Parking Regulations

A.    These regulations are applicable to any operator and/or owner of a motor vehicle operated or parked on Villanova University Property. A motor vehicle, as defined by these regulations, includes automobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, motor bikes, and any other self-propelled, land-driven vehicles. Trailers for towing of motor vehicles, boats, etc. are not permitted to be parked on Villanova University property without prior approval from the Director of Public Safety or the Director of Parking & Transportation.

A.    All motor vehicles parked on Villanova University property must be registered with the VUDPS Parking & Transportation Office and MUST have a valid parking permit.

B.    All persons must register a vehicle that is theirs or a member of their household. Registering another's persons vehicle will make you financially responsible for all citations and constitutes fraud. Employees, Graduate Students, and Law Students can register more than 1 vehicle if issued a virtual or hangtag permit. Decals can only be registerd to a single vehicle.

C.    Persons issued a hangtag must clearly display it at all times while parking a vehicle on Villanova University property. Persons issued a decal must permanently affix it to the vehicle in the correct location. Decal permits should be affixed using the adhesive side and may not be affixed using a temporary method (such as tape, rubber bands, etc.), nor should the decal be placed on the dashboard. Decal must be below any vanity tinting and must be visible at all times. Decals may be registered to only one vehicle and are not transferrable. Virtual permits require accurate license plate information. Please contact Parking if a temporary pass is needed for a short term substitute vehicle like a loaner.

D.    Expired parking permits (placards, hang tags, and decals) should not be displayed and must be removed from the vehicle prior to parking on Villanova University property.

E.    License plates, parking permits, and temporary passes must be visible at all times. Parking permits may not be obscured by car covers, inspection stickers, or hanging ornaments. License Plate Recognition (LPR) will be used for enforcement in all lots. When parked, your vehicle registration plate must face the trafficway so that the LPR technology can read it.

F.    All Visitors can now park in the I-1 Garage located on the South East corner of Ithan and Lancaster Aves. The entrance to the lot is on Ithan Ave. This garage is equipped with a gate and a ticket must be obtained prior to entering. Before exiting the garage, payment must be made using the machine in order to validate the ticket.

If parking is required elsewhere than the I-1 Garage, then a Guest Pass must be obtained.Faculty and Staff can request a Guest Pass prior to their Visitor’s arrival by using the Guest Pass process. Guest Passes are valid in accordance with the date and lot indicated. Notes left on a vehicle are not a substitute for a Guest Pass.

G.    Only resident student vehicles can park overnight in the lot the permit is valid for. Commuter permits are valid during the hours of class. Commuter permits are not valid for overnight parking or for a vehicle to be left for extended periods of time. Any commuter vehicle found left on campus will be cited. During Break Periods, student vehicles are not expected to be on campus. You can request permission from the Parking Office to leave your vehicle during the break period by submitting the online Break Period Parking form.

H.    Visitors planning to stay for more than 24 hours must make arrangements for a multi-day pass through the Parking Office in Garey Hall.

I.    Villanova University provides for handicapped parking through the use of approved signage and space marking. Only those individuals who have a government-issued placard or handicapped license plate may occupy handicapped spaces.

J.    During special events, handicapped or special needs parking is made available as close to the venue as possible. Persons needing/requiring special parking should contact the VUDPS Parking Office at 610-519-6990 to make arrangements.

K.    Two parking lots near the R100 and R5 train stations border campus property near the West Main Lot and Spring Mill Garage. Parking in these lots is strictly limited to SEPTA patrons. University permits are not valid in SEPTA lots. Be attentive to signage in these areas as SEPTA frequently monitors and removes illegally parked vehicles from these areas.

L.    Parking lots are subject to closure during snow conditions or in an emergency. Lot closures are typically announced through the Wildcat Newswire and Campus Currents, or through the University email system.

A.    Freshmen and sophomore resident students are not permitted to park vehicles on University property. A student’s class-year status is determined by entry date and a minimum number of credits need to be earned. This distinction is important in that students bringing AP credits into Villanova do not advance in class year for purposes of obtaining on-campus parking. It is important that non-eligible resident students DO NOT bring their vehicles to campus or park in the residential areas surrounding Villanova since adjacent townships prohibit non-residential parking on many local streets. Non-eligible resident students found parking in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus may be subject to disciplinary action through the Dean of Students Office and may be prohibited from obtaining a permit in their upperclassmen years.

All students are encouraged to utilize the campus shuttle service, car share program, and/or public transportation. There are two SEPTA train stations on-campus: the R5 Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail as well as the R100 train/Norristown High Speed lines. SEPTA trains travel to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia as well as the Philadelphia International Airport. Two SEPTA bus routes travel through campus on Lancaster Avenue and travel throughout the Main Line. Villanova students can therefore leverage a wide array of public transportation resources from campus property. In addition, several local taxi companies also provide service to the campus and Zipcars are available. On weekends, two University shuttle services are available for students who want to travel to the King of Prussia.

Exceptions to the resident student parking restrictions for freshmen and sophomores are extremely limited. Freshmen and sophomores may appeal for medical reasons in order to seek off-campus treatment provided appropriate documentation from a physician that details the student’s treatment schedule is provided. Sophomores with a credit bearing internship may also apply for an exception. Students should keep in mind that freshmen and sophomores who receive an exception in these limited instances maybe assigned to park a lot that or area that is not nearest their resident hall. Students who intentionally submit false documentation in order to obtain a parking permit are referred to the Dean of Students Office for disciplinary action. To be considered for an exception permit, freshmen and sophomore resident students must submit an on-line appeal to the Parking Office before the vehicle is brought to campus. Use the Parking Exception Application Form to initiate the application and receive instructions for providing documentation.  

B.     Junior and Senior resident students are eligible to purchase a resident student permit. Resident students that receive a decal must permanently affix it to the vehicle in the correct location. Decal permits should be affixed using the adhesive side and may not be affixed using a temporary method (such as tape, rubber bands, etc.), nor should the decal be placed on the dashboard. Decal must be below any vanity tinting and must be visible at all times. Decals may be registered to only one vehicle and are not transferrable. Virtual permits require accurate license plate information. Lot assignments are determined by a student’s on-campus address and availability. All lots are available on a first come first served basis. If a lot is no longer available, the parking office may assign students to a new lot.

C.    Commuter students are defined as a student who does not reside in University-owned housing. Lot assignments are determined by course study location on campus. All lots are available on a first come first served basis. If a lot is no longer available, the parking office may assign students to a new lot.

D.    Students attending Summer Sessions or leaving their vehicle during the Summer Break will be required to purchase a permit to park. Summer Permits are valid after commencement through the end of the Summer Session. The processing fee is a flat rate for the entire time period and is not prorated or available for partial refund.

E.    Employees (full-time and part-time) are eligible to purchase an employee parking permit. Employees who choose to park on Villanova University property must purchase a parking permit regardless of work hours. Parking registration is done on-line via Parking Portal. Employee fees are deducted from paychecks. Student fees are billed to the student account.

F.    Contractors, volunteers, and Interns are all required to purchase permits for their time on campus.

G.    Motorcycles, Mopeds and Motor Scooters – Only those persons eligible to purchase a permit for an automobile may obtain a motorcycle permit. Vehicles with motorcycle permits may also park in portions of lots not designated for vehicular parking so long as the motorcycle does not block a sidewalk, roadway, fire lane, stairwell, or building entrance. With an already valid permit, a motorcycle permit can be issued for a 1 time fee of $10. The motorcycle permit is valid in the same lot as your current permit.

H.   Electric Vehicles can now us the ChargePoint Charging Stations located in the I-1, M-2, and S-4 Garages. Driver will need to create a ChargePoint account and use it to access the stations. Drivers can pay for usage through this account. Employees and students must have a valid Villanova Permit to use the ChargePoint Charging Stations. Visitors can use the pay as you go system to gain entry to the I-1 Garage and use the ChargePoint Charging Stations. Resident students parking in the I-1 Garage Upper Reserved Level can purchase an Electric Parking Permit at a higher rate to access the non-ChargePoint Charging Stations. You are permitted to park in an Electric Charaging Station spacewhile you are charging (approximately 4 hrs). When not charging, your vehicle will need to be parked in a non-charging space in the garage it is issued.

I.    Employee permits may be used only by the person to whom the permit is registered. Specifically, children of employees attending the University may not use an employee’s permit to park on campus.

J.    Replacement Permits – If a vehicle is sold or involved in an accident that will prevent its return to campus, the permit must be removed and returned to the Parking Office. If the sticker or permit is not able to be returned, the permit holder’s account will be charged a $10.00 replacement fee and the original permit will be listed as lost or stolen. Likewise, a lost or stolen permit must be reported, in person, to the VUDPS as soon as possible. Persons displaying a lost/stolen permit, or falsely reporting a permit stolen, will be subject to citation, immobilization, and loss of future parking privileges.
NOTE: Recovering your lost or stolen permit and failing to notify the VUDPS may result in the issuance of a citation. Once a permit is reported lost/stolen, it may not be displayed on any vehicle if found.

K.    Fraudulent Registration is defined as the use of deception for unjust advantage. The Department of Public Safety reserves the right to revoke parking privileges and charge a fine under these conditions. Fraudulent registration includes but is not limited to:

1. Purchasing a permit in another person’s name.
2. Registering multiple vehicles for the same time period, except as authorized by the Parking Office.
3. Registering a vehicle that is to be used by and for a person not authorized such registration.
4. Misrepresentation of one’s eligibility for the permit purchase.
5. Altering the information on a parking permit.
6. Manufacture and/or display of a counterfeit permit.

L.    License Plate Recognition (LPR) will be used for enforcement in all lots. When parked, your vehicle registration plate must face the trafficway so that the LPR technology can read it. It is especially important that when you register your vehicle, the information is accurate. Those that are now permitless need only keep their information current and have their plate face the trafficway. Those that are still issued a physical permit must display that permit and have their plate face the trafficway.

1. The permit charge is a processing fee and not reflective of usage.
2. Student Permits purchased for the Fall which includes the Spring semester are eligible for full refund if the returned decal or emailed request for virtual permits is received within 7days of purchase. Or if ordered over the summer, this date will be 7days after the official start of Fall classes. After the 7days, partial refunds can be requested but requires Department approval through the rest of the Fall.
3. Any student that purchased a permit in the Fall but does not need the permit for the Spring semester must return the permit to the parking office in order to receive the 50% refund. Returns are accepted the week before Winter Break through the first week of the Spring Semester.
4. Fall Semester students who study abroad in the Spring can receive a refund of 50%. Before Winter Break, you must remove the decals from your vehicle and bring them into the Parking Office in order to receive the refund. Please note: your vehicle can not be left on campus while you are abroad even if you do not return your permit.
   
5. Spring Semester students who had studied abroad in the Fall can purchase their parking permit at the begining of Spring Semester at 50%. Please visit the Parking Office to register and pick up the permit.
   
6. NO REFUND shall be issued to Summer Session students.
7. Faculty and Staff is responsible for returning their permit to the Parking Office in order to stop payroll deductions if they no longer need a permit.

A.    Disabled vehicles should be reported to the VUDPS as soon as possible.

B.    Disabled vehicles deemed to be creating a hazardous condition, should be moved immediately.

C.    VUDPS will tow, at the owner’s expense, any vehicle that is left in a way that is creating a hazardous condition.

D.   VUDPS will tow any vehicle that is abandoned.

A.    All accidents involving motor vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians on Villanova University property should be reported to the VUDPS immediately. In an emergency, call 610-519-4444 or from a campus phone 9-4444.

A.    The enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of the Villanova University Department of Public Safety (VUDPS). Officers conducting enforcement activities or who are controlling traffic may request identification of any person on campus at any time. The Villanova University Wildcard, current driver’s license, and vehicle registration/owners card must be presented to VUDPS Officers upon request. Refusal to comply with the officer’s request may result in disciplinary action taken within the University. In addition, the appropriate municipal police department may be called to investigate ownership and take possible trespass action.

B.    Villanova Parking Lots are Private. Use of the Parking Lots, permitted or not permitted, subjects you to the Parking Regulations and Enforcement of those Regulations. Enforcement includes but is not limited to citations, booting, revoking parking privileges, reported to the Dean of Students or Office of Human Resources, and/or towing from campus.

C.    Parking regulations are in effect 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Enforcement is also conducted as needed during break periods and holidays.

D.    Public Safety and the Parking Director can deny or revoke a parking permit. All vehicles on campus are required to be registered and can be towed off campus or relocated in the event that the owner cannot be located timely.

A.    Parking is permitted only in designated spaces. A parking space is delineated by lines on the pavement or bumper blocks. The lack of a ‘no parking’ sign or yellow curb does not signify that parking is permitted in that area. The University, having marked all approved spaces, is under no obligation to mark all areas where parking is prohibited.

B.    Parking vehicles on sidewalks or grassy areas is specifically prohibited.

C.    Vehicles not displaying a valid handicapped placard or license plate are not permitted to park or stand in a handicapped space. Handicapped spaces are identified through pavement markings and/or signage.

D.    Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to bumb, hit, piggy-back, go around, and/or physically lift a gate. Students are responsible for damages incurred to gates and components.

E.    No vehicle may park or stand in such a way as to obstruct the normal flow of traffic, block a building entrance or exit, or block a driveway or loading dock.

F.    No vehicle may park in fire zones as denoted by yellow curbing and/or posted signs.

G.    All vehicles are to be operated with caution and at a speed not to exceed 5 miles per hour on all Villanova University roadways and parking lots.

H.    Motorists are urged to be cautious of pedestrian traffic and must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks.

I.      Motorists must abide by all posted traffic control signs, including but not limited to stop signs and ‘do not enter’ signs.

J.      Motorists must yield the right of way to all emergency vehicles including Public Safety.

K.     The use of four way flashers and notes left on a vehicle will not be honored to permit parking in violation of these regulations.

L.     Vehicles must have current State Registration and Inspection.

A.    If you receive a citation on your vehicle, you must:

1. Pay the fine either in person with cash or check or mail a check to the Villanova University Bursars Office, Kennedy Hall, 800 Lancaster Ave Villanova, PA 19085
2. Pay the fine online through the Parking Portal within (10) business days with Visa or Mastercard.
3. Villanova Faculty, Staff, and Student citations will transfer to the Villanova Bursar Account and payment must be made to avoid further penalties.
   
4. Appeal the citation within (10) business days. Please submit all appeals online with Parking Portal.
5. Citations can not be voided at the Parking Office. Please follow the appeals process for disputes.
6. Do not appeal Citations other than your own. Appealing a Citation issued to another can change the responsibility of payment to you. Please direct any third party vendors to appeal online with the Parking Portal or to contact the Parking Office for assistance.

B.    The University Parking Appeals Committee is the governing body for appeals of parking citations issued at Villanova University. The board shall meet as needed to review appeals, and the members of the committee will render a non-biased decision to all appellants, notifying them in an expedient manner. The Committee shall strive to ensure that equitable enforcement of all University Parking Regulations is applied. The Parking Appeals Committee consists of representation from University staff, faculty, and students. Individuals wishing to appeal a citation may do so through the online submission form found on the Parking Portal. Appeals may be granted, partially granted, or denied. The decision of the committee is final and the meetings are closed to the public.

A.    Unregistered vehicles are subject to immobilization (booting) or removal from campus property by a private tow operator at the owner’s expense.

B.    If you vehicle has been booted, remove the orange door handle tag and bring to the Public Safety Office located in Garey Hall. Be prepared to pay the Boot, Daily Fee, and any preexisting Citations. Bring valid ID and Proof of Ownership to claim responsiblility for the vehicle. If you are Faculty, Staff, or eligible Student, Parking will issue you the proper permit for an available lot at the current permit price. If you are not eligible for a permit, the vehicle must be removed from campus immediately.

C.    Attempting to remove an immobilizer boot or operate the vehicle with the immobilizer installed will result in damage to the vehicle as well as the immobilizer. Any tampering with an immobilization device will result in loss of parking privileges, and the owner/operator will be responsible for any replacement costs as well as removal charge.

D.    In the event that a boot is misplaced or stolen, the university theft policy will be applicable.

E.     For a towed vehicle, the owner of the vehicle must contact Public Safely. The owner will be provided the tow company information. The owner is responsible for all tow fees. The vehicle is not to return back to campus without prior authorization from the Parking Director.