month period, whether paid or unpaid, any Vehicle associated with the account of a Persistent Parking Violator will be subject to increased fines for specific violations, the Vehicle may be booted or towed for each subsequent violation at the Responsible Party’s expense, and the account will be subject to review for suspension or revocation of parking privileges. 
    3. Vehicles will be released to the Responsible Party only after all the following conditions are met: 
      1. All outstanding citations, administrative fees, and towing fees are paid.
      2. A picture I.D. is presented.
    4. Persistent failure to comply with parking policies and/or threatening or disruptive behavior by a Student or Employee will result in immediate referral to the Dean of Students or Human Resources.
    5. The Executive Director of Parking & Transportation Services reserves the right to suspend or revoke parking privileges.
  10. Appeals
    1. Appeals must be submitted within 14 calendar days from the citation date. After 14 calendar days, the right to appeal is forfeited. 
      1. Appeals must be submitted in the online parking portal. Verbal or email appeals cannot be considered. 
      2. Once a citation is paid, the right to appeal is forfeited. 
      3. If an appeal is denied or the fine is reduced, any outstanding balance is due immediately. Fees related to towing, relocation, or booting are non-appealable and must be settled before the Vehicle is released. 
    2. Lack of knowledge of Parking Policies will not be accepted as grounds for an appeal.
    3. More information about the appeals process can be found on the Parking & Transportation Services website.
  11. The University assumes no responsibility or liability for the care or protection of any Bicycle, Vehicle, or its contents while it is parked on University Property. The University also assumes no responsibility or liability for the care or protection of any Vehicle or its contents during its removal or subsequent storage resulting from violations of a parking policy. 

Compliance

Parking & Transportation Services is responsible for overseeing compliance with this Policy.

Policy Feedback

For questions or comments regarding a particular policy or to notify us of broken links or typographical errors, please provide this information below.

To report violations of a policy, please notify the Responsible Unit.

Please Note: Policy feedback is available to the Policy Office, Policy Sponsor, and elected shared governance representatives, upon request, for policies impacting the populations they represent.

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