FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Do I have to buy an annual parking permit to park on campus and must I park on campus?

Yes. An annual parking permit is mandatory for all faculty, staff, and students;  all Faculty, Staff, and Students are mandated by the city of Orange parking plan to park on University owned or controlled property.  All parking areas are restricted 24 hours-per-day, seven days-per-week.  All Rules and regulations governing parking will be enforced during these restricted hours. 

2. Is there a fee for obtaining a parking permit?

Yes.  A parking permit may be purchased at anytime throughout the year.   Fees are billed directly to student accounts each semester.  The cost is $280.00 annually for full-time students; $140.00 annually for part-time students.   Faculty and staff rates are outlined in the 2009/2010 Parking Plan.  Faculty and staff can pay at the Cashier or via monthly payroll deduction.  Forms are available on Payroll's website or at Public Safety.

3. If I only attend the fall or spring semester, do I still have to pay $280.00 for a permit?

No. Fees are billed on a semester basis and you will only be billed for the semester you attend. 

4. If I am Studying Abroad for one semester, either fall or spring, do I still have to pay $280.00 for a permit?

No.  The Business Office will adjust the fees for students Studying Abroad.  You would need to waive the parking fee on-line at www.chapman.edu/vr for the semester you will not be on campus.  You must waive within the first two weeks of the semester you will not be on campus in order to have half the parking fee waived.

5. If I am a new faculty member or staff member starting employment during the spring semester, do I still have to pay full price for a parking permit?

No.  Fees are prorated via monthly payroll deductions. 

6. I don’t drive to campus or I use an alternate means of transportation. Can I waive the parking permit fee?

Yes.  Parking fees may be waived on-line at www.chapman.edu/vr during the first two weeks of each semester.  Only new/transfer students, faculty or staff, entering in the spring semester qualify to waive the parking fee in the second semester.  The deadline to waive (in each semester) is 5:00 p.m. Friday of the second week of classes.  Because there are occasions where a person who signed a waiver may have to drive they are allowed to buy a visitor pass from a dispenser up to three times per semester.  Anyone discovered driving more than the three allowed exceptions or anyone signing a waiver and found parking in the neighborhood will be subject to a $500.00 fine.  Additionally, students in violation of this policy will be subject to sanctions through the student conduct system.  Faculty violators will be reported to the Provost and Staff violators will be referred to Human resources.

7.  I waived my parking fee but now have to drive to the university.  Can I reverse the waiver and obtain a parking permit?

Yes.  You must log onto www.chapman.edu/vr to register your vehicle and request a parking permit.  Students then must go to the Business Office to have the parking fee charged to their accounts.  Faculty and staff would need to pay the required fee to the Cashier or submit a Payroll Deduction Form.  Form is available on Payroll's website or at Public Safety.  Proof of payment is required before a parking permit can be obtained. 

8. Where do I place my parking permit? When will my parking permit expire?

See pictures above.  Permit’s are not transferable and must be placed in the lower corner of the inside front window on the driver's side.  Permits must be adhered to the window in order to be valid.  Motorcycle permits must be placed on the front left fork.  The permit issued for the 2009/2010 academic year will be valid through July 31, 2010. 

9. I have a handicap placard issued in my name. Do I need anything special to complete vehicle registration?

Those with handicap placards/plates will be required to show proof of issuance from the state when a parking permit is picked up from Public Safety.  Placard numbers must be on file with vehicle registration information in the Public Safety office.  When you register your vehicle on-line please be sure to include the placard number and the expiration date in the appropriate fields.  If you acquire a handicap placard after you have already been issued a parking permit, you are still required to register the placard on-line at www.chapman.edu/vr.  All vehicles displaying handicap placards/plates must also display a valid (annual/short term) University parking permit.  

10. What if I have more than one car, my car is in the shop, or I am driving a rental vehicle?

You may come by the Public Safety Office and provide proof of your repair or rental vehicle contract.  With valid proof you will be issued a short-term permit.  The short term permit will only be valid while your primary vehicle is unavailable.  Any misuse of a temporary short term permit may result in the vehicle being impounded and / or university sanctions.   It is required that all additional vehicle(s), whether owned or rented, be registered on-line at www.chapman.edu/vr. Unregistered vehicles will be cited. 

11.  My vehicle was involved in an accident or was vandalized and my windshield has to be replaced.  Do I have to buy a new parking permit?

If you bring in a police report to Public Safety or some form of proof of windshield replacement, you may obtain a replacement permit at no charge.  You will be required to complete a Lost/Stolen/Damaged Report Form at the time a new decal is issued.  Without a police report or proof of window replacement, the replacement cost will be $25.00.  All replacement fees must be made to the Cashier and the receipt brought to Public Safety as proof of payment in order to obtain a new parking permit.

12. I lost my parking permit, my parking permit was stolen, or I sold my car and purchased a new one.  Can I get a replacement?

Yes.  Replacement cost will be $25.00.  A Lost/Stolen Report will need to be filed with Public Safety.  Filing a false report or anyone found using a reported lost or stolen permit will be subject to vehicle impound and university sanctions.  If a vehicle is sold, an attempt should be made to peel off the old sticker and bring it to the Public Safety Office.  If the original permit is returned, a replacement permit will be provided at no cost.  It the sticker is not removed and returned to Public Safety, the replacement cost for a new permit will be $25.00.

13. Do I have to buy a permit if I have a motorcycle on campus?

Yes.  You must obtain a parking permit for the same cost as a vehicle permit.  The permit must be placed on the front left fork of the motorcycle. Motorcycles may park in any motorcycle designated parking area or any unreserved parking stall.

14. When I come to campus at times other than for classes or work, can I buy a visitor pass and park in visitor areas or can I park in the 30 minute zone behind Argyros?

 No.  Tthe 30-minute parking zone is reserved for vendor deliveries. Faculty, staff and students may not park in the 30-minute loading zone. Faculty, staff and students parking in restricted space, area, or lots are subject to citation or tow.  Because there are occasions where a person who signed a waiver may have to drive they are allowed to buy a visitor pass from a dispenser up to three times per semester.  Anyone discovered driving more than the three allowed exceptions or anyone signing a waiver and found parking in the neighborhood will be subject to a $500.00 fine.  Additionally, students in violation of this policy will be subject to sanctions through the student conduct system.  Faculty violators will be reported to the Provost and staff violators will be referred to Human Resources.

15. Can I park anywhere with an annual parking permit or short-term parking permit?

No. Parking is restricted. Parking permits are issued for specific lots only and all vehicles parked in unauthorized areas will receive a citation.  If it is not a marked parking space you may not park there; this includes fence lines, trash receptacle storage areas, striped areas, fire lanes, loading zones, etc.  See the parking plan chart for fees and acceptable parking locations.  Reserved parking spaces are restricted to the specific permit holder assigned to the space.  Parking in someone's reserved space during restricted times will result in a citation.

16. If I am a commuter student, can I park in the residence hall lots?

No.  Parking restrictions are enforced 24 hours-per-day, seven days-per-week.

17. Does my parking permit allow me to park on the streets surrounding the University?

No, a city-parking permit is required. The City of Orange has extended the neighborhood parking permit program to include all streets surrounding the University for a three-block radius. The Orange Police Department issues $50.00 citations to all illegally parked vehicles. The city requires the university to have a mandatory parking permit policy for all university constituents. University constituents parked on city streets or in public parking lots while working, attending classes or attending a function at the university are subject to citation, fine, conduct and/or disciplinary action.  The campus side of the curb along the perimeter of the campus and the Dodge Film School are open to non permitted parking.

18. What streets are included in the restricted neighborhood parking areas?

All streets east to Cambridge, North to Everett, and West to Lemon and South to Maple (except Center Street which is restricted up to the Orange Public Library). Signs are posted stating “NO PARKING THIS BLOCK EXCEPT BY PERMIT ONLY.” 

19. Can I park on the city streets beyond the three block city permit area?

No.  Again the city mandates that Chapman Constituents (students, faculty, staff or visitors) park in Chapman owned or operated parking areas.  Anyone found parking in the neighborhood lots, the Metrolink lot or city streets, exept when doing business with the city; are subject to fine, conduct and/or disciplinary action. 

20. What is the appeal process for a parking violation?

You must either pay or appeal your citation in writing (within 21 days) to a review officer who will review and rule to dismiss or uphold the ticket.  Failure to respond within 21 days will result in a denied appeal.  A written letter of appeal should be sent to the following address: CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY, PARKING ADMINISTRATION, P.O. BOX 25120, SANTA ANA, CA  92799-5120.  Please keep copies for your records.  Be sure to include the parking violation along with your letter of appeal.  You will receive notification within three to six weeks whether your citation was dismissed or upheld.  Additional appeal steps will be included with the "review form", when it is returned to the person making the initial appeal. 

21. I have a parking permit on my car; can I leave my vehicle parked on campus if it’s not operational? Can I leave my car on campus over the summer?

No.  A vehicle inoperative for more than 15 days is subject to tow. Also, vehicles cannot be stored on campus during Interterm or summer months. Those doing so will be subject to tow.

22. Where are the parking machines located for visitors to purchase a daily pass?

Monday - Friday between 7AM and 5PM visitors may park in the Orange Lot, the Cypress Lot or Marion Knott Studios Lot.  Monday - Friday after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends, visitors may park in the Barrera and Lastinger Structures.  The location of the parking machines will be as follows:

Lastinger Structure
Main Entrance, right-hand drive

Fred L. Barrera Structure
Levels 1 & 3 by elevators

Marion Knott Studios Rear Parking Lot

Cypress Lot by the blue emergency phone

Daily Pass Fees

Once you obtain a daily pass, it must be placed on the front dash of the vehicle on the driver’s side.  Please report any malfunctions immediately to Public Safety at (714) 997-6763.

Departments may choose to purchase visitor permits for their guests.  Permits are $2 per permit/per day.  Please refer to the Vehicle Rules and Regulations for instructions on how to obtain these permits.

23. Is there any Unrestricted Parking during the year?

During the summer, Winter break, Interterm, Spring break, Monday - Friday after 5:00 p.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday there is unrestricted parking; Unrestricted parking simply means that if you have a valid permit you may park in any non-restricted lot/space; everyone who parks on campus at anytime must have some form of permit even if they are visitors using the twenty minute lot in front of Public Safety.  No guest parking in the residence complex unless you are a summer conference attendee assigned to the residential life area.  Lots/spaces that are restricted 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year to designated permit holders are the Memorial lot, Palm Lot, Vendor spaces, Resident Director spaces, and the 20-minute Public Safety Guest Lot.

24. Can I share my reserved space with another faculty or staff member if I am part time?

Yes.  There will be a hanging permit assigned to each reserved spot.  Any vehicles that are planning on using a reserved space must be registered with Parking Services.  Unregistered vehicles found parked in a reserved space will be subject to citation.  As long as the assigned hanging permit is properly displayed on the vehicle the vehicle will not be cited for parking in a reserved space.  If a vehicle is found displaying a lost or stolen permit, the vehicle will be subject to impound, legal and/or university sanctions. 

25. I am on my vacation; can I allow someone else to use my reserved space in my absence? 

Yes.  Their vehicle must be registered and it must be displaying the proper permit for the particular space. (See answer to question 24)

26.  I have contractors or vendors scheduled to be on campus.  Where do I direct them to park?

All contractors and vendors are required to check in with Public Safety to obtain a one-day temporary parking pass.  They will be directed to park in the parking lot closest to where they will be working/delivering on campus.  There are vendor reserved spaces in most parking lots.  Parking in a vendor space without a pass will result in a citation.  There is no vendor parking allowed in the Memorial Lot.  Vendors are also not authorized to park in the Barrera or Lastinger Structures during times of restriction which are Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

27. How can I know everything about parking at Chapman University?

Fully detailed pamphlets are available on-line at www.chapman.edu/publicsafety/parking.   Or you may contact Parking Services directly at (714) 997-6763.