Parking and Traffic Rules
The following regulations are prepared and distributed to assist individuals who plan to operate and/or park motor vehicles on Grand Canyon University (GCU) property, or property that has been secured by GCU for the purposes of providing parking availability. There is a continuing effort to provide the highest level of service to ensure the safest and most efficient use of university parking resources. Accessible parking spaces and fire lanes will be enforced 24 hours a day by GCU's Department of Public Safety and the Phoenix Police Department.
Motor vehicle operators are responsible for knowing and following GCU's parking laws and regulations. You can expect reasonable privacy regarding vehicles and personal property contained in the vehicles when parked on campus. However, GCU public safety officers may access and inspect student vehicles without permission when reasonable suspicion exists that a violation of university regulations or federal, state or local laws may take place or has taken place. All ordinances of the City of Phoenix related to traffic which are not in conflict with or inconsistent with these regulations are enforced.
Liability
GCU assumes no legal responsibility or liability for any theft, loss of property, vandalism, accidents or damages while a vehicle is on university-controlled property. The GCU Department of Public Safety strongly recommends and encourages the removal of all items of value from your vehicle to help prevent theft or loss of property.
Anyone who operates a vehicle on the GCU campus or properties under its control for educational or residential purposes agrees to:
- Obtain, read and abide by the GCU parking rules and regulations.
- Possess a current and valid driver’s license from their respective state.
- Maintain current licenses, registrations and insurance for their vehicle per their state's requirements.
- Pay all fines and fees resulting from violations of the GCU parking rules and regulations.
- Protect and hold harmless the university, its students, officers and employees, from all claims of injuries to persons or damages to property resulting from vehicle operation or parking.
Accessible Parking
Vehicles displaying a current GCU-issued accessible parking permit can park in any open designated accessible space, regardless of posted parking lot designation. These types of parking permits may be obtained by contacting Student Disability Services and providing documentation that supports a different parking status.
Accessible spaces are indicated with the accessible symbol in the space and parking sign in front of the space. Access spaces have yellow lines in front of ramps on the sidewalks or next to accessible spaces to give disabled individuals adequate room. Persons parked in accessible spaces without an appropriate GCU-issued parking permit are subject to fines.
Please notify the GCU Department of Public Safety at 602-639-8100 when a disabled space is occupied by an unauthorized vehicle. Accessible parking regulations are enforced at all times.
Rules
- Standard rules of the road for the city, county and state will be observed on campus.
- For 2015-16 resident students, non-resident students and evening and cohort students, permits will be in effect for fall, spring and summer terms.
- Driving or parking in a transit lane and parking at a yellow curb, yellow line, fire hydrant or handicapped accessible sidewalk is prohibited at all times and will subject the vehicle to impoundment by Public Safety.
- Loading and service zones: Parking is restricted to delivery service and vendor vehicles for the purpose of loading and unloading only. Individuals needing to temporarily park their personal vehicle in a loading zone must first obtain permission from Public Safety.
- Vehicles should be parked within a designated parking space.
- Permits are only valid when your university status corresponds with your parking permit zone. It is the responsibility of the holder to notify Campus Operations with changes in campus status.
- The speed limit is 15 mph, except where otherwise posted. Additional reductions in speed may be necessary in areas of vehicular and pedestrian congestion or during inclement weather.
- Parking on the grass, sidewalks, crosswalks and loading zones is prohibited.
- Motorists must yield to pedestrians in designated crosswalks.
- Motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles are subject to the same traffic rules, and are to move in the same direction on the same side of the street as other vehicles. They must not use sidewalks or lawns.
- The university assumes no liability for damages to vehicles operated or parked on campus. Any such damage is a risk assumed by the owner as operator of the vehicle.
- Trailers, boats, campers and similar non-motor vehicles are prohibited from parking on campus.
- Inability to find a legal parking space will not be accepted as a defense for violations.
- A faculty or staff member may not register for a permit that will be used by a student.
- Failure to display a current parking permit while on campus can result in a parking citation.
- Vehicles not displaying a license plate and/or vehicle identification number (VIN) are subject to wheel lock or impoundment.
- Non-registered vehicles with three unpaid citations are subject to wheel lock, towing or impoundment. All charges, including tow charges and outstanding fines, must be paid before the vehicle is released.
- Parking permits may be transferred between vehicles of the same owner, but the information about the new vehicle must be submitted to Campus Operations at the time of the transfer. A parking permit which does not correspond to the vehicle on which it appears is subject to forfeiture.
- Vehicles left in parking lots without a valid permit are subject to impoundment, per university towing policy.
- Vehicles impounded and not claimed within 30 days are subject to State of Arizona abandonment code.
- Parking permits will be refunded at full cost if returned to Campus Operations no later than the close of business, the third Friday of the fall term. Full refunds will not be given after that time.
- A student who wants to purchase a parking permit after the beginning of the term will be required to obtain the permit online or at Campus Operations. No discount is available for permits purchased after the start of the term. Permits can be prorated for the spring term.
- It is the purchaser's responsibility to report permits as lost in the mail that are not received within 15 business days from the date of purchase. Failure to report your lost permit may result in you receiving parking citations and being required to purchase another permit at the current cost.
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Parking Requirements
As of March 2023, GCU has seven on-campus garages, providing over 14,500 parking spots. All vehicles operated on the GCU campus by students, faculty and staff must properly display a current GCU parking permit on the inside of the windshield on the driver's side. Safety regulations are enforced 24 hours a day and seven days a week. These parking and traffic regulations are effective Aug. 16, 2015 and are subject to change at any time.
Registration for a parking permit does not guarantee available parking. The responsibility of finding a legal parking space rests with the vehicle operator. A lack of space is not a valid excuse for violating parking regulations. The use of emergency flashers or personal dash placards does not excuse illegal parking. Vehicles parked illegally may receive a citation.
When paying a parking citation, keep in mind that new citations may take up to 48 hours to appear in the database. If there is a pending fee along with a current balance, you are responsible for paying the entire amount. All vehicles impounded or towed are subject to a release fee in addition to all outstanding citations.
If the fine on a citation is greater than the amount indicated by the accumulation record, the greater fine will be levied against the violator.
| Improper parking | $50.00 |
| Parking on red curb/in fire lane | $100.00 |
| Parking in accessible space | $250.00 |
| Obstructing dumpster | $50.00 |
| Improperly affixed permit | $15.00 |
| Improper registration | $15.00 |
| Failure to register vehicle | $15.00 |
| Failure to register vehicle (second offense) | $50.00 |
| Using a lost/stolen permit | $200.00 |
| Duplicating a parking permit | $200.00 |
| Wheel lock | $100.00 |
| Removing or tampering with a wheel lock | $100.00 |
| Driving or parking in a bike lane | $50.00 |
| Boot/wheel lock damage or replacement | $200.00 |
| Failure to stop at security checkpoint | $150.00 |
| Reckless driving/speeding | $75.00 |
| Driving under the influence | Subject to AZ state law |
Anyone cited for a moving violation may be issued a State of Arizona uniform traffic citation.
If you have received a citation, you are responsible for paying the citation. Vehicles with unpaid citations are subject to wheel lock, towing or impoundment. If a car is impounded, all charges, including tow charges and outstanding fines, must be paid before the vehicle is released.
To pay a citation, visit gcu.thepermitstore.com and enter the notice number from the citation and follow the prompts.
If you do not have access to a computer or do not have a credit card, visit Campus Operations during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm).
If you believe you received a citation in error, you may appeal online within 14 days of the citation. All appeals are subject to the following stipulations:
- The citation being appealed must be listed on the Appeal Form. Speak with Campus Operations for more information.
- The following reasons are not acceptable for appealing a parking ticket:
- Lack of knowledge of regulations.
- No space available, inability to find a legal space or parking illegally due to other cars parked illegally.
- Inclement weather.
- Tardiness to class or an appointment.