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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:

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:

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 except the Ellis Garage 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, New Grad, 1155, Chapin and Dorchester Lots.  Beginning Sept. 1, 2011 visitor parking fees at the structure at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue will now apply 24 hours a day.  Visitors may also purchase daily permits for ungated lots and for metered spaces depending on availability.  Daily permits vary between $15 and $24 and must approved by Parking Director first, paid with a DP Form 62 and 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, 9:00 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. Mopeds and scooters are not authorized vehicles.

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. office location.

Waitlists
Quarterly 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

Parking permit fees are as listed as of September 1, 2011

Permit Facilities Monthly Parking Permit Fees
Dorchester, chapin, Edelstone, Kenwood,
Kimbark, Mott, NGR, 1155, Law School,
Faculty Apartments, and Wells
 $80
Pierce, Judd, Maryland West, I-House, ATS,
5733, 5737 and Woodlawn
 $85
Ellis Parking Structure

$85
Lexington Lot

 $175


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.  It is the responsibility of the permit-holder to renew or cancel their parking permit with Parking Services.  All permits expire on the date indicated on the permit hang tag assigned to your vehicle.  There will be a $25.00 penalty for renewals after the expiration date.

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
Departments and contractors may request a various parking permit. Various permits are designed for staff and contractors whose work requires them to park at different campus locations throughout the work 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 permit requests are approved at the discretion of Transportation & Parking Services administration.

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 on the first offense.

Change in Status
It is the responsibility of the permit-holder to advise Parking Services of any change in name, employment, withdrawal, 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 one time free temporary one-day permit from Parking Services; all others will be charged the daily rate for parking. 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.  To terminate your parking; you must visit the Parking Office prior to the end of the month.

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 $20 per day per vehicle in the Ellis Parking Structure and $24 in the Lexington visitor lot; $15 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 $80 or $85 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 $20 per day or $85 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 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

REQUEST FOR LONG TERM ACCESSIBLE PARKING PERMIT

Below is the procedure for requesting long term accessible parking:

1. Notify the Affirmative Action Office of your request to purchase a permit for accessible parking. Indicate your affiliation with the University (i.e., faculty, other academic appointee, student, staff, postdoctoral researcher), 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 email address. Send this information to the attention of the Affirmative Action Office:

Office of the Provost
The University of Chicago
5801 S. Ellis Ave., Rm 510
Chicago, IL 60637
 
Admin. Bldg. Rm. 510
 
 
 
Phone: 773/702-5671
Fax: 773/702-9595
Email: aali@uchicago.edu
 
 
 

2. Provide a current signed physician’s statement that explains the functional limitation for which accessible parking is requested. This medical documentation should include:

• How the existing condition affects your mobility
• Severity of the condition
• Extent of functional limitation (please be specific)
• Expected duration of the condition limiting mobility

3. Provide a copy of your current state issued handicapped parking permit.

4. Upon receipt of all documentation, the Affirmative Action Office will contact the Transportation and Parking Office to determine which parking accommodation the University is able to provide. You will receive email notification of the outcome of your request as soon as possible.

5. If approved, contact the Transportation and Parking Office at 5555 S. Ellis Avenue (773/702-8969) to complete registration and make payment arrangements. Parking fees vary depending on lot location.

Please contact the Transportation and Parking Office directly if temporary accessible parking is needed.

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:

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 no longer 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 to keep their parking space.

Carpools
The new Carpool Policy has been finalized.   The existing Carpool permit holders renewal period begins September 16, 2011 - October, 14, 2011.  New applicants can apply after the renewal period, once the new application is posted.  Existing carpoolers will receive an email to re-apply.

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 (carpool, transit or walk).

Carpool Incentives

*Subject to verification of valid driver's license and vehicle registration of each carpooler.

How to Apply

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

Citations
Vehicles will receive citations in accordance with the below listed table for the violations as listed

 

 Type of Violation

1st  

2nd 

3rd 
     

Unauthorized, altered, or incorrect permit for parking lot

$30

$45 

$60 
 

Abandoned Vehicles

$30

$45 

$60 
 

Permit not properly displayed

$30

$45 

$60 
 

Parked on walk or grass

$30

$45 

$60 
 

Parked in hospital emergency drive, obstructing hydrant,
service areas, traffic lane, fire lane, or crosswalk

$100

$100 

$100 
 

Parked on campus quadrangles

$30

$45 

$60 
 

No valid permit

$30

$45 

$60 
 

Meter expired

$30

$45 

$60 
 

Illegally parked in handicapped space

$250 

$250 

$250 

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

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 $196. 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:

Areas in which this policy applies are:

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:  09/30/2011

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