Parking and Traffic Regulation Policy
Parking and Traffic Regulation Policy (Verbatim policy language with administrative clarifications)
Policy Summary
This policy establishes requirements for vehicle registration, parking, traffic operations, and enforcement on University of Arkansas - Fort Smith property.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to promote safety, accessibility, and orderly traffic flow on campus by regulating the operation and parking of motor vehicles on university property.
Scope and Applicability
This policy applies to all students, employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors who operate or park a motor vehicle on property owned, leased, or controlled by the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
Policy Owner
University Police and Parking Services
Definitions
Vehicle
Any motorized conveyance, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and similar devices, operated on campus roadways or parked on university property.
Clarification:
This definition applies to all motorized vehicles regardless of size or fuel type.
Permit
A valid university-issued parking authorization assigned to a registered vehicle.
Clarification:
Permits are issued per vehicle and are not transferable unless explicitly authorized.
University Property
All streets, parking areas, sidewalks, grounds, and facilities owned, leased, or controlled by the university.
Policy Statements
General Regulations
A vehicle is defined as a motorized means of transportation that is licensed by the state (if applicable) and must adhere to all state and campus regulations. Vehicles may not drive on sidewalks unless approved by UPD.
Anyone who utilizes university parking facilities, including but not limited to faculty, staff, and students, must have a current UAFS parking permit visible and properly displayed and shall be responsible for the registered vehicle and any citation(s) issued to that vehicle.
If a vehicle receives a citation while parked on the UAFS campus and it has not been properly registered, the owner of that vehicle shall be responsible for the citation.
The university shall assume no liability or responsibility for any vehicle parked on campus property.
Motorcycles and scooters are subject to the regulation governing motor vehicles.
The owner of a disabled vehicle located in a parking lot shall notify the Parking Program Office or the University Police Department within 30 minutes of the disability or the vehicle is subject to be towed and/or ticketed at the owner's expense. The owner of a disabled vehicle parked improperly shall be responsible for moving the vehicle within 24 hours. A disabled vehicle on the roadway must be moved as soon as a wrecker or other appropriate means can be employed.
Any repairs made to vehicles which will cause a nuisance, safety hazard, or property damage shall not be performed on campus. Violators are subject to revocation of parking privileges and permit.
Anyone who needs temporary parking for a trailer should contact the Parking Program Office or UPD to make appropriate arrangements.
A red curb and/or sign designates a fire zone, and no parking is permitted. Loading and/or unloading is only allowed where indicated by the appropriate signage.
Warning violations will be issued the first week of classes of each semester to vehicles without permits and that have not been previously issued a parking citation. Exceptions are handicap spaces, loading zones, and unauthorized parking areas.
A UAFS parking permit is required in order to utilize university parking facilities.
A vehicle shall be registered to one person only.
Vehicle Registration and Permits
All UAFS parking permits are available at the Parking Program Office, located at 1114 N. 52nd St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Temporary and visitor parking permits are also available at the Parking Program Office and through UPD, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All parking permits expire on Aug. 31 of each year.
Temporary parking permits are available free of charge for any valid permit holder who brings a different vehicle to campus other than their original registered vehicle. Temporary permits are valid for a maximum of two (2) weeks. Please contact the Parking Program coordinator or UPD if an extension of two (2) weeks is necessary.
If your student status changes at any time throughout the academic year, you may exchange your current parking permit free of charge at the Parking Program Office to reflect your change in status.
No refunds will be issued for parking permits reported lost or stolen. The permit owner shall be responsible for purchasing a replacement permit. Lost or stolen permits shall be reported immediately to the Parking Program Office or UPD. Failure to properly report a lost or stolen permit could result in the owner of the permit being responsible for any or all citations issued to the permit.
No one shall register a vehicle on campus belonging to another individual without permission of the legally registered owner of the vehicle.
A parking permit shall only be displayed on the vehicle to which it is registered.
Parking permits not properly displayed in the vehicle shall be subject to citation for failure to properly display a permit.
Students who work part time for the university as staff members are not entitled to a staff permit.
Special Permits
All vendors are required to register their vehicles and obtain a vendor parking pass at the Parking Program Office at 1114 N. 52nd St.
University parking facilities are restricted to use by those who participate in university functions, activities, or business on campus.
Parking permit fees are established by the university and published in Appendix A: Parking Permit Fee Schedule.
Parking Areas and Restrictions
Resident student parking is permitted only in areas designated as "resident student parking." A resident parking permit (orange in color) is required in those areas (Sebastian Commons). A resident is defined as a student who is assigned to university housing.
Resident parking is restricted 24 hours a day, and a resident parking permit shall be required.
Commuter student parking is permitted only in areas designated for "commuter student parking" (green in color). A displayed permit is required in these areas. A commuter student is defined as a student who resides off campus and commutes to the university for classes.
Faculty/Staff parking is permitted in areas designated as "Faculty and Staff parking" or commuter student. A faculty/staff permit (blue in color) is required in these areas.
Only vehicles with a state-issued physically disabled license plate or hang tag shall park in designated physically disabled spaces. A UAFS parking permit is also required.
Visitor parking is designated for visitors only from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise posted. Any vehicle with a non-visitor permit displayed shall not park in visitor parking and shall be subject to citation for parking in an area designated for others.
If a UAFS student who resides in university housing is a member of the immediate family of a UAFS employee with a faculty/staff permit, they may not park that registered vehicle in resident student areas.
No vehicle shall display more than one current parking permit.
Only those designated people will use spaces that are specifically designated by a sign. These areas shall be reserved 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Motorcycles and scooters are allowed to park in areas designated for motorcycles and scooters by signage and lot striping. All motorcycles and scooters must display a valid UAFS motorcycle/scooter parking permit.
Restricted Parking
Faculty/Staff and commuter student parking is restricted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise posted. Also, parking in Lot R is reserved 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Parking spaces with posted signs indicating specific restrictions (Ex: college deans) will be reserved 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visitor Parking
Visitors parking on campus shall obtain and display a visitor permit on their vehicle. Visitor permits may be obtained prior to campus arrival by emailing the Parking Program Office at Parking@uafs.edu. They can also be picked up in person at the Parking Program Office or University Police Department at 1114 N. 52nd St.
Whenever possible, the host, whether student, faculty, or administrator, should obtain visitor parking permits for guests.
University Police shall provide visitor permits to event coordinators when requested. An event coordinator should contact the Parking Program Coordinator at Parking@uafs.edu or UPD at UPD@uafs.edu for specific instructions at least two weeks in advance of the event.
Visitor parking permits are valid for a maximum of three (3) days unless otherwise specified by UPD.
Traffic Operations
All vehicle operators must comply with posted traffic control devices, pavement markings, and directions issued by university officials. The maximum speed limit on campus is 15 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. Barricades, cones, and temporary traffic control devices may be placed to manage traffic flow or restrict access. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
Vehicle Condition and Use
Vehicles parked on campus must be operable and in safe condition. Disabled or abandoned vehicles may be subject to citation, immobilization, or towing. Vehicle repairs or maintenance may not be performed on campus except for emergency repairs necessary to move the vehicle.
Clarification:
Long-term storage of inoperable vehicles is not permitted on university property.
Enforcement
Citations and Fines
Vehicles in violation of this policy may be issued parking citations. Fine amounts and violation categories are established by the university and published in an official fee schedule. Multiple or repeated violations may result in additional enforcement actions.
Fines shall be paid online or at the Cashier’s Office on the second floor of the Campus Center. All citations issued are subject to billing through the Cashier’s Office. Failure to pay fines may result in withholding of transcripts, class registration, and/or formal collection efforts (including liens through the state income tax system).
Clarification: The official fine schedule is maintained as an appendix to this policy and reviewed annually.
Appeals
If a visitor, student, staff, or faculty member believes the citation was issued in error, they have the right to appeal to the Traffic and Parking Appeals Committee.
This appeal must be filed through the parking app within five (5) days of the citation being issued. Late appeals will not be considered, except in extenuating circumstances.
If you are not affiliated with UAFS or if your citation does not appear on your UAFS account, please email Parking@uafs.edu for assistance.
Payment or appeal of any traffic citation does not exempt one from the standard revocation procedure.
Permit Revocation
The director of University Police may suspend or revoke a driver’s parking privileges when violations exceed 12 during the permit year (Sept. 1 through Aug. 31).
All revocations made by the director of University Police shall be effective for the remainder of the permit year in which the revocation order is issued or as otherwise noted.
Student parking privileges may also be revoked by the vice chancellor of student affairs, the Student Conduct Board, and the chief conduct officer.
Payment or appeal of any traffic citation does not exempt one from the standard revocation procedure.
Towing and Immobilization
Vehicles may be immobilized or towed for serious or repeated violations, safety hazards, or obstruction of emergency access. Towing and immobilization procedures are administered in accordance with university procedures and applicable laws.
Vehicles may be towed or immobilized for the following reasons:
- parking on campus after a permit has been revoked
- accumulation of six (6) or more violations per vehicle within the permit year
- blocking fire lanes or hydrants
- obstruction of pedestrian or traffic lanes or creating a hazard
- abandonment
- blocking loading zones
- blocking or impeding snow removal
- parking in a handicap-designated area without a valid handicap permit
- parking in a reserved or blocked off area
- not displaying proper campus registration
- as UPD personnel deem necessary for safety, security, or any campus operation
Appendices
Appendix A: Parking Permit Fee Schedule Reviewed annually and published by Parking Services.
Appendix B: Parking Citation Fine Schedule Reviewed annually and published by Parking Services.
Related Policies and Procedures
Parking Citation Appeals Procedure
Parking Lot Designations and Maps
Parking FAQs
Contact Information
University Police & Parking
1114 N. 52nd Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72904
479-788-7140
Policy Administration
Effective Date: To be assigned Last Reviewed: February 10, 2026 Responsible Office: University Police Department and Parking Services.