Learn about the policy regarding parking, driving, and towing at Occidental College.
I. POLICY STATEMENT
The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines for the driving, parking, and towing of vehicles on Occidental College (“College”) property.
II. APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and contractors who park or operate vehicles on College property. Questions about this policy should be directed to parking@oxy.edu (Please allow 1-2 business days for a response).
III. DEFINITIONS
- Abandoned/Derelict Vehicles – A vehicle is considered abandoned if it is inoperative, partially dismantled, or parked on College property without authorization for more than 96 hours, and is not registered with a valid campus parking permit.
- ADA Designated Space – Parking spaces marked and reserved under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and relevant Department of Transportation and California Vehicle Code standards. Use of these spaces requires a valid ADA placard or license plate at all times, and all accompanying DMV documentation must remain with the vehicle for verification.
- Impound – The removal of a vehicle from College property to an off-campus storage facility by a licensed towing company. Release fees and any associated fines are the sole responsibility of the vehicle owner.
- Oversized vehicle - a vehicle that is too wide or too long to fit within a standard-sized parking space.
- Recreational Vehicle - a vehicle that is outfitted with sleeping quarters.
IV. POLICY
Anyone operating or parking a vehicle on campus must comply with this and any other applicable College policy, as well as the California Vehicle Code. Failure to comply with this policy or any applicable regulations may result in (1) fines and citations, (2) referrals to the Office of Student Conduct (students only), or (3) discipline, up to and including, termination (employees only). Student fines/citations that remain unpaid after thirty (30) days will be charged to the student’s account.
A. Driving on Campus
The speed limit on campus is 15 mph. Vehicles may only be driven on approved streets and roads. All drivers must observe all traffic signs, regulatory signs, postings, and the instructions of Campus Safety officers, local law enforcement officers, and other traffic control persons when present.
Any on-campus accident must be reported to the Campus Safety Department immediately. Reports can be initiated by calling Campus Safety at (323) 259-2599 or by visiting the Campus Safety Department.
B. Parking on Campus
All faculty, staff, and student vehicles parked on campus between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm must display a parking permit. All vehicles must be parked in designated parking spaces and must not be parked in/on lawns, landscaped areas, loading zones, fire lanes, or blocking fire hydrants. Illegally parked vehicles are enforced 24 hours a day (see Section C). The absence of posted signs (or vandalized signs) does not excuse parking in any restricted space or zone.
Students must not park in spaces designated for faculty, staff, or visitors. Faculty and staff may not park in spaces designated for students or visitors. Visitors may only park in spaces designated for visitors and, when parking overnight, must display a temporary permit. For additional parking information, please refer to Designated Parking Areas.
The College does not permit trailers, oversized vehicles, or recreational vehicles to be parked or stored on campus without authorization from Campus Safety or authorized College Departments. The use of personal golf carts on College property is strictly prohibited.
1. Parking Permits
a. Parking Permits for Students and Employees
Parking permits are available for free through the online permit parking system. On the first login, users will be prompted to create an account. After doing so, users will receive an email to verify their email address. Users must verify before continuing the registration process.
Once registered, users will need to provide the following information:
- Oxy ID number (9-digit number)
- Vehicle information (make, model, year, VIN, color, license plate number & state)
- Registered owner information (name, phone number, address & relationship)
- Selection of correct permit type - staff or student. Student employees do not qualify for employee permits and may only request student parking permits.
VEHICLE INSURANCE INFORMATION IS NOT REQUIRED, PLEASE SKIP THIS STEP.
To add a vehicle, click the plus sign in the upper right corner of the "Add Vehicle" tile. Do the same for the Address and Phone Number tiles. Although the permit is free, users must click “Buy Permit” to complete the transaction.
After completing the transaction, users will receive a temporary permit via email. Print the temporary permit and place it on the dashboard of the vehicle. An official permit will be mailed 24-48 hours after registration. The permit must be displayed in a clearly visible location on the front interior of the vehicle (e.g. dashboard or rearview mirror). Motorcycle permits must be displayed near the license plate.
Student permits are valid for one year. Employee parking permits are valid for two years. Permits may be used for up to two (2) registered vehicles. Receipt of a parking permit does not guarantee the availability of a specific parking space on campus.
b. Parking Permits for Visitors and Vendors
1. Visitors
Visitors may park in green designated visitor spaces without a permit between 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. Visitors who wish to park overnight must obtain a parking permit, which is available at no cost. Visitors may obtain a temporary permit at the Campus Safety Office or in advance by emailing the parking coordinator at parking@oxy.edu. The permit must be displayed on the rear-view mirror and be dated to be valid. Students living off campus do not qualify as visitors for parking purposes. Students who live off campus must obtain a parking permit in accordance with Section B(1)(a).
2. Vendors
Contractors and service providers may obtain parking permits when checking in with the Facilities Management department. All parking permits must be returned before leaving campus.
3. Limitation of Liability
By requesting, receiving, and using a parking permit, users agree that the College, and its Board of Trustees, administration, insurers, and employees while acting in the scope of their employment (“Releasees”) are not and shall not be liable under any circumstances for loss or damage to vehicles parked on College property (or their contents) whether by fire, theft, or any other cause whatsoever that does not arise directly from the grossly negligent acts of the Releasees.
2. Parking Citations
Citations will be issued for improper parking. The owner of record is responsible for their vehicle whenever it is on campus and is financially responsible for any citations issued.
Parking citations may be paid using the online citation management system. Your login information is the same as used when registering for a permit.
Fines for parking and traffic violations are as follows:
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Charge: |
Violations: |
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$25 |
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$50 |
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$100 |
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$300 |
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*These violations may also result in immediate towing (see Section C).
a. Citation Appeals
Anyone wishing to appeal a citation may do so using the Rydin Platform. Violations of municipal or state vehicle codes may not be appealed. Citation appeals must be received by Campus Safety within forty-eight (48) hours from the date issued. Late appeals will not be considered.
The following are not grounds for appeal and will not be accepted:
- ignorance of applicable policy or regulations;
- lack of signage or vandalized signage; or
- lack of parking spaces in a preferred location.
b. Skateboards, Bicycles, and Scooters
Any use of skateboards, bicycles, scooters and other similar devices must comply with the Skateboards Policy and Bicycle Policy. Failure to comply with Skateboards or Bicycle Policy may result in (1) a citation and $25 fine, (2) referrals to the Office of Student Conduct (students only), or (3) discipline, up to and including, termination (employees only). Student fines/citations that remain unpaid after thirty (30) days will be charged to the student’s account.
3. Temporary Parking Restrictions/Special Events
The College may temporarily restrict or close parking areas for special events, construction, maintenance, or other authorized College activities. Vehicles parked in violation of posted restrictions may be towed immediately at the owner’s expense, without prior notice.
a. Reserving Parking Lots
Parking lots may be reserved through Master Calendar using 25Live.
When a lot or specific spaces are reserved for a private event or contracted use, temporary “Reserved Parking – Tow Away Zone” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance (or as soon as practical when short notice is required). Signs will display the dates/times of the restriction and the department responsible for the restriction.
The reserving program or department must also provide advance notice to the campus community by sending at least one “all-staff” and “all-student” email at least 24 hours in advance.
b. Reserving Parking Spots
Faculty or staff may reserve parking for speakers or special guests in specific parking lots (if available) on an as-needed basis. For on-campus events:
- All campus events should be routed through CEAC, which provides a centralized point of coordination with a designated representative to assist requesters with logistics and requirements they may not have considered.
- Event-related parking reservations must be submitted via Work Order or Kuali Event requests. These requests may include A-frames, cones, or candlesticks.
- The requester is responsible for signage placement at the reserved parking areas.
4. EV Parking and Charging
The College offers EV charging at three locations on campus. The five stations in the employee garage are restricted to permitted employee vehicles between 8AM and 5PM. The three stations in the Solar lot are available to all permitted vehicles between 8AM and 5PM. The two stations in the Admissions lot are available to all at all times.
EV parking spaces are clearly marked and may only be used during active charging. Improperly parked vehicles will be cited. For more information, see the EV Policy.
Between the hours of 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, vehicles remaining in an EV charging space for more than 30 minutes after charging concludes will be charged a fee.
5. Vehicle Storage Request
The College offers limited vehicle storage for students during Fall, Winter, Summer, and Spring breaks in the spaces/lots designated by Campus Safety on a first-come, first-serve basis. To request vehicle storage during breaks, please submit a request here.
6. Vehicle Repairs
Except in cases of emergency, vehicle owners are not permitted to perform maintenance on their vehicles while parked in campus lots.
C. Towing of Vehicles
The College reserves the right to tow any vehicle parked in violation of College parking regulations, campus policies, or the California Vehicle Code. All towing shall be at the expense of the vehicle owner.
In most cases, Campus Safety will make reasonable efforts to contact the vehicle owner/operator before initiating a tow. However, certain violations justify towing without prior notice.
1. Reasons for Immediate Towing
The following violations may result in immediate towing, without any attempts to notify the owner:
- Parking in a fire lane;
- Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
- Parking in a manner which interferes with an entrance to, or exit from, the campus; or
- Parking in reserved temporary no-parking zones.
2. Other Reasons for Towing
Vehicles may also be towed for the following reasons. In such cases, Campus Safety will attempt to contact the owner to remedy the parking violation before towing.
- Parking in ADA spaces without proper identification or required DMV paperwork;
- The vehicle lacks an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, windshield, or any other major part or equipment necessary to operate safely on the highways;
- Abandoned Vehicles (as defined herein);
- Parking in areas not designated for vehicles, marked as 'No Parking,' or in a fashion that obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic (e.g., driving lanes, sidewalks, grass, or loading docks);
- Unauthorized parking in reserved or restricted spaces or lots, including those temporarily designated by the Campus Safety Department or for on-campus filming;
- Parking in a manner that creates a dangerous condition or safety hazard;
- Blocking driveways, entrances, or exits;
- Parking in areas restricted to Occidental College or authorized vehicles only; or
- Vehicles improperly remaining after the academic year (over the summer) or following revocation of parking privileges.
3. Liability
The College is not responsible for any damage to a vehicle resulting from towing or storage. All claims must be directed to the towing company.
If your vehicle has been towed:
- Contact the Campus Safety Department at (323) 259-2599 to confirm the towing location.
- Provide proof of ownership and a valid photo ID to reclaim your vehicle.
- Pay all towing and storage fees directly to the towing agency. NOTE: A TOW COSTS NO LESS THAN $250 AND OTHER FEES MAY APPLY.
Current towing provider:
Erickson Towing
3371 Glendale Blvd Ste 473
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(818) 545-0219
V. POLICY HISTORY
Responsible Officer(s): Director of Campus Safety
Effective Date: April 13, 2026
VI. RELATED POLICIES AND RESOURCES
Online Parking Permit and Citation Management System