Rules and Regulations

Revised October 2023

Note: Rules and Regulations have been updated as of October 2023 below. In addition to some minor changes or clarifications to the Rules and Regulations, please note the following significant changes:

1. Vehicle License Plate information must be attached to a permit. A vehicle parked on campus must display both a valid physical hangtag permit and have the license plate of the vehicle attached to the permit on the parking account. Failure to attach a vehicle to a permit may result in a $25 citation for Plate Not Registered to Permit.
2. The license plate of the vehicle must face the drive lane. Vehicles without a front-mounted state issued license plate or a campus issued License Plate Recognition (LPR) plate are prohibited from pulling through or backing into a space.
3. Permit required areas are designated by appropriate signage and the vehicle must have the appropriate valid permit to park in those areas. In some lots, the signs designating valid permit zones will only be present at the entrance to the lot. Failure to notice the permit zone designation signage, does not alleviate the driver of any fines received for parking in the incorrect zone.
4. Backing in or pulling through an angled parking space so that the vehicle is parked opposite the flow of traffic is prohibited, even if the vehicle has a front-mounted license plate.

Information

The purpose of the IU Indianapolis parking system is to provide reasonable access to parking facilities for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Parking regulations help create an equitable system for all individuals driving to campus. Anyone choosing to park their car on the IU Indianapolis campus is responsible for reading and understanding the rules and regulations contained herein. Ignorance of the rules and regulations does not constitute a valid defense for parking illegally, nor does it relieve the vehicle owner from paying any associated fines.

The Indiana University parking system is a self-supporting service, receiving no funds from the State of Indiana, the University budget, or student fees. All monies derived from the parking system are used to operate, maintain, improve and expand all IU Indianapolis parking lots, facilities and equipment supporting the parking system.

The University reserves the right to temporarily close any campus parking area or facility, and can change the designation of any parking area at any time. Amendments to the parking rules and regulations will be announced via the Parking and Transportation Services’ website and other media avenues as appropriate. Any such changes shall not be cause for the appeal of illegal parking. 

At no time will the employees of Parking and Transportation Services or members of the Appeals Committee be subject to verbal or physical abuse, including being threatened or assaulted in any fashion. Any such abuse will be reported to the appropriate University authorities for disciplinary action.

Authority

Indiana Code (IC) 21-39-5-2

The Board of Trustees of a state educational institution may regulate the traffic of the following on all real property owned, used, occupied, or controlled by the state educational institution:

• Motor Vehicles
• Bicycles
• Other Vehicles
• Pedestrians

on all streets, roads, paths, and grounds of real property owned, used, occupied, or controlled by the state educational institution.

Indiana Code (IC) 21-39-5-3

Regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees of a state educational institution that are applicable to traffic and parking may include the following provisions:

• Provisions governing the registration, speed, operation, parking and the times, places, and manner of use of motor vehicles, bicycles, and other vehicles.
• Provisions prescribing penalties for the violation of regulations.  Penalties may include the following:
• The imposition of reasonable charges.
• Removing and impounding (at the expense of the violator) vehicles that are operated or parked in violation of regulations.
• Denial of permission to operate vehicles on the property of the state educational institution.
• Provisions establishing reasonable charges and fees for the registration of vehicles and for the use of parking spaces or facilities owned or occupied by the state educational institution.

General Parking Regulations

All areas and facilities in the University parking system are under the authority of IU Parking Operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Permit required areas are designated by appropriate signage and the vehicle must have the appropriate valid permit to park in those areas. In some lots, the signs designating valid permit zones will only be present at the entrance to the lot.  Failure to notice the permit zone designation signage does not alleviate the driver of any fines received for parking in the incorrect zone. 

Purchasing an IU parking permit does not guarantee the holder a parking space in their specified zone. 

Vehicles without permits must pay to park on campus. Visitors parking in garages and pay lots must pull a ticket to enter, or park in timed metered spaces and pay fees at the kiosks.

Regulations are subject to amendment and are in effect and enforced at all times. In cases of conflict, signs and markings should be presumed correct and will take precedence over any conflicting designation or information. Questions regarding parking rules and regulations should be directed to IU Indianapolis Parking & Transportation Services via phone (317-274-4232) or email.  Incorrect information provided by persons outside of the IU Indianapolis Parking & Transportation office does not constitute a viable defense of any citations received.

All Indiana State Laws apply to vehicles and movement of vehicles on the IU campus. Motorcycles, motorbikes, and motorized scooters must follow the same rules as automobiles.

Use of certain parking spaces or lots may be temporarily restricted to facilitate special events, construction, maintenance, or other unusual circumstances. Inability to park in these areas will not warrant a discount or refund of parking fees.

Lack of parking spaces, mechanical problems, inclement weather or other disabilities do not authorize a vehicle to park in a location without the appropriate permit for a specific zone or any non-designated parking area. A vehicle is not exempt from receiving a parking citation if the surrounding vehicles are in violation of the parking rules (including IU Service vehicles) or if the hazard lights are activated.

Driving and parking of motor vehicles on campus is confined to areas designated for parking as directed by the University Police or Parking and Transportation Services.  Parking is prohibited in any area that may create a hazard or interferes with the use of University facilities by others. A vehicle is deemed parked when the vehicle is stationary, whether occupied or not.

The absence of 'No Parking' signs or yellow curbs does not mean that parking is allowed. Parking is not allowed along curbs in parking lots unless marked for parking. Parking is permitted only within marked stalls. All areas not specifically designated for parking shall be considered 'No Parking' zones.

Motorbikes, motorcycles, and motor scooters with license plates are subject to all regulations and must be operated only on city streets. A parking permit/sticker is required. Motorcycles are not permitted to park in garages. Motorcycles are allowed to park in any designated motorcycle parking with a valid motorcycle permit. When unavailable, motorcycles may also park in any regular-sized space affiliated with their permit designation (i.e., an "EM" designated motorcycle permit may park in any EM, ST or NC surface space).

Motorized scooters that do not require a license plate must be parked at bicycle racks on campus and are subject to the regulations set forth in University policy FIN-INS-13.

Parking meter kiosks are enforced 24/7. Vehicles parking in metered spaces designated for ADA must display their state-issued placard or have an ADA designated state-issued license plate. Individuals with DAV or Purple Heart license plates are exempt from paying the meter in accordance with state law. Vehicles with IU Indianapolis “D” permits are required to pay to park at ADA metered spaces. Entering a false license plate number in an attempt to park longer than the maximum parking time allowed will result in a citation.

Vehicles must be parked within the lines and are subject to citation if tires are touching or are over the stall marker. If applicable, bumper blocks in gravel lots designate parking spaces.

Parking on the lawns, landscape, and grass is always prohibited. Parking on sidewalks, crosswalks, service drives, restricted areas, loading zones, docks, emergency zones, construction and maintenance areas, truck spaces, or on streets, except where specifically marked for parking, is prohibited. 

Blocking a drive, entrance to a building or another vehicle is not allowed. Violators may be subject to citation and towing.

Yellow curbs and fire drive lanes are not parking spaces. Vehicles left in these areas may be subject to citation and towing, even if hazard lights are activated. 

Any area of the roadway, including that area within a parking lot that is not specifically marked for parking, loading, or as a fire lane, is defined as a drive lane. Parking in drive lanes is prohibited.

The license plate of the vehicle must face the drive lane.  Vehicles without a front-mounted state-issued license plate or a campus-issued License Plate Recognition (LPR) plate are prohibited from pulling through or backing into a space. 

Backing in or pulling through an angled parking space so that the vehicle is parked opposite the flow of traffic is prohibited, even if the vehicle has a front-mounted license plate.

ADA accessible spaces are to remain available for those who need them. Violators without a visibly disabled placard, license plate or IU Indianapolis “D” permit may be towed from these spaces.

Vehicles found on campus that are causing a safety hazard may be relocated or removed. A safety hazard is defined as, but not limited to, leaking gas or oil, emitting toxic fumes or unsecured (i.e. a vehicle that has rolled out of a parking space). All costs and fines incurred are the responsibility of the vehicle owner.

University parking lots are intended to provide short term parking for those who are conducting University business on campus. They are not intended to provide long term parking or storage of a motor vehicle or other conveyance. Long-term storage is defined as a vehicle that has not moved locations for more than 2 weeks. Any affiliate of IU Indianapolis with a valid parking permit may obtain permission in advance from the Parking and Transportation Services’ office to leave a vehicle longer than 2 weeks. Resident students with valid CH permits are exempt from this policy as long as they are legally parked, all four tires are inflated, and the vehicle appears to be operational.

An unmoved vehicle that does not have permission for long term parking will receive a tow warning after a 2 week period. The owner will have 48 hours to remove the vehicle from the premises or it will be towed at the owner's expense. Charges will be calculated at the daily visitor rate if the vehicle is left in a visitor area or does not display a permit.

Vehicles abandoned on IU property will be disposed of according to Indiana State law. 

Any vehicle violating parking rules may be towed without prior notice and stored at the owner's expense.

General Permit Regulations

All IU permits are the property of Indiana University. Permits are not transferrable or available for resale. 

Departments may not utilize University funds/accounts to pay for employee parking. This includes but is not limited to the purchase and/or use of parking permits, validations, and codes.

Permits will not be sold or issued to anyone who has an outstanding balance on their parking account. 

Permit eligibility is determined by employment/student status and affiliation with the University. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to know alternate parking times of their permit by visiting the permit options page. Designated permit areas may be revised as parking needs change.

Permits must be returned to the parking office upon a change in eligibility or affiliation with the University.

All students, faculty, and staff who park a vehicle on campus or at any designated IU meeting facility must properly display a valid IU parking permit AND have the license plate of the vehicle attached to the permit on their parking account. The entire permit number, expiration date and barcode must be visible at all times through the front windshield of the vehicle.  

• Location for a hangtag permit should be hanging from the rearview mirror or on the driver's side of the dashboard.
• Open top vehicle sticker permits should be placed in the center of the windshield, behind the rearview mirror. It is also acceptable to place the permit sticker inside a clear, lockable permit holder and affix it to the rearview mirror.
• Motorcycle sticker permits should be affixed to the front fork of the motorcycle. It is also acceptable to place the sticker permit inside a clear, lockable permit holder and affix it to the handlebars.

Failure to display both a valid parking hang tag permit and ensure the vehicle license plate is registered to the permit may result in a citation.

Intercampus parking with a valid permit from another IU campus is allowed as determined by the campus where the customer is parking. Anyone with parking privileges at Purdue University who wants to park at IU Indianapolis should contact IU Indianapolis Parking and Transportation Services for additional information.

Permit holders may use their permit on any vehicle whose license plate is attached to their permit on their parking account.  A permit holder may register multiple vehicles to their permit through their parking account, however, only one vehicle may be on campus at the same time. 

The person in whose name a parking permit is issued is responsible for all violations by all vehicles displaying that permit. Drivers of University vehicles are responsible for the violations they receive while operating the vehicle. 

Permit holders are responsible for ensuring their expired permit is destroyed. Fraudulent use of an expired permit by someone else may not relieve the original permit holder from responsibility.

If you lose your parking permit or it is stolen, you will need to submit a lost/stolen form in order to receive a replacement permit and fees may apply. Use of the lost/stolen permit may result in fines and vehicle impoundment. 

It is considered Theft of Services to display a fraudulently obtained permit or a permit that has been altered, counterfeited, or duplicated in any way, or when multiple vehicles attempt to use a permit on campus at the same time. Any vehicle found violating these stipulations will be subject to citation and towing at the owner’s expense. Violators may also be subject to any or all of the following:

• Permit confiscation
• Misconduct reported to Dean of Students (Students) or to the department Dean or Director (Employees)
• Filing a police report
• Back charges accrued for the duration of the permit

If your permit is determined to be defective it may be exchanged at no charge. 

Paying and Appealing Citations

Any questions related to citations may be directed to iuipark@iu.edu or in our office located at 1004 West Vermont Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Pay a Citation

Citations must be paid within 14 calendar days of the date of violation online, by mail or in person.

Unpaid balances are considered past due 14 calendar days after issuance of the citation. Past due accounts may be sent to Student Account Services or an outside collection agency. If additional collection steps are necessary, the account may be referred to a collection agency. Any costs incurred by the University may be charged back to the citation holder.

Appeal a Citation

You have the right to appeal a citation within 14 calendar days from the date of issuance online, by email, mail or in person. Along with your written statement for appeal, you may submit photos, diagrams, and other corresponding documentation. 

The Parking Appeals Committee is made up of faculty, staff, and students who are independent of Parking and Transportation Services.  Appeal decisions will be delivered via email within approximately 15-calendar days after the appeal submission, if not sooner.

Customers whose initial appeal request was denied may schedule an in-person meeting with the Parking Appeals Committee. Hearings require an appointment and are held via virtual meeting. To set a meeting time email or call 317-274-4232.

Important information before scheduling your in-person appeal:

• Fines must be paid in full. If the appeal is granted a refund will be processed.
• New evidence or information must be submitted in writing.
• You may bring a witness; however, they cannot testify on your behalf. 
• If you miss your scheduled appointment, the in-person appeal will automatically be denied.

The decision of the Parking Appeals Committee is final.

Parking Citation Fines and Towed Vehicles

Enforcement of the Parking Rules & Regulations are conducted in the best interest of the IU Indianapolis community to promote reasonable access to parking lots and garages across campus. Habitual offenders receiving more than 6 citations, whether paid or not, within a fiscal year may be subject to tow at the owner’s expense.

Any questions related to citations may be directed to iuipark@iu.edu.

Citation Fines

*Vehicle may be issued a citation and/or towed.

Towed Vehicles

Impounded vehicles may be recovered from Wheeler’s Towing located at 2325 W. Michigan Street in Indianapolis (phone 317-262-8023). 

Additional fees will be owed to the tow company before the vehicle can be released. Storage fees will be added for any car left after midnight. Unclaimed vehicles may be auctioned by the towing vendor in accordance with Indiana state law.

Permit Registration, Exchanges and Returns

Registration

Parking permits may be purchased online. Acceptable online payments include student Bursar account, payroll deduction or credit card.

To buy in-person visit the Parking and Transportation Services’ office at 1004 West Vermont Street (SW corner Vermont Street Garage). Acceptable in-person payment methods include student Bursar account, payroll deduction, credit card, Crimson card, cash, check or money order.

A fee for non-sufficient funds will be assessed for any non-negotiable check returned by the bank. The NSF charge is $30.00, or 5% of the payment value, whichever is greater, but not to exceed $250.

Permit rates may be adjusted each year on July 1st. Multiyear and annual permits are set on the same rate schedule.

Parking fees are charged by the month and are not prorated. Parking permits purchased or exchanged in the office the last two business days of the month are not charged for the current month.

During permit registration, certain payment options may require agreement to one of the below statements based on affiliation with the University:

• IU Employee Payroll Deduction - Understanding that permit rates may be adjusted each year on July 1, I hereby authorize Indiana University to reduce my salary in installments over each fiscal year through the valid date on the permit, until revoked by me in writing. I acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions for cancellations of future deductions as found on my campus parking website.

• IU Student Bursar Account - I authorize Indiana University to charge my student Bursar account for the parking permit. I understand that I can cancel the permit by returning the permit to IU Parking.

• IU Health Employee - If any permit other than an "EM", "Disabled", "Evening" or "NC" is purchased, and understanding that permit rates may be adjusted each year on July 1, I hereby authorize IU Health Group to reduce my salary in installments over each fiscal year through the valid date on the permit, until revoked by me in writing. 

Exchanges

Permits may be exchanged in the Parking and Transportation Services office located at 1004 West Vermont Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. You must bring your current permit with you into the office.

Please note: 

• Permit exchanges may result in a different rate.
• If you are exchanging your permit for a different type, you will be charged the higher rate for that month unless the permit is exchanged within the first five days of the month.

Returns

Permits may be returned to any Indiana University Parking Services’ Office. For faster processing, please return the parking permit to the IU Indianapolis Parking and Transportation Services office located at 1004 West Vermont Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Refund Information:

• Refunds will only be processed once the parking permit has been returned to any Indiana University Parking Services’ office.
• Permits must be returned upon departure from the University.  Payroll deduction will continue until the permit is received.
• Refunds are not given for monthly permits and Occasional Permits.
• Permit refunds will be issued in the form the original payment was remitted with the exception of cash payments. Cash payments will be refunded in the form of a check.
• Refunds are prorated on a monthly basis based on the type of permit and the date the permit is returned to Parking and Transportation Services.
• Permits returned after the 5th day of the month will be assessed parking for that month and be refunded the balance of the remaining months.