Vehicle Management and Parking Services

Parking Services is responsible for the registration of all vehicles parked on campus and the implementation of all policies and regulations governing parking on campus.

Parking on campus is available to all students, faculty, and staff whose vehicle displays a valid parking permit. Permits may be obtained from Parking Services. A valid permit allows the bearer the privilege of parking on campus. Unless otherwise specified, the permit does not guarantee a parking space. Inability to locate a legal space in a parking area does not justify incorrect parking.

Handicap parking permits may be obtained by providing appropriate medical documentation.

The University assumes no responsibility for the care or protection of any vehicle or its content while it is parked on campus. Valuables should not be left in parked vehicles at any time. Vehicles should be locked when not in use. Thefts or damages that occur should be immediately reported to the University Police Department for investigation (777-4215).

Parking Services is located in the Pendleton Street Garage at the corner of Pickens and Pendleton streets. Office hours are 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

All persons using University of South Carolina parking facilities other than metered areas, must register their vehicles with Parking Services. Vehicles may be registered at the department office in the Pendleton Street Garage throughout the year

Parking Permits

*** Faculty, Staff, and Students are limited to ONE parking decal ***

Parking permits are valid only for the individual to whom the permit is assigned for the time period and area indicated on the permit. Permits must be clearly displayed as directed by Parking Services.

Permits must be removed from vehicles under the following conditions:

  when a new permit is purchased or issued
  change in vehicle ownership
  change of status that would change parking assignment or type of permit.

Before a permit may be replaced, the original must be returned. Permits issued remain the property of the University of South Carolina.

Faculty, staff, or students who drive a replacement vehicle instead of a registered vehicle may temporarily transfer their permit to the substitute vehicle. If the registered vehicle is to be permanently replaced, Parking Services must be notified.

Vehicles registered to park in reserved spaces, reserved lots, or any garage must display the permit in the left rear window of the vehicle. If a substitute vehicle is used in a reserved space, the permit must be transferred to the substitute vehicle.

Student permits may be purchased via the VIP web site , by mail, or in person at the Parking Services Office in the Pendleton Street Garage .  Check the Parking Zones section of this page or call the office for details on availability.  Call or email Parking Services for an application via email.  Prepaid permits will be mailed to the student's permanent mailing address, time allowing.

Student Permit Fees (S, CS, GS, EV,  MC and HC permits)

Bicycle Registration

All bicycles parked on campus are required to be registered. Bicycle registration is free to all students, faculty, and staff. Identification decals are placed on bicycles to discourage theft and assist in recovery should they be lost or stolen. The serial number is recorded and maintained. Engravers are available to engrave identification numbers on bicycles.

Always secure your bike when leaving it unattended.

Parking & Shuttle Maps

University parking zones bear the following designations: Student, Faculty/Staff, Reserved, Any Decal, and Visitor Meters. A valid and correctly displayed permit corresponding to the area in which you park is required.

Fines are $25 for parking in a yellow lined/curbed area and $50 for parking in a red lined/curbed area. Gravel parking lots have parking spaces indicated by concrete bumpers. Parking is permitted only in clearly defined areas.


Parking Garages and Reserved Spaces

Students, faculty and staff may apply for paid reserved parking for the following locations.  You may click on the links to view locations and space availability.

(maximum height for vehicle clearance)
  Pendleton Street Garage (6'10")
  Blossom Street Garage (6'3")
  Senate Street Garage (7')
  Senate/Pickens Lot
  Bull Street Garage (8')
  Henderson Street Lot (NADA)
  Business Administration Garage (8'10")
  Computer Services Garage (6'10") top level (7')
  Hampton Street Garage (6'9")

All new garage assignments for students are based on space availability. Please contact Parking Services to inquire on cost of garage spaces, space assignment procedures and deadlines. 

Renewal Dates:
Spring Semester:
Summer School:
Fall Semester:

Garage and reserved spaces are reserved 24 hours a day, seven days a week and towing is enforced. The speed limit in the garages is 10 miles per hour. Vehicles bearing a valid garage or reserved lot permit may park in areas designated for "Faculty/Staff" from 5:00 p.m. through 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5:00 p.m. Friday through 7:30 a.m. Monday. Additionally, these permits are valid at any time in the "Any Decal Parking" areas. These permits are not valid in faculty/staff spaces designated "Reserved" or "Handicap." Parking in Student lots is strictly prohibited.

Access cards for the Bull Street and Senate Street garages must be returned to the Parking Services office at the end of the current semester unless renewed for the following semester. Failure to return the card will result in a charge of $25. Lost or stolen cards without a police report will also result in a fee of $25.


Greek Village

Only students residing in the Greek Village are eligible to purchase a "GV" permit. Residency must be verified through the Office of Student Affairs/Greek Life. The purchase of this permit guarantees parking in the village. The cost is $110 per semester. Those students purchasing a "GV" permit may not purchase an additional permit for another reserved lot or garage space. The "GV" permit allows parking in the "Any Decal" lots at any time and faculty/staff lots after 5 p.m.


Coliseum/Colonial Center Area

Coliseum lots AD1 and AD2, bordered by Blossom, Park, Greene and Lincoln Streets, operate under the following options:

  event parking, $5.00 (subject to change)
  permit parking only

Signs at each location indicate the option under which the lot is operated. During coliseum events, permit parking is not permitted in Coliseum lots AD1 and AD2 or in the faculty/staff lots at 1000 Blossom Street (N2) and 1000 Green Street (N1). Those students wishing to use the Coliseum lots for overnight parking must purchase a CEP (Coliseum Event Pass) permit for a fee of $100 per year. This permit is also needed to park during scheduled Coliseum and Colonial Center events. Please contact the Parking Services office for additional information.

During certain times lots N1 and N2 may be closed for special events. Parking Services will make accommodations and inform those affected prior to the event.

Those students and faculty scheduled for evening classes at the Coliseum may obtain a special permit for use during events at the Coliseum and Colonial Center. This permit will allow parking in the large lots behind the Coliseum at no charge. Please contact the Parking Services office for additional information.

To see when events may effect parking in this area, please check these event schedules:

The Barnwell Street Lot, AD7, is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  This lot is locked at 6 p.m. and all vehicles must be removed from the premises (vehicles may be ticketed or towed).

Parking on campus is governed by the State of South Carolina Code of Laws (1976), sections 56-21-10 through 56-21-60. In addition, all other state laws and city ordinances that apply to the operation and parking of motor vehicles are enforced.

A parked vehicle is one that is standing, whether occupied or not. Parking is prohibited at fire hydrants, fire lanes, yellow curbs, driveways, alleyways, sidewalks, walkways or grass areas. Curb cuts, handicapped spaces, service drives and trash pickup areas may not be blocked at any time. Vehicles parked in these areas are subject to being towed at the owner's expense.

All vehicles parked on campus must be head-in to the parking space. Back-in parking is prohibited in all areas including meters.

No unauthorized person may alter, deface, knock down or remove any official parking or traffic sign or erect any parking sign without the approval of the University Parking Committee.


Resident Student (S) Parking

Vehicles bearing a valid Resident Student (S) permit may park at any time in areas designated "Student" and "Any Decal Parking." In addition, they may park in Faculty/Staff lots between 5:00 p.m. through 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5:00 p.m. Friday through 7:30 a.m. Monday. Vehicles with S permits may not park in reserved spaces or garages at any time.

The lot indicated "S21" will be reserved for special athletic events. Students may park in other "S" lots during these events. See the USC Athletics web site for event listings.

Vehicles bearing a valid Commuting Student (CS) permit may park in parking areas designated "Any Decal Parking." In addition, they may park in Faculty/Staff lots between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 am, daily. CS permits are not valid on campus from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. At no time are they allowed to park in Resident Student parking lots. Vehicles with CS permits may not park in reserved spaces or garages at any time.

Graduate Student (GS) Parking

Students providing documentation of their enrollment as a graduate student may purchase a Graduate Student (GS) parking permit. GS permits are valid at any time in "Student" and "Any Decal" parking lots. In addition, GS permits are valid in Faculty/Staff lots between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 4:00 p.m. Friday through 7:30 a.m. Monday. Vehicles with GS permits may not park in reserved spaces or garages at any time.

Evening Student (EV) Parking

Vehicles bearing a valid Evening Student (EV) permit may park in Faculty/Staff and all Student lots between 4:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vehicles with EV permits may not park in reserved spaces or garages at any time.

Student Employee Parking

Students employed on a part-time basis, regardless of capacity, are not eligible for Faculty/Staff parking decals. Students in such categories who use University parking facilities must display a valid student permit and park in their appropriate area.

Speed Limit

Unless otherwise posted, campus speed limit is 15 miles per hour. All drivers must operate their vehicle in accordance with road and weather conditions . The speed in all garages is 10 miles per hour.

Vehicle Breakdowns

If a vehicle becomes inoperative on campus, Parking Services (777-5160) or the University Police Department (777-4215) must be notified immediately. The driver of the vehicle should immediately take action to move the vehicle to a legal parking space or have the vehicle removed from campus. If the vehicle is not moved within 24 hours, the vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense.

Abandoned vehicles or vehicles that appear to be abandoned are subject to towing and impoundment. Storage of vehicles on University property is prohibited and such vehicles are subject to towing.

Non-Payment of Fines

Students, faculty, and staff who fail to pay their financial obligation for parking violations to the University may have their parking privileges revoked and their vehicle impounded. In addition, students who fail to pay their financial obligations to the University before the end of the semester will not be allowed to register for classes, secure transcripts,  or receive diplomas until the obligations have been cleared.

Towing of Vehicles

The University has the lawful right or remove and impound vehicles under the following conditions:

  parked in a handicap space without appropriate permit
  parked at or blocking a handicap curb cut
  parked in or blocking a handicap access area (blue diagonal lines)
  parked so that it impedes the operation of emergency equipment
  parked so that impedes pedestrian or vehicular traffic
  parked in a fire lane or at a fire hydrant
  parked in a parking garage without proper permit
  parked at a yellow curb or a no parking area
  accumulation of $50.00 or more in unpaid parking violations
  parked in a manner that creates a safety hazard
  abandoned or stored vehicles
  parked in a reserved space
  possession of a forged, defaced, or altered USC permit

Towing, storage and release of impounded vehicles is in accordance with City of Columbia Code of Ordinances, sections 2-4005, 2-4006 and 2-3064. Owners of such vehicles assume all risks involved and will be required to pay all cost of removal, impounding, and storage.


Motorcycles

Motorcycles and motor scooters must have a valid permit to park on campus. They may park only in designated motorcycle spaces. Motorcycles and motor scooters are prohibited from parking in automobile spaces in garage, surface lots, and meter spaces on campus. The operation of motorcycles and motor scooters on or across sidewalks and walkways is strictly prohibited.

Motorcycles and motor scooters may not be stored in buildings on campus at any time. Such vehicles will be removed and impounded by the University at the owner's expense.

Bicycles

All bicycles parked on campus are required to be registered. They may be registered at the Parking Services office at no charge. Bicycle racks are located throughout campus where bike owners may park and secure their bikes. Bicycles are not to be parked where they block pedestrian traffic (stairwells, entrances to buildings, sidewalks). Bicycles parked in such a manner will be impounded.

Two weeks after May graduation, the University Police Department will impound all abandoned and/or unregistered bicycles. The University is not responsible for damage to any such bicycles or locks.

Damage to USC Property

It is unlawful to damage University property. Violators will be prosecuted in accordance with state law and University Discipline Codes

Defrauding Parking Meters

It is unlawful to deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking meter, any slug, device or substitute for a coin of the United States. This constitutes a misdemeanor to be tried by a magistrate.

University of South Carolina permits are required to park in campus handicap spaces. USC handicap parking permits are available to students, faculty and staff of the University and are valid on University property only. Parking in Handicap spaces on the city street requires a hang tag or Handicap license tag issued by the Highway Department. USC permits are not valid in City handicap spaces.

To obtain a handicap parking permit, a statement from a medical doctor must be submitted to Parking Services, stating the nature (diagnosis) and duration of the disability for which handicap parking is needed. If a medical doctor's statement is not immediately available, a temporary permit may be issued for up to five (5) school days in order to obtain the required statement.

Students may submit a statement from their private medical doctor or may be evaluated at the Student Health Center to obtain a statement containing the nature and duration of their disability.

Handicap permits will be issued for the duration indicated on the doctor's or Health Center's statement. For students, there will be a charge of $40.00 per school year or $2.00 per week depending on the duration of the disability. If a student has purchased a parking permit within the school year, there will be no additional charge.

Vehicles bearing Handicap (HC) decals ARE NOT allowed to use any "Reserved" spaces.

Campus visitors may obtain a free one-day visitor permit from the Visitor Center. The visitor permit is valid in various lots throughout campus. Metered parking is also available on campus for visitors.

USC meters are enforced Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All USC meters limited to 15 minutes are enforced from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Malfunctioning meters should be reported to Parking Services or the USC Police Department.

Special Event Parking Requests

Departments hosting special events (seminars, meetings, or workshops) must submit a request to Parking Services at least one week prior to the event. Every effort will be made to accommodate special event parking requests, however, some request may be denied due to limited availability of parking.

Cost depends on the area requested, and departments are required to furnish billing information in order to process the request. In some instances, outside security is necessary and result in an additional fee.

Submit a request for Special Event Parking

Questions concerning these requests should be directed to Ami Steele at 777-4316.

Penalties and bonds are payable in person at Parking Services, or by mail. DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL.

Parking Services reserves the right to change penalty and/or bond amounts without notice.

Schedule of Penalties

Schedule of Bonds

Delinquent violations not paid or appealed after the third school day from the date of issue will result in the bond being increased as prescribed below:
 

Warrants may be served after thirty (30) days of notification to registered owner. Bond will be increased as follows:
 

Appeals

Appeals of parking violations that the recipient feels may have been issued in error or without just cause, must be made within seventy-two (72) hours of the time the citation was issued (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted); otherwise, the right of appeal is forfeited. Appeals may be made at Parking Services.

The Traffic and Parking Appellate Committee will review appeals. The committee is comprised of students, faculty and staff members and meets once a month, usually the third Monday of the month.