Rules & Regulations

The following rules and regulations are in effect at all times and are intended to promote order and ease of movement for pedestrians and vehicles and to safeguard people and RIT property. All drivers on the RIT campus must be aware of these regulations. Failure to know these rules and regulations is not an excuse for violation. First citations of the academic year do not get reduced to warnings.  RIT parking and traffic regulations may be revised at any time.

• Parking is not allowed in any place that is not specifically striped or signed for parking.
• Parking is not allowed on any campus roadway.
• Parking is not allowed in any fire lane.
• All parking areas are striped.

• Vehicles must be parked entirely within designated spaces, positioned between two yellow lines.

• The university is not obligated to mark or sign all areas where parking is prohibited. It is the responsibility of the vehicle operator to park in accordance with the regulations. Lack of signs does not imply lack of enforcement.
• Unauthorized vehicles may not be parked in areas that are restricted by signs for special purposes.
• Lack of available space in a desired area is not a valid excuse for violating parking regulations.
• RIT assumes no financial liability for thefts from, or damage to vehicles operated or parked on RIT property.
• The Parking Office may restrict or otherwise control as necessary, the use of parking spaces or lots for RIT needs and special events.
• Snow removal operations require that members of RIT and their guests cooperate by moving their vehicles from unplowed areas. Vehicles hindering snow removal may be towed at the owner/operator's expense.
• Parking on the grass or outside edge of the parking lots is prohibited.
• Anyone may use 20-minute flasher spaces anytime. Flashers must be on, and vehicle must be moved within 20 minutes. 

The university does not allow any overnight sleeping or camping in a vehicle on campus or any affiliated property of the university, whether it be a personal vehicle or recreational vehicle.  If assistance is needed in regards to food, shelter or general wellness, please contact RIT Case Management at casemanagement@rit.edu or call them at 585-475-3963.

Administration Lot and Admin Spaces

• The Administration Lot and all Admin spaces are reserved 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for paid Admin permit holders.
• When there is no attendant at the Welcome Information Center, the Admin lot, at Building 1, is closed.
• Accessible Parking spaces in the Admin Lot are reserved for authorized guests of the university.
• Loading or unloading of any vehicle, or use of the Administration Circle area, is only permitted with consent from the Parking Office or the Welcome Information Center.

Apartments

• Parking at Perkins Green, Riverknoll, University Commons, and Greek Housing at Riverknoll is reserved for residents.
• Residents are identified by the parking permit issued during vehicle registration.
• Permits are valid only in the apartment complex listed on the permit and are not valid in General, Reserved or other residential parking areas.
• Overflow parking is as follows:
  • Perkins Green: K-Lot
  • Riverknoll and Greek Housing: Global Village Parking Lot (north side of Kimball Drive)

Reserved Areas

• Areas in Lot D, E, F, J, M, R, S, U, CIMS West, SAU service, Grace Watson Lot, Kate Gleason Circle, and Sol Heumann Circle are reserved and restricted by signs from 5am - 5pm, Monday - Friday for those who purchased the appropriate permit.
• Reserved areas are open for general parking after 5pm weekdays, anytime on weekends, or whenever the signs are covered by the Parking Office with green canvas bags.

Purchase a Permit and Register your Vehicle

All students, faculty, and staff must register their vehicle and purchase a permit. Permit sharing is prohibited.

Purchase parking permits and register vehicles online through the MyParking Portal. Parking permit exchanges and cancellations are allowed through Sept. 15 for fall semester and full-year permits and through Feb. 15 for spring semester permits.

Evening & Weekends

From 5 pm to 5 am Monday - Friday as well as Saturday and Sunday you do not need a permit for Reserved, General, ParkMobile, Electric Vehicle and Residential parking spaces. All admin, accessible parking, electric vehicle spaces (for non-electric vehicles), and fire lanes are still enforced.

Holidays, Breaks, and Final Exam Periods 

All campus parking rules and regulations remain in effect throughout holidays, breaks, and final exam periods, with the exception of general parking areas. Starting on Reading Day each semester, we will not enforce general or residential parking lots throughout final exams and breaks. This includes the summer session. We still enforce reserved, admin, roadways, fire lanes, accessible parking, and ParkMobile spaces.

Summer Parking

Students who do not live on campus during the summer may not leave vehicles parked on campus. Students who believe they have a valid reason to keep a vehicle on campus during the summer should contact the Parking and Transportation Office to request an exemption.

Exemptions are rare, and students are typically required to find alternative vehicle storage. Vehicles left unattended on campus may be towed and removed at the owner's expense.

This policy is necessary because parking lots undergo resurfacing and maintenance during the summer months.

New York State traffic regulations are in effect on the RIT Campus. The following provides a quick reminder of basic traffic regulations. The RIT Public Safety department is responsible for monitoring the traffic regulations.

• The speed on campus roads is monitored by electronic speed devices.
• The speed on campus roadways is 25 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.
• The speed limit in RIT parking lots is 5 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.
• Seat Belts are required at all times in NY and at RIT.
• Vehicle must have a current State Vehicle Registration; inspection and license plates displayed on vehicle.
• Vehicle must be registered with the Parking Office (except visitors) or display an RIT parking permit.
• All traffic control devices (stop, yield, pedestrian crossing, and speed signs) must be followed.
• Reckless driving is prohibited.
• All roads and paved areas (not explicitly marked for parking) are considered “Fire Lanes” and parking is not permitted.
• Drivers must yield the right-of-way to all emergency vehicles (i.e., Public Safety, ambulance, fire truck).
• Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing any portion of a roadway crosswalk (NYS Law).
• Vehicle operators may be fined or are subject to judicial action for moving violations.

• Parking in accessible parking spaces is permitted with a state-issued accessible parking permit.
• The use of an accessible parking plate or placard must be accompanied by an RIT parking permit.
• General accessible parking spaces are provided in each lot and meet ADA regulations.
• Parking in accessible parking areas without proper authorization is a serious federal, state, and RIT offense. Vehicles will be fined and may be towed at the owner/operator's expense.

• The Parking Office will issue a temporary accessible parking permit for one week, while an official accessible parking permit is obtained from a local municipality. To apply, please visit the RIT Service Center and complete the Service Request for an Accessible Parking Permit application.   

Disabled Vehicles

Anyone whose vehicle is temporarily disabled must contact the Parking and Transportation Office with your name, University ID number, vehicle description, nature of the problem, and vehicle location.

The owner/operator has 24 hours to correct the problem or have the vehicle removed from campus. After this time period RIT reserves the right to have the vehicle towed at the owner/operator's expense. The Parking and Transportation Office reserves the right to request that the vehicle be moved immediately if it impedes traffic or is a safety hazard.

Neglected Vehicles

Inoperative or unlicensed vehicles parked on RIT property which have not moved for more than seven days are considered neglected and will be removed from campus at the owner/operator's expense. The owner/operator is responsible for any storage fees resulting from such towing.

Any illegally parked vehicle may be towed or booted at the owner/operators expense. This includes vehicles:

• Parked in fire lanes or in accessible parking spaces without proper authorization.
• Inhibiting the safe movement of buses, construction, or other vehicles.
• Blocking snow removal or emergency operations.
• With multiple citations for being unregistered on RIT properties will be towed or booted.

Towed or booted vehicles may not be claimed until the owner/operator has arranged payment for tow charges through the Parking Office. Vehicles are towed to an off-campus impound area and requires a release form from the Parking Office to be claimed.

Anyone claiming a towed vehicle is responsible for providing his/her own transportation to impound area. The owner/operator must pay any storage fees and sales tax incurred as a result of the towing.

RIT is not responsible for damage to vehicles as a result towing. The towing contractor is required to carry adequate insurance to cover any damage incurred during towing.

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals who request event parking Monday- Friday between the hours of 8am and 4 pm during the Fall and Spring academic semesters when classes are in session on the RIT Henrietta campus.

Policy Statement

This policy provides a consistent approach for all event parking at the RIT Henrietta campus.   

Up too one hundred (100) visitor vehicles can be accommodated in general parking areas for events scheduled Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am and 4 pm during the Fall and Spring academic semesters when classes are in session.  Events, individually or cumulatively, expecting over 100 guest vehicles to campus will need to direct visitors to B Lot.  Events for over 100 guests are encouraged to be scheduled after 4 p.m. Monday–Friday or on weekends.  Event sponsors may elect to provide a chartered shuttle service for their visitors, or direct their visitors to utilize the complimentary campus shuttles to the appropriate shuttle stop destination.  The complimentary shuttles are the 2 Apex,  8 The Province, and the 11 Campus Shuttle. Event planners requesting chartered shuttle service will be directed to contact an approved RIT vendor to arrange specific services from B Lot to the event.

Rationale 

This policy is designed to preserve an appropriate number of general and reserved parking spaces for paid permit holders, while also supporting the use of RIT’s Henrietta campus for community, academic and other sponsored events.  While exceptions to this policy will include events such as Career Fairs, Accepted/Prospective Student Tour Days and Board of Trustee meetings, this policy generally protects those faculty, students and staff who pay an annual fee to park on campus. 

Any RIT sponsored event, class or meeting may request to reserve parking spaces through the RIT Events in advance.  Upon receipt of the request, determination will be made by the Event Support Staff as to the number of spaces available at the requested time.  The Event Support Staff will respond to the requesting party with options for visitor parking.  Reservation of parking spaces for events shall be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Procedures

All events requiring visitor parking passes must be registered in advance through RIT Events.

Visitor/guest parking e-permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis through RIT Events.

If more than 100 guest passes are already reserved on a given day, event parkers may be referred to B Lot (if capacity remains open) or the event organized may consider a different day for the on-campus event.

Event organizers may not assume parking will be available upon request.  Event organizers will be notified through RIT Events of parking options for the requested date and event. 

In the event of any question as to whether an event is an exception to this policy or priority of simultaneously scheduled events, review of the circumstances shall be conducted by a designated review committee to render a final decision.

If an event requires reserved parking spaces or a parking lot closure, event organizers must request parking attendants at their own expense. Parking attendants will be scheduled by the Parking and Transportation Office and billed to the event organizer. Parking cannot guarantee space availability or that barricades will remain in place without parking attendants.

Responsible Offices

The office of the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management Services is the primary responsible office for this policy. Parking procedures are maintained by the director of Parking and Transportation Services. The review committee of exceptions shall initially consist of the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, Vice President and Associate Provost for Access, Engagement, and Success, Vice President for Government and Community Relations and the Secretary of the Institute.

• Permit requirement: All vendors and contractors must have a valid parking permit to park on campus. Vehicles without a valid permit are subject to citation. Annual community permits are available for $120 through the link below.

• ParkMobile spaces: Vendors and contractors who do not purchase a permit may use ParkMobile spaces with payment through the ParkMobile app.

• Occasional visits: Vendors and contractors who visit campus two or fewer times per month may obtain a visitor pass from the Welcome Center. For frequent campus visits, the Parking and Transportation Office recommends purchasing a vendor or contractor permit. The annual community permit costs $120 and allows parking in General parking areas identified on the campus map. Requests to park near a building or in areas other than General parking require submission of the Contractor Parking Request Form.

• Loading docks: Loading docks may be used only for loading and unloading tools, equipment and materials. Hazard lights must be activated while parked temporarily at a loading dock. Vehicles should be moved as quickly as possible to allow access for others. After loading or unloading, vehicles must be parked in accordance with the assigned permit.

• Prohibited areas: Parking on sidewalks, in fire lanes or at loading docks without prior approval from the Parking and Transportation Office is prohibited. To request a temporary exemption, submit the Contractor Parking Request Form.

• Compliance: All RIT parking rules and regulations apply to vendors and contractors. Citations will be issued for violations, and payment is the responsibility of the permit holder. Failure to pay or appeal a citation in a timely manner may result in notification of the vendor or contractor and RIT Procurement Services.

• Group Accounts: Companies that regularly do business with RIT may establish a Group Account through the Parking and Transportation Office. A Group Account allows a company to register vehicles, purchase permits, pay citations, and add or remove vehicles under a single account. This provides centralized management and helps ensure vehicles are properly permitted and parked in accordance with RIT parking regulations.

  For more information, call the RIT Service Center at 585-475-5000 and request to speak with a Parking and Transportation representative about establishing a Group Account.