Parking

More Parking Information

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• Vehicle Decal Types and Costs

  "A" decals - Motor vehicle decals for students living in University residence halls and special purpose housing (Greek and other organizations): $140.00 for academic year; or $70.00 on or after January 1.
  
  "B" decals - Motor vehicle decals for full-time commuting and of-campus students: $100.00 for academic year; or $50.00 on or after January 1.
  
  "H" decals - Motor vehicle decals for upperclassmen (sophomore, junior, senior) living in the Park St. Commons and Dunlap-King Hall: $140.00 for academic year; or $70.00 on or after Jamuary 1.
  
  "P" decals - Motor vehicle decals for part-time students: $60.00 for academic year; or $30.00 on or after January 1.
  
  "Faculty - Staff" decals - Motor vehicle decals issued upon request to non-student employees of the University.

  Decals are transferable between vehicles. Replacement decals will be assessed the full cost of a new decal.
  
  All of the aforementioned permits are valid only as long as the person is associated with Otterbein University in the manner for which the permit was issued. If a student leaves Otterbein University, the permit becomes invalid, even though the expiration date has not arrived. In the same instance, if a faculty/staff member is no longer with Otterbein University, the permit becomes invalid.

• Temporary Vehicle Registration

  For limited periods, persons may obtain a temporary vehicle registration by following the procedures established for motor vehicle registration. Permits are for three days ($5), one week ($10), and two weeks ($15). Three temporary permits are allowed per semester.

• Displaying Decals

  Decals are to be SECURED on the REAR window glass on the PASSENGER SIDE at the bottom corner. Decals must be visible at all times in the specified location. Decal owner is responsible for proper display of the decal. Decals will be placed on motorized, two-wheeled vehicles so they are visible from the rear of the vehicle.

• Purchasing or Trading Vehicles

  All persons who purchase or trade vehicles and operate them on Otterbein owned or operated property must register the vehicle with the Otterbein Police Department and properly display a valid parking permit.

• Early Graduation / Withdrawal

  Upon withdrawal from the University or participation in an off-campus Otterbein University program, refunds will be made to full-time students upon presentation of the parking decal. A refund request must be received before any semester begins. Refunds will be based on one-half the annual cost per semester.

• Traffic and Parking Violations

  Signs are posted at the entrance to campus parking lots designating decals that are permitted to park in the lot during specified hours.  Additionally, there are signs that designate specific parking spots for specific persons (i.e. visitors, Health Center patients, etc.). City of Westerville traffic laws are in force for street parking.
  
  Motor vehicle registrants are responsible for all non-moving violations. Motor vehicle operators are responsible for moving violations. Traffic citations will be issued for violation of University traffic regulations as listed below:
  
  1. Blocking Fire Lane or Fire Hydrants ($50 plus cost of tow) - Parking, stopping, or standing a vehicle in a designated fire lane for any reason. Fire lanes shall not be used to load or unload people or property.
  
  It is absolutely mandatory to leave fire lanes open. Areas behind Davis Hall and Mayne Hall, as well as around ALL campus buildings and ALL streets, alleys, paved lanes, etc., which an emergency vehicle might use to reach a building or campus area, are considered fire lanes.
  
  2. Reckless Operation ($75) - Driving in such a manner that causes risk of harm to drivers, pedestrians, passengers, or causes risk of harm to property.
  
  3. Fictitious Registration ($75) - Altering a decal in a manner that makes it appear the vehicle is properly registered to park on campus, or transferring a decal to a vehicle without registering it with the Otterbein University Police Department.
  
  4. Driving or Parking on Grass or Sidewalk ($50 and damage costs) - While operating any motorized vehicle.
  
  5. Parked in Handicapped Zones ($100 plus tow)
  
  6. Failure to Register ($140) - All students, faculty, and staff must properly register their vehicles to park on campus. First and subsequent violation fines are charged at the same rate.  First violation will be voided with purchase of parking decal. 
  
  7. Parking in Zones Other than Those Specified by Registration ($50) - Parking in any space, parking lot, or area not specifically identified as a proper parking space or area, and parking with disregard to areas permitted by decal registration.
  
  8. Parking with Disregard to Painted Lines ($50) - Parking over, across, or outside of specifically painted parking spaces, or areas that are X-ed, or diagonally painted.
  
  9. Failure to Properly Display Decal ($50) - Placing decal or permit anywhere on vehicle other than those specified in Section E of the Campus Life Handbook.
  
  All offenses are subject to the fines indicated. All traffic citations will be forwarded to the Business Office for collection and/or inclusion on student fees.
  
  

• Appeals

  Anyone who wishes to appeal a violation must, within three working days of issuance, either file an appeal at the Otterbein University Police Department to request a hearing before the Traffic Council; or can appeal online here.

• Chronic Offenders

  Barring an appeal (see above), a vehicle cited for the sixth time during the same academic year for any violation will lose on-campus parking privileges for the remainder of the academic year. Should the vehicle be parked again on campus within the same academic year, the vehicle will be subject to citation and towe at the owner's expense.

• Vehicle Tow

  All tows will be authorized by the Otterbein University Police Department and a tow report will be filed. Vehicles may be towed for reasons other than Chronic Offender. This includes, but is not limited to: emergency situations, blocking other vehicles, creating a safety hazard, or any other situation determined necessary.

• Visitor Parking

  Visitors must contact the Police Department to obtain a visitor parking permit. The Police Department can be contacted in person at 194 West Main Street, by phone at 614-823-1222, or by e-mail at police@otterbein.edu. The visitor parking permit can be picked up in person during regular business hours, or e-mailed to an address provided.
  
  Visitors may park in the Campus Center West Parking Lot, the Cowan Hall Parking Lot, the Psychology House Parking Lot, Davis Hall Parking Lot, 25 West Home Street Parking Lot, the Arts and Communication Building Parking Lot, and the Collegeview Center Parking Lot.
  
  Citations issued for unregistered vehicles should be returned to the Otterbein University Police Department. They should be signed and dated by the visitor, explaining the situation. However, any citations issued for parking in fire lanes, handicapped spaces or otherwise illegal parking will be charged to that person.