The California Vehicle Code laws, the ordinances of the City of Irvine, and the parking and traffic regulations of UCI are in effect at all times on University property. The University has authority to regulate parking, vehicles (including vehicles other than automobiles and pedestrian conveyances), and traffic on campus as conferred by Section 21113(a)(f) of the California Vehicle Code.

Affiliate - A UCI student or employee.

Employee - A person compensated by UCI who is not an undergraduate student.

General Parking - All parking stalls in general and mixed-use parking lots that are not marked by a sign, parking meter, and/or other restrictive designation painted on the ground.

Parking Citation - The notice to a vehicle owner/operator of failure to comply with UCI parking regulations or California Vehicle Code. A penalty is attached to each violation notice. Citations are issued according to printed and posted regulations. Depending on the nature of the violation and time control restrictions of the parking zone, multiple citations for the same infraction may be given. A Vehicle in violation of multiple regulations will receive a separate citation for each infraction.

Permit - A non-transferable decal, printed tag, or other authorization issued for a specific period of time by the authority of UCI Transportation and Distribution Services which represents permission to park. A parking permit is valid only when issued to an eligible person who has complied with all terms of issuance prescribed by the University and when the permit is properly displayed.

Student - A person registered for classes at UCI (not including Division of Continuing Education classes) on either a part-time or full-time basis and who is not a full-time employee of UCI. Undergraduate students employed by UCI for any amount of time are considered students, not Employees.

Vehicle - Any motorized device by which a person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway (includes: motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, motorized bicycles, and motorized skateboards).

Pertinent laws, ordinances and traffic regulations are enforced by Transportation and Distribution Services and the UCI Police Department.

Transportation and Distribution Services (TDS) is responsible for UCI’s parking systems and transportation programs.

Parking on the UC Irvine campus or on properties owned, leased or contracted for University use is a privilege available only as provided by parking policies and regulations. Transportation and Distribution Services may revoke this privilege because of theft or misuse of parking services or facilities.

Transportation and Distribution Services will consult with appropriate campus groups when developing new services and when considering rate changes. This will include Academic Senate committees, Associated Students of UCI (ASUCI), Associated Graduate Students (AGS), and UCI Staff Assembly. 

Changes in parking policies or regulations are effective upon approval by the Chancellor or the Vice Chancellor – Division of Finance and Administration. The UCI community will be notified in a timely manner prior to implementation of changes.

The 1960 Master Plan of Higher Education established the principle that faculty, staff and students should pay for parking. As a self-supporting auxiliary enterprise, Transportation and Distribution Services receives no State or campus appropriations, in accordance with UC Business and Finance Bulletin, BUS 72.

Annual revenue derived from University parking fees supports the cost of operating, maintaining, and developing University parking and alternative sustainable programs, traffic management, and related services. Parking fees shall be set to retire debt obligations and to meet debt coverage requirements. 

No person or organization shall be permitted to use University parking or transportation facilities or services without payment of the appropriate fee.

Transportation and Distribution Services reserves the right to limit the use of parking areas to specific vehicle types as required by facility design or aesthetic considerations, change any parking zone designation, and close any parking area either temporarily or permanently. Notice of parking area changes or closings are provided as warranted.

The operator of a vehicle on property owned, leased or contracted for University use is responsible for complying with all parking and traffic laws, ordinances and regulations and is
subject to the established penalties for violation.

If a vehicle owner's identity cannot be determined, as in the case of a parked vehicle, the University considers the vehicle's registered owner liable for parking penalties imposed by the University, in accordance with California Vehicle Code 40200(b).

Only individuals who have obtained an authorized DMV-issued Disabled Person placard are allowed to park in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible spaces. In accordance with California Educational Code 67301(b), faculty, staff, and students who are disabled are not exempt from the payment of fees for parking a vehicle on campus. Faculty, staff, and students who have DMV-issued Disabled Person parking placards must bring their placards, placard registration, and a photo ID to the Transportation and Distribution Services office to purchase a medical permit. For more information, see Section 904-10.

The number, dimensions, and locations of ADA accessible parking spaces and van-accessible ADA parking spaces are determined by ADA guidelines and specifications.

The Regents of the University of California assume no liability or responsibility for damage which may result from the use of parking facilities or services, or enforcement of regulations.

Section 21113(a) of the California Vehicle Code authorizes the University of California to issue parking citations (tickets) and to establish penalty amounts. For more information, see Section 904-11.

A vehicle owner/operator who believes that a violation notice has been issued in error or in an improper manner may request an administrative review of the conditions for issuance of the citation. For more information, see Section 904-11.

Transportation and Distribution Services is authorized by Sections 21113a and 22651 of the California Vehicle Code to tow and impound (immobilize) vehicles. For more information, see Section 904-11.

Transportation and Distribution Services promotes the use of sustainable transportation to minimize vehicle trips by University affiliates in order to reduce pollution and increase compliance with South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2202, California Assembly Bill 32, and the American College & University President's Climate Commitment. For more information, see Section 904-12.