Parking and Transportation Services
PARKING POLICIES

Policy
The University of Chicago's Transportation & Parking Services, a division of University Safety and Security, is responsible for the development and execution of the approved parking policy, administration of the parking system, collection of approved fees and the enforcement of parking regulations.

All persons parking on University property must purchase a parking permit or pay the appropriate meter fee for parking.

Parking Services Mission Statement
Mission
Transportation & Parking Services works to fulfill the transportation and parking needs of the University of Chicago and its community by managing, planning, building, operating and maintaining the University’s parking facilities, developing and implementing demand management strategies, enforcing parking policies and solving challenges through partnerships.

Guiding Principles
The guiding principles of Parking Services are as follows:

• To the greatest extent possible, meet the University's parking demand;
• To understand the needs and the desires of our customer and to meet those needs whenever possible;
• To develop programs and policies which help to mitigate the demand for parking by creating greater utilization of alternate systems and approaches; and
• To continue to make management and systems improvements.

Scope
The University of Chicago’s Parking Services and associated regulations have been developed to deal as effectively as possible with current parking resources.

The parking lot designations are as follows:

• Permit Parking
  ATS, Mott, Wells, Pierce, Law School, Chapin, Kimbark, Judd, 5737 University, Dorchester, 1155, Lexington, International House, Maryland East & West, New Grad, Faculty Apartments, Ryerson and Searle parking lots and Ellis Parking Structure.
   
• Visitor Parking
  Lexington, Young, 1155, Chapin, Pierce, Dorchester, New Grad and LASR parking lots and Ellis Parking Structure.
   
• Free Parking
  Stony Island & 60th Street community lot.
  

Parking Privilege
The University of Chicago parking system is designed to protect the parking privileges of permit-holders and visitors during normal business hours, while making the parking system generally available, after normal business hours, to the surrounding community and/or other casual users.

Accordingly, the parking system is reserved for permit-holders from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, and all day on holidays and weekends, the parking system is open to the surrounding community and/or other casual users.

The parking meters in the visitor parking lots must be paid Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. This includes meters at handicapped spaces.

Payment of parking fees entitles individuals access to parking lots, but that does not guarantee that a parking space will always be available.

To accommodate the parking needs of special events, the University reserves the right to close needed parking lots and temporarily re-assign those permit-holders.  Permit holders will be notified in advance of any lot closure.

To accommodate the University’s continued growth and development, parking facilities may be closed in part or entirely either temporarily or permanently. Permit holders will be reassigned to another University parking facility based on the Parking Assignment Policy explained below.

Permit-holders and visitors acknowledge, by use of the parking system, the authority of the University of Chicago’s Transportation & Parking Services to regulate and enforce parking at the University.  In using the parking system, permit-holders and visitors affirm that they will act in compliance with the University’s parking rules and regulations.

Visitor Parking
Visitor parking is available in the Ellis Garage, Lexington Visitor Lot, and at metered spaces throughout campus.  Meters are available in the Pierce, Young, LASR, New Grad, 1155, Chapin and Dorchester Lots.

Visitors may also purchase daily permits for ungated lots and for metered spaces depending on availability.  Daily permits vary between $8 and $20 and must be purchased from the parking office.

Parking Permits
Parking permits are available from the University, on a first come-first served basis to faculty, staff and students by year. Parking Services reserves the right to limit the number of students in any given parking lot. First-year undergraduate students are not permitted to purchase a University parking permit. Application forms and other pertinent information are available from the University of Chicago’s Parking Office.  The University of Chicago’s Parking Office is located in the:

Parking Structure - First Floor
5525 South Ellis Avenue, Rm. 171
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Telephone:  (773) 702-8969
Hours:  Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.

Motorcycle Policy
The University of Chicago encourages the use of motorcycles to lessen the demand for parking on campus. Motorcycles do not have to register to park on campus and can park in any campus lot, as long as they are not parked in an actual parking space. Approved parking locations include yellow marked areas.

Waiting Lists
Waiting lists for permit parking lots are maintained through Parking Services. If there are no current available openings within a parking lot, interested persons may request to be added to the waiting list at the Parking Office. In order to be placed on the wait list, interested person must purchase a parking permit for a University parking location. Issuance from the waitlist is on first-come first-served basis. See Parking Assignment Policy below.

Persons listed on the waiting list will be notified via email of an issuance and will have 2 weeks from the issuance date to claim their parking spot, however, payment for the permit will begin as of the date of the issuance. Failure to claim your permit issuance within the 2 week time frame will result in being dropped from the waiting list.

Parking Assignment Policy
The Parking Office will employ the following criteria to determine the assignment of parking permits.

• Faculty is given top priority based on job classification, length of service at the University, and office location.
   
• Next is staff prioritized by the following criteria:
   
  • Job classification (Vice President, Associate Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Director, Associate Director, etc.)
  • Office location
  • Years of service
  • Time on waitlist
   
  
• Then students by year of study with Graduate (PhD, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st) students prioritized ahead of undergraduates by year of study with first years ineligible to purchase parking on campus.

These criteria will also be used in the event that any parking facility’s capacity is reduced and permit holders must be relocated.

Waitlists
Monthly review of parking lot use will determine if additional permits can be issued. If additional permits can be issued, it will be by the criteria above. If permit requests cannot be made, those requesting permits will be put on a waitlist. Permits issued from the waitlist will be done by the criteria above.

Permit Fees
There is a fee for all parking permits, paid by the holders.  The current FY09 permit fees are as follows:

• $75 per month for the Dorchester, Chapin, Kimbark, Mott, NGR, 1155, Law School, Ingleside, Faculty Apartments, Wagner, and Wells parking lots
• $80 per month for the Pierce, Judd, Maryland East & West, Ryerson, I-House, ATS, 5737, and Woodlawn parking lots
• $80 per month for the Ellis Parking Structure
• $175 per month for the Lexington lot

Parking permits can be purchased for periods of time ranging from daily, quarterly, or annually.  Parking permit fees can be paid with cash, departmental Form 62 (for non-employee permits only), checks, credit card (Visa/MasterCard only) or payroll deduction.

Parking permits are valid only for the parking lot assigned.

The permit-holder cannot sell, transfer or otherwise give his or her permit to anyone.
Permit holders are responsible for making all payments for parking permits. Failure to do so will result in disabled access to the parking lot and back payment of all unpaid parking months.

Various Permits
Employees, contractors and others may request a various parking permit. Various permits are designed for staff and contractors whose work requires them to be at different campus locations throughout the day or week. Various permits require the user to purchase a monthly permit at an assigned location. Various permits are for use at ungated lots and parking meter spaces. Various permits are only granted by the Director of Transportation & Parking.

Display of Parking Permit
The parking permit shall be hung from the rear view mirror.  The parking permit is serially numbered and indicates the parking lot assignment and an expiration date.

The parking permit must be displayed while in your assigned parking lot.  Vehicles not displaying the parking permit will be ticketed and towed on the first offense.

Change in Status
It is the responsibility of the permit-holder to advise Parking Services of any change in name, address, department, telephone number, make, model and color of vehicle, and additions or deletions to carpool membership.

Forgotten Parking Permit/Keycard
If you forget your parking permit, you can obtain a temporary one-day permit from Parking Services. If you forget your keycard or transponder, come into the Parking Office to obtain a temporary one-day permit for an alternate ungated lot.

Lost or Stolen Parking Permits and Keycards
University of Chicago parking permits and keycards are very valuable and should be treated as you would any other valuable. Make sure your car is locked and your windows are rolled-up when you are parked.

If your parking permit and/or keycard should be lost or stolen, you can obtain a replacement from Transportation & Parking Services.  The replacement cost for a lost parking permit and/or keycard is $35 each.  The replacement cost for a missing transponder is $100.

Termination of Parking Permits
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to return the parking permit and keycard to Parking Services upon expiration of the parking permit. Failure to do so could result in the fees being deducted from your final paycheck or student account restrictions.

Temporary Parking Permits
Temporary parking permits must be obtained for all guests or visitors in permit lots when visiting the University.  Exception: guests or visitors using metered, Lexington or Ellis Garage visitor parking. Users must pay the posted rate.

Visitors and/or guests of the University may only park at the location designated on the permit.  If the parking assignment designation is "Various," it is with the understanding that the permit holder will only park in non-gated parking lots or designated service areas.

Temporary parking permits may be purchased from Parking Services.

The daily rate for a temporary parking permit is $12 per day per vehicle in the Ellis Parking Structure and in the Lexington visitor lot; $8 per day at all other parking lots. If longer-term temporary parking is needed, the rate will be determined by the parking lot assignment and the length of stay, but in general terms the cost could be $75 or $80 per month.

Contractor Parking
All contractors parking on University of Chicago property must obtain contractor-parking permits from Parking Services.

Contractors may only park at the location designated on the permit.  If the parking assignment designation is "Various," it is with the understanding that the permit holder will only park in non-gated parking lots or designated service areas.

Contractor parking permits may be purchased from Parking Services. The daily rate for a contractor parking permit is $8 per day or $80 per month.

Special Events Parking
A person(s) or department(s) planning a special event which will require parking shall contact Parking Services as follows:

• If more than 10 vehicles are expected to be on campus for the special event, you must contact Parking Services 30 days prior to the event; or
• If less than 10 vehicles are expected to be on campus for the special event, you must contact Parking Services 72 hours prior to the event.

If the special event is located on North Campus (58th Street to 55th Street), Lexington (25 spaces) and/or the Ellis Parking Structure can be used to accommodate special event parking. 

If the event is on South Campus (58th Street to 61st Street), the Wells parking lot will be used to accommodate special event parking.

Daily permit parking fees apply.

If necessary, street parking can also be taken out and held for special valet parking through University Police at 702-8181.  

Exception:  The Law School parking lot can only be used for special events sponsored by the Law School.

In the event the Ellis Parking Structure or Wells parking lots are used to accommodate parking for special event(s), a parking attendant will be posted at the sponsor's expense. The hourly rate for a parking attendant is $25.00. The attendant will ensure that all parking spaces are filled and once filled, the attendant will begin to "stack" the vehicles (park in turn lanes).

The attendant will be on duty for the duration of the event and one hour after the event closes. This will ensure that vehicle owners are able to obtain the keys for their vehicle. 

At the expense of the event sponsor, a shuttle bus can also be made available.  The cost of bus service is dependent on the number of buses needed; please contact Transportation Services at (773) 834-8768 for a quote.  

Handicapped Parking
Below is the procedure for requesting long-term (more than 90 days) or permanent accessible parking:

1. Notify the Affirmative Action Officer of your request for an accessible parking space. Explain your affiliation with the University (i.e., faculty, student, staff), the location of the building or site you need to access, the approximate period for which you are requesting accessible parking, your telephone number and address. Forward this information to:
           Aneesah Ali
           Affirmative Action Officer
           Office of the Provost
           The University of Chicago
           5801 South Ellis Avenue
           Chicago, Illinois 60637
           Administration Building Room 501
           Phone:  (773) 702-5671
           Fax:  (773) 702-9595
           Email:  aali@uchicago.edu
    
2. Provide an up-to-date and signed physician's statement to the Affirmative Action Officer that explains in detail your mobility impairment.  This medical documentation should include:
   • Diagnosis of existing condition and how if affects mobility;
   • Severity of the mobility impairment;
   • Extent of mobility limitations (please be specific); and
   • Expected duration of the mobility impairment. 
      
3. Provide a copy of your state issued handicapped parking permit.
    
4. Upon receipt of all documentation, the Affirmative Action Officer will contact the Parking Office to determine which parking accommodation the University is able to provide. You will receive notification of the outcome of your request as soon as possible.
    
5. If approved, contact the Parking Office at 5525 South Ellis Avenue - First Floor, (773) 702-8969 to complete registration and make payment arrangements. Parking fees vary depending on lot location.

Short-term (less than 90-days) accessible parking accommodations are approved by the Director of Transportation & Parking Services. Please provide the following to the Parking Office directly:

• your affiliation with the University (i.e., faculty, student, staff),
• the location of the building or site you need to access,
• the approximate period for which you are requesting accessible parking (90-days or less)
• your telephone number and address. 
• an up-to-date and signed physician's statement that explains in detail your mobility impairment. This medical documentation should include:  
  • Diagnosis of existing condition and how if affects mobility;
  • Severity of the mobility impairment;
  • Extent of mobility limitations (please be specific); and
  • Expected duration of the mobility impairment.

You will receive notification of the outcome of your request as soon as possible.
If approved, contact the Parking Office at 5525 South Ellis Avenue - First Floor  (773) 702-8969 to complete registration and make payment arrangements.  Parking fees vary depending on lot location.

Summer Parking
Parking spaces cannot be held for permit-holders for summer months or prolonged absences from campus unless payment is received. If a permit expires, the Parking Office will provide information with availability of openings in lots throughout campus. A new application must be completed at the time of request.

Returning students who have a parking permit are allowed to pre-purchase their parking for the following academic year in June. The summer months are provided free to returning students pre-purchasing their parking permit for the following academic year. Parking fees for returning students must be paid in full to be eligible for this program.

Carpools
Register your Carpool
To qualify for special, university-sponsored incentives, carpools must have a minimum of two participants—two of whom must be eligible for the program (see Eligibility next). All members of a carpool must apply at the Transportation & Parking Office (Ellis Garage). All carpool members must turn in their University of Chicago parking hangtags and gate entry devices to receive a special carpool hangtag.

Eligibility
Active full-time regular, active part-time regular (work a minimum of 20 hours per week), and active full-time temporary University of Chicago employees or University of Chicago full-time students living off-campus are eligible to participate.

NOTE: Applicants may register for only one Transportation Program at a time (bike, carpool, transit or walk).

Carpool Incentives

• Category 1: 2-person carpools
  • Discounted, preferred parking space for $40/month
     
• Category 2: 3+ person carpools
  • Free, preferred parking space

*Subject to verification of valid driver's license and insurance.

How to Apply

• Each member of a carpool must complete the Carpool Application form, either online or at the Transportation & Parking office at the Ellis Garage.
• Occasional Parker registrants must bring a copy of their vehicle registration and valid driver's license when registering at the Transportation & Parking Office.
• All carpool members must turn in their University hangtags before receiving a special carpool and/or Occasional Parker hangtag.

Once all of the above information has been submitted to the Transportation & Parking Office, participants will be notified within ten (10) business days if the proposed carpool is approved. Once the carpool is approved, participants will turn in their current parking hangtag(s) and pick up their carpool hangtag(s) at the Transportation & Parking Office. NOTE: Only carpools registered through the Transportation & Parking Office can benefit from the incentives offered.

General Parking Rules

• Parking is permitted only in areas designated for parking.  Parking in roadways, loading zones, fire lanes, on the grass, posted no parking zones, or at building exits is prohibited.
• Parking permits are not transferable and will be revoked in the event of misrepresentation of any application, permit or vehicle.
• Parking privileges apply only to current University employees and students. Unauthorized transfer of a permit will result in the permit being revoked.
• All vehicles not displaying the proper parking permit will be ticketed and towed on the first offense.
• The speed limit on campus drives is five (5) miles per hour.
• Parking rules and regulations will apply regardless of whether or not signs are posted.
• The quads are designated as "No Parking" zones.
• Ellis parking structure permit holders cannot park in the visitor section. All permit-holder vehicles found in the visitor section will be immediately ticketed and towed.
• First-year undergraduates are not permitted to purchase parking permits.

Tickets
Vehicles parked illegally will receive tickets. The tickets and fines are in accordance with the list below.

• All fines will double if not paid after five business days from the date of issuance.
• Parking Tickets can be issued every 4 hours for the same offense.
• Vehicles can be ticketed and towed on the first offense.
• Accumulation of five or more tickets can result in revocation of parking privileges and/or towing of the vehicle at owner’s risk. If you are a student, you also risk being restricted from registration and access to other student services.

Revocation of Parking Privileges
Parking privileges can be revoked for the following reasons:

• If a permit holder accumulates five or more tickets;
• If a permit holder loans his or her keycard to someone not registered in their carpool;
• If a permit holder uses their keycard to open the gate to allow a non-permit holder access to the parking lot;
• If more than one car of the same carpool is in the assigned parking lot (exception: Occasional Parker participants); and/or
• If the permit holder or other members of the carpool knowingly cause damage to the parking lot.

Theft and Damage
While the University of Chicago Police Department patrols the parking lots, a parking permit does not include or imply security protection.  The University of Chicago assumes no responsibility for theft of or from, or damage to any vehicle.  During normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Parking Services also monitors the parking lots.

Towing
The University of Chicago assumes no responsibility for theft of, or from, or damage to any vehicle towed by Rokaitis Industries Inc.

Vehicles parked illegally on University of Chicago property will be towed at the owner’s expense.  To recover your vehicle, you will need to present yourself to Rokaitis Industries Inc. at 4546 South Archer Avenue.  The telephone number for Rokaitis Towing is (773) 247-3195. The towing fee, which must be paid by the vehicle owner, is $170. The towing fee is subject to change.

If your vehicle was towed due to unpaid parking tickets, you must present yourself to the University of Chicago Parking Office located at 5525 South Ellis Avenue to make arrangements for payment of unpaid parking tickets. Failure to do so will result in repeated towing until the tickets are paid.

A vehicle is considered illegally parked when one of the following conditions exists:

• The vehicle is parked, without authorization, in a posted "No Parking" Zone; and/or
• The owner of the vehicle has accumulated five or more University parking tickets.

Areas in which this policy applies are:

• Campus parking lots
• Shipping and Receiving docks
• Posted areas of the Quads
• Kenwood from 58th Street south to 59th Street
• Kimbark Avenue from 60th Street to 61st Street
• University Avenue from 60th Street to 61st Street
• University construction sites

Vehicle Relocation
The University reserves the right to relocate vehicles parked on University property. Adverse weather conditions such as snow or other emergency situations may be reasons a vehicle needs to be relocated from one location on campus to another.

Payment of the cost to relocate a vehicle is the responsibility of the University’s Parking Services.

University of Chicago Parking Services
Issued:  08/20/2000
Revised:  04/21/2009