Parking

It is unlawful to leave a disabled Vehicle parked in violation of this Ordinance without immediately notifying the Department. If the Vehicle is obstructing traffic, in a reserved space, or creating a hazard, it must be moved immediately.

No Vehicle will be placed on the disabled Vehicle list more than one time per month unless the operator will accept assistance from the Department or a tow firm. Persons who exceed the limitation for placing a Vehicle on the disabled Vehicle list and do not accept assistance are subject to the appropriate penalty if the Vehicle remains parked in violation of this Ordinance. If the Department has permits available for the parking facility in which the Vehicle is parked, the operator may be required to purchase a permit rather than be placed on the disabled Vehicle list.

Any person parking a Vehicle in a parking facility described in this Section must possess the appropriate permit for that parking facility during those days and hours specified at the entrance to such parking facility. Any Vehicle parked without possessing a valid permit is subject to the issuance of a civil penalty, Vehicle immobilization/booting, and/or towing.

If the assigned zone is full, a temporary permit for an alternate zone may be obtained from the Department, located in the Public Safety building (285 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599). UNC Health employees may obtain temporary permits from the UNC Medical Center Parking Office.

It is unlawful for any person to park a Vehicle within any zone other than the one authorized by the appropriate permit. Any person possessing a valid special permit obtained through the Department may park as indicated by use of those permits and their related restrictions. All Main Campus permits are valid in any R Zone lots, excluding R2 lots.

A guide that summarizes the regulations and a map depicting the University’s parking zones is available on the Department’s website. The University’s parking zones are as follows:

Pursuant to Statutory Background; Delegation of Authority, the Chancellor or their designee(s) may modify parking zones by adding or deleting University parking facilities from such zones and may change traffic flow patterns and hours of operation as deemed necessary or advisable for the administration or enforcement of this Ordinance.

• Parking Fees
• Short Term Parking and Event Parking Fees

The Chancellor, through their designee(s), may cause any parking facility to be reserved to accommodate event parking (e.g., for concerts, plays, athletics, and other events) pursuant to a plan approved by the Board of Trustees. The applicable fee(s) are set forth in Parking Fees. Excluded from these fees are parking facilities approved for use under this Section.

Parking may be reserved by Campus units for events held in Campus venues and facilities. Management of the areas is the responsibility of the Department. Event permits may be required and must be issued and controlled by the Department, as applicable.

The Director of the Department is authorized to remove and/or cite Vehicles parked in reserved spaces prior to football and basketball games pursuant to Temporary Parking Restrictions. On the day such relocation occurs a list of all relocated Vehicles will be available at the Department in the Public Safety building.

• Notification to Permit Holders
• Football and Basketball Game-Day Parking
• Concerts
• Miscellaneous Services

The Chancellor, through their designee(s), may designate metered parking spaces within any parking facility on Campus for general use, or on those portions of public streets as indicated in Parking on Streets or Roads of the Town of Chapel Hill and may specify the length of time for parking in each space. Meter activation is required Monday through Friday during the hours posted. On-street parking meters, off-street parking meters, and meter pay stations may be activated by designated payment method(s). The applicable fees are set forth in Parking Fees.

1. Expired Meter. It is a violation of this Ordinance for any Vehicle to occupy a metered space without the meter being activated by appropriate payment.
2. Cumulative Violations of Expired Meter. Any Vehicle in violation of Expired Meter will be subject to the issuance of a citation for each additional meter activation period that the Vehicle occupies the space with the meter expired.
3. Extended parking at meters. It is a violation of this Ordinance for any Vehicle to occupy any portion of a metered space for more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours, regardless of meter activation.
4. Abuse of meters. It is a violation of this Ordinance for any person to deface, damage, tamper with, willfully break, destroy, impair the usefulness of, evade without tendering due payment, or open without lawful authority any parking meter installed pursuant to this Ordinance. It is a violation of this Ordinance for any person to insert any object into a parking meter or parking pay station that is not a lawful currency of the United States or a credit/debit card.

The Chancellor, through their designee(s), must cause a gate to be erected at the entrance and exit of each controlled-access parking facility that can be opened and closed either by assigned methods of gate-control (e.g., gate card, access code, remote control, or license plate recognition) or by a gate attendant. It is unlawful to transfer or to use assigned access cards or devices for Vehicles not registered for that controlled-access zone and for that card or device. If any person uses or allows to be used their access card or device to knowingly enable another Vehicle to enter or exit a controlled-access zone without paying the applicable parking or permit fee, such person, in addition to being responsible for the applicable fine, may have their card-access rights to University controlled-access zones deactivated for a period of one calendar year from the date of occurrence.

It is unlawful for Vehicles to enter or park in an hourly/daily pay parking facility or other controlled access area during the posted operation hours without paying the appropriate fee or displaying a valid permit for that controlled-access area. Whether or not a gate is open during the hours of pay parking operation is not an indication that an unauthorized Vehicle may legally drive through and park in the gated zone.

It is unlawful for any person to deface, damage, tamper with, willfully break, destroy, impair the usefulness of, evade without tendering due payment, or open without lawful authority an entry or exit gate or equipment. A fee equal to the amount of the cost of the repair or replacement of the damaged equipment will be assessed to the individual or entity responsible for such damage, in addition to the applicable parking fine.

It is unlawful for a Vehicle to enter or exit a controlled-access zone by trailing immediately behind another Vehicle before the gate has an opportunity to drop (a.k.a. “tailgating”) for the purpose of evading payment of the applicable parking or permit fee. It is unlawful to allow a Vehicle to enter or exit a controlled-access zone by tailgating behind one’s own Vehicle for the purpose of knowingly enabling the second Vehicle to evade payment of the applicable parking or permit fee. A tailgating violation, in addition to the applicable parking fine, may result in the deactivation of a violator’s parking permit for a period of one calendar year from the date of occurrence.

The applicable parking fees for the University’s various hourly/daily pay parking facilities are listed in Parking Fees. The hours of operation for each hourly/daily pay parking facility must be posted at the entrance of that parking facility. During holidays when the parking regulations are not in effect, the parking gates will be open and there will be no charge for parking in the University’s hourly/daily pay parking facilities.

Vehicles are prohibited from parking in any hourly/daily pay parking facility, without prior authorization from the Department, for more than fifteen (15) consecutive calendar days without moving from the space. If any Vehicle continues to remain parked without moving from such parking space five calendar days after having been ticketed for this parking violation, the Department will consider the Vehicle abandoned and subject to impoundment procedures in accordance with Impoundment of Abandoned and Derelict Vehicles. If the Vehicle is impounded, the Vehicle’s owner is responsible for both the towing fees and the parking fees for such hourly/day pay parking facility for the applicable number of days.

1. Dogwood Parking Deck. The Dogwood Parking Deck is primarily reserved for UNC Health patient services. In order for a University-affiliated employee or student to legally park in this deck, such individual:
   1. must be a bona-fide patient or visitor of UNC Health and possess a permit for affiliated parking Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; or
   2. may be authorized and permitted to park on the 4th and 5th levels outside of normal patient and visitor hours (or Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 24-hours a day on weekends), unless otherwise posted.
2. Ambulatory Care Lot. The Ambulatory Care Lot is primarily reserved for UNC Health patient services. In order for a University-affiliated employee or student to legally park in this parking facility, such individual:
   1. must be a bona-fide patient or visitor of UNC Health and display an approved permit for affiliated parking 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
   2. may be authorized and permitted to park outside of normal patient and visitor hours unless otherwise posted.
3. Morehead Lot. Visitors must park in designated visitor spaces. Employees and students are not eligible to park in visitor parking spaces Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise posted. No Vehicle may remain parked for more than a 24-hour period in the visitor spaces without exiting and paying the required fee.
4. Raleigh Road Visitor Lot. Employees and students may park and pay the applicable fee described in Parking Fees. No Vehicle may remain parked for more than a 24-hour period in a visitor space without exiting and paying the required parking fee.
5. Rams Head Deck. Student commuter permits are valid unless otherwise posted. Students without a commuter permit, as well as any employee or visitor, may park and pay the applicable fee described in Parking Fees. No Vehicle may remain parked for more than a 24-hour period in the deck without exiting and paying the required fee.
6. Parking Validation Coupons and Validation Stamps. A unit wishing to pay parking fees for visitors or patients may purchase validation coupons from the Department. Such coupons are valid in designated pay and hourly visitor parking facilities on Campus. The one-day validation coupon is valid for eight hours of parking. Fees not covered by the validation coupons are the responsibility of the visitor or patient. Units may obtain parking validation coupons by submitting an application (as detailed on the Department’s website) and payment to the Department. The fees for the types of parking validation coupons are described in Parking Fees. A unit that is unable to use coupons for parking in the visitor pay areas may apply for a validation stamp (as detailed on the Department’s website). This stamp is designated for use by the unit or department to authorize parking for visitors and patients. The Department will bill the hosting unit monthly for all parking charges. There will be a monthly processing fee of $10.00 for all validation stamp accounts. Validation stamps and coupons are not to be used by employees or students, and any misuse by employees or students will result in the revocation of stamp and coupon privileges for one calendar year with no refund to the unit.
7. Reserving Spaces in Controlled-access Lots. A unit that wishes to pay for reserved spaces in the Morehead Lot, Raleigh Road Visitor Lot, or Rams Head Deck must purchase reservation coupons from the Department (as detailed on the Department’s website). The fees for reservation coupons are listed in Parking Fees. A half-day coupon is to be used when a visitor is arriving and leaving before 12:00 p.m. (noon). A full-day coupon is used when a visitor arrives before noon and leaves after noon or when a visitor arrives any time after noon.

The University leases property at locations away from Main Campus for the benefit of its units. Under the terms of such leases, the University may obtain the right to use individual parking spaces in a parking facility that remains under the control of the third-party lessor. University units at such locations may choose (collectively, if more than one unit is located at the leased premises) either to provide such parking at no cost to their employees or to require employees to pay for the leased parking to recover the costs for obtaining and maintaining such parking. If the unit chooses to require employees to pay for parking, such unit must determine rates annually on a location-by-location basis. The total fee charged to employees for parking at these off-Main Campus locations must not exceed the costs to the University of obtaining, maintaining, and providing these spaces. The Department will have no role in issuing permits, setting or collecting fees, or maintaining or policing any off-Main Campus spaces. The administrative office of such unit is responsible for all administrative tasks associated with the management and administration of parking at these locations consistent with the lessor’s policies and regulations.

A sufficient number of parking spaces must be reserved to accommodate Service Vehicles, State-owned Vehicles, Motorcycles, Electric Vehicles, visitors, disability parking, and to meet other needs as they arise. The Chancellor, through their designee(s), determines the location and status of reserved parking spaces. Reserved spaces for individuals or units/departments must receive approval from the Chancellor, through their designee(s). The annual fee for reserved spaces is defined in Parking Fees (Permit Fees, RS spaces).

Parking at the Carolina Inn, School of Government, Friday Center, Kenan Center, and certain other designated University parking facilities, as posted, is reserved parking. Spaces are charged at the reserved rate unless otherwise provided within this Ordinance.

It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to park a Vehicle in a reserved space. Notice of the reserved status of a parking space must be prominently posted at the space. Once posted, such spaces are always reserved unless otherwise indicated.

1. Visitor Disability Parking. The Department reserves a sufficient number of public disability parking spaces to meet the needs of mobility impaired visitors. Visitors with a valid state disability credential may park in designated public disability parking spaces. It is unlawful for non-mobility impaired individuals to display a State disability plate, State disability permit, or disabled veteran license plate. Misuse of such plates or permits will result in the issuance of a parking citation, tow, impound, or boot. It is unlawful to park an unauthorized Vehicle in a space posted for disability parking or in a manner denying access to a disability parking space or disability access to a building or sidewalk. Public disability spaces are always reserved unless otherwise indicated.
2. UNC-Chapel Hill Employees, Students, and Affiliates Disability Parking. The Department reserves a sufficient number of employee/student/affiliate disability parking spaces to meet the needs of University and UNC Health affiliated mobility impaired individuals. It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to cause a Vehicle to occupy these designated spaces or park in a manner denying access to a disability parking space or disability access to a building or sidewalk. Employees (including contract employees), students, and affiliates of employees or students who are working or living on campus are required to apply for and purchase the appropriate UNC-Chapel Hill permit to park in the spaces reserved for mobility impaired employees, students, and affiliates.
3. Service Parking. The Chancellor, through their designee(s), decides the quantity and location of service spaces. It is unlawful for any person to cause a Vehicle to occupy a service space for any purpose other than that for which the area is designated or without the appropriate permit. Service spaces will be signed to indicate time restrictions.
4. Electric Vehicle Parking. Electric Vehicle charging stations have been installed in a limited number of parking facilities on Campus. Adjacent to each Electric Vehicle charging station, one or more parking spaces must be reserved for Electric Vehicle parking. It is unlawful to park a non-Electric Vehicle in a space reserved for Electric Vehicles. Personal vehicles must utilize designated electric vehicle charging stations to charge electric vehicles.

Units and departments may request parking spaces in one of the short-term visitor pay parking facilities (as described in Controlled-Access Zones). Applicable fees for such spaces are listed in Parking Fees. Parking may be available in parking facilities or visitor parking during the summer and academic breaks.

Sufficient areas must be set aside for bus stops for the use of municipal and regional public transportation systems serving the University community or any bus/shuttle system operated by the University. The Chancellor, through their designee(s), determines the location of each bus stop. It is unlawful for any person to cause a Vehicle to occupy a bus stop for any purpose other than for which the areas are designated.

State-owned Vehicles may park on Campus as follows:

1. State-owned Vehicles may park in any spaces specifically reserved for State-owned Vehicles for the amount of time indicated on the sign designating the space as a State-owned Vehicle space.
2. State-owned Vehicles may park in any regular parking space for no more than 48 hours. All State-owned Vehicles owned or assigned to the University are required to display parking permits.
3. Units with State-owned Vehicles, including utility or golf carts, are required to complete a parking permit application indicating each Vehicle owned or leased. Units and departments will be issued a permit and charged an annual fee for all Vehicles utilizing parking spaces.
4. State-owned Service Vehicles are subject to parking actions as follows:
   1. State-owned Service Vehicles are prohibited from parking in a regular parking space for more than 48 hours and are subject to the issuance of a civil penalty and Vehicle immobilization, booting, and/or towing fees.
   2. Certain parking spaces on Campus may be restricted from use by State-owned Vehicles from time to time, in accordance with Temporary Parking Restrictions.

Owners of Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicles are required to purchase and display a permit (as detailed on the Department’s website) and must park in designated parking facilities for Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicles. No person shall park a Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicle in any area of Campus not designated as Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicle parking. Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicles may park at metered spaces upon activation of the meter. In parking facilities, Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicles are required to park in designated Motorized Two- Wheeled Vehicle parking facilities with the appropriate permit.

In the case of a person wishing to register a combination of an automobile and a Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicle, full payment will be required for the automobile permit, but there will be a reduced charge for the additional Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicle permit. Full payment will be required for a Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicle permit when purchased in conjunction with a PR permit or a permit for other park and ride areas. The Department will issue no more than one Vehicle permit and one Motorized Two-Wheeled Vehicle permit to any registrant.

Bicycle Registration

Employees and students are required to display a Bicycle permit when bringing Bicycles to Campus. The Department issues the permit free of charge upon the completion of a Bicycle registration form by the employee or student (as detailed on the Department’s website). Bicycle parking is available throughout Campus and is designated by the presence of Bicycle racks.

At the beginning of each semester, a four-week warning period will be in place to allow applicants time to complete their registration form, acquire a permit from the Department, and display the permit on their Bicycle. Warning tags issued by the Department may be attached to a Bicycle in violation of this Ordinance. Bicycle owners finding such warning tags attached must remove the Bicycle within eight hours or the Department will impound the Bicycle. However, the Department may impound Bicycles for violation of this Ordinance with or without such tags attached.

Improper Bicycle Parking

Any Bicycle parked in violation of this Ordinance is subject to impoundment without warning. Bicycles shall be parked or stored in areas designated for Bicycle parking. Bicycles shall not be parked or stored in undesignated areas, including, but not limited to:

1. inside any University facility;
2. against or attached to any tree, bush, plant, or foliage;
3. against or attached to any electrical fixture, signpost, lamp post, railing, public seating fixture, or emergency safety device; or
4. in any other area where parking is prohibited specifically by this Ordinance.

The Chancellor, through their designee(s), is authorized to temporarily prohibit parking, stopping, or standing on driveways, streets, alleys, and parking facilities on Campus, and to reserve parking spaces for special use when such action is necessary due to events, emergencies, or construction. The Department posts temporary signs or barriers and provides notice of regulations issued under this section. It is unlawful for any person to violate such regulations.

Overnight Parking Restrictions

As specifically designated by the Department, parking facilities or parking spaces may be restricted from overnight parking to ensure availability of facilities during alternate hours. The Department posts signs and/or barriers at these locations. It is unlawful for any person to violate such regulations.

Athletic and Event Parking Restrictions

Certain parking facilities may be restricted from overnight parking to ensure availability of the facilities during athletic events and other events. The Department posts signs and/or barriers at these locations. It is unlawful for any person to violate such regulations.

The Chancellor, through their designee(s), may cause certain parking facilities to be reserved on weekdays after 5:00 p.m. to accommodate Weeknight parking. It is a violation of this Ordinance to park in areas that have been marked for reserved Weeknight parking without a valid weeknight permit.

The Chancellor or their designee(s) is authorized to acquire by contract parking, parking management, and other services from representatives owning or controlling non-University facilities.

It is a violation of this Ordinance for any person to cause an internal combustion Vehicle to be parked on Campus with the engine running near a building’s air intake louver. Signs indicating the locations of these air intake louvers must be posted prominently. Vehicles in violation of this section are subject to the issuance of a citation.

The Chancellor, through their designee(s), decides on the size and appearance of regulatory parking signage located on Campus. It is a violation of this Ordinance for any person to deface, damage, tamper with, break, destroy, impair the usefulness of, remove, relocate, steal, or possess any traffic or parking sign erected by the Department. Possession of any such sign shall be prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. Conviction for violation of this section may result in criminal prosecution, a fine, suspension, or expulsion from the University.

It is a violation of this Ordinance for any person to park on Campus a Vehicle that leaks, spills, discharges, or emanates any fluid, solid, or other substance, including, but not limited to gasoline, diesel fuel, transmissions oils, or motor oils (collectively, “leaks”). The Department issues a citation to a Vehicle in violation of this Section and the Vehicle’s owner is responsible for all associated costs and expenses of such leaks, including environmental cleanup costs.