Parking Policy
All vehicles parked on the Middlebury College campus must be registered with the Department of Public Safety and display a valid permit. The parking rules and regulations are in effect throughout the year to include summer, all breaks, weekends and holidays. Vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas during these times. The Department of Public Safety has the responsibility of enforcing campus parking regulations on a 24-hour, 365 days a year basis.
All enrolled students (including students living off campus) are eligible to operate a motor vehicle at Middlebury College. Any student bringing a vehicle to campus must register it with the Department of Public Safety. Students are expected to park in the College lots designated by their parking permit. Enrolled students may not park on town streets or roadways near campus to attend any College program or sponsored activity. Students who are not enrolled must take their vehicles with them when they leave campus.
Parking rules and regulations must be followed to ensure a safe and accessible environment. Although campus parking lots may seem full much of the time, there is adquate parking for the number of vehicles on campus. The vehicle operator is soley responsible for finding an authorized parking space. Lack of a space in a certain area is not considered a valid excuse for violations of parking regulations. A missing sign does not change the parking status of a particular area. Repeated parking violations may result in fines (via tickets, tows, and vehicle boots), loss of parking privileges and/or disciplinary action.
Middlebury College assumes no responsibility for fire, theft, or other damage to motor vehicles or their contents while they are parked on Middlebury College property.
The following contains general parking information:
1. Philosophy of the campus parking control policies
• To provide parking privileges to all members of the College Community and their guests.
• Peripheral parking for students.
• Spaces within a 5-7 minute walk for faculty and staff.
• To keep fire lanes clear at all times.
• To provide a safe environment by prohibiting parking on sides of roads, walkways and lawns.
• To administer all parking regulations through fair, direct and unbiased procedures.
2. Permits
The preregistration form is available on Banner Web and should be completed in advance. To obtain the permit, bring a valid driver's license and vehicle registration to the Department of Public Safety. By obtaining a parking permit, the driver is agreeing to abide by the College's parking rules and regulations.
The parking permit must be properly affixed to the rear window, lower left corner.
If the permit is improperly placed, the owner of the vehicle is in violation of the parking policy. Any questions about the placement of a parking permit should be directed to Public Safety. Any vehicle with an altered parking permit is in violation of the College policy and the owner of the vehicle is subject to being fined and/or towed and or booted as well as College discipline.
Students are not allowed to regularly use vehicles registered to College employees without registering the vehicle as a student vehicle and paying the appropriate fee.
The College does not permit student-aid funds to be used to subsidize motor vehicle expenses.
Permits, Permit Fees, Maps and Parking Lot Assignments
Accessible Parking Placard or Plate
Middlebury College recognizes any state issued accessible placard or license plate. Students, faculty and staff with an accessible placard or license plate must obtain a College parking permit in order to park in any spaces on campus. Vehicles displaying a valid placard or plate and a College parking permit may park in the accessible spaces or in any other parking space on campus.
Students must renew the College parking permit annually. For assistance in renewing the student permit, contact the Department of Public Safety.
Vermont Accessible Parking Placard or Plate
Medical Permits
Students with special parking needs, due to a temporary mobility or medical issue, may contact the Health Center for a medical parking permit. The Health Center will complete a form and send it to the Department of Public Safety specifying the length of time that the permit will be necessary.
Faculty or staff with special parking needs, due to temporary mobility or medical issues, should contact Human Resources. Human Resources will complete a form and send it to the Department of Public Safety specifying the length of time that the permit will be necessary. The Department of Public Safety will provide the permit and designate the parking area as necessary.
Service Vehicles from Off-Campus
Clearly identified service vehicles do not require temporary permits even during weekdays. Examples, UPS, FedEx, Black River Produce, etc.
3. Visitor Parking - General Information
Currently there are limitations on the number of available parking spaces near the center of campus. Visitor parking is allowed in some faculty and staff lots, but the visitor may only find limited spaces available. We encourage all visitors to take advantage of available visitor parking in Q Lot at the Mahaney Center for the Arts.
a. Week Day Campus Visitor
Visitors and guests coming to campus Mon.-Fri. between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. should display a College parking permit to avoid being ticketed. Temporary parking permits may be obtained from Public Safety.
All guest vehicles must be registered with the Department of Public Safety. Students, College offices and departments that host visitors are responsible for acquainting their guests with the parking regulations. Students are responsible for their guests' vehicles while they are on Middlebury College property. Departments hosting a special event on a weekday should notify Public Safety in advance.
b. Special Events Visitor
Middlebury College often hosts events open to the public, such as concerts and athletic games. These visitors do not need to acquire a parking permit for evening and weekend events.
Event placards may be distributed for large events occurring during the day, weekend, and overnight. Placards are created by Public Safety and are handed out at event registration. Examples: Fall Family Weekend
c. Overnight Visitor or Guest - Parking Pass
Any guest of the College or of any member of the campus community planning to park a vehicle on campus overnight must register the vehicle with the Department of Public Safety and obtain a Guest Parking Pass. Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being ticketed, towed or booted. Overnight parking is available in the Mahaney Center for the Arts parking lot. Public Safety will need to see the guest's valid driver's license and vehicle registration before issuing a parking pass.
4. Winter Parking Ban - Snow Removal
The winter parking ban is in effect from November 1 through April 1 to ensure effective snow removal. The ban is in effect even when there is no snow in the forecast. (Please note: The ban may be extended if weather conditions warrant.)
During this ban all overnight parking is restricted to student lots only. Violators of the winter parking ban will be towed and required to pay all fines and fees associated with the tow. Faculty/Staff vehicles may only be parked overnight in the faculty/staff parking spaces at the Center for the Arts or behind Kenyon Arena.
5. Driving
Vehicles operated by students, faculty, and staff may be parked or driven on campus roadways under the provisions of College regulations and Vermont laws relating to motor vehicles.
Violations of motor vehicle laws or College motor vehicle regulations that endanger the safety of others such as driving on sidewalks or failing to stop at stop signs, are regarded as serious offenses and will not be tolerated. Violations will result in a $50 fine, payment of damages, disciplinary proceedings, and may result in loss of driving and parking privileges at Middlebury College. Driving the wrong direction on the roadway (hill) near Stewart Hall may result in $100 fine, payment of damages, disciplinary proceedings, and may result in the loss of driving and parking privileges at Middlebury College.
Note: Driving while intoxicated is a serious crime and may result in arrest by the local police, a criminal record, and court costs. Student discipline for incidents of DUI are covered in the Student Handbook under Conduct.
The person to whom the parking permit is issued shall be responsible for any violations involving the vehicle.
6. Loading and Unloading
People may contact the DPS and request to park near a College building for a brief period of time to load/unload large/heavy items. An explanation of the request, the desired location and vehicle information are required. The DPS will determine if the request can be granted and, if so, specify the length of time allowed for this activity.
7. Fines Tows and Boot Information
Illegally parked and unregistered vehicles will be ticketed, towed and/or booted at the owner's expense.
The violations below carry a $10 fine:
Unauthorized lot
Winter Parking Ban
Parking in Faculty/Staff lots between Midnight and 5:00 p.m.
Parking Improperly
15 and 30 minute parking violations
The violations below carry a $25 fine:
In a loading zone
Off the pavement or on the lawn
Blocking traffic, walkways, driveways or gates
No parking zone
The violations below carry a $50 fine:
Fire lane violations
In a handicapped area
Lack of Parking permit
Driving Offenses
Note: unregistered vehicles maybe ticketed, towed and/or booted.
15 and 30 Minute Parking Spaces will be strictly enforced 24 hours a day. Violators will be ticketed, towed and/or booted.
TOWING: a vehicle can be towed for the following infractions. All vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Fire Lane
Loading Zone
Obstructing trash containers
Handicapped Area
Violation of night parking or winter parking ban rules
Repeat violators of the parking rules
Blocking traffic, walkways, driveways or gates
Lack of Parking Permit
Towing Charges are as follows:
$125.00 first tow
$150.00 all subsequent tows.
Boot use and Charges
Boots maybe used for unregistered vehicles or repeat violators.
1st application for the boot: $50.00
2 or more applications of the boot: $100.00
There will be an additional charge of $5.00 per day for any vehicle that remains booted for more than 7 days.
8. Appeal Process Information
All parking violations must be appealed within 10 days. No appeal will be accepted after 10 days from the day of the violation.
Appeal forms and procedures are available through the Department of Public Safety, 125 South Main Street. For the online appeal form, click Ticket Appeal
All appeals are submitted to the Parking Appeals Committee for adjudication. The Parking Appeals Committee consists of three members selected from those nominated by Staff Council and the Student Government Association. The Appeals Committee is aware there may be times when a vehicle is illegally parked and isn't ticketed or towed. These circumstances do not change the fact that the vehicle is in violation of parking regulations. Therefore, the fact that a vehicle had parked in an area in the past without action being taken does not constitute a reasonable appeal.
Faculty, staff, and student violation fees will be billed to the person registered as the holder of the parking permit associated with the improperly parked vehicle. Fines may also be paid at the Cashier's Office in the Service Building.
9. Repeat Violators
Four parking offenses will result in the issuance of a warning letter and clear information regarding the consequences of addition violations.
The fifth and subsequent parking violation will result in the loss of parking privileges on campus.
Students whose parking privileges have been revoked will have their vehicle towed and booted if it is found parked on campus. The Dean of the College will also be notified. The vehicle will remain booted until the student can arrange to meet with a Public Safety Administrator.
Please note: payment of parking fines does not result in reinstatement of parking privileges.
10. Miscellaneous Information
Block heaters and other devices that require electrical cords are not allowed.
The cost to repair property damage caused by a vehicle parked or operated on a lawn or walkway will be assessed separately and billed to the violator.
11. Safety and Security
Middlebury College is not responsible for thefts or damage that may occur to an automobile while parked on campus. To see a list of precautions and recommendations to help prevent or aid in rectifying, problems click on the following link:
http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/publicsafety/er/general/safety/driving.htm
12. Middlebury Town Parking Ordinances
The Department of Public Safety is responsible for enforcing Town of Middlebury parking ordinances in the following areas:
Route 30 (South Main Street) between Porter Field Road and the Golf Course Access Road.
Hillcrest Road, Adirondack View and Blinn Lane.
College Street (Route 125) between Shannon Street and the access to Ridgeline Road.
South street, between Porter Field Road and Porter Hospital
Storrs Avenue