CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1-1-1.
Purpose
To establish procedures and standards for parking in the
1-1-2.
Authority and applicability
(a)
Authority. The state of Oklahoma has determined that
it is in the best interests of the Oklahoma Health Center that rules be
established to govern the parking of motor vehicles by Health Center employees,
students, visitors, and other categories of users at the Oklahoma Health Center
and has designated the University of Oklahoma as the authority to operate and
control parking and transportation for the Oklahoma Health Center district
pursuant to Title 74, Section 7068, et seq. of the Oklahoma Statutes. Accordingly, this Chapter has been developed
and implemented by the
(b)
Applicability. This Chapter is applicable to all members
of the
1-1-2.
Objectives
The objectives of the parking rules
in this Chapter are:
(1)
Safety. Effective and enforceable parking rules
will facilitate the safe and orderly conduct of
(2)
Allocation. Parking rules will allow parking officials
to allocate parking space as conveniently as possible for all user groups
within the limits of the space available and the priorities assigned.
(3)
Access. Proper enforcement of parking rules will
assure access at all times for emergency equipment.
1-1-4. Amendments and changes in allocation
(a)
Amendments. The
(b)
Changes in allocation. The University of Oklahoma Parking and
Transportation Services reserves the right to change the allocation of parking
spaces when deemed necessary in view of overall Oklahoma Health Center needs
including, but not limited to, visitor parking for special events. Temporary changes in allocation and/or in the
enforcement posture relating to the rules in this Chapter need not be published
or otherwise publicly announced prior to implementation. The Parking Office will make a reasonable
effort to notify beforehand any user group which can be anticipated to be
affected by temporary changes in allocation or availability.
1-1-5. Definitions
The
following words or terms, when used in this Chapter shall have the following
meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Booting" means to immobilize a vehicle through
the use of a device designed to be attached to a tire/wheel that renders the
vehicle inoperable.
"Contractor" means an individual or
employee/representative of a commercial enterprise providing goods and/or
services to the
"Customer" means any person, who is actively
patronizing a retail sales/service vendor located on the
"Double-parked" means parked behind or beside a legally
parked vehicle in such a way as to prevent its driver from moving it.
"Loading zone" means "Service Vehicle/Loading
Zone," as defined in this section.
"OU" means the
"Media" means an employee or person representing
in a paid or other official capacity an enterprise providing public broadcast
or print media services.
"Motor vehicle" means automobiles, trucks, motorcycles,
motor scooters, mopeds, recreational vehicles, trailers and other mechanized
mobile equipment.
"
"Parking office" means the OU office serving as the
primary point of contact with parking and shuttle customers.
"Parking/traffic control
devices" means
fixed or portable signs, cones, signals, barriers, barricades, ribbon or
flaglines emplaced by or at the direction of employees of the OU Parking and
Transportation Services, or the OU Police Department.
"Red zone" means any paved area or space, the
curbing or boundary marker of which has been painted 'traffic Red' to indicate
that private vehicles may not legally be parked there.
"Reserved space" means any parking space designated by OU
for the use of a particular person or group of persons.
"Service vehicle/loading
zone" means any
space or area identified by signage or other means as reserved for use by OU
vehicles and/or vehicles operated by other entities providing goods and/or
services to entities in the
"Validated parking ticket" means a ticket received by a visitor or
patient when entering a pay parking area, which has been stamped or otherwise
validated by a
"Vendor" means an individual or
employee/representative of a commercial enterprise providing goods and/or
services to organizations or entities of the
"Visitor" means any person, to include patients,
unaffiliated with the organizations and entities of the
1-1-6. Rules of evidence
(a)
Prima facie evidence. When a vehicle is found to be in
violation of this Chapter, it shall be considered prima facie evidence that the
vehicle was parked by:
(1)
The person holding an OU parking permit for the vehicle;
(2)
The person, company, corporation or firm in whose name the vehicle is
registered with the Oklahoma Tax Commission or the corresponding agency of
another state (if no parking permit has been issued for the vehicle); or
(3)
The son, daughter, spouse, or ward of the registered owner enrolled in
or employed with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the
University Hospitals Authority, the Veterans Administration, OU MEDICAL CENTER
or another agency on the
(b)
Leased vehicles. The prima facie rule of evidence
established by this section shall not apply to the registered owner of a leased
or rented vehicle when said owner can furnish evidence that the vehicle was, at
the time of the parking violation, leased or rented, to another person. In such instances, the owner of the vehicle
shall, within reasonable time after notification of the parking violation,
furnish the Parking Office with the name and address of the person or company
who leased or rented the vehicle.
1-1-7. Liability
The
OU Parking and Transportation Services assumes no liability or responsibility
for damage or theft to any vehicle parked in or on OU controlled
properties. The provisions of this
ordinance shall apply to all operators of all vehicles, public and private, and
they shall be enforced twenty-four hours a day except as otherwise specified.
1-1-8. Severability
If
any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of the rules in
this Chapter is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by any court
or body of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate
distinct, and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of the rules in this Chapter.
CHAPTER 2. PARKING PERMITS
2-1-1. Displaying permits
(a)
Permit required. No motor vehicle may be parked on OU
controlled parking lots (except visitor areas) without a current parking permit
or other authorization from the Parking Office.
(b) Displaying
permits. No vehicle is considered
compliant for parking purposes until the permit/decal has been properly and
visibly displayed in/on the vehicle.
(1)
Hang tag permits. All "hang tag" type permits
must be displayed by hanging them from the inside rearview mirror, when the
vehicle is so equipped. If the vehicle
does not have an inside rearview mirror or the permit will not fit on the
mirror, the permit must be displayed on the front dash, centered above the
steering wheel.
(2)
Motorcycle permits. Motorcycle decals/permits must be
displayed on the front fork of the motorcycle.
(3)
Convertibles. Copies of hang tag permits may be
displayed on the front dash, centered above the steering wheel, on convertible
type vehicles where the hang tag cannot be secured inside the vehicle. OU may issue a sticker or decal which must be
attached to the left rear bumper.
(4) Window decals. The parking decal must be displayed on the outside of the rear window, at the lower left (driver) side. If the vehicle has no rear window, decal may be displayed on the rear bumper, at the lower left (driver) side. Decal must be completely affixed by the manufacturer's adhesive. The decal alone is not permission to park. It must be displayed with valid Parking Permit.
(5)
Other special permits. Special Permits, which are not hang tag
or window decal type permits, must be displayed on the front dash, centered
above the steering wheel.
(6)
Substitutes for permits. Only parking permits issued or authorized
by the Parking Office are valid and will be honored. Such substitutes as signs or decals made or
issued by others, hand-written notes left on the exterior of a vehicle, etc.,
are unacceptable, and will not be honored by enforcement personnel. (See exception for convertibles in paragraph
(3) of this section).
(c) Responsibility for citations. Permits determined to be in use by other
than the original purchaser are void, and are subject to confiscation. The permit owner is responsible for citations
issued to any vehicle displaying that permit unless the permit has been
reported as lost or stolen.
2-1-2. Special permits
(a)
Categories. Several categories of special permits
have been designed to accommodate needs and users outside the purview of the
regularly issued types of permits.
(1)
Physical Disability Permits. Temporary Physical Disability Permits will be
issued to approved applicants based on application, substantiation of need, and
availability for a limited time.
(2) Vendor and Contractor
permits. Vendor and Contractor
permits may be purchased at the Parking Office.
Contractor permits are valid only in those spaces identified by the
terms and specifications of the contract or as otherwise authorized by the
Parking Office.
(3) Media permits. As an accommodation to the public media,
vehicles permanently marked as owned/operated by commercial media personnel may
be parked in any legal non-restricted space in the
(4)
Other special permits. Permits may be acquired for special
purpose such as loading equipment, overnight parking on campus, conference
parking, etc., by making application to the Parking Office. This includes special permits for motor
homes, campers, recreational vehicles, buses, trailers and other large vehicles
for parking in areas designated on the special permit.
(5)
Service vehicle permits. Permits may be acquired at the Parking Office
for parking in unreserved service vehicle parking spaces.
(b)
General requirements. Holders of special permits must assume
complete responsibility for the use of their permit privileges. Misuse of the permit will result in the
suspension of the privileges.
(1)
Displaying permit. Special permits must be displayed in
accordance with the instructions provided therewith in order to be valid.
(2)
Prohibited areas. Special permits authorize access to
certain restricted parking spaces or areas; they do not authorize parking in
prohibited areas including but not limited to red zones; fire lanes; driveways
or travel lanes; blocking sidewalks, curb cuts, or access to fire hydrants or
connections; Service Vehicle spaces; reserved parking spaces; or any other designated
tow-away zones.
2-1-3. Lost or stolen permits
(a)
Reporting. Lost or stolen parking permits and/or
gate cards must be reported to the Parking Office regardless of the location at
which the loss/theft occurred. The
permit holder will be responsible for all citations issued to vehicles
displaying that permit until it has been reported as missing.
(b) Replacement. Lost or stolen permits/gate cards will be replaced for a fee. No refund will be given if the lost/stolen card is returned.
(c)
Displaying a lost or stolen
permit. Any vehicle (including the
vehicle for which the permit was originally issued) displaying a permit or gate
card which has been reported lost or stolen will be issued a parking citation
and/or may be subject to impoundment or booting.
CHAPTER 3. PARKING REQUIREMENTS
3-1-1. Traffic requirements
(a)
Local ordinances. Oklahoma State Statutes and City of
(b)
Speed limit. The speed limit in OU controlled parking
lots is 10 miles per hour unless posted otherwise.
(c)
Parking/driving off
roadways. Except for OU and service
vehicles, motor vehicles may be driven only on roadways, and must observe
applicable statutes/ordinances.
Emergency vehicles may operate on sidewalks or off roadways at will when
making emergency response.
(d)
Pedestrians. Pedestrians will be given the
right-of-way at all times.
(e)
Parking traffic control
devices. Moving, parking in front
of, blocking, or driving around parking/traffic control devices is strictly
prohibited, and may constitute a violation of state law as well as this
Chapter.
(f)
Violations. Violation of traffic requirements may result
in loss of parking privileges in OU parking lots and garages.
3-1-2. Designated parking areas
(a) Color codes. It is unlawful to park in front of painted curbs without proper authorization. A standard color-code is used on curbing, edge striping, and other parking space identification to indicate certain restrictions as follows:
(1) Red. Red means prohibition of parking by all users ("No Parking Any Time").
(2) White. White means parking is reserved for loading use (30 minute time limit).
(3) Blue. Blue means parking is reserved for use by disablity permit holders.
(4) Green. Green means a parking space is reserved for a specific individual's use.
The space may be marked by an alphanumeric designation (ex. 1G123), the word “Reserved”, by a posted sign, or by a combination of these.
3-1-3. Metered spaces
(a)
Authority. OU may designate metered parking spaces
within any parking lot or area on the
(b)
Rules for parking in metered
spaces. The following rules apply
specifically to parking in metered spaces:
(1)
Parking in inactive/inoperable
meters. Both on-street and
off-street parking meters shall be designed so that they can be activated by
insertion of lawful coins of the
(2)
Multiple violations. Vehicles parked in metered spaces without the
meter being activated by lawful coins will be subject to the issuance of a
citation for each period of one hour that the vehicle occupies the space with
an expired meter.
(3)
Extended parking at meters. It is not allowed for a vehicle to occupy
any portion of a metered space longer than the maximum time limit on the meter.
(4)
Abuse of meters. It is unlawful for any person to damage,
tamper with, willfully break, destroy or impair the usefulness of, or open
without lawful authority any parking meter installed pursuant to these
rules. No person may insert any object
into a parking meter that is not a lawful coin of the
3-1-4. Method of parking
The
following general rules apply to parking anywhere on the
(1)
Boundaries. When parked, the entire motor vehicle must be
within the boundaries of the lines marking a single parking space.
(2) Double parking. Vehicles may not be double-parked or parked in
any position which prevents adjacent vehicles from entering or exiting their
parking space.
(3)
Parking direction. Vehicles parking on a street must be parked
facing the same direction as the flow of traffic in the adjacent lane. When spaces are designed at an angle
(diagonally) to a street curb or dividing median, vehicles shall be parked
therein with the front of the vehicle next to the curb or median.
(4)
Designated area. Vehicles must be parked only in designated
parking areas. Any vehicle parking in a
red zone, driveway, travel lane, or any area not specifically marked as a legal
parking space will be subject to citation and may be impounded.
(5)
Disabled vehicles. A disabled vehicle may not be parked for
more than 48 hours without approval from the Parking Office. If the vehicle is obstructing traffic or
creating a hazard, it must be moved immediately.
(6)
Time limitation. No vehicle may be parked continuously in
one place for more than 24 hours without approval from the Parking Office. Signs or other markings indicating a time
limit for any space or area shall be strictly observed. Exceeding the stated limit may be cause for citation
and/or impoundment even though the vehicle is otherwise authorized to be parked
in the subject space.
(7)
Service and loading zones. “Service" and "Loading"
zones are enforced in all areas unless otherwise marked. Vehicles other than those identified as
belonging to OU or institutions or entities of the
(8)
Disability parking. Spaces identified by a sign and/or
pavement marking bearing the international pictographic symbol for a wheelchair
are reserved for use only by vehicles displaying a state-issued Physical
Disability permit in conjunction with any valid purchased OU permit.
(9)
Reserved Parking. Spaces marked as reserved parking are
reserved for parking by the individual assigned 24 hours/day unless stated otherwise.
3-1-5. Motorcycle and motorbike parking
Motorcycles
and motorbikes may NOT be parked inside any OU structure not specifically
designed and equipped for vehicular parking, blocking any portion of sidewalks,
ramps, stairs, landings, building entrances, breezeways, or porches, or
preventing or impeding safe ingress and egress at any facility; motorcycles and
motorbikes parked in any of these areas are subject to impoundment.
3-1-6.
Visitor and patient parking
(a) Designated
areas. Visitors and patients shall park in
metered spaces or in parking spaces specifically designated for visitor/patient
parking. Parking areas designated for
visitors and patients shall not be used by employees or students.
(b) Payment of parking fees. Parking fees for visitors and patients
may be paid in cash, with tokens, or with validated parking coupons.
3-1-7. Damage to parking equipment, structures, etc.
It
is unlawful for any person to deface, damage, tamper with, willfully break,
destroy, impair the usefulness of, or open without lawful authority parking
equipment, meters, gates, structures or signs.
In addition to any parking citation which may be issued for violation of
this rule, OU may assess the cost of repairs against the violator.
3-1-8. Parking fees
The
University shall establish, in writing, rates for parking consistent with the
rates of the industry within the geographic area.
CHAPTER 4. ENFORCEMENT
4-1-1. Penalties
Any
person violating any provisions of this Chapter is subject to a civil penalty
as indicated in the following schedule:
(1) Violation of 2-1-1(a), Parking without a
Valid permit, $25.00
(2) Violation of 2-1-1(b), Failure to Display
permit properly, $25.00
(3) Violation of 2-1-2(a)(1), 3-1-4(8),
Unauthorized parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities, $100.00
(4) Violation of 2-1-2(a)(2), Unauthorized
parking in a vendor or contractor vehicle space, $25.00
(5) Violation of 2-1-2(a)(5), Unauthorized
parking in a service vehicle space, $25.00
(6) Violation of 2-1-3, Displaying a lost or
stolen permit, $125.00
(7) Violation of 3-1-1(c), Parking on grass,
$25.00 sidewalks or off of roadway, $25.00 Plus cost of repair
(8) Violation of 3-1-1(e), Interference with
parking/traffic control devices, $30.00, plus the cost of repairs
(9) Violation of 3-1-2(a), 3-1-4(7), Parking in
front of yellow, white, blue or green curbs without authorization, $25.00
(10)
Violation of 3-1-3, Parking at expired meter, $15.00
(11)
Violation of 3-1-3(b)(4), Abuse of meters, $75.00 plus cost of repair
(12)
Violation of 3-1-4(1), Parking outside boundary lines of single parking space,
$25.00
(13)
Violation of 3-1-4(2), Double Parking, $25.00
(14)
Violation of 3-1-4(3), Parking in wrong direction, $25.00
(15)
Violation of 3-1-4(4), Parking in an area not designated for parking use,
$25.00
(16)
Violation of 3-1-4(5), Leaving disabled vehicle more than 48 hours, $50.00,
plus impound costs
(17)
Violation of 3-1-4(6), Time Limitation, $25.00
(18)
Violation of 3-1-5, Improper motorcycle parking, $25.00
(19)
Violation of 3-1-7, Damage to Parking equipment or structures, $75.00 plus the
cost of repairs
(20) Other violations, $25.00-$150.00
4-1-2. Repeated offenses
If
any vehicle is cited for violation of the parking rules in this Chapter with respect
to parking more than five times in a period of twelve months or more than twice
in a period of thirty days, the OU Parking Office may cancel any parking permit
issued to such vehicle without refund of any portion of the fee paid thereof
and shall cause the violator's license plate number to be entered on a list of
repeat offenders. Once a license plate
number is considered a repeat offender, the vehicle is subject to impoundment
or immobilization upon being parked in violation of this Chapter. A citation found to be invalid shall not be
counted for purpose of this section. Any
repeat offenses of this nature will be forwarded to the appropriate agency for
disciplinary action(s).
4-1-3. Vehicle impoundment
(a)
Circumstances justifying
impoundment. The OU Parking Office
reserves the right to ticket, autoclamp (boot), or tow at the owner's expense
any vehicle in violation of established parking rules. Persistent violators may have their parking
privileges denied. Parking control personnel of the OU Parking Office are
authorized to impound vehicles as follows:
(1) Any vehicle to which three or more parking
citations have been issued where the appeal period on those citations has
expired with no action taken toward their disposition.
(2) Any vehicle displaying an OU parking permit
which has been reported lost or stolen.
(3) Any vehicle displaying a forged, altered, or
unauthorized OU parking permit.
(4) Vehicles parked blocking crosswalks,
curb-cuts, sidewalks, building entrances, spaces reserved for vehicles
displaying Physical Disability permits, blocking access to a fire hydrant or
fire department connection, in a fire lane, blocking access to a trash dumpster
or trailer, in any other marked tow-away-zone, or on grass or other landscaped
surface.
(5) Vehicles parked in a driveway or travel lane
or otherwise so as to impede vehicular traffic flow or constitute a traffic
hazard, blocking the operation of or access by emergency equipment including
but not limited to law enforcement vehicles, fire apparatus, and emergency
medical vehicles, or preventing the making of essential repairs to Oklahoma
Health Center facilities.
(6) Vehicles parked in the area between a
sidewalk and the curb of a street in areas contiguous to
(7) Unauthorized vehicles parked in a Loading or
Service Vehicle space or zone without the proper permit.
(8) Vehicles parked in a posted "No
Parking" area.
(9) Vehicles which appear to have been abandoned.
(10)
Motor vehicles parked inside a structure not designed and equipped for that
purpose, or preventing or impeding safe ingress or egress at any facility.
(11)
Vehicles appearing on a repeat offender list issued by the Parking Office, as
described in 4-1-2.
(b)
Citations in addition to
impoundment. Vehicles being
impounded are also subject to citation for the violation which necessitated
their removal, as applicable.
(c)
Custody of vehicles. Impounded vehicles may be taken to OU
facilities or to a commercial provider's facility.
(1) Commercial
provider facility. Vehicles
impounded may be held in the custody of the commercial wrecker service. Owners of such vehicles will pay all charges
and fees due direct to that commercial provider. Storage charges at these facilities begin to
accrue immediately.
(2) OU
facility. The OU Parking Office may
at its discretion, elect to hold certain impounded vehicles. In such cases, the owner will pay an
impoundment fee to OU, in addition to any fines or other fees, to obtain
release of their vehicle. This
impoundment fee must be paid prior to release.
(d)
Vehicle impounded in error. If a vehicle is determined to have been
impounded in error, all charges associated with the impoundment will be
waived. If already collected, such fees
will be refunded upon application to the Parking Office. The owner may also make application for
refund of charges and fees paid to the commercial wrecker service provider.
(e)
Release of impounded
vehicles. Release of vehicles may be
accomplished at the Parking Office. The
Parking Office will coordinate release approval. Claimants must present satisfactory proof of
ownership and positive identification documentation including a valid driver's
license. All towing, storage and impound
fees must be paid prior to release of the vehicle.
(f)
Release prior to impound. If the operator of the vehicle to be
impounded arrives at the vehicle prior to the tow truck moving the vehicle from
where it was parked, such operator shall be issued an additional OU parking
citation, and the civil penalty shall be the normal tow fee.
(g)
Storage fee. A storage fee of $6.00 per day may be
charged to the owner or custodian of vehicles left at the OU facility for more
than twenty-four hours after towing.
4-1-4. Vehicle immobilization
(a)
Notice. Any vehicle parked in violation of this
Chapter may be immobilized by use of a wheel boot. Notice of the application of a wheel boot
shall be posted prominently in one of three locations depending on the type of
vehicle:
(1)
on the driver's side of the front window of the vehicle,
(2)
on the rear windshield, or
(3)
on the driver's side window.
(b)
Release. The Parking Office may refuse to
authorize release of the vehicle to the owner or custodian until the cost of
immobilization has been paid or bond posted.
Wheel boots may only be removed by the Parking Office staff, upon
payment of the $25.00 immobilization fee.
The owner or custodian of a vehicle impounded under any of these rules
may appeal the immobilization in person or in writing within ten calendar days
to the Parking Office. Submitting an
appeal is not a substitute for payment of the immobilization fee.
(c)
Impoundment. Vehicles immobilized for longer than
thirty-six hours shall be removed to a storage area. The owner/custodian of the vehicle shall be
responsible for both the immobilization and impoundment fees as well as any
applicable storage fees.
4-1-5. Impoundment of abandoned and derelict
vehicles
Any
vehicle that has not been moved, is partially dismantled or wrecked and/or does
not display a current license plate and left in such condition for more than 48
hours shall be considered abandoned.
Such vehicles shall be removed to the OU or Commercial Provider's storage
area at owner's expense and disposed of according to law.
CHAPTER
5. APPEALS
5-1-1. Appeals
(a)
Time requirement. Any person cited for violation of any
portion of the parking rules in this manual for which a fine is imposed or a
vehicle is impounded or immobilized for violations may appeal, in writing,
within ten calendar days of issuance to the OU Parking Office. Failure to meet the ten-day appeal period
requirement shall result in a forfeiture of all appeal privileges.
(b) Appeal procedures. Written appeals must be submitted to the
OU Parking Office and should be on a form provided by the Parking Office. In addition to the written appeal, a personal
appearance before the person or body reviewing the appeal may be made. No appeal will be considered until a bond in
the amount of the fine has been posted with the Parking Office.
(c)
Hearing and final disposition of
appeals. OU may delegate to a hearing officer or
committee the authority to hear appeals on its behalf. Disposition of an appeal by such hearing
officer or committee shall be final.
Final disposition shall mean a ruling in which the hearing officer or
committee affirms, modifies, or reverses a citation or penalty for a parking
violation.
(d)
Payment of towing and storage
fees pending appeal. Submitting an appeal does not substitute for
payment of the towing and storage fees for removal of an impounded
vehicle. If an appeal is sustained, the
costs of towing and storage will be refunded.
CHAPTER
6. PAYMENTS AND COLLECTIONS
6-1-1. Late payment charge
Citations
not paid or appealed within ten days are subject to an additional $10.00
"late payment" charge. Payment
must be received in the Parking Office where payment is made in person, or
postmarked when mailed, within 10 days of the date the citation is issued.
6-1-2. Method of payment
All
parking citations may be paid in person at the Parking Office, or by mail. Payments must be made in cash or by
check. The Parking Office will not be
responsible for cash lost in the mail.
6-1-3. Replacement fee
A lost or stolen parking permit must be reported immediately to the Parking Office. The fee for a lost or stolen permit is $15.00.
6-1-4. Returned checks
A
$25.00 service charge shall be imposed for all returned checks. No parking permit may be issued to any
individual who has outstanding debts to the Parking Office.
6-1-5. Collection methods
Unpaid
charges for citations are a debt to the