Public Safety...Parking

Parking Permit Fee

1.  All motor vehicles, including motorcycles and handicapped marked, parked on campus must have a parking permit. Permits can be purchased on-line, over the phone by calling 287-5353, or from the Cashier’s Office located on the first floor of Rhodes Hall for $25.00. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


Parking Permit Location

1. Parking permit MUST be affixed to the inside of vehicle on the right rear (passenger) side of the rear window.
2. Permits are to be displayed so all information including permit number is clearly visible.











Temporary Permits

1. Temporary permits are available for those who need to park an unregistered vehicle on campus. Temporary permits may also be issued for special needs such as temporary handicap parking with a doctor’s letter.

2. Public Safety will no longer be granting a two week grace period for students with no parking stickers at the beginning of the quarter. Temporary parking permits for students to park in the lots are available in the Public Safety Office. Copies will be sent to departments upon request.



Replacement Permits

Replacements can be purchased from the Cashier’s Office for a $25.00 fee. To prevent unauthorized use, the replaced permit will be invalidated and placed on a tow list.



Misuse of Permits

All parking permits are nontransferable. Any person who gives, sells, lends, or otherwise transfers a permit to another will forfeit their campus parking rights


Parking Regulations

1. Anyone parking in a handicapped parking space must have a state issued handicapped license plate or plaque in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 4511.69. Handicap permits are non-transferable.

Violators can be cited and towed at the owner’s expense, and fined $250.00 according to state law. State of Ohio citations are processed by the local courts, not Columbus State. Violators are also subject to citation by Columbus Police. If a current state-issued handicapped placard is properly displayed, parking is available in any lot on campus (not just handicap spaces). Please do not attempt to create your own parking space.

2. Any vehicle parked in a fire lane can be cited and towed at the owner’s expense.

3. PARKING IS PROHIBITED IN AREAS NOT DESIGNATED AS PARKING.

4. All vehicles must be parked in areas designated by their parking permits and in accordance with parking signs.

5. The speed limit on campus is 15 mph. Campus roads are also pedestrian walkways and pedestrians have the right-of-way.

6. Parking at meters is for Visitors only. If you are a current student or employee and park at the meters, you will be cited, even if money was put in the meter.


Parking Citations and Fines

1. No Valid Permit Displayed - Fine $15.00 Applies to any vehicle parked on campus other than visitors at meters within their paid time, that is not displaying a valid current quarter parking permit.

2. Improper Display of Permit - Fine $12.00. Parking permit MUST be affixed to the inside of vehicle on the right rear (passenger) side of the rear window. Permits are to be displayed so all information is visible, including permit number.

3. Obstructing - Fine $25.00. Applies to vehicles that are blocking the safe flow of traffic and or parking. Includes vehicles parked on walkways, hash-marked areas, fire lanes, etc.

4. Stop Sign/Reckless Operation - Fine $50.00. Applies to operators who fail to stop for posted stop signs on campus and/or operate their vehicle in a manner that shows willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

5. Not Parking Within Lines - Fine $12.00. Applies to vehicles that are not parked within the painted parking space lines.

6. Parking Outside Assigned Zone - Fine $20.00. Applies to students who park in employee or visitor lots, or students/staff/faculty that park at parking meters.

7. Transferring Or Illegal Use of Permit - Fine $12.00. Applies to those who allow an unauthorized person the use of a parking permit. Parking permits are non-transferable.

8. Unauthorized Parking in Handicap Zone - Fine $250.00, as per state law. Applies to those who park in spaces reserved for handicap parking without displaying a valid state issued handicap placard, CSCC Temporary Handicap Permit, or license plate.

9. Unauthorized Overnight Parking - Fine $12.00. Applies to vehicles that are left on campus property overnight without prior approval from the Department of Public Safety.

10. Expired Meter - Fine $15.00. Applies to vehicles parked at an expired parking meter.

11. Unauthorized Parking in Visitor Zone - Fine $20.00. Applies to students and staff who park in an area specifically marked for visitors.

12. Other - This section is used for information only. It is not a violation.


Citation Appeals

• Citation Appeals Web site

Note: This section does not include State of Ohio citations, which are processed by local courts, not the Columbus State appeals process.

1. A Columbus State citation may be appealed if the recipient feels the citation was unjustified.

2. Appeals must be made within 5 working days of receipt. Forms are available from the Campus Police Department in Union Hall, lower floor.

3. The appeal will be reviewed by the parking committee. A copy of the appeal decision will be on file in the Campus Police Department. The decision of the committee is final.

4. After appeal, all unpaid fines are submitted to the Ohio Attorney General's Office for collection.

Towing Policy

1. Columbus State is a private tow away zone. The towing of cars is authorized by Ohio Revised Code 4511.681.

2. Vehicles may be towed for illegal parking or for excessive fines.

3. Towed vehicles will not be released unless all fines are paid and a release is issued by the Campus Police. Towing charges are determined by the towing service at the time of the retrieval and payable in cash.


Columbus State Liability

Columbus State disclaims all responsibility from losses or damages to vehicles parked on Columbus State property. Columbus State is not responsible for losses or damage to any vehicle towed from campus.

PARKING ON COLUMBUS STATE PROPERTY IS BY PERMIT ONLY. PERMITS EXPIRE ON THE LAST DAY OF EACH QUARTER. PARKING IS ONLY FOR STUDENTS WHILE ATTENDING CLASS OR ATTENDING TO BUSINESS: (ERC, BOOKSTORE, ETC.)


Your Responsibility As a Motorist

As a motorist parking a vehicle on campus, it is your responsibility to:

PURCHASE A PERMIT. A parking permit authorizes you to park in any lot marked for student use. A map of the parking lots on campus can be found HERE.

DISPLAY A PERMIT. Each vehicle must have a valid permit properly displayed on it while on campus.

FIND AN AVAILABLE PARKING SPACE IN A DESIGNATED LOT. A parking permit does not guarantee the holder a specific parking space. You must park in an authorized parking lot for students and in the marked spaces.

Have on your person a valid driver's license, valid license plates, proof of insurance, and abide by applicable college policies, state, and federal laws.


Tips For Parking On Campus

1. Read all parking signs before you park.

2. Allow enough time to park and get to your class or meeting.

3. Check the MAP for location of lots open for students.

4. Lock all doors. Secure valuables in the trunk or out of sight.

5. Extra parking is available in Lot 28 on Mt. Vernon Ave., just west of Cleveland Ave. and the CSCC Discovery Exchange bookstore.

6. Remember, abide by policies, local, state and federal laws. Campus police are Ohio certified law enforcement officers empowered to enforce traffic and criminal laws. They also stand ready to assist you when needed.

7. Do not leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle.  Trunk storage is the best.  Lock your doors and roll up the windows.  Report anything suspicious to Public Safety at 287-2525. 

8. If you do not have early morning or early evening classes, be prepared to park in the outer lots around campus due to the close lots being already full of vehicles.

9. Be aware that special events or construction could close lots at any time. Be prepared to go to an alternate parking lot.

Any questions about parking, vehicle parking permits, temporary parking permits, handicap parking, or citations should be directed to the Campus Police Office at 287-2525.