Parking & Traffic Regulations 2007-08

1. General: Pursuant to the authority granted by Sections 51.201 et seq., 54.005, 54.505, 65.31, and 67.21 of Title 3 of the Texas Education Code, the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System promulgated Parking and Traffic Regulations to regulate and control parking and traffic and the use of parking facilities, to provide for the issuance of parking permits, and to provide for jurisdiction over offenses. These regulations and procedures apply to any person who walks, drives, or parks a motor vehicle or bicycle on any of The University of Texas at Austin campuses. These rules and regulations are supplementary to the ordinances of the City of Austin and the statutes of the State of Texas that govern pedestrians and the use of motor vehicles and bicycles.  The department of Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) is charged with governing the Parking and Traffic Regulations. 

A. The operation of a motor vehicle or bicycle on The University of Texas at Austin campus is a PRIVILEGE granted by the university and is not an inherent right of any faculty/staff member, student, or visitor. All faculty, staff, students, and visitors who have vehicles in their possession or control - for use, operation, or parking on the university campus - must apply for a permit with PTS. Purchasing a parking permit signifies that an individual has been granted the privilege of parking a vehicle on university property and does not guarantee a parking place on campus.

B. The university is not responsible for fire, theft, damage, or loss to vehicles parked or operated on the university campus. No bailment is created by granting any parking or operating privileges regarding a vehicle on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the university.

2. Administration and Enforcement of these Regulations:

A. The Parking and Traffic Policies Committee: This is a standing committee composed of at least four faculty, four staff (two of whom represent organizations located primarily at J.J. Pickle Research Campus), and two students. The function of this committee is to establish traffic and parking regulations and to review annually a system of priorities for permits to be issued in reserved areas; to recommend to the president ways and means of meeting parking needs of faculty, staff, and students; to recommend to the Faculty Council any changes in the composition and operation of the Parking and Traffic Appeals Panel. Suggestions for changes to these regulations, requests for individual consideration, or any other communication concerning these regulations should be directed to this committee via the PTS office.

B. The Parking and Traffic Appeals Panel: This panel is composed of faculty, staff, and students and reviews petitions and appeals arising in connection with parking priorities and the enforcement of regulations.

C. The University of Texas at Austin Bicycle Committee: The Bicycle Committee is a subcommittee of the Parking and Traffic Policies Committee charged with addressing bicycle issues on campus. The composition of the Bicycle Committee will be determined by the chair of the Parking and Traffic Policies Committee and the director of PTS.

D. The Department of Parking and Transportation Services (PTS): This office is responsible for all administrative functions relating to the issuance of parking permits; the collection of administrative enforcement charges for parking and traffic violations; the acceptance of appeals from such violations; the processing of refund requests upon withdrawal from the university; and for the operation of all parking lots and garages. PTS also supervises the parking enforcement assistants who issue parking and traffic citations as outlined in these regulations. Questions relating to these functions should be directed to Parking and Transportation Services, Trinity Garage, Campus Mail Code: D3000. The normal administrative operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the cashier windows are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; however, these hours are subject to change.

E. The University of Texas at Austin Police Department (UTPD): UTPD may enforce regulations at any time or under any circumstances deemed necessary. UTPD has legal authority for the enforcement of these Parking and Traffic Regulations. UTPD police officers may issue university citations or court appearance citations enforceable in court (SECTION VII: ENFORCEMENT). On special occasions and during emergencies, parking limitations may be imposed by The University of Texas at Austin's chief of police as are required by prevailing conditions. When conditions warrant such action, the chief may waive parking limitations.

3. The Department of PTS has the Responsibility to Enforce These Parking and Traffic Regulations:

A. Through the issuance of university citations and the collection of administrative enforcement charges for offenses.

B. Through the impoundment or booting of vehicles interfering with the movement of vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic, blocking a sidewalk or space for those with disabilities, loading dock, ramp, cross-walk, entrance, exit, fire lane, or aisle and through the impoundment or booting of vehicles for unpaid charges after proper notice as provided by these regulations.

C. By the suspension, revocation, or denial of campus driving, permit, and garage access privileges to those with overdue charges or who have violated stipulations of these regulations.
D. By requiring either the vehicle owner or operator or the person who purchased the permit to appear in court or at a university hearing for non-payment of outstanding charges.

E. By barring re-admission and by withholding grades, degree, refunds, and official transcript of any student for non-payment of outstanding charges.

F. By disciplinary action against employees or students who fail to abide by these regulations.

G. Through UTPD, by the issuance of court appearance citations requiring an appearance in the appropriate state or municipal court.

H. By such other methods as are commonly employed by city governments or state agencies in control of traffic regulation enforcement.

4. Proof: Proof of the fact that any parking or traffic control device, sign, parking meter, signal, or marking was actually in place at any location on campus of The University of Texas at Austin shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same is official and was installed under the authority of applicable law and these regulations.

A. When any person is charged with having stopped, parked, and left standing a motor vehicle on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin, in violation of any provision of the Parking and Traffic Regulations of The University of Texas at Austin, proof that said vehicle was, at the date of the offense, bearing a valid University of Texas at Austin parking permit shall constitute prima facie evidence that said vehicle was then and there stopped, parked, and left standing by the holder of the parking permit.

B. However, if the vehicle does not bear a valid University of Texas at Austin parking permit, proof that the vehicle at the date of the offense alleged was owned by an individual is prima facie proof that said vehicle was then and there stopped, parked, and left standing by the individual.

5. Liability: The University of Texas at Austin assumes no liability or responsibility for damage to or theft of any vehicle parked or driven on campus. The university assumes no responsibility or any duty to protect any vehicle or its contents at anytime the vehicle is operated or parked on the campus. The provisions of this regulation shall apply to all operators of all vehicles, public and private, and they shall be enforced 24 hours a day except as otherwise specified by these regulations. It shall be prohibited for any operator to violate any of the provisions of these regulations.

6. Vehicle Sale or Transfer of Ownership: If the owner of a vehicle has sold or transferred the vehicle to a new party, the owner must contact the county tax office or regional office and fill out the Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification Form (VTR-346). Upon receipt of the form and fee, the Department of Motor Vehicles r ecords will be updated to reflect the transfer/sale of the vehicle. Upon receipt of proof of this transfer, PTS will release the owner from liability of any citations issued to the vehicle after the sales date. 

7. Collection Methods: Failure to pay debts within the required time frame can result in the university arranging for the collection of fees assessed against faculty, staff, students, and visitors in the following manner:

A. Permit payment, owed by employees of the university, may be deducted from payroll checks.

B. Parking citation debts will be invoiced to the permit holder or registered owner of the vehicle.

C. A financial or non-financial bar will be placed against students for past due debts.

D. The University of Texas at Austin may elect to use the services of a commercial collection agency or attorney to collect outstanding fees for permits and citations. If a debt is referred to an agency or attorney, the offender will be responsible for paying all costs of collection, including any agency fees and/or reasonable attorney's fees, which will be added to the total amount due. Additionally, a late fee may be added to the outstanding fees.

E. No parking permit will be issued to any individual who has PTS outstanding debts.