Can I park on UK’s campus during the summer? What visitors, students need to know
As the University of Kentucky moves into its summer sessions, fewer classes mean fewer students — and more open parking spots. But which ones are actually available for public use?
Summer parking rules are in effect from May 8 to August 11, according to UK. Specific information about parking on campus is available on UK’s website.
Because there are fewer people on campus in the summer, there are several changes to the normal parking operations. In most cases, however, a parking pass is still needed.
Here’s what to know about parking on campus during the summer semester.
Where can I park if I’m not a student?
Campus visitors can pay to park in any of the visitor lots and garages on campus, including the Cornerstone Garage off South Limestone. Garages cost $2 per hour, with a $16 maximum per exit. Cornerstone Garage and Sports Center Garage are both open to visitors.
Other lots open to visitors include one behind the Bill Gatton Student Center off Avenue of Champions and another behind the William T. Young Library off Hilltop Avenue. Lots cost $2 per hour for visitors. Even though it’s summer, visitor lots are still monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Single-day parking permit visitor passes are available for $6.50. They are available for purchase from the Press Avenue Garage, Cornerstone Garage and UK HealthCare Garage.
Parking meters are also available around campus for short-term parking, up to 45 minutes. Some areas of campus also have longer-term parking meters, with a three hour time limit.
Do I need a summer parking permit?
Summer parking permits are available for purchase for $10.50 per week, for any number of weeks needed. A UK parking permit is required to park on campus year-round, including during the summer months.
With a summer permit, students are able to park in most student lots, and Cornerstone Garage, Scott Street lots and Sports Center lots, except for spaces on Complex Drive.
Employee lots and parking structures are still restricted to employee permits over the summer, but open up to all valid parking permits in non-peak hours (typically after 3:30 p.m. on weekdays). Lots will have signs at the entrance indicating their hours.
While parking does open up in the summer, certain lots remain restricted to their specific permits, including: employee lots, the Nutter Center lot, Memorial Coliseum residential areas, Complex Drive, the Football Training Center Core lot, the South Mill Lot and Seminary area residential lots.
Certain floors of the Rose Street Garage and Sports Center Garage will be reserved for specific permits, and meters and paid visitor lots still require payment to use.
How do I pay for parking?
If you’re purchasing a single-day visitor pass, that can be done at kiosks in the garages. Temporary passes can be purchased with cash, check or credit card, according to UK.
If you’re parking at a metered spot, most meters accept coins (but not pennies). Some meters accept debit or credit cards.
Summer parking permits, which are a longer-term option, can be purchased from the UK Transportation Services office at 721 Press Avenue.
Where can I park on the weekends?
Weekend parking is relatively open compared to the weekdays.
Most employee lots and student commuter lots do not require a permit on weekends. There are some exceptions, but most lots have more flexible parking restrictions from 3:30 p.m. on Fridays until 5 a.m. on Mondays.
Before parking, check the area for parking signs, which will contain information about that lot’s specific hours and permit types.
Parking may be reserved in certain areas of campus during events, which could impact weekend and summer parking.
What happens if I park in the wrong location?
UK continues to monitor and enforce parking rules over the summer. If a car violates parking rules, it could be fined or impounded.
“When any vehicle is determined to be in violation of University Parking Regulations, it is subject to citation, immobilization and impoundment at the owner’s expense,” according to UK parking regulations. “Vehicles may be immobilized or impounded exclusively on the basis of existing violations on the vehicle license plate.”
A general parking violation or overtime meter violation results in a $30 fine. Other violations, like parking in a fire lane or improper use of a permit, can result in $100 fines. Breaking ADA parking rules results in higher fines.
If you believe you have been incorrectly cited or impounded, an appeal can be made to the university, where a committee will review the citation.