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Parking Regulations
Definitions
A parking space consists of lines painted on the pavement, designating a single parking space.
A parking area or parking lot is a geographically defined area equipped with such pavement markings for communal use.
A no parking area may be indicated by an omission of marked parking spaces, yellow painted curbs, or specific yellow hashmarks and "No Parking" signage.
A fire lane is designated by a painted curb and/or signage declaring a fire lane. All building-adjacent driveways, loading docks, and courtyards are fire lanes, and cannot be blocked.
Parking
Vehicles must be parked in designated parking spaces, and the responsibility for finding an authorized parking space rests with the vehicle operator. Lack of convenient parking is not considered a valid excuse for violation of these regulations.
Bethel parking permits allow parking in parking lots designated by the permit color.
Vehicles are considered parked if they are left unattended for any length of time. This includes circumstances where they are left running and/or with the hazard lights on. Based on local crime statistics, we strongly recommend against leaving a vehicle running unattended for any length of time.
Community members (including staff, student workers and contractors) working for the Office of Safety & Security are specifically allowed to park at all hours in the main East parking lot, the main West parking lot, the North Commuter parking lot, and the Scandia parking lot, when that community member’s vehicle is parked due to working an assigned shift for the Office of Safety & Security.
No Parking Areas
The absence of marked parking spaces indicates that an area is not designated for parking. The presence of additional pavement markings or signage may also be used to indicate that an area is not designated for parking, though we are not able to post ‘No Parking’ signs in every location on campus that is not intended for parking.
Parking outside a marked parking space is not authorized. Vehicles parked in an unmarked area may incur a citation for Parked in a No Parking Area, in accordance with the fee schedule.
Examples of no parking areas include, but not limited to:
- Paved areas with signage or yellow hash stripes indicating a No Parking Area.
- Loading docks and areas
- Sidewalks or walkways
- In front of a dumpster
- Grass or other grounds areas
- Nonpaved areas
- On the sides or edges of parking lots
- In or within 20 feet of a crosswalks and intersections
- Within 5 feet of a driveway or fire hydrant
Pickup/Drop-off Areas
Pickup/Drop-off Areas are provided in many areas on campus. Due to the small number of these spaces and high demand for them, a time limit of 15 minutes has been established. Spaces intended for this purpose are striped as parking spaces and equipped with signage.
Vehicles occupying Pickup/Drop-off areas for periods longer than 15 minutes may incur a citation for Exceeded Time Limit in accordance with the fee schedule.
Fire Lanes
The University is mandated to ensure all campus buildings are accessible by emergency services, especially those operated by Lake Johanna Fire Department. At their discretion, local law enforcement may also enforce these laws on campus.
Vehicles parked in a designated fire lane may receive a citation for Parked in a Fire Lane in accordance with the fee schedule.
Reserved Parking Spaces
Parking spaces marked with a sign designating a person's name, department, visitor type, or number are reserved parking spaces. All reserved spaces are reserved 24/7/365 unless specifically indicated by the signage. Authority to determine usage for a reserved space is granted to the departmental owner. Thus, authorization must be given by the sign's owner prior to parking in these spaces, and space owners will report any unauthorized vehicles to Safety & Security. Additionally:
- A person may not park in a reserved space because their own reserved space is occupied, legally or illegally. This includes visitor and admissions spaces.
- Departmental parking spaces (those for Nursing, Education, and Social Work) are intended for departmental faculty, not students. Students looking to utilize their department's reserved spaces must seek authorization from their department chair.
- Reserved Spaces include the Visitor Parking spaces in the East parking lot. Safety and Security tracks visitors to these spaces per the posted signage.
Vehicles reported to be unauthorized for a given reserved space may incur a citation for Unauthorized Use of a Reserved Space, immobilization, and/or towing, in accordance with the fee schedule.
ADA Parking
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, certain spaces on campus are designated for parking only by vehicles bearing the state issued parking certificate or license plate. In accordance with state law, these spaces are designated with signs and pavement markings.These spaces are highlighted in red on the adjacent map.
The University is obligated by state law to ensure these spaces are not occupied by unauthorized vehicles. As such, vehicles parked in these spaces for any amount of time without a placard displayed may incur a citation for Unauthorized Use of an ADA Space. At their discretion, local law enforcement (Ramsey County Sheriff's Office) may also issue their own citations for vehicles parked in these areas without a placard displayed.
The University is unable to grant authorization for use of ADA parking spaces for any length of time. Since the designated areas also represent the only accessible parking in many areas of campus, we are not able to authorize temporary parking accommodations as an alternative to obtaining a state issued parking certificate.
Overnight Parking and Closed Lots
To facilitate overnight snowplowing, and to ensure spaces are available for off campus students and employees during periods of peak traffic on campus, overnight parking (1am-5am) is prohibited in the following "Commuter" Lots:
West Lot [1] and West "Extension"
SRC Lot
Lower/"Main" East Lot
North Commuter Lot
Vehicles in these lots after 1am may incur a citation for Parked in Closed Lot, in accordance with the fee schedule.
Vehicle Towing
If vehicles are present during nightly snow removal operations or during a Snow Emergency, they may be towed at the owner's expense. Review the Towing Fee in the fee schedule for current towing rates, as dictated by the third party vendor contracted by the University.
Overnight Parking - Employees
Overnight parking for community members who are normally authorized for areas which are closed overnight (Blue Employee and Green Commuter permits) is available in the Upper East South lots.
Overnight Parking at the Anderson Center is discouraged, though not prohibited. We recommend employees and CAPS/Sem/GS students park in the Upper East South lots if necessary.
Vehicle Dwelling
Staying overnight in a vehicle parked on campus is prohibited. Overnight stays on campus are restricted to residence halls, and subject to the associated Residence Life policy.
Short and Long Term Parking
Vehicle Storage is parking on University property, where the vehicle owner is not present for a period of time. Vehicle Storage may be long or short term.
Short Term Parking: Vehicle storage for a period 6 days or fewer. Short Term Parking is authorized with the correct campus permit, and in accordance with all other campus vehicle regulations.
Long Term Parking: Vehicle storage for a period 7 days or longer. Long term parking on University property is prohibited.
Vehicle owners are liable for any fees accrued as a result of parking policy violations while a vehicle is unattended, including tow fees accrued during a snow emergency declaration.
Breaks and Holidays
Periods over academic breaks may exceed Long Term Parking restrictions. Campus residents planning to store a vehicle on campus over these periods should contact our office. Due to campus events, planned grounds or construction work, or unplanned work like snow removal, certain areas may not be available for parking over break or holiday periods, and alternate parking may be required.
Vehicle owners are liable for any fees accrued as a result of parking policy violations while a vehicle is unattended, including tow fees if operations require a vehicle to be moved.
Vehicle Break-Downs
If a vehicle experiences a breakdown, it must be moved as soon as possible out of traffic (if necessary) and removed from campus within 24 hours. Vehicles with resident parking permits may remain on campus until the end of the school year, but must be parked in a marked space. All vehicles, regardless of operating condition, are liable to any lot closures (e.g., snow emergencies) and any associated fees accrued.
Parking Permits
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Parking overnight is not authorized without a current permit.
Parking Permits are not valid unless they are displayed in/on the vehicle. Sticker permits must be adhered to the vehicle's exterior, and hangtag permits must be legibly visible with the colored front facing outward. Vehicles without a current permit displayed may incur a citation for No Permit, in accordance with the fee schedule.
Employee Permits
Employees whose work basis involves parking at the Saint Paul Campus and/or Anderson Center may request up to two parking permits. Upon request, permits are sent via intercampus mail at no charge to the employee.
All Employee permits expire on a three year basis, as stated on the face of the permit, to ensure we maintain updated vehicle records. Permits may be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, but not between persons.
For permanent changes to a vehicle record - either a new acquisition or a license plate change - please email your updated information to safety-security@bethel.edu.
Blue permits are authorized to park in any lot on campus, but are restricted to the Upper East South 1 and 2 lots overnight. Parking overnight at the Anderson Center is not prohibited, but is strongly discouraged.
Commuter (Off-Campus) Permits
Off-Campus students parking on campus may request one parking permit. This permit is provided at no charge, however all off campus students are charged the Commuter Fee each semester whether or not they obtain a parking permit. To best match this basis, these permits do not bear an expiration date.
Vehicle hangtags may be moved between vehicles on temporary basis, but permanent changes to vehicle records, like a sold/traded vehicle or new license plate, should be reported to the Office of Safety and Security.
Green permits are authorized to park in any lot on campus, but are restricted to the Upper East South 1 and 2 lots overnight.
| Role | Permit Colors | Daytime Parking Assignment |
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| Employees | Blue | West Lot (Yellow Rows)*, West Lot Red Rows*, West Extension*, SRC*, East Lot*, Upper East South 1, Upper East South 2, Upper East North*, North Commuter*. Parking in other lots during daytime hours is not prohibited. |
| CAS, CAPS, GS, and SEM commuters | Green |
*Lot closed overnight
Campus Resident Permits
Due to the deficit of parking spaces, particularly adjacent to certain residence halls on campus, parking is limited for on-campus residents. To best match parking availability with housing accommodations and student needs, the University prohibits students of freshmen and sophomore standing from having a vehicle on campus. A needs-based appeals process is provided for students who require a vehicle for permanent needs related to off-campus employment, distance from home, off-campus academic involvement, certain off-campus athletic activities, or medical accommodations. Students of a junior or senior standing are not required to appeal for parking permits, but must still obtain a current permit to park on campus overnight.
Resident permits are issued based on student housing assignments:
Residence | Permit Color | Parking Lot Assignment |
|---|---|---|
Lissner, Danielson, Wessman, Widen, Wingblade | Red | North Woods, North Waters, Scandia, and Lissner lots |
Arden Village East (Townhomes A-G), Nelson | Silver | Townhouse, Upper East North lots |
Edgren, Bodien, Getsch | Orange | Soho lot |
Heritage | Brown | Heritage and West Lot (Red Rows only) |
Temporary Permits
All students are eligible for up to 30 days of temporary permits for an academic year. These permits are available in any denomination from 1 to 30 days, to be used at the student's discretion. Temporary permits cost $4 per day, and are charged to a student's account at the time the permit is issued. Temporary permits authorize parking overnight, and carry all the same restrictions, rights, and responsibilities as a Resident's sticker permits, and expire at 10am on the date displayed on the permit. Vehicles displaying an expired temporary permit may incur a citation for Expired Temporary Permit, in accordance with the fee schedule.
Overnight Permits
Overnight permits are available for single-night periods at a rate of $4 per day. Once you or a guest are parked for the night, call us at 651.638.6000 and an officer will meet you at the vehicle to write the permit. If an officer is unable to respond due to an emergency response, overnight permits are also available from the West Gate checkpoint officer. Overnight permits expire at 10am the following morning.
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Parking Lot assignments and overnight closures will be temporarily amended for all vehicles during a Snow Emergency. We strongly recommend community members sign up for Bethel Alerts, and stay up to date on relevant information. A Bethel Alert and signage posted on entries to Residence Halls and the Academic Complex will inform of any temporary lot closures or reassignments. |
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Due to the number of off-campus students and employees, we cannot accomodate residents parking in commuter areas. Residents are not authorized to park outside their housing assignments, even if driving to class or practice. Vehicles parked outside these assignments may incur a citation of Unauthorized Permit for Lot, in accordance with the fee schedule. |
Motorcycle Parking
Motorcycles and mopeds may be parked on the sidewalks and concreted areas surrounding buildings, so long as they do not block a path of egress or maintenance access. Designated Motorcycle parking areas are located in the West Lot horseshoe, RC Dock, Lissner Lot, and North Village lot.
Parking Permits are not required for Motorcycles.
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle racks are provided in several areas around campus. Bicycles are not to be parked inside buildings or locked to anything other than a bicycle rack. Failure to comply with this regulation may result in the bicycle being removed and impounded. Bicycles not claimed by the end of the school year will be forfeited.
Parking Permits are not required for Bicycles. We would strongly recommend you never leave a bicycle unlocked on campus, and that you record the serial number, make, model, and color of your bicycle in case of theft.
[1] This excludes parking for Heritage residence with current parking permits. Heritage residents are allowed to park in the first few (red painted) rows in the southeast corner of the lot.
[2] With the exception of motorcycles. See Motorcycle parking for further details.