Parking on campus is available to all students, faculty, and staff whose vehicle displays a valid parking permit. Permits may be obtained from Parking Services. A valid permit allows the bearer the privilege of parking on campus. Unless otherwise specified, the permit does not guarantee a parking space. Inability to locate a legal space in a parking area does not justify incorrect parking. Faculty, Staff, and Students are allowed only one parking assignment.

Disability parking permits may be obtained by providing appropriate medical documentation.

The University assumes no responsibility for the care or protection of any vehicle or its content while it is parked on campus. Valuables should not be left in parked vehicles at any time. Vehicles should be locked when not in use. Thefts or damages that occur should be immediately reported to the University Police Department for investigation (777-4215).

Parking Services is located in the Pendleton Street Garage at the corner of Pickens and Pendleton streets. Office hours are 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

All persons using University of South Carolina parking facilities other than metered areas, must register their vehicles with Parking Services. Vehicles may be registered at the department office in the Pendleton Street Garage throughout the year

Parking Permits
*** Faculty, Staff, and Students are limited to ONE parking decal ***

Parking permits are valid only for the individual to whom the permit is assigned for the time period and area indicated on the permit. Permits must be clearly displayed in the rear window of the vehicles or as instructed on the permit backing.

Permits must be removed from vehicles under the following conditions:

  when a new permit is purchased or issued
  change in vehicle ownership
  change of status that would change parking assignment or type of permit.

Before a permit may be replaced, the original must be returned. Permits issued remain the property of the University of South Carolina.

Faculty, staff, or students who drive a replacement vehicle instead of a registered vehicle may temporarily transfer their permit to the substitute vehicle. If the registered vehicle is to be permanently replaced, Parking Services must be notified.

Vehicles registered to park in reserved spaces, reserved lots, or any garage must display the permit in the left rear window of the vehicle. If a substitute vehicle is used in a reserved space, the permit must be transferred to the substitute vehicle.

Due to a change in parking registration software and procedures, returning students may only purchase a student parking lot permit for the upcoming academic year by visiting the Parking Services office. 
Incoming freshmen may purchase a student parking lot permit by completing the parking registration card in their Orientation packet and returning it with payment to Parking Services by July 15, 2013. 
Online purchase of permits is expected to resume July 8, 2013.

Student Permit Fees (S, CS, GS, MC and HC permits)

Parking & Shuttle Maps

University parking zones bear the following designations: Student, Faculty/Staff, Reserved, Any Decal, and Visitor Meters. A valid and correctly displayed permit corresponding to the area in which you park is required.

Fines are $25 for parking in a yellow lined/curbed area and $50 for parking in a red lined/curbed area. Gravel parking lots have parking spaces indicated by concrete bumpers. Parking is permitted only in clearly defined areas.

Parking Garages and Reserved Spaces
Students, faculty and staff may apply for paid reserved parking for the following locations.  You may click on the links to view locations and space availability.

Student Rates listed below are effective beginning with the Fall 2013 Semester

*Commuter Rates of $220/semester are available for these garages for limited access. Please contact Parking Services at 777-5160 for more information.

** Students with an active CS, S, GS, or EV permit may park on levels 3, 4, and 5.

Rates are subject to change. Faculty/Staff (F/S) should contact the F/S Coordinator at 803-777-5160 for F/S garage rates.

All new garage assignments for students are based on space availability. Please contact Parking Services to inquire on space assignment procedures and deadlines. The cost of garage spaces vary depending on the location of the garage.

Faculty and staff may apply for reserved parking when submitting a faculty/staff permit application. Payment via payroll deduction is offered and encouraged. This method of payment offers a pre-tax option. All spaces not rented for the summer will be sublet.

Garage and reserved spaces are reserved 24 hours a day, seven days a week and towing is enforced. The speed limit in the garages is 10 miles per hour. Vehicles bearing a valid garage or reserved lot permit may park in areas designated for "Faculty/Staff" from 5:00 p.m. through 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5:00 p.m. Friday through 7:30 a.m. Monday. Additionally, these permits are valid at any time in the "Any Decal Parking" areas. These permits are not valid in faculty/staff spaces designated "Reserved" or "Handicap." Parking in Student lots is strictly prohibited.

USC parking policy states that those employees with a reserved space do not qualify for seniority parking in the faculty/staff lots.  A "Z" permit will be assigned with the reserved space permit to allow parking in the faculty/staff lots after 2 p.m.

Greek Village
Only students residing in the Greek Village are eligible to purchase a "GV" permit. Residency must be verified through the Office of Student Affairs/Greek Life. The purchase of this permit guarantees parking in the village. The cost is $200 per semester. Those students purchasing a "GV" permit may not purchase an additional permit for another reserved lot or garage space. The "GV" permit allows parking in the "Any Decal" lots at any time and faculty/staff lots after 5 p.m. GV permits are not valid in “Reserved” spaces, “Student” lots, or garage spaces at any time.

Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center Area
Two hour limit on parking in AD1 lot for Wellness Center members.

Coliseum/Colonial Life Arena Area
Coliseum and Colonial Life Arena lots AD2, AD3, AD4, AD5, and FS5 operate under the following options :

  event parking, $5.00 (subject to change)
  permit parking only

Signs at each location indicate the option under which the lot is operated. During Coliseum events, permit parking is not allowed in the above noted lots or in the faculty/staff lots at 1000 Blossom Street (N2) and 1000 Greene Street (N1). Please contact the Parking Services office for additional information.

There is NO overnight parking allowed in any lots located behind the Coliseum.

During certain times lots N1 and N2 may be closed for special daytime events. Parking Services will make other parking accommodations and inform those affected prior to the event.

Those students and faculty scheduled for evening classes in the Coliseum, School of Music, Koger Center, and School of Public Health may obtain a special permit for use during events at the Coliseum and Colonial Life Arena. At the beginning of each fall and spring semester, Parking Services will issue these special passes in the lobby areas of the Coliseum on a scheduled date. A copy of your class schedule and a picture ID is needed to obtain this pass. Please contact your college or department for further information. This special pass will allow parking in the large lots behind the Coliseum at no charge during events.

To see when events may effect parking in this area, please check these event schedules:

Parking on campus is governed by the State of South Carolina Code of Laws (1976), sections 56-21-10 through 56-21-60. In addition, all other state laws and city ordinances that apply to the operation and parking of motor vehicles are enforced.

A parked vehicle is one that is standing, whether occupied or not. Parking is prohibited at fire hydrants, fire lanes, yellow curbs, driveways, alleyways, sidewalks, walkways or grass areas. Curb cuts, disability spaces, service drives and trash pickup areas may not be blocked at any time. Vehicles parked in these areas are subject to being towed at the owner's expense. Students, faculty, and staff may purchase only one parking assignment.

All vehicles parked on campus must be head-in to the parking space. Backing in or pull-through parking is prohibited in all areas, including meters .

No unauthorized person may alter, deface, knock down or remove any official parking or traffic sign or erect any parking sign without the approval of the University Parking Committee.

Due to a change in parking registration software and procedures, returning students may only purchase a student parking lot permit for the upcoming academic year by visiting the Parking Services office. 
Incoming freshmen may purchase a student parking lot permit by completing the parking registration card in their Orientation packet and returning it with payment to Parking Services by July 15, 2013. 
Online purchase of permits is expected to resume July 8, 2013.

Refunds for student lot permits will be issued on a pro-rated basis. There is NO overnight parking allowed in any lots behind the Coliseum.

Resident Student (S) Parking
Vehicles bearing a valid Resident Student (S) permit may park at any time in areas designated "Student" and "Any Decal Parking." In addition, they may park in Faculty/Staff lots between 5:00 p.m. through 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5:00 p.m. Friday through 7:30 a.m. Monday. Vehicles with S permits may not park in reserved spaces or garages at any time.

The lot indicated "S21" will be reserved for special athletic events. Students may park in other "S" lots during these events. See the USC Athletics web site for event listings.

Commuting Student (CS) Parking
Vehicles bearing a valid Commuting Student (CS) permit may park in parking areas designated "Any Decal Parking." In addition, they may park in Faculty/Staff lots between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 am, daily. CS permits are not valid on campus from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Vehicles with “CS” permits may not be parked in reserved spaces, garages, or resident student parking lots at any time .

Graduate Student (GS) Parking
Students providing documentation of their enrollment as a graduate student may purchase a Graduate Student (GS) parking permit. GS permits are valid at any time in "Student" and "Any Decal" parking lots. In addition, GS permits are valid in Faculty/Staff lots between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 4:00 p.m. Friday through 7:30 a.m. Monday. Vehicles with GS permits may not park in reserved spaces or garages at any time.

Student Employee Parking
Students employed on a part-time basis, regardless of capacity, are not eligible for Faculty/Staff parking decals. Students in such categories who use University parking facilities must display a valid student permit and park in their appropriate area.

Speed Limit
Unless otherwise posted, campus speed limit is 15 miles per hour. All drivers must operate their vehicle in accordance with road and weather conditions . The speed in all garages is 10 miles per hour.

Vehicle Breakdowns
If a vehicle becomes inoperative on campus, Parking Services (777-5160) or the University Police Department (777-4215) must be notified immediately. The driver of the vehicle should immediately take action to move the vehicle to a legal parking space or have the vehicle removed from campus. If the vehicle is not moved within 24 hours, the vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense.

Abandoned vehicles or vehicles that appear to be abandoned are subject to towing and impoundment. Storage of vehicles on University property is prohibited and such vehicles are subject to towing.

Non-Payment of Fines
Students, faculty, and staff who fail to pay their financial obligation for parking violations to the University may have their parking privileges revoked and their vehicle impounded. In addition, students who fail to pay their financial obligations to the University before the end of the semester will not be allowed to register for classes, secure transcripts,  or receive diplomas until the obligations have been cleared.

Towing of Vehicles
The University has the lawful right or remove and impound vehicles under the following conditions:

  parked in a disability space without appropriate permit
  parked at or blocking a disability curb cut
  parked in or blocking a disability access area (blue diagonal lines)
  parked so that it impedes the operation of emergency equipment
  parked so that impedes pedestrian or vehicular traffic
  parked in a fire lane or at a fire hydrant
  parked in a parking garage without proper permit
  parked at a yellow curb or a no parking area
  accumulation of $50.00 or more in unpaid parking violations
  parked in a manner that creates a safety hazard
  abandoned or stored vehicles
  parked in a reserved space
  possession of a forged, defaced, or altered USC parking permit

Towing, storage and release of impounded vehicles is in accordance with City of Columbia Code of Ordinances, sections 2-4005, 2-4006 and 2-3064. Owners of such vehicles assume all risks involved and will be required to pay all cost of removal, impounding, and storage.

Motorcycles
Motorcycles and motor scooters must have a valid permit to park on campus. They may park only in designated motorcycle spaces in surface parking lots. Motorcycles and motor scooters are prohibited from parking in regular spaces in garages, surface lots, and metered areas on campus. Operation of motorcycles and motor scooters on or across sidewalks and walkways is strictly prohibited .

Motorcycles and motor scooters may not be stored in buildings on campus at any time. Such vehicles will be removed and impounded by the University at the owner's expense .

Bicycles
All bicycles parked on campus are required to be registered. Bicycle registration is free to all students, faculty, and staff. Identification decals are assigned and placed on bicycles to discourage theft and assist in recovery should they be lost or stolen. The serial number is recorded and the information is maintained by the Parking Services office. Engravers are available to engrave identification numbers on bicycles. Bicycle racks are located throughout campus, and bike owners must use these racks to secure their bikes. Securing your bike to any other structure on USC property will result in its removal. Bicycles must not be parked where they block pedestrian traffic (stairwells, entrances to buildings, and sidewalks). Bicycles parked in such a manner will be removed. Bikes must always be secured when left unattended .

Register Your Bike Online

Two weeks after May graduation, the University Police Department will impound all abandoned and/or unregistered bicycles. The University is not responsible for damage to any such bicycles or locks.

Damage to USC Property
It is unlawful to damage University property. Violators will be prosecuted in accordance with state law and University Discipline Codes

Defrauding Parking Meters
It is unlawful to deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking meter, any slug, device or substitute for a coin of the United States. This constitutes a misdemeanor to be tried by a magistrate.

Parking assignments for faculty and staff are based on length of employment with the University. Previous employment with another university or state agency does not affect permit assignment.

Permits may be applied for via the VIP Web site starting mid March until the end of April. Check the Parking Services Web site at www.sc.edu/vmps/to_vip.html for detailed information on accessing this service. We encourage all employees who apply for a surface lot permit to use the VIP registration process. Contact Parking Services regarding application for reserved spaces, as this option is not available on the VIP application. Faculty and staff members are eligible for one permit per employee. Parking ­assignments are nontransferable.

Parking Services has a dedicated email list just for parking notifications. Please e-mail us at parking@mailbox.sc.edu to be added to this list. This will enable us to inform you of temporary lot closings and other traffic information that may affect your normal parking areas on campus.

Faculty and staff members may purchase reserved or guaranteed parking in various garages or reserved parking lots. Seniority-based permits will not be assigned to those individuals with reserved parking. A combination “reserved/Z” permit will be assigned to those who choose this option. The “reserved/Z” permit regulation will be enforced according to the guidelines, stated below, for the “Z” permit.

Faculty and staff permit parking is allowed only in the specific letter zone for which the permit has been issued, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the exception of lots designated “FS.” Parking lots designated “FS” on the campus map are for vehicles displaying any valid employee permit. After 2 p.m. and on weekends, those vehicles with a valid “Faculty/Staff” permit may park in any “Faculty/Staff” lot unless otherwise prohibited by signs or markings. Reserved spaces in surface lots and garages are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Faculty/Staff permits are not valid in areas designated “Student”.

The “Z” permits are issued to newly hired faculty and staff members and temporary employees of the University. This permit is valid in the areas designated as “Any Decal Parking” (AD) and “Faculty/Staff assigned” (FS). They are also valid after 2 p.m. in any faculty/staff lot, unless otherwise prohibited by signs or markings.

USC Disability permits are required to park in campus disability spaces. USC disability parking permits are available to students, faculty, and staff of the University and are valid on University property only. Parking in disability spaces on city streets requires a state hang tag or disability license tag issued by the highway department. USC disability permits are not valid in city disability spaces or USC surface parking lot spaces designated “reserved,” “state vehicle,” or “service vehicle.” Contact Parking Services regarding use of disability spaces in the Bull Street garage. To obtain a disability parking permit, a statement from a medical doctor must be submitted to Parking Services stating the nature (diagnosis) and duration of the disability for which disability parking is needed. If a medical doctor's statement is not immediately available, a temporary permit may be issued for up to five school days in order to obtain the required statement.

A student may submit a statement from their private medical doctor or may be evaluated at the student health center to obtain a statement containing the nature and duration of the disability.

A faculty or staff member must submit a statement from a private medical doctor. It will be the responsibility of the person requesting the permit to clarify through the student health center or their private medical doctor any statement that does not specify the nature and duration of the disability.

Campus visitors may obtain a free one-day visitor permit from the Visitor Center. The visitor permit is valid in various lots throughout campus. Metered parking is also available on campus for visitors.

USC meters are enforced Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. All USC meters limited to 15 minutes are enforced from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Malfunctioning meters should be reported to Parking Services or the USC Police Department

USC meter spaces are located in the following campus locations:

Pendleton garage, levels 1A, 1B, and 2A
BA lot, top level, Barnwell and Pendleton Streets
1700 block of College Street
Capstone and Columbia Hall, Barnwell Street
Sumter Street garage, top level, Sumter Street
Petigru, off Greene Street
Sims/Patterson Hall circle off Bull Street.

Parking meter cards for all-day parking may be purchased at a cost of $5 per day and are valid in the two- and five-hour USC metered areas on campus. USC meters are marked as such. These cards are not valid at City of Columbia street meters.

Special Event Parking Requests
Departments hosting special events (seminars, meetings, or workshops) must submit a request to Parking Services at least one week prior to the event. Every effort will be made to accommodate special event parking requests, however, some request may be denied due to limited availability of parking.

Cost depends on the area requested, and departments are required to furnish billing information in order to process the request. In some instances, outside security is necessary and result in an additional fee.

Submit a request for Special Event Parking

Questions concerning these requests should be directed to the Faculty/Staff Coordinator at 777-4316.

Penalties and bonds are payable in person at Parking Services, or by mail. DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL.

Parking Services reserves the right to change penalty and/or bond amounts without notice.

Schedule of Penalties

Schedule of Bonds
Delinquent violations not paid or appealed after the third school day from the date of issue will result in the bond being increased as prescribed below:

Warrants may be served after thirty (30) days of notification to registered owner. Bond will be increased as follows:

Appeals
Appeals of parking violations that the recipient feels may have been issued in error or without just cause, must be made within seventy-two (72) hours of the time the citation was issued (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted); otherwise, the right of appeal is forfeited. Appeals may be made at Parking Services. No appeals are allowed for any late tickets.

The Traffic and Parking Appellate Committee will review appeals. The committee is composed of students, faculty, and staff members and meets once a month, usually the third Wednesday of the month. The individual has the right to appear in person to pre­sent their appeal to the appellate committee or may waive this right to appear and submit a written statement. All appellate committee decisions are final .