Rules and Regulations

General Information
Permit Registration and Use
UH Component Campus Permits
Visitor Parking
Disabled Parking
Special Parking Areas and Provisions
Evening Parking
Enforcement and Violations
Towing
Payments
Appeals Process

GENERAL INFORMATION
The University of Houston has adopted a parking and traffic program to create an orderly traffic flow and equitable parking conditions on campus. Your personal safety, the recognition of others’ needs, campus appearance, and applicable laws were prime considerations in the formulation of these regulations.

This program is administered by Parking and Transportation Services (PTS), Room 1, E. Cullen Building, (713-743-1097), and enforced by the UH Department of Public Safety, Parking Enforcement Division (713-743-5849).

To park on the University of Houston campus you must display a valid UH parking permit unless parked at a parking meter, visitor lot, or a university parking garage. Purchasing a permit does not guarantee a parking place but allows you to park if space is available.

The permit is only transferable between vehicles and NOT between individuals. The registered permit holder is responsible for any parking citation issued to a vehicle displaying their parking permit. In the event the vehicle is not registered with PTS, Motor Vehicle Records from TXDOT will be used to determine responsibility.

Park only where your permit allows. Do not park in areas that are not for your use or have a restricted status. Examples of restricted areas are: fire and no parking zones, the grass, sidewalks, along curbs not designated for parking, any unmarked spot, or any place that would disrupt pedestrian or vehicular traffic. If you receive parking citations and do not resolve them, your vehicle will be subjected to tow or immobilization at your expense. Vehicles may not operate on University of Houston property if they are in violation of state law.

Certain low-lying areas of the campus, especially areas abutting Entrance 6, are prone to flooding in heavy rains. The University of Houston is not responsible for any damage or loss of motor vehicles or personal property contained in any motor vehicle on campus. Vehicle operators are responsible for familiarizing themselves with current parking rules and regulations.

Anyone who operates a motor vehicle on UH property is asked to register that vehicle with Parking and Transportation Services. Authorized university vehicles and equipment are exempt from registration.
For the purpose of these Policies and Procedures, a university holiday is defined by the closing of university business offices.


PERMIT REGISTRATION AND USE

Students
Students are required to register for parking via the PTS online registration process available on the parking website. Permits will be mailed to the address selected during permit registration.

If you must drive a vehicle other than the one you registered, you may either transfer your permit to the other vehicle or obtain a temporary parking permit from the Information Booths, located at Entrance 1 and Parking Lot 15G, or at the PTS office. Please present your Cougar Card when requesting a temporary permit.


Student Parking Options
Click here for 2012-2013 Parking Rates

Student Garage Permits:
Vehicles displaying a Student Garage permit must park in the student section of the specified garage weekdays from 7am to 5pm. After 5pm and all day on weekends, this permit becomes valid in Student and Economy lots. Annual permits expire on August 15 of the academic year issued and semester permits expire as follows: Fall-December 31; Spring-May 31; Summer-August 15 of the academic year issued. Garage permits will be declared ‘sold-out’ once all available student spaces have been purchased.

Student Commuter Permits:
Valid in student or economy parking lots. Not valid in restricted Resident Hall parking lots, or in Faculty/Staff parking lots before 5pm. Commuter permits expire as follows: Fall/Spring-May 31; Fall-December 31; Spring-May 31; Summer-August 31 of the academic year issued.

Note: Student Commuter permits are not available for the entire academic year. A summer permit is required for the Summer semester.

Economy Permits:
Valid in economy parking lots only. The economy lots tend to be further out from the center of campus. Expires on August 31st of academic year issued.

Economy Plus Permits:
Allows parking in any non-restricted parking lot weekdays from 5 pm to 7 am and all day on weekends and university holidays (defined by the closing of university business offices). Must park in economy lots at all other times. This permit is always valid for one full academic year and expires on August 31 of academic year issued.

Resident Parking Permits:
Resident Parking Permits allow parking for students who live in university housing and need access to a vehicle for purposes other than traveling to and from class. Resident Parking Permits provide parking in the specified lots only. An RHE permit is not valid in other student lots.

Disabled Permits:
Students who have a permanent or temporary disability and require a University disabled parking permit must go to the Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD), Room 100 of the CSD Building. They can be reached at 713-743-5400 (Voice), or 713-749-1527 (TTY). Please refer to the guidelines posted on their website.


Faculty/Stafff
Faculty and staff members are required to register for parking via the PTS online registration process available on the parking website. Permits will be mailed to the address selected during permit registration. Online registration allows for payment via credit card or payroll deduction. Payroll deductions are done monthly and will be taken from the first paycheck the individual receives for that month.

New faculty or staff members are required to visit the Parking & Transportation office to purchase a permit as soon as possible. You will have the choice of paying for your permit immediately or requesting payroll deduction. Payroll deductions are done monthly and will be taken from the first paycheck the individual receives for that month.

A valid faculty/staff permit allows you to park in any un-gated faculty/staff, student, or economy lot. If assigned to a gated lot you will receive a gate card. Faculty/staff assigned to gated lots may park in any other non-restricted lot on campus. A $10 access card replacement fee will be charged for each gate card that is reported lost or stolen. An economy permit allows you to park in economy lots only.

Temporary employees may purchase a temporary permit for up to 30 days at a time at the Welcome Center Parking Services Desk.

If you must drive a vehicle other than the one you registered, you may either transfer your permit to the other vehicle or obtain a temporary parking permit from the Information Booths, located at Entrance 1 and Parking Lot 15G, or at the PTS office. Please present your Cougar Card when requesting a temporary permit.


Faculty/Staff Parking Options
Click here for 2012-2013 Parking Rates

Faculty/Staff Garage Permits:
Vehicles displaying a faculty/staff garage permit must park in the faculty/staff section of the specified garage. Permits expire August 31 of the academic year issued.

Economy Permits:
Valid in economy parking lots only. The economy lots tend to be further out from the center of campus. Expires on August 31st of academic year issued.


Economy Plus Permits:
Allows parking in any non-restricted parking lot weekdays from 5 pm to 7 am and all day on weekends and university holidays (defined by the closing of university business offices). Must park in economy lots at all other times. This permit is always valid for one full academic year and expires on August 31 of academic year issued.

Faculty/Staff Ungated Permits:
Valid in any non-restricted un-gated lots as well as any student or economy lot. Annual permits expire on August 31 of the academic year issued. Semester ungated permits expire as follows: Fall-December 31; Spring-May 31; Summer-August 31 of the academic year issued.

Faculty/Staff Gated Permits:
Must be approved during the registration process. Approval is based on employee pay grade at the time of registration. In addition to being valid in your assigned gated lot, this permit also allows you to park in all un-gated, student and economy lots. Your gate card will only allow access into your assigned parking lot. A $10 access card replacement fee will be charged for each gate card that is reported lost or stolen. Annual permits expire on August 31 of the academic year issued. Semester gated permits expire as follows: Fall-December 31; Spring-May 31; Summer-August 31 of the academic year issued.

Faculty/Staff Reserved Parking Permits:
Employee must hold a position of Director or above. Incumbents have first option of renewal. Vacancies will be filled on a first come first served basis.

Disabled Permits:
University employees who have a permanent or temporary disability and require a University disabled parking permit must go to the Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD), Room 100 of the CSD Building. They can be reached at 713-743-5400 (Voice), or 713-749-1527 (TTY). Please refer to the guidelines posted on their website.

Alumni Parking
Alumni parking permits are issued through the Houston Alumni Office and are intended to facilitate visits to campus . These permits are not intended to replace student, faculty, or staff parking. They are for visitation use ONLY. A valid alumni permit allows you to park only in the area designated on the permit. For more information, please review the Alumni Benefits Overview.

Retiree Parking
Retirees of the university are eligible for free retiree parking permit which allows parking in economy parking lots. The permit is intended for visitation use only and cannot be used for part-time work or attending classes. Interested retirees must send a written request to Parking@uh.edu and a permit will be issued upon verification of employment status.

Vendors
Vendors making deliveries to campus must use the timed loading/unloading zones. Those on campus for repair purposes that will take longer than 20-minutes may park in unrestricted parking spaces. Vehicles parked in loading/unloading areas that are displaying a permanent company logo need not display a UH parking permit. Those using private or unmarked vehicles or those parking in non-loading area spaces must stop at the Visitor Information Booth to receive free a temporary parking permit.

Contractors
Contractor parking is located at Building 13 at the Energy Research Park. No permit is required to park in this area. Contractors in need of campus parking must be authorized by their UH Project Manager. Campus parking permits are issued through the Parking and Transportation Services with written authorization of the UH Project Manager. Campus permits are valid within the boundaries of the job site and in ungated parking lots. Contact your UH Project Manager for more details.

Departmental Runner Permit
Runner Permits are issued to a department free of charge for the purpose of providing access to locations where a given activity requires the use of their personal vehicles for University business. Departments may request Runner Permits by writing the Director of Parking and Transportation Services. The Director will consider expressed need, size of the operation, and other related factors in determining how many permits to issue to a given department.

It is the department’s responsibility to control use of the Runner Permits. It is recommended that the department keep a usage log for Runner Permits in their custody.

A current UH parking permit must be displayed in conjunction with the runner permit. Runner Permits are neither intended for personal use nor to enable a person to park as close as possible to their office or workplace or to provide for convenient overflow parking.

The Runner Permit is issued on an annual basis and authorizes:
1. Short-term (not more than two hours) parking in any non-restricted space
2. Short-term (not more than two hours) parking in marked loading zones
3. Parking in designated “20 minutes” spaces

The permit does not authorize parking in:
1. Parking spaces reserved for the disabled (unless handicap permit is displayed)
2. Fire lanes
3. Expired meters (including meters located in permit areas)
4. Designated visitor lots
5. Roadways and parking lot access lanes
6. Gated lots (except for loading zones and “twenty minutes” spaces located within such lots)
7. Reserved parking spaces, including RHE lots
8. Designated tow-away zones
9. Pedestrian walkways
10. Any other area not designated as a parking space

Runner permits remain the property of UH and will be revoked if it is observed being improperly used. Any citation issued while displaying this permit is the responsibility of the registered permit holder whose permit is displayed in the vehicle in question.

An access card is assigned to the Runner Permit in order to gain access to loading zones/twenty minute spaces in gated lots. Vehicles parked in gated lots must be in a loading zone or twenty-minute space. Parking in a regular parking space may result in citation. There is a $10 replacement fee for lost or stolen access cards.

Permit Placement and Replacement
The UH parking permit should be displayed from the vehicle’s rearview mirror, or in the case of economy permits, on the front windshield, above the registration and inspection stickers, while parked on campus. Owners of open air vehicles may request a permanent sticker to be placed on the vehicle’s bumper. Any vehicle displaying an open air permit that is not affixed directly to the vehicle will be in violation and subjected to citation.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Decals Lost and stolen permits must be reported to PTS. The replacement fee for the first lost/stolen permit is $25. Subsequent replacements in the same permit year will be at market rate. Damaged permits will be replaced at no charge provided the recognizable remnants of the old decal are returned. The use of lost, stolen, altered, or forged permit may result in a $100 fine plus the cost of the permit and is subject to tow.

Motorcycles and Mopeds
Motorcycle and moped operators must display the decal in a location that allows it to be visible at all times. Suggested locations are front or rear fender. Motorcycles and mopeds must parked in areas designated for their use.


UH COMPONENT CAMPUS PERMITS

The University of Houston has a reciprocity agreement with the other UH System campuses to honor their parking permits. The vehicle must be parked in the area designated on the campuses permit, i.e. a UHD student permit is only valid in a UH student lot. The reciprocity agreement is intended for visitations only. A transfer of employment or classes would necessitate the purchase of a UH parking permit.


VISITOR PARKING OPTIONS

Click Here for visitor parking rates

Temporary Parking Permits:
Visitors must obtain and display a temporary parking permit when using campus parking areas other than parking meters, gated visitor lots, or parking garages. These permits are available at the Visitor Information Booths located on Entrance 1 (Calhoun and University Drive) and in Lot 15G (in front of Athletic/Alumni Building), or at the PTS customer service counter located in Room 112 of the Welcome Center Garage.

Conference or seminar representatives should make arrangements in advance for parking in areas other than meters and the University Hilton Hotel garage. UH Departments receive a 50% discount when purchasing temporary parking permits via a Service Center Requisition.

Metered Parking:
Parking meters are located throughout campus.
Coin meters have a maximum stay of one hour for on-street and two hours for off-street meters.

LUKE meters are located in various areas around the campus. They accept credit cards and paper currency and have no maximum stay limits.

Time restrictions and hours of operation are posted on the individual meters. Visitors anticipating a longer stay should purchase a visitor pass at an Information Booth, or park in the visitor section of a parking garage. Parking permits are not a substitute for paying a meter.

Gated Visitor Lots:
Gated visitor parking is available in Lot 15G located in front of the Athletic/Alumni Building.

Parking Garages:
Visitor parking is available in the Welcome Center Garage (second level) and the East Garage (first level). Departments may purchase validation coupons that can be used to pay part or all of their guests parking. These coupons are valid only in PTS operated parking garages. Validation Coupons must be purchased in advance. Contact a PTS service representative for more details.


DISABLED PARKING

People with Disabilities
Disabled parking permits are issued to students, faculty, or staff who have either a permanent or temporary disability and require accessible parking. These permits authorize parking in spaces designated for use by disabled drivers. Disabled parking privileges are for the benefit of the registered permit holder only.

UH Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) in conjunction with the Justin Dart, Jr. Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD) has implemented the following University disabled parking policy. For permanent disabled parking privileges the University requires that a University disabled parking permit be displayed along with a valid state-issued disabled parking placard or state license plate when parked in any disabled parking space on campus from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The state-issued disabled parking placard or license plate will be sufficient at all other times.

University of Houston Procedures for Registering for Disabled Parking Permits

Permanent Disabilities:
University employees and/or students who have a permanent disability and require a University disabled parking permit must go to the Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD), Room 100 of the CSD Building. They can be reached at 713-743-5400 (Voice), or 713-749-1527 (TTY). Applicants must complete an Authorization for Accessible Parking form and present a copy of the state placard or a copy of the TX DOT D-12 form with a doctor’s signature or a license plate verification receipt, along with a current driver’s license and Cougar One Card.

Accessible Parking Authorization will be valid for the time remaining on the state-issued disabled parking placard or license plate. Re-authorization will be required upon receipt of a new state- issued disabled parking placard or license plate..

University permanent disabled parking permits must be renewed annually. Permits can be renewed at the CSD or, provided an Accessible Parking Authorization is on file, at the PTS office (Room 1 of the E. Cullen Building).

Qualified applicants will complete a Parking Registration Form, and upon its completion, an annual disabled parking permit will be issued. CSD will record the parking permit number on the registration form and return it along with a copy of the Authorization for Accessible Parking form and copies of supporting documents to PTS. Faculty/staff wishing to renew their UH disabled parking permit may do so directly with PTS if a copy of their Accessible Parking Authorization form is on file. Faculty/staff will have the option of having the parking fee deducted from their pay on a pre-tax basis. Students may charge the parking fee to their student account and pay it along with their other University charges. Students wishing to renew their disabled parking must call PTS by the twelfth (12) class day of the semester to register and, upon verification of authorization, have their disabled parking permit mailed to them via US Mail. After the twelfth (12) class day, the permit must be picked-up in person at the CSD or at the Parking and Transportation Services office located in Room 112 of the Welcome Center Garage.

Those preferring to pay with cash or by credit card must bring their authorization form and completed application to the Parking and Transportation Services office located in Room 112 of the Welcome Center Garage..

Temporary Disabilities:
Students, faculty, or staff who have a temporary disability may request temporary disabled parking directly through PTS. A letter from an appropriate physician stating the nature and projected duration of the disability, and the need for accessible parking privileges will be required before authorization will be granted. PTS reserves the right to send any applicant to the CSD for further authorization.

Visitors with disabilities:
Disabled visitors are required to obtain a disabled visitor parking permit from one of the Visitor Information Booths, located at UH Entrance 1 and parking Lot 15G, prior to using disabled parking. For further information call PTS at 713-743-1097.


SPECIAL PARKING AREAS AND PROVISIONS

Loading Zones:
Loading zones are restricted to vehicles loading and unloading. Vehicles must be moved when finished. All loading zones have a maximum twenty (20) minute time limit. A valid permit must be obtained from the Parking and Transportation Services office located in Room 112 of the Welcome Center Garage or at the Information Booths located at Entrance 1 and Parking Lot 15G, to park in a loading zone.

Bicycles:
Bicycles must be parked in bike racks. It is recommended that all bikes be registered with the UH Department of Public Safety (713-743-0600). For more information on bicycle parking click here.


EVENING PARKING

As a matter of added safety and convenience for evening students, Parking and Transportation Services has implemented the following evening parking policy.

Vehicles displaying a valid student, faculty/staff, or visitor parking permit (excluding economy) may park in any non-restricted space in gated lots as follows:

1. Lots 13A (gated) - 6:00 pm to 6:00 am Monday–Friday, and all day on weekends and
university holidays (defined by the closing of university business offices).

2. Lots 1C/1D (gated) – 8:00 pm to 6:15 am Monday-Friday, and all day on weekends and
university holidays (defined by the closing of university business offices).

3. All other gated lots—5:00 pm to 6:00 am Monday–Friday, and all day on weekends and
university holidays (defined by the closing of university business offices).

A malfunctioning gate does not justify unauthorized entry into a gated lot between the restricted hours of 6:00 am and 5:00 pm. Restricted areas such as fire and loading zones, and disabled and reserved spaces are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Economy permits are exempt from the evening parking policy.

ENFORCEMENT AND VIOLATIONS

University streets and parking lots are patrolled 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Violators of the parking rules and regulations can receive warning citations, a University of Houston citation, or a Harris County citation. You are responsible for all citations issued to your vehicle or permit. Habitual or flagrant disregard of the rules and regulations is grounds for suspension of campus parking privileges or stronger action by the university.

Parking citations are assessed a Security Enhancement Fee (SEF), which is separate from a violation fine. Citations can be issued for any of the following violations:

Parking Violations:
V1. Failing to properly display a UH parking decal/permit $ 20 + $ 1.50 SEF
V2. Parked in “No Parking” areas $ 35 + $ 2.50 SEF
V3. Parked on a sidewalk, along curbs, or in a construction area $ 30 + $ 2.00 SEF
V4. Parked overtime at a parking meter $ 25 + $ 1.75 SEF
V5. Parked in a UH lot without a UH decal/permit $ 50 + $ 3.50 SEF
V6. Violation of other regulations as described on citation $ 25 + $ 1.75 SEF
V7. Parked in a lot without the proper decal/permit for that lot $ 30 + $ 2.00 SEF
V8.* Parked in or blocking a driving lane $ 35 + $ 2.50 SEF
V9.* Parked in a reserved space without the proper decal/permit $ 60 + $ 4.25 SEF
V10.* Blocking a sidewalk, crosswalk, or parking on the grass $ 40 + $ 2.75 SEF
V11.* Parked in a fire zone $ 70 + $ 5.00 SEF
V12.* Parked by a fire hydrant $ 70 + $ 5.00 SEF
V13.* Parked in a handicapped zone without the proper decal/permit $250 +$17.50 SEF
V14.* Parked in a tow-away zone $ 50 + $ 3.50 SEF
V16.* Overtime in Loading/20-minute Zone $ 25 + $ 1.75 SEF
V17.* Tow fee $ 90 + $ 6.25 SEF
G2. Improper garage entry/exit $ 50 + $ 3.50 SEF
G3. Damage to equipment $100 + $7.00 SEF

*Parking violations are subject to tow at owner’s expense

Additional Violations:
C1. Changing, damaging, or moving any UH traffic sign or signal, or
removing citations from cars $15

C2. Disobeying traffic directions given by UHPD $15

C3. Reporting false information on the decal/permit registration application
or any other parking document $15

C4.** Altered/forged or the use of lost/stolen UH parking decals/permits $150
(plus the price of the permit)

C5. Failing to pay attention to traffic signs or barricades erected with the
approval of the Director of Parking and Transportation and/or
the UHDPS chief $15

Violators may be subject to criminal prosecution in accordance with Article 37.10 of the Texas Penal Code..


TOWING
The university reserves the right to tow any illegally parked vehicle or vehicles with excessive unpaid citations. Vehicles are towed to an on campus tow lot located in parking lot 12A. In addition to the above mentioned tow fee of $2 per day, a storage fee will be assessed commencing the second day the vehicle is maintained in the tow lot. Valid vehicle registration must be presented before a vehicle is released.

Cars are subject to towing for the following reasons:
1. Violations V8- V16 listed above.

2. If vehicle is deemed abandoned. Vehicles parked on UH property for more than 30 days without moving are considered abandoned. Moving a vehicle from one space to another to give the appearance of vehicle being utilized is not permissible (even if a valid permit is displayed).

3. If a motor home, trailer, or boat is parked overnight on UH property without prior permission from Parking and Transportation Services.

Visitors are required to pay all fees applicable to towing, citation(s), and storage before the release of their vehicle. Towed vehicles should contact UHDPS-Parking Enforcement Division at 713-743-5849.


PAYMENTS

Violations V1-V4, and V6, V7 and V10 are subject to a discounted payment schedule.

Click here for a citation payment schedule showing the early payment discounts

Citations may be paid online or in person at the Parking Services desk at the Welcome Center Garage, at the Information Booths at Entrance 1 and Parking Lot 15G, or by mailing a check or money payable to The University of Houston.

Payments may be mailed to:
The University of Houston
Parking and Transportation Services
1 E Cullen Building
Houston, TX 77204-2007.

DO NOT ENCLOSE CASH.

Fees not paid within 21 days will double and are then turned over to the billing/receivable system for collection.

APPEALS PROCESS

Parking citation appeals must be received by PTS within 21 calendar days of citation issuance. Appeals may be filed online.

Appeals are heard by the University of Houston Traffic Court, which is comprised of student, faculty and staff appointed by their representative governing bodies. Once a decision has been issued by the court a notification will be sent to the appellant notifying them of the decision and the next steps, if applicable.

First appeals must be submitted as a written appeal. After a decision has been issued an appellant may request a second, in person, appeal provided they have new information that has not previously been submitted to the traffic court.

Visitor appeals are heard by the PTS, Parking Citation Appeals Coordinator, who will evaluate and determine the appropriate assessment based on the University of Houston policy.

The following reasons are considered invalid reasons for appealing a citation: