Seattle University has established the following regulations to govern parking and traffic on campus. Permission to park or operate a motor vehicle or bicycle upon Seattle University property is governed by the following regulations. Parking is a privilege granted by the Administration of the University and does not ensure regular availability of a parking space.
All Seattle University employees and students parking on campus must have their vehicle(s) registered with Seattle University Public Safety: Transportation & Parking Services Department via iParq.
The objectives of these regulations are:
Parking Services and Public Safety Staff are duly appointed representatives of Seattle University and have authority to enforce all parking and traffic regulations on University property. Parking Services and Public Safety Staff are authorized to issue citations and impound vehicles and shall execute the powers of enforcement as granted by these regulations and the Administration of Seattle University.
The authority conferred upon the Director of Public Safety and Transportation to enforce these regulations may be delegated by the Director to his/her staff members.
The University Administration or its appointed representatives reserve the right to revise these regulations, including the fee, fine, and penalty schedules.
Seattle University is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Seattle University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, Political ideology or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical handicaps on the administration of its parking and transportation programs. Inquiries relating to these policies may be referred to the Director of Public Safety. Back to top
The Public Safety Department is authorized to erect signs, barricades and other structures and to paint marks and other directions upon the streets and roadways for the regulation of traffic and parking upon University property. The Public Safety Department will place or make signs, barricades, structures, markings and issue directions that best accomplish the objectives of these regulations.
The Public Safety Department shall designate parking areas, zones, and reserved areas, for the regulation and fulfillment of the parking needs of the university community. The Public Safety Department shall designate and identify areas to be marked and spaces to be numbered, signed, and/or lettered to delineate user types and valid permits required. The Public Safety Department reserves the right to change designators and assignments, which will promote the objectives of this regulation.
No person without authorization from the Director of Public Safety or his/her designee shall remove, move, deface, or in any way change a sign, barricade, structure, marking, or direction so placed, or previously placed for the purpose of regulating traffic or parking. Authority or permission to make any temporary or permanent changes of this nature must be obtained from the Director of Public Safety or his/her designee. Back to top
Motor vehicle access is limited to University parking lots and direct access routes to University parking lots. Access to pedestrian malls is absolutely restricted and permission to operate a motor vehicle within the campus pedestrian malls must be obtained from the Public Safety Department.
No vehicle or bicycle shall be operated on the campus roadways, parking lots, or malls at a speed in excess of 5 miles per hour or such lower speed as is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances.
The operator of a motor vehicle, bicycle, skateboard, etc. shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stop, if need be, to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a motor vehicle, bicycle, etc. which is so close that it is impossible for the operator to yield.
Overnight parking of occupied vehicles, including motor homes, campers, trucks, cars, etc. are generally not permitted. The Department of Public Safety may authorize short-term occupancy parking for special needs.
Skateboards and roller blades/skates may be used on campus for the purpose of transportation. Skateboards and roller blades/skates may only be ridden on the campus pedestrian malls. Skateboards or roller blades/skates are prohibited on campus roadways which enter/exit parking facilities, concrete pedestrian areas , sidewalks, building ledges, or in buildings, etc. At all times pedestrians have the right-of-way. Skateboards and roller blades/skates are to be used in a prudent and safe manner at all times. Recreational/ trick/ stunt riding is prohibited on campus property.Back to top
a. At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
b. Within ten (10) feet of a fire hydrant.
c. At any place not specifically marked for parking.
d. Along red or yellow painted curbing - denoting a fire/emergency vehicle zone.
4. No vehicle shall be parked in any designated parking area without a permit for that area.
Drivers of motor vehicles shall obey regulatory signs that are posted by the University and consistent with the Parking and Traffic Regulations of Seattle University. Pedestrians and operators of vehicular and non-vehicular modes of transportation shall comply with directions issued by members of the Public Safety Department in the assignment and use of parking spaces and in the collection of parking fees.
No vehicle shall be parked so as to occupy any portion of more than one parking space or stall as designated within a parking area. The fact that other vehicles may have been so parked as to require the vehicle parked to occupy a portion of more than one space or stall shall not constitute an excuse or defense for a violation of this section.
The Director of Public Safety is authorized to impose additional traffic and parking directions during special occasions and during emergencies in order to achieve the specified objectives of these regulations.
Seattle University and its employees shall not be held liable for any loss or damage to vehicles or contents of vehicles due to theft, fire, impoundment, or other causes while parked on Seattle University property.
No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle so as to obstruct traffic along or upon any street, sidewalk, pedestrian pathway, parking exit, or parking stall, or otherwise prevent the normal flow of all forms of traffic.
a, Stopping the engine, locking the ignition and removing the key; and
b. Effectively setting the brake and transmission to prevent movement of the vehicle.Back to top
Please review, print and fill out the form below:
and submit it to our office at University Services Building room 102.
Freshmen resident students are not permitted to bring cars to campus for the duration of their freshman year (fall through spring quarters). This policy does not apply to non-traditional freshmen or freshmen living off-campus.
Definition: A Residential Freshmen is a student living on campus who is in their first year of college. Non-traditional freshmen are 21 years or older.
Pre-college credits, advanced placement credits, and the like are not relevant to this policy. Any credit awarded for coursework taken prior to high school graduation, or during the summer following graduation, does not change a student status as a freshman or first year college student.
Students entering their second year at the University are eligible to purchase a parking permit even if they have not completed enough credits to obtain sophomore standing. They are no longer considered first year college students. Students who begin as freshman in the spring or winter quarter of an academic year are permitted to purchase a permit for the following fall quarter, even though they may not have accumulated sufficient credits to attain sophomore standing.
An initiative of the Seattle University's Transportation Management Plan (TMP) is to increase the use of alternative methods of transportation by university community members. It is also a goal that a growing commuter population of students, faculty and staff are provided efficient on-campus parking accommodations. This is a consistent challenge that is continually monitored and managed as on-campus parking at Seattle University is extremely limited.
The Department of Public Safety and Transportation will not sell parking permits to resident freshmen, and other members of the community who are eligible for parking permits will not be allowed to purchase one for resident freshmen. Attempts to do so may result in having any future parking privileges of both parties revoked.
An extremely limited number of exceptions to this policy may be granted on a quarterly basis with restricted petition deadlines established during the year. Students who can demonstrate a compelling need or who would suffer undue hardship due to the restriction on residential freshman cars can petition for a waiver. Waivers are reviewed by the Director of Public Safety and Transportation (DPS) or an appointee and will be kept to an absolute minimum.
Waiver requests must be approved prior to bringing the vehicle to campus. If approved, the student will be able to purchase a parking permit for each quarter of the remaining academic year. To submit a request for a waiver, students must complete the online waiver request form (see link below). Submit waiver requests to parkingservices@seattleu.edu. After the waiver request deadlines, the application process is closed and no further waiver requests will be accepted for review.
It is vital to provide the necessary documentation at the time of the request. Decisions are usually available 1 week after the request deadline. All materials including Waiver Request Form and supporting documents must be submitted to DPS by the designated due date to be considered. After assessing required documentation, the Director of DPS or an appointee may grant a waiver based on space availability and level of hardship. Decisions determined by the Director or designee are FINAL.
Submitting a request for a waiver does not guarantee approval nor should acceptance of the request by DPS be construed as a commitment to approve the waiver. It is important to note that no student under consideration for an exception should bring a vehicle to campus until approval to purchase a residential permit has been granted.
Exceptions are granted for the following reasons: 1) off-campus, part-time employment (at least 20 hours per week) not reasonably accessible by a local Mass Transit Service, 2) medical reasons, 3) extenuating family circumstances or 4) University obligation or commitment. It is the student's responsibility to provide the necessary documentation that positively demonstrates the need for the request. Specific information for each exception is listed below:
Approval will be granted upon successful verification of off-campus employment and schedule meeting the minimum 20 hours per week requirement. The Executive Director of DPS or an appointee reserves the right to verify continuation of employment throughout the academic year. Decal holders are responsible for ensuring that the most current employment information is on file. Updated information may be provided via an electronic document emailed to parkingservices@seattleu.edu. Failure to provide updated information may result in suspension or loss of privileges. Petitions for approval are not automatic and are generally given only when a student's transportation circumstances cannot be accommodated by a local Mass Transit Service. Freshmen are strongly encouraged to find employment either on campus or in the local community. Appeals will be granted in this category on a very limited basis. Appeals should include a signed, notarized letter on company letterhead from employer stating days and hours of employment. The letter shall include the employer's telephone number. A current payroll stub may also be required.
of the student requiring transportation off campus should be submitted online and must provide the necessary documentation to positively prove the need. Students requesting a waiver in this category must register with the Office of Disability Services prior to submitting waiver request. Petitions for approval are not automatic and are generally given only when a student's medical appointments cannot be accommodated by a local Mass Transit Service. Medical reasons require a letter from a licensed physician indicating a legitimate medical need. This letter should explain in detail the nature of the problem, the reason(s) for the student to have ready access to their own transportation and the time-frame being projected for this need.
requiring transportation off campus should be submitted online and must provide the necessary documentation to positively prove the need. Petitions for approval are not automatic and are generally given only when a student's family circumstances cannot be accommodated by a local Mass Transit Service.
requiring transportation off campus should be submitted online and must provide the necessary documentation to positively prove the need. University obligations or commitment reasons require a letter from a University sponsor/coach/instructor indicating a legitimate need. This letter should explain in detail the nature of the problem, the reason(s) for the student to have ready access to their own transportation and the time-frame being projected for this need. Petitions for approval are not automatic and are generally given only when a student's transportation circumstances cannot be accommodated by a local Mass Transit Service. Academic - requires a legitimate written justification from a faculty member stating the reason for exception and must include the description of an approved off-campus credit-bearing program.
Other exceptional circumstances are at the discretion of the Executive Director of Public Safety and Transportation.
Students who wish to petition for a waiver may do so by completing and submitting a Resident Freshman Waiver Petition Form (see below) and other supporting documents. Documents must be submitted to the Department of Public Safety and Transportation (DPS) or may be sent electronically to ParkingServices@seattleu.edu. Submitting a request for a waiver does not guarantee approval nor should acceptance of the request by DPS be construed as a commitment to approve the waiver.
Students who can demonstrate a compelling need or who would suffer undue hardship due to the restriction on residential freshman cars can petition for a waiver. Waivers are reviewed by the Executive Director of DPS or an appointee and will be kept to an absolute minimum.
It is important to note that no student under consideration for an exception should bring a vehicle to campus until approval to purchase a resident decal has been granted. Please allow one (1) weeks for the approval process. If a car is parking on campus prior to a decision being made on the waiver, it is the student's responsbility to purchase daily parking permits from one of the permit pay stations on campus. If the student were to be issued an parking citations, it would be the student's responsbility to pay the citations. Parking on campus without a valid parking permit while waiting for a waiver to be reviewed, would not be a valid reason for appealing any parking citations accrued. Permits are required all hours all days to park on campus and there are four parking permit pay stations located throughout campus where anyone can purchase a parking permit 24 hours a day.
An initiative of the Seattle University's Transportation Management Plan (TMP) is to increase the use of alternative methods of transportation by university community members. It is also a goal that a growing commuter population of students, faculty and staff are provided efficient on-campus parking accommodations. This is a consistent challenge that is continually monitored and managed as on-campus parking at Seattle University is extremely limited.
A Resident Freshmen is a student living on campus who is in their first year of college. Non-traditional freshmen are 21 years or older. Non-traditional freshmen do not fall under this policy.
Please direct all inquiries regarding the status of your appeal to: ParkingServices@seattleu.edu.
Waiver Request Exceptions
• Off-campus employement (minimum 20 hours)
• Medical - Documented medical condition
• Extenuating Family Circumstances
•University Obligation or Commitment
Waiver requests must be approved prior to bringing the vehicle to campus. If approved, the student will be able to purchase a permit for the academic year. To submit a request for a waiver, students must complete waiver petition form.
Submit waiver requests to the Public Safety office located in USB 102 or to ParkingServices@seattleu.edu.
A. For the purpose of these regulations, motorcycles, motorized bicycles and scooters are considered to be motor vehicles and are subject to all traffic and parking rules and regulations.
B. Motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and scooters must be parked in designated areas only.
C. Motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and scooters are not permitted on pedestrian pathways, sidewalks, in or near buildings and their entrances or in any pedestrian areas.Back to top
The Department of Public Safety is authorized to issue permits to drive and/or park on University property. All outstanding parking violation penalties must be satisfactorily settled before a parking permit may be issued or renewed.
University employees and students are eligible for only one Seattle University sponsored parking or subsidized transportation product at a time. Public Safety cannot provide a subsidized transportation product and a term-length parking permit to the same employee or student in the same academic term.
Faculty, staff, and students will be issued a single permit. This permit is only transferable between vehicles registered to that individual, and all vehicles must be registered with the Public Safety Department. Faculty, staff, and students are only allowed to park one registered vehicle on campus at a time. If the faculty, staff, or student has more than one vehicle they drive, only a single permit is issued and it is the driver’s responsibility to place the permit on the vehicle being driven to campus each day.
The person to whom a permit is issued shall be responsible for compliance with these rules and regulations involving the vehicle(s) for which the permit was issued.
1. Decals
a. Quarterly & Semester permits are valid from the beginning to the end of the quarter or semester as indicated on the permit and include the quarter or semester break directly following.
b. 9 Month Permits are valid from the beginning of Fall quarter until the end of Spring quarter and the break immediately following for the academic year printed on the permit.
c. Yearly permits (ie. Annual Employee permit) are valid from the beginning of Fall quarter through the end of Summer quarter including the break immediately following for the academic year printed on the permit.
2. Designators
A. The purpose of the carpool program is to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles (SOV) on campus. Carpool parking permits are for sale at a reduced rate and convenient on-campus parking is available.
B. Two or more Seattle University community members constitute a valid campus carpool. All carpool teams must arrive on campus with at least two members of the team.
C. Each carpool team will be issued a permit valid for carpool parking. Vehicles with only one occupant do not qualify as a valid carpool and the driver must obtain a single occupancy vehicle permit for that day. Vehicles with single occupancy vehicle permits will not park in spaces designated for carpools.
NOTE: We currently have employee carpool and Student carpool. The rules are slightly different. Employees each get a carpool-parking pass. Students get one parking pass to share. Each student is given an single occupant vehicle (SOV) card for the quarter or Semester equivalent to one day per week.
D. In the absence of a carpool partner (illness or in-availability), an exception will be allowed only one day per week. Driver must mark in the date on their Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) permit when driving along to campus. Vehicles with the SOV permit may not use designated carpool spaces or park in the Pigott visitor lot before 3pm weekdays. Back to top
A. Disabled Parking spaces are provided within the University parking lots in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Primary disabled spaces are found in the Visitor lot located adjacent to the University Entrance. Additional space is available in the 11th & East Cherry Garage.
B. Vehicles parking in disabled spaces (including State Disabled Permit holders) must possess a University regular or temporary permit.
C. Authorization to park in University disabled spaces requires presentation of a valid State Disabled Permit and/ or medical recommendation for a temporary (no longer than 3 months) disabled permit. If the medical condition will persist more than 3 months, then the individual must obtain a State Disabled Permit.Back to top
1. Any vehicle parked upon Seattle University property may be subject to impoundment for cause as specified under these regulations. The University and its officers, employees and agents shall not be liable for loss or damage of any kind resulting from such impoundment. A Public Safety officer may take custody of a vehicle and provide for its prompt removal to a place of safety under the following circumstances;
a) When a vehicle is unattended upon University property where the vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic or jeopardizes community safety.
b) When a vehicle is unattended at the scene of an accident on University property or when the driver of a vehicle at the scene of an accident is incapable to decide upon steps to be taken to protect his/her property.
c) Whenever the driver of a vehicle is arrested on University property, taken into custody by police and is incapable of deciding upon steps to be taken to safeguard his/her property.
d) Whenever a vehicle is parked in a stall or space that is clearly marked for the disabled (R.C.W. 46.61.581) and that vehicle does not have a special license plate, card or decal indicating it is being used to transport a disabled person.
e) The vehicle is parked in a tow away zone or reserved parking space and it is in the best interest of the University to remove the vehicle immediately.
f) The vehicle is obstructing a driveway entrance, exit, fire hydrant, in a loading zone, in a no parking area, in an impound zone, on a landscaped area, in a prohibited area, fire zone, or restricting University activities.
g) Junk vehicles standing on University property in violation of nuisance or litter laws.
h) Vehicles which, have removed, defaced, covered, altered, obliterated, or destroyed serial numbers in an attempt to conceal or misrepresent the identity of the vehicle.
2. Citation Notices shall clearly indicate that failure to respond by either payment of the fines or a written contest will result in a judgment against the owner and that failure to comply with an order of the Public Safety Department will subject the vehicle to impoundment if it is found parked on University property.
1. Abandoned Vehicle defined
a. Any vehicle that has been left on University property for 72 hours without being moved.
2. A Public Safety Officer identifying an abandoned vehicle shall make a reasonable effort to contact the owner in order to give the owner the information on the sticker. If telephone or personal contact is made with the registered owner, or if extenuating circumstances exist, the vehicle may be impounded twenty-four hours after the sticker was attached. Otherwise, it will be our policy to give the registered owner five days to move the vehicle. Additionally, we will attempt to notify the registered owner with an "Unauthorized Vehicle Notice" postcard. Back to top
B. The Director of the Public Safety and Transportation may provide clarification on specific violations to meet the objectives of these regulations.Back to top
A. The fines or penalties which may be assessed for violations of these regulations are those detailed below:
B. Additions or other changes to this list will be published as needed and will be available in the Public Safety Office.
Parking Permit refund requests must be made to the Public Safety office in person or by email to parkingservices@seattleu.edu and must include your purchase receipt and arrangements to return the parking permit. Permits must be returned to, and received by, the Public Safety office in order to be eligible for refund. Permit refunds will be prorated based upon the date of the cancellation request within the acedemic session, and the date that the permit was received by the Public Safety office. Full refunds will not be issued after the first three weeks of the start of the acedemic session for which the permit is valid.
*Additions or other changes to this list will be published as needed.
**Please note that Parking Regulations and Parking Fines and Citations are subject to change at any time.