Vehicle Regulations

Section I: General Information

The operation of any vehicle on the Concordia University campus is a privilege granted by the university. It is not a right of any employee, student, or visitor. The parking policies of Concordia University are reviewed annually and revised as necessary. In order to facilitate vehicular movement, maximize parking efficiency, and enhance safety the university has adopted the following regulations:

All individuals who operate a vehicle on the Concordia University campus agree to:

1. Possess a current and valid driver license.
2. Keep the vehicle currently registered and insured in accordance with California law.
3. Abide by the California vehicle code and by the regulations of Concordia University.
4. Pay all fines and fees resulting from violations of these regulations.
5. Protect and hold harmless Concordia University and its students, officers, and employees from all claims of injuries to persons or damages to property by reason of the operation of this or any other vehicle on Concordia University's campus.

Concordia University neither warrants the safety of vehicles nor assumes responsibility for loss due to theft, vandalism, accident, or damage while the vehicle is on Concordia University property. All provisions of the California Vehicle Code are applicable on Concordia University's campus except as modified by the Concordia University regulations. All vehicles must comply with the California Vehicle Code equipment regulations.

Section 2: Registration

The acquisition of a Concordia University parking permit is a privilege, which allows a person to drive and park a vehicle on campus. Drivers must obtain a parking pass or decal and ensure that it is placed in a visible location on the windshield or dash.

All student, faculty, and staff vehicles must be registered with the Concordia University Department of Campus Safety. Applicants must provide a copy of their driver license, current car registration and current automobile insurance policy. Employees and students must register their vehicles with Concordia within 5 business days of first arrival on campus.

Due to limited parking availability, Concordia does not permit resident freshman to bring or register vehicles, including motorcycles and scooters, on campus. Resident Freshman students, who are able to demonstrate a compelling need for a vehicle, may appeal to register a vehicle on campus. The appeal committee will consider appeals that pertain to the well being and financial need of the student. Those who file for an appeal must work through their admissions counselor. Please be prepared to provide sufficient documentation supporting your appeal. For an electronic copy of this form or additional information about parking, please visit Campus Safety’s website at www.cui.edu/safety.  You may also contact Campus Safety by email atCampusSafety@cui.edu. 

Visitor or Temporary passes must be displayed face up on the dashboard. Student and Faculty/Staff decals must be attached to the lower left INSIDE corner of the front windshield and must be visible at all times. If a decal is damaged or destroyed, a replacement must be obtained for $50.00. All applicants will be charged $50.00 for any additional decals. Fee may be waived for extenuating circumstances including, but not limited to, the loss of a decal due to theft or vehicle damage.

Concordia vehicle registration is for affiliates of Concordia University only. Policy does not allow for non-affiliated vehicles to be registered. Any violation of this policy could result in a fine and/or loss of registration and parking privileges.

Possession of an altered, forged, stolen, or unregistered permit will result in a $250.00 fine.

It should be understood that registration of a vehicle and possession of a parking permit does not assure the registrant of a parking space or of any particular parking space on any particular lot on campus property.

Section 3: Parking Areas

“Parking” is to stop a vehicle, with the motor running or shut off, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading/unloading, unless complying with a traffic order, signal, or device.

All vehicles must be parked in accordance with the campus motor vehicle traffic code, painted pavement markings and posted signs. The following spaces are available on campus:

1. General Parking: Vehicles carrying a valid Concordia parking permit or decal are permitted to park in the Student lot, Main lot (or Library lot), dorm lots, and Concordia West parking lot (by the baseball field).
2. Faculty/Staff Parking: Faculty/Staff parking is available in the stalls marked "Faculty/Staff Parking Only". A Faculty/Staff permit must be obtained from the Department of Campus Safety. General parking is allowed after hours (5:00 PM - 7:00 AM) in Faculty/Staff stalls unless otherwise marked. The designated Faculty/Staff lot is located across the street from the Administration Building.
3. Visitor Parking: Visitors may park in the Student lots, in the Main (or Library lot), in the Concordia West parking lot (by the baseball field), and in stalls marked "Visitor Parking Only" in the Main or Faculty/Staff parking lots. Visitors must obtain a Visitor Pass from the Gate Officer as they enter the campus. This pass must be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle at all times. The pass is valid for 24-hours only. There is no student parking in Visitor parking spaces.
4. Reserved Stalls: Concordia has reserved special stalls for Residence Directors (RD), prospective students, and other vehicles. Vehicles not authorized to parking in these stalls risk citation.
5. Handicapped Parking: Only vehicles displaying an official handicapped placard or bearing an official handicapped license plate may park in Handicapped stalls. Official placards or license plates are issued by State Motor Vehicle Departments. Temporary handicapped permits are issued by the Department of Campus Safety for special circumstances and can be used in Faculty/Staff, Visitor, or loading zones. University-issued temporary handicapped passes must not be used in handicapped stalls.
6. Motorcycle Stalls: Only motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters may park in stalls marked “motorcycle parking only”. Motorcycle stalls are located in the Lower Quad Lot, Rho lot, and in front of the Administration building.

Prohibited Parking Areas: All violating vehicles are subject to being cited and/or impounded at the registered owner’s expense if they are parked:

1. Unauthorized area on, in front of, or blocking sidewalks, loading zones, pedestrian crosswalks, landscape areas or entrance/exit ways.
   
2. In any way that obstructs visibility of a traffic sign or device.
   
3. Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
   
4. Blocking traffic within an intersection or roadway or blocking parked vehicles.
   
5. At painted curbs and lines which are indications of restricted parking. The following colors have been established:
   • Red Zone – indicates NO parking or stopping, whether the vehicle is attended or not, unless otherwise posted. 
     
   • F/S parking – indicates parking for faculty and staff only. Enforced 7AM to 5PM unless stated otherwise.
     
   • Blue spaces – indicates parking for vehicles with State disabled placards only.
     
   • Yellow Line – indicates loading zone for vehicles being actively loaded and unloaded. Fifteen minute time period.
6. For any length of time exceeding the authorized time limit so marked in parking area.
   
7. In individually reserved spaces/parking slots, except by the person authorized to use the parking slot (Faculty/Staff, Assistant Director—AD, etc.).
   
8. Anywhere other than a clearly marked parking space between two painted lines (double parked).
   
9. In the District Office parking lot located in front of the Pacific Southwest District Office. This lot is for PSWD staff and their official visitors only. Parking is enforced 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Unauthorized vehicles will be cited and may be impounded at the owner’s expense.
   
10. In a barricaded area. A driver is to obey permanently posted or temporary signs and not park/drive in a barricaded area. Vehicles found in violation are subject to being ticketed and/or impounded at the owner’s expense.

Section 4: Rules of the Road

All California Vehicle Code sections are applicable on Concordia University property and will be enforced by the Department of Campus Safety and the Irvine Police Department. Some of the vehicle code sections enforced include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. No driver of any vehicle shall disobey any control sign or roadway marking while on Concordia University campus.
   
2. No driver of any vehicle shall fail to stop for a posted stop sign.
   
3. No person shall operate a vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit on Concordia University campus. In no case shall any vehicle be driven at a speed that is not safe for conditions of traffic, weather, and roadway conditions.
   
4. No driving on a sidewalk or landscaped areas of the university is permitted. No person shall drive any vehicle on Concordia University property in a manner demonstrating a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of any person(s) or property [as defined in CVC section 23103(b)]. Persons driving in a reckless and unsafe manner risk losing their driving privileges on campus.
   
5. No driver shall race a vehicle or cause the tires to break traction with the roadway surface (burnout) while on university property.
   
6. No driver shall fail to obey any order, signal, or direction of any Campus Safety Officer.
   
7. No driver shall operate or permit the operation of a radio, tape, CD or CB system on campus that can be heard 50 feet or more outside the vehicle.
   
8. No person shall drive on the wrong side of the roadway or enter the campus through the wrong side of the gatehouse.
   
9. Violations shall be referred to the Director of Campus Safety and/or Dean of Students for disciplinary action and, in addition to other sanctions, may result in the loss of driving and parking privileges on Concordia University property.
   
10. Driving under the influence will result in an automatic revocation of driving privileges on campus.

Section 5: Parking and Traffic Fines
Failure to observe traffic regulations will result in the imposition of penalties as follows:

Continued violations by a habitual offender may result in the loss of driving and parking privileges on Concordia University property. Parking fines are required to be paid within 21 calendar days of the date of the citation. Payments received after 21 days will be assessed a 100% late fee. Failure to pay within 42 days will incur an additional 100% late fee. To pay a fine, make your check or money order payable to: Concordia University Parking Administration. Mail your payment and the ticket to Concordia University Parking Administration, P.O. Box 25120, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5120.

If you wish to appeal a parking violation, you may pick up an appeal form in the Department of Campus Safety in Administration 103 or at either gatehouse. The form must be completed and submitted to the Department of Campus Safety Office in Administration 103 and within 21 working days of the date of the citation. Your appeal will be considered and you will be notified of the results.

Students who have multiple unpaid parking citations may have their Student Account records placed on hold.  This action will not allow the student to add or drop classes, enroll in future classes or obtain a copy of their transcript until the fines are paid.  The fifth violation, paid or unpaid, may result in the loss of driving privileges on campus.

Section 6: Bicycles and Skating Equipment

Campus Safety requires students to register their bicycles.  Registration forms can be picked up and turned in at Administration 103. Unregistered bikes may be subject to removal after the academic year or if the University believes that they may be abandoned.      

Bicycles may not be stored in apartments or hallways nor left unattended in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to other persons.  Bicycle racks are provided outside each resident hall and bicycles must be parked in or near the bicycle racks.  The use of an appropriate bicycle lock is recommended to reduce the possibility of theft.

The Department of Campus Safety does not permit the storage of bicycles on campus during the summer break. Bicycles left unattended and unaccounted for during the summer break are subject to impoundment by the university. All unclaimed or impounded bikes will be disposed of in (ninety) 90 days from the date received

Skaters and rollerbladers skate at their own risk and maybe held responsible for recklessness and/or injuries to others.  Concordia is not responsible for injuries suffered while skating/rollerblading or injuries caused by skaters/rollerbladers. Skateboarding, rollerblading and rollerskating inside Concordia buildings is prohibited. Skateboarding is prohibited in the main walkways that are reserved primarily for pedestrians. Performing skateboarding tricks is limited to the traffic turn-around only, and any skateboarding that damages University property is prohibited. Motorized skateboards and scooters on main walkways are prohibited.

Section 7: Accessible Parking

Persons with temporary disabilities who need accessible parking accommodations can apply for a Temporary Accessible Parking Permit. The applicant must be a student, faculty or staff member of the university and have registered their vehicle with the Department of Campus Safety. The Temporary Accessible Parking Application is available at the University Services Office in Suite 120 of the Administration Building. A licensed physician will need to provide justification for accessible parking privileges and sign the Temporary Accessible Parking Application. The clinician submitting the documentation must not be a family member or relative of the applicant. The Temporary Accessible Parking Application is to be turned in to the receptionist in Administration Building Suite 120. 

The application will be reviewed by the Director of Campus Safety, Director of Disability and Learning Services, and the Director of Health Services.  Upon receipt of the application, the applicant may be issued a Temporary Accessible Parking Permit, valid for 21 days to obtain a Disabled Person Parking Placard from the Department of Motor Vehicles. After 21 days, the applicant must present a Disabled Persons Parking Placard to continue to use accessible parking privileges. It is illegal for a person to provide false information, falsify a doctor’s signature, possess or display a counterfeit or altered placard, or allow someone to use a placard when the person with the disability is not in the vehicle.

Persons who have been approved for accessible parking must understand that the Temporary Accessible Parking Permit does not allow parking in the following areas:

 Disabled Person Parking stalls designated in blue stall markings (CVC 22507.8)

1. Fire Lanes and Red Zones (CVC 22500.1)
2. Sidewalks, roadways, or other pathways
3. Neighboring residential communities
4. Lawns or other landscaped areas