Mission Statement

The mission of UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services is to support the academic, research, and public services efforts of the UC Merced campus by providing transportation, parking services, circulation, and associated infrastructure in a convenient, reliable, safe, efficient, cost-effective, customer-focused, and environmentally-responsible manner.

General Information

UC Merced Parking Regulations are designed to promote the safe and orderly movement of traffic within the boundaries of the UC Merced campus in conformance with local, state, federal, and all other regulatory codes. The University of California, Merced is authorized through the California Vehicle Code Section 21113 (a) to establish independent parking regulations. All parking regulations are enforced through citations issued by UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services. The Regents of the University are not and shall not be liable under any circumstances for the loss or damage to vehicles or contents thereof parked or garaged, in a lot or structure, by fire, theft or any other cause whatsoever not arising directly from the negligent acts of the Regents of the University or its employees acting within the scope of their employment. The University reserves the right to restrict the use of any parking stall, area, structure or surface lot at any time and to temporarily or permanently relocate permit holders as necessary.

The University's Retained Rights

The University reserves the right to refuse issuance of parking permits and to revoke parking permits.
The University reserves the right to change parking assignments or privileges as deemed necessary and to temporarily or permanently relocate permit holders as necessary.
The University reserves the right to restrict the use of or access to any parking space, area, structure, or surface lot at any time. The University reserves the right to determine hours of controls and access.
The University reserves the right to tow or boot any vehicle which blocks any parking space, area, structure, surface lot or driveway, or displays an altered or fictitious permit.

Parking Regulations

In 1960 the California legislature approved California's Plan for higher Education. This plan designated University of California Parking Departments as self supported auxiliary enterprises. Due to this designation, UC parking facilities must be user funded. In general, no state, federal or University funds are to be used to support UC campus parking systems.

Under the authority delegated to Parking Services by the Regents of the University of California, no individual or department other than Parking Services may grant parking privileges on campus. All parking permits and access cards issued to users of the parking system remain the property of the University. All vehicles parked on University property must park in a marked parking space. Parking in unmarked, non designated areas is prohibited.

The operator of a motor vehicle is responsible for complying with parking laws and regulations and is subject to the established penalties for violation. If the responsible party cannot be determined, e.g., in the case of a parked vehicle, the registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for the violation.

The inability to locate a parking space is not considered valid justification for the violation of University parking regulations. Personal notes or explanations left on vehicles do not justify violation of University regulations.

Parking on campus is viewed as a privilege. Transportation and Parking Services has the right to refuse, revoke, or deny parking privileges. The University assumes no responsibility for any vehicle or its content which is parked on UC Merced property. Parking regulations may change without prior notice.
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Permit Requirements

Every vehicle, including those with specialized license plates or disabled placards operated by employees of UC Merced, not otherwise exempt, which occupies a parking space designated for an automobile or motorcycle must display a valid permit in accordance with the regulation posted. Commercially licensed vehicles are not required to display parking permits when engaged in the act of loading or unloading within a designated loading zone but cannot park in a load or unload. University and official local, state or federal government licensed vehicles do not need a permit when on official business. Officials using private vehicles must pay to park unless the government agency has made prior arrangements with UC Merced. Parking permits are the property of the University, are non-transferable (for use by the registered permit holder only) and may not be resold. Violations of these regulations will result in possible legal or disciplinary action and restitution as applicable.
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Permit Display

All hang tag style permits shall be hung from the inside rear view mirror, facing forward. Parking Permits may be otherwise displayed in the front windshield provided that all permit information must be clearly visible. Failure to display permits in the above manner may result in the issuance of a parking citation for improper permit display.
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Motorcycle Permit Display

Motorcycle permits must be mounted on the front fork or front body of the motorcycle with all permit information readily visible. Failure to display permits in the above manner may result in the issuance of a parking citation for improper permit display.
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Carpool Permits

A registered UC Merced carpool consists of two or more people (faculty/staff/student) sharing one car on the majority of their commute trips to campus. A Carpool Application for the entire carpool must be completed. A Payroll Deduction Authorization form must also be submitted for any faculty or staff member currently on payroll deduction and wishing to change the type of permit previously held or to enroll in payroll deduction. Carpool permits must be purchased for a minimum of one academic semester. Each carpool will be assigned one carpool permit. The permit should be clearly displayed on the driver’s side dash. Occasional one-time only use parking permit packets will be assigned to each carpool member that has a vehicle registered with the carpool. Each packet will consist of twelve (12) occasional one-time only use permits. These permits are non-transferrable and are for use on days when pooling to campus is not feasible.
Carpool participants are restricted from purchasing general use monthly/semester permits.

Student Carpool Requirements
All members must be registered UC Merced students. Members must ride together at least three (3) days per week (Monday-Friday). Each carpool participant must complete and sign an application form. All members must be present when turning in the application.

Faculty/Staff Carpool Requirements
All members must be UC Merced faculty staff or graduate students. Members must ride together at least three (3) days per week (Monday-Friday). Each carpool participant must complete and sign an application form. All members must be present when turning in the application.
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Daily Use and Short Term Permits

Day use and short term permits must be displayed face up on the driver side dashboard. All permit information must be clearly visible through the front windshield. Failure to display permits in the above manner may result in the issuance of a parking citation for improper permit display.

Parking permits are the property of the University, are non-transferable (for use by the registered permit holder only), and may not be resold. Violations of these regulations may result in disciplinary and/or criminal prosecution. When parking on campus, permits must be properly displayed so the permit number and expiration date are clearly visible to Parking Compliance Officers.
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Other University of California Parking Permits

Valid Faculty/Staff parking permits from other University of California Campuses will be honored in the Faculty/Staff Commuter lots.
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General Enforcement

Enforcement hours apply to the following areas:

Le Grand Lot, Academic Office Annex Lot and Library Lot 1
7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday

Shaver Lake Lot, Lake Lot 1 and 2, Evolution Valley Lot, North Bowl Lot, and ECEC Lot
7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

Parking privileges are restricted to designated locations on campus with a valid permit issued by UC Merced Parking and Transportation Services.
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24 Hour Enforcement Zones

The following are 24-hour enforcement zones: disabled parking, fire lanes, red zones, undesignated areas, resident parking, timed and metered spaces, service vehicle spaces, Carpool, Reserved and University Business spaces.
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Disabled Parking

All disabled parking spaces and zones are enforced 24 hours daily, 7 days a week. A disabled visitor may park in any disabled parking space while displaying a DMV-issued disabled parking placard and daily parking permit. Also vehicles driven by any UC Merced faculty, staff and/or student must also display both a DMV-issued parking placard and a valid UC Merced parking permit and are authorized parking in any ADA or unmarked parking space. Disabled parking placards are not valid in spaces marked Reserved or otherwise specially marked.[Back to Top] 

Resident Parking

All resident parking zones are enforced 24 hours daily, 7 days a week. Only students with resident parking permits are eligible to park in the Resident lot.
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Visitor Parking

University visitors may obtain parking permits at the Information Kiosks or self-service dispensers available at various campus locations. Permits are valid in lots designated on the permit. Visitor spaces are to be utilized by those individuals not affiliated with the University. Faculty, Staff and Students are not permitted to park in any visitor space. Please note students that are not enrolled in summer classes are still considered students and may not utilize any visitor space or Faculty/Staff parking spaces.
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Fire Lanes and Red Zone

All roads and driveways on the UC Merced campus are considered fire lanes and must be kept unobstructed and available to emergency response vehicles at all times. Access to fire hydrants must also be maintained at all times. Any vehicle presenting a hazard by obstructing a fire lane or a fire hydrant will be towed immediately. A vehicle may not park or stop at a red curb. Red zones indicate a fire lane or emergency vehicle access route.
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Loading Docks

Loading dock-parking restrictions vary throughout campus, based on the needs of the departments serviced. Vehicle operators are responsible for adhering to posted permit requirements.
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Reserved and Specially Marked Spaces

All parking spaces marked Reserved or otherwise specially marked are enforced 24 hours daily, 7 days a week (proper permit required).  ADA placard holders are not eligible to park in these spaces.
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E-Plate Vehicles

University and official local, state, or federal government licensed vehicles may park in all regular parking spaces. Such vehicles may not park in reserved spaces, specially marked spaces or metered spaces. E-plate vehicles may park in Service Vehicle spaces when providing a needed or requested service. Services include, but are not limited to, mail delivery, building maintenance, and heavy and awkward item delivery.

Holiday and Afters Hour Parking
Unmarked spaces may be utilized without a parking permit during holidays, and after hours parking.  Areas enforced 24 hours, 7 days a week are still enforced for proper parking permits.  Please view the General Enforcement section for proper permit display.

Areas Where Parking is Prohibited
Parking is prohibited in any area not specifically marked as a parking space. This includes, but is not limited to, planted and natural landscapes; sidewalks; service drives; driveways and parking lot drive aisles; pedestrian crossings; ramps for disabled access; bus zones; red,yellow, white and unmarked curbs; and posted no parking zones.
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General Information

All vehicles must park in parking spaces with the flow of traffic.

Motorcycle, Moped, Motorized Bicycle, and Scooter Parking
All motorcycles, mopeds, motorized bicycles, and scooters must park in spaces designated for motorcycles.

Bicycle Parking
No person shall park, store, or leave a bicycle in such a manner as to block or otherwise impede normal entrance to or exit from any building. No bicycle shall be parked, stored, or left within six feet of an entrance or exit unless a bicycle rack, parking device, or marked bicycle space is provided within said distance. No bicycle shall be parked, stored, or left on any building access or egress ramp.

Parking Access
UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services may temporarily close or modify any parking space or facility. Every attempt will be made to provide adequate advance notice. Any vehicle entering a barricaded area or passing a barricade may be cited, immobilized (booted), or towed.
If a citation is not paid within 21 calendar days of issuance, a penalty equal to the amount of the citation, with a maximum of $50, will be added to the original citation amount.
Use of an unauthorized permit will incur the prorated cost of the permit in addition to citation fees. For example, an altered permit confiscated in November that was originally valid in September would incur two months’ parking charges in addition to the $200 fine.
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Altered and Stolen Permits

Possession of an unauthorized permit may result in criminal charges (fraud) in accordance with California Penal Code 488 or 496 (Petty Theft or Receiving and/or Possession of Stolen Properties). Students/Staff/Faculty/Visitors in possession of an unauthorized permit will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action or the Department of Public Safety. A permit is considered lost or stolen when the original purchaser reports it as stolen, missing, or destroyed to UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services.

Any permit with changes to the shape, color, working, design, or designation is an altered permit. The reproduction of a permit is not permitted.

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Lost Permits

Reported lost or stolen permits will be replaced at cost of $10 for administrative fees.
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Appealing a Citation

The University of California is authorized to enforce parking regulations and issue citations for violations pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21113a. Citation revenues support UC Merced's Alternative Transportation program and the shuttle services. Citation revenue is not used for the construction, operation, maintenance, or administration of parking facilities.

The UC Merced Parking Citation appeals process conforms to the process directed by California Assembly Bill 408 and California Vehicle 40215. Submittal must be within 21 days of issue, the opportunity to contest the citation is forfeited.
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DMV Registration Hold

A registration hold with DMV may be placed for citations remaining unpaid 21 days after issuance. This restricts the ability to register the car until all citations are paid.
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Towing/Booting

Citations are delinquent when remaining unpaid 21 days after issuance. Vehicles with five or more unpaid delinquent citations are subject to impoundment at the owner’s expense under the authority of the California Vehicle Code, Section 22651(i). Vehicles will be immobilized (booted) when displaying an altered, lost, or stolen permit. Parked, abandoned, or disabled vehicles creating a safety hazard or restricting access may be towed.

Personal checks or credit cards will not be accepted as payment for immobilized or towed vehicles.

A $50 fee will be charged to remove the boot.

Any damage to an immobilization device shall make the offender liable for the destruction of University property.

Vehicles remaining immobilized for 24 hours will be towed at the owner’s expense.
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Any comments or questions email taps@ucmerced.edu