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Parking Guide

La Sierra University owns and occupies 150+ acres. The University’s right to control traffic and parking on its campus is given by the California Vehicle Code (CVC). University Security & Patrol (USP) has the responsibility and authority to administer the traffic policy of the University and to control traffic accordingly.

The operation of a motorized vehicle on campus is a privilege granted by the University and is not a right of any employee, student or visitor. La Sierra University Vehicle Code (LSVC) rules and regulations are designed to aid the flow of traffic, provide the maximum amount of parking possible, and to make the streets safe for vehicles, pedestrians, residents, and children playing on campus.

All individuals registering a vehicle with USP or operating a vehicle on University property, must agree to:
  • Obey all University policies, rules, and regulations.
  • Pay all fees and fines assessed for violation of these codes.
  • Protect and hold harmless the University and its students, officers, and employees from all claims from injuries to any persons or damage to property by reason of operation of this vehicle or any vehicle on campus.
  • Maintain licenses, registration, and Liability and Property Damage Insurance for vehicles as required by law.
  • The individual who initially registers the vehicle will be held responsible for it, even if the vehicle is not currently registered, unless s/he shows proof that the vehicle was sold.

In addition:

  • Any expenses incurred by this department pertaining to vehicles on campus will be the responsibility of the permit holder, registered owner, or violator with charges.
  • La Sierra University neither warrants the safety of vehicles nor assumes the responsibility for loss due to theft, vandalism, accident, or damage while the vehicle is on University property.
  • Parking, policy, and moving violations may be issued at the time of the infraction and posted on the vehicle, or mailed to the violator.

If an individual signs a release agreement form for a certain vehicle, s/he will be held responsible for any fines or citations pertaining to that vehicle.

Where to obtain parking permits

All vehicles parked on campus and in University housing are required to be currently registered with La Sierra University and USP.

Registration for vehicles will be done through the USP Online Parking System (OPS) portal found at: lasierra.edu/parking. Applications for parking permits, throughout the year, may also be done at the USP Office Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., except during holidays.

When parking in the handicap spaces, persons with physical disabilities will be asked to display a valid state disability placard or handicap license plate in addition to registering their vehicle with USP.

A new academic full year begins during the Summer Quarter immediately following graduation in June. All full year registrations will begin as of the end of graduation.


Parking permit fees

There is a $20 per quarter parking permit fee for non-full time students.

All fees or fines that are paid in coins must be rolled.

Students and employees who live at Ambs Drive Houses, Raley Houses, Raley Cottages, Sierra Vista Apartments, Walnut Grove Apartments or any other University housing area must register their vehicles with the USP department. They must also operate their vehicles in accordance with the regulations specified in their housing contract. Vehicle must be operational. Non-operational vehicles are not permitted in University parking areas and will be towed. These parking areas are for residents only. Visitors will be cited for parking in parking areas designated for tenants only.

Vehicle parking permits

The permit holders are responsible for assuring their personal information and vehicle profiles are up to date in the OPS database. All permits will be verified through the vehicle license plate as registered with the OPS database.

If the vehicle does not have a license plate at time of registration, you will be prompted to use the last five digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It is the permit holder’s responsibility to update the database with the license plate when received from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The OPS database will send reminders for the permit holder to update their license plate information. If the information is not updated promptly it will go into a VIN suspension.

You can have up to five (5) active vehicles on the OPS database at a time. If you need to activate a non-registered vehicle to the OPS system, you can do so from the OPS portal at any time by deactivating one (1) of your five (5) vehicles and adding the new vehicle.

Parking permits are not transferable from one individual to another. Each registered user needs their own permit. Only the five (5) vehicles listed in your profile will be registered and therefore any vehicle you bring onto campus needs to be registered under your profile individually. Each account holder may have up to five (5) vehicles registered in their profile. If you need to bring a vehicle on campus that is not currently active, you will need to visit the OPS online website in order to add/switch your active vehicles.

License plates must be visible at all times. This means that vehicles must park head first into parking spaces at all given lots, so the rear license plate is properly displayed. Failure to do so may result in a citation for failure to display.

You are only allowed to have one (1) of your registered vehicles on campus at a time. If you have a family member that works on campus, or is a student on campus, and they will be bringing a second vehicle onto campus, it needs to be registered in their name. Failure to comply may result in a citation for excess of permitted vehicles on campus.

N-lot, K-lot, H-lot, and P-lot are all restricted lots and require an administration, faculty, or staff parking permit. If you park illegally in these areas, additional violations may be assessed.

Spaces on North and South Pierce Streets marked “Staff” are restricted to Full-time La Sierra University employees. If you park illegally in these areas, additional violations may be assessed.

Be aware that there are spaces with posted signs for designated vehicles only. These signs may be painted on the ground or posted as a sign. Parking in a restricted space may incur a citation for "Posted: No Parking," with a note in the comment section as to where the vehicle was parked (i.e.: President, Provost, Service Vehicle Only, Service Learning Vehicle Only, Loading/Unloading, Dean, RA, Security, etc.).

M-lot is an overflow parking lot for vehicles registered on campus. Vehicles may be assigned M-lot if all other lots are full. Vehicles parking in this area must be registered with USP.

Students who park in the Convenience Center parking area to attend classes in the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) program must be currently registered with USP.

Timed and visitor parking lots

Timed and Visitor spaces are for visitors and vendors only. No student permits allowed to park in Timed or Visitor areas.

Timed lots remain timed lots 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are NO RE-PARKS within a 24-hour period in a timed lot or area. 24-hour period begins at 2:00 a.m. Vehicles will be electronically chalked and, if found to be over time or re-parked, will receive a citation for being parked overtime and may receive a citation for parked out of assigned lot.

North and South Pierce Street parking areas have three hour parking spaces and are primarily for the convenience of visitors and vendors.

South Pierce Street has spaces marked “Staff.” These spaces are for vehicles registered to La Sierra University full-time employees.

North and South Pierce Streets also have spaces marked “Student Parking.” These spaces are for vehicles registered to students of La Sierra University.

There is One Hour visitor parking in C-lot, located in front of the Commons. Unregistered vehicles may park here as long as they do not exceed the posted time limit. C-lot remains an hourly lot after the posted time, if the vehicle is currently unregistered with USP. NO RE-PARKS ALLOWED. OVERNIGHT PARKING WITH ANGWIN GUEST REGISTRATION ONLY.

A-Lot One Hour visitor parking is for Sierra Towers visitors only. If a vehicle exceeds the One Hour time limit, it may be cited for “parked overtime" and “parked out of assigned lot.” If a vehicle is unregistered on campus, it may also be cited for "failure to register." NO RE-PARKS ALLOWED. OVERNIGHT PARKING NOT ALLOWED.

There is Two Hour parking located in L-lot by the University Library. Unregistered vehicles may park here as long as they do not exceed the posted time limit. After Two Hours, unregistered vehicles may be cited for failure to register and exceeding the time limit. Registered vehicles may be cited for “parked overtime” and “out of assigned lot.” NO RE-PARKS or OVERNIGHT PARKING ALLOWED.

There is visitor parking spaces located in L-lot by the University Library. These spaces are only for unregistered vehicles of short term La Sierra University guests. Registered vehicles parking in these spaces may be cited for parking in a “Posted: Visitor” space.

There are loading/unloading timed spaces in A-lot, B-lot, C-lot, D-lot, and I-lot. These spaces are enforced seven days a week, 24 hours each day.

Convenience Center parking area is limited to Two Hours per day. Students registered with the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) program will be allowed to park for the duration of their classes. Convenience Center parking in front of La Sierra Natural Foods Market is a time limited parking area.

When an unregistered vehicle is parked overtime in a timed parking lot or space, the vehicle may receive a citation for “Failure to Register” and for "Parked Overtime.”

All time limited areas are enforced seven days a week, 24 hours each day.NO RE-PARKS OR OVERNIGHT PARKING ALLOWED IN ANY TIME LIMITED AREAS.

Explanation of lots

Following is a list of all lots available on campus and who they are available to:

A Lot: Sierra Tower Dorm students only. Handicap parking by permit only. Parking by designation with proper permit (RA spaces, Dean spaces). Loading/Unloading timed spaces.

B Lot: Calkins and South Hall Dorm students only. Handicap parking by permit only. Parking by designation with proper permit (RA spaces, Dean spaces). Loading/Unloading timed spaces.

C Lot: One hour timed parking lot. Visitors vehicles only.

D Lot: Angwin Hall Dorm students only. Handicap parking by permit only. Parking by designation with proper permit (RA spaces, Dean spaces). Loading/Unloading timed spaces.

E Lot: Off-campus students permitted to this lot. Faculty and Staff spaces. Handicap parking by permit only.

F Lot: Off-campus students permitted to this lot. Faculty and Staff spaces. Handicap parking by permit only.

G Lot: Restricted Lot: Staff and Faculty spaces only. Handicap parking by permit only.

H Lot: Restricted Lot: Staff and Faculty spaces only. Handicap parking by permit only.

I Lot: Off-campus students permitted to this lot. Faculty and Staff spaces. Handicap parking by permit only.

J Lot: Off-campus students permitted to this lot. Faculty and Staff spaces. Handicap parking by permit only.

K Lot: Restricted Lot: Faculty and Staff spaces only. Handicap parking by permit only.

L Lot: Off-campus students permitted to this lot. Faculty and Staff spaces. Handicap parking by permit only. Two hour timed parking spaces (18 spaces total) - Only unregistered vehicles allowed to park. Visitor spaces (Six spaces total) - Only unregistered vehicles of short term La Sierra University visitors allowed to park, no time limit.

M Lot: Registered vehicle overflow parking only. Handicap parking by permit only. Faculty and Staff spaces. Handicap parking by permit only.

N Lot: Restricted Lot: Staff, Administration, and Faculty spaces only. Handicap parking by permit only. One hour timed parking spaces (Six spaces total) - Only unregistered vehicles allowed to park. Visitor marked spaces (Twelve spaces total) – Only unregistered vehicles of visitors allowed to park, no time limit.

O Lot: Off-campus students permitted to this lot. Faculty and Staff spaces. Handicap parking by permit only.

P Lot: South Hall Dorm students only. Handicap parking by permit only. Parking by designation with proper permit (RA spaces, Dean spaces). Loading/Unloading timed spaces. Also: Overflow Staff/Faculty from K Lot.

North Pierce Street/Heritage Way: 3-hour timed parking: Only unregistered vehicles of short term La Sierra University visitors allowed to park. Student Parking spaces: for student workers only during business working hours.

South Pierce Street/Heritage Way: 3-hour timed parking: Only unregistered vehicles of short term La Sierra University visitors allowed to park. Student Parking spaces: for student workers only during business working hours. Staff Parking Spaces: for Staff and Faculty permitted vehicles only.

Following is a list of all University Housing lots available on campus and who they are available to:

RC-4: Blehm Street & Quiet Lane Housing. Parking for registered vehicles of residents only.

RC-8: Sierra Vista Apartments. Parking for registered vehicles of residents only.

RC-11: Walnut Grove Apartments. Parking for registered vehicles of residents only.

RC-13: Raley Cottages. Parking for registered vehicles of residents only.

RC-14: Raley Estates. Parking for registered vehicles of residents only.

RC-15: Carmine Street Housing. Parking for registered vehicles of residents only.

RC-19: Ambs Drive Staff Housing. Parking for registered vehicles of residents only.

Parking regulation times

During the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters, Monday thru Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., vehicles must be parked in either their assigned parking lot or overflow parking in M-lot. Between 3:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. registered vehicles may park in any student lots. Between 6:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., registered vehicles with current permits may be parked in any faculty or student parking lot. During the summer sessions and breaks between each quarter, the same hours stand. Although students are not assigned parking lots in summer, they must park in student parking lots and can only park in faculty/staff parking between 6:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. as long as vehicles are properly registered.

Overnight Parking regulations

There is no overnight parking allowed on campus except in designated areas and with permission. Vehicles are considered to be parked overnight if they are on campus between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. In order to park on campus during hours that fall under the overnight parking times you must contact Security during business hours prior to parking in order to receive an overnight permit and have your vehicle given the proper permission to park in a designated overnight lot. If you are staying in a dormitory you must request permission from the dormitory to park in their dormitory parking lot overnight. Only three (3) overnight permits are allowed for free per quarter. Once a user and permit has reached that limit they will need to pay for overnight parking. If you are staying in the dormitory their staff will determine whether you need to pay an overnight fee to the dorm at which point the parking will be included in the dormitory overnight fee.

If you have any questions about overnight parking contact Security at: (951) 785-2222.

Space lot closing

Barriers, barricades, fences, or posts may be placed at any point necessary for safety, convenience, or traffic control. The removal of or tampering with such barriers, barrier-tape, barricades, fences, or posts, without the permission of USP is forbidden. La Sierra University reserves the right to temporarily close or modify any parking space or lot and Campus Drive or other road ways, if necessary. When possible, advance notice will be given. Any vehicle entering a barricaded area may be cited or towed.

Citations will be issued 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without warning to any person for violating USP Parking Policy.

Citations will also be issued for, but not limited to, the following:
  • Failing to register vehicle with La Sierra USP.
  • Driving recklessly or speeding through campus.
  • Parking in red zones, walkways and grass areas.
  • Blocking other vehicles on roadways or creating a hazardous condition.
  • Parking in Handicapped spaces or designated visitor spaces without proper authorization.
  • Parking overtime in timed spaces. NO RE-PARKS OR OVERNIGHT PARKING ALLOWED.
  • Driving on sidewalks/footpaths or landscaped areas without prior authorization from USP.
  • Failing to stop at any of the stop signs on campus.
  • Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
  • Parking in an unmarked area or occupying more than one space.

 

Cuffings

Any vehicle that has two or more citations or whose VIN number is covered and no license plate number, may be cuffed at owner’s expense. The initial Cuffing Fee is $25 and $10 is added for every subsequent day that the cuff remains on the car.

 

A vehicle that is cuffed may be towed if the person responsible for that vehicle does not come in to take care of the car cuff immediately. The owner will be responsible for towing fees and storage.

 

If your vehicle has been cuffed and the appeal date has not passed, you can appeal the citations. However, you must pay the fine to have the cuff removed. A refund will be given, if the appeal is approved, without a refund charge. All refunds are credited to a university account if possible.

 

Towing

Illegally parked vehicles that are on University property may be towed without prior warning. This includes vehicles parked in University housing.

 

A vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense in the following cases:

  • Being parked, abandoned, disabled, or creating a safety hazard in any way.
  • Being parked illegally in handicapped spaces.
  • Blocking access or parking in areas marked “Vehicle Will Be Towed”.
  • Parking in red zones.
  • Having two or more citations.
  • Not coming in to the USP Office immediately after vehicle has been cuffed.

Student parking permits

All students, including residence hall students, must register their vehicles to park on campus. Students must park only in their assigned lots between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. However, issuance of a permit is not a guarantee that a parking space will be available. If your assigned lot is full, you may park in M-lot, which is the overflow parking lot for registered vehicles. Students may also park in spaces marked "Student Parking" along North Pierce Street and South Pierce Street. Students may park in any space within the lots except those specially marked, such as visitor, handicapped, service vehicles, faculty, staff, and nurse spaces.

 

Residence Hall students must park in the lot assigned for their residence. Residence Hall students may also park in M-Lot, overflow parking lot for all registered vehicles, as well as spaces marked "Student Parking" on North Pierce Street and South Pierce Street. After 3:45 p.m. residence hall students may park in any student lot and after 6:00 p.m. they can park in any administration/staff lot.

 

Administration, faculty and staff parking permits

All administrators, faculty and staff members are required to obtain a parking permit from USP. A proper permit will allow the aforementioned to park in lots and spaces designated for full time La Sierra University employees. Contract teachers will be assigned a special parking permit and allowed to park in designated locations.

 

Temporary parking permits

Temporary parking permits for special circumstances may be obtained through USP. A temporary parking permit can be purchased for $2.00 per day or $10.00 per week.

Appeal process

If you decide to appeal a citation, you can fill out a form online through the Online Parking System (OPS) Portal. The appeal goes before a group of La Sierra University staff and students. You will receive a notice to your registered La Sierra University email address with a new due date if your appeal is not approved. Your appeal may be approved and/or the fine reduced. The fine may be increased if other violations are discovered in the appeal process. If you do not turn in the appeal before the due date, you give up your right to appeal the citation. You have one week to appeal a citation from the date the ticket was written, or the first business day following a weekend or holiday if a citation is issued over the weekend.

Refunds: only pertaining to part time students.

If you no longer desire parking privileges and a refund is due, there will be a $10.00 charge for the refund and a charge for time elapsed between the date the permit was issued and the date refund was given ($10.00 per week, or $2.00 per day). All refunds are credited to your account. If there is a balance on your account, the credit will be applied. All refunds are credited to a university account if possible.

Anti-theft/burglar alarms

Vehicle Anti-Theft/Burglar Alarms must reset automatically within five minutes of activation. Non-resetting vehicle alarms may result in immediate towing. Activated alarms that interfere with classes, office business, or facility events are subject to immediate towing. In residential areas, during the hours of darkness, a third resetting false alarm during the same night may result in the vehicle being towed.

Schedule of fines

All citations must be handled within one week of issuance. Either the fine must be paid or an online appeal request completed. At the end of one week, if the fine has not been paid or appealed, a $15.00 late fee will be added, and the full amount will be charged to your University account and/or may be sent to a collection agency and/or may have an academic hold placed in your name. If sent to a Collection Agency, there will be an additional processing fee of up to $75. Below is a list of the most common fines:

Violation Fee
Handicap Spaces $250
Tampering $100
Failure to Register $25
Blocking Access areas and/or No Parking Zones $25
Employee Restricted Parking $25
Moving Violations $25
Parking Violations $15
Processing Fee $5

Any non-registered vehicle that is driven on campus and receives a citation will be subject to a DMV search and an additional $5.00 charge.

Anyone who transfers, tampers with, or alters a parking permit and/or license plate will receive a $100.00 fine.

Ignorance of regulations or lack of parking space will not be considered a defense for violations.

Parking patrol officers are not expected to find, read or follow notes of explanation, or to accept money.


REGULATIONS

  • All provisions of the California Vehicle Code are applicable on University property except as modified by the La Sierra UniversityVC.
  • Posted signs shall be obeyed at all times.
  • Traffic Control Signs shall not be evaded by driving to the right of the sign, nor off the designated roadway.
  • The speed limit on campus is “No Faster Than Is Safe.” It is never safe to travel faster than 15 MPH on campus.
  • Pedestrians have the right of way over vehicles when crossing roadways within marked crosswalks, at unmarked crosswalks, at road intersections, and within parking lots.

 

NO RE-PARKS ALLOWED IN ANY TIME DESIGNATED PARKING AREAS ON CAMPUS

Contact & Location

+1 (800) 874-5587
(951) 785-2000
info@lasierra.edu

4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California, 92505
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