Parking Regulations

Overview

• The Institute is not responsible for fire, theft, damage or loss to your vehicle while parked on Institute property.
• Parking at Caltech operates on a paid permit system. All vehicles that are parked on campus must display a current valid Caltech parking permit.
• Parking rules and regulations are applicable to all property owned by the Institute.
• Permit and zone regulations apply to all non-residential lots and structures that fall within the boundaries of Caltech as defined in the Caltech master plan.
• Regulations are enforced by the Caltech Parking Office. The Parking Office employs a staff of Officers who are authorized to issue Caltech generated parking warnings and City of Pasadena parking citations. Enforcement may also be carried out by way of vehicle tow, vehicle impound, or other action as deemed appropriate by the campus Administration.
• Hours of enforcement are Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Red zones, fire lanes, no parking zones, handicapped spaces, and certain posted reserved spaces are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Campus Parking Regulations

1. All vehicles parked on Institute property must be in proper working order and capable ofbeing legally driven on public roadways as defined in the California Vehicle Code.
2. Motor vehicles may park only in designated parking lots, parking structures, or on campus streets. Vehicles may not park in any area that is not specifically designated for parking. This includes but is not limited to; campus walkways, driveways, planters, lawns, landscaped areas, and fire lanes.
3. Vehicles may not be parked in one position for longer than 24 hours. Any vehicle parked in one position for more than 72 hours, whether operable or not, may be presumed to be abandoned by the owner and may be impounded at the Institute's discretion.
4. Boats, trailers, RV's, and oversize vehicles may not park on campus.
5. Electric vehicles may charge only at designated EV charging stations. Use of standard campus power outlets to charge electric vehicles is prohibited.
6. Parking Lots and Structures
   • Vehicles may be parked only in spaces that are specifically designated for parking.
   • Vehicles may not be parked in such a way as to impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
   • Vehicles may not be parked in such a way as to occupy more than one space or to restrict access to any space other than the one that the vehicle is parked in.
   • Vehicles parked on campus must be kept clean and presentable at all times.

1. Campus Streets
   • The following streets are owned by the Institute and are enforced by the Caltech Parking Office:
     • Michigan Avenue south of Del Mar Boulevard
     • Holliston Avenue south of Del Mar Boulevard
     • San Pasqual Street between Hill Avenue and Holliston Avenue
   • Unpainted curbs along campus streets are defined as commuter parking zones unless specifically marked otherwise.
   • Vehicles parked on campus streets must be parked in the direction of the flow of traffic, and may be parked no more than eighteen inches from the curb.

1. Parking Zones and Special Use Areas
   • Commuter
     • Commuter zones are defined as any designated parking area or stall that is not specifically marked for Students, Carpools, Reserved, or Handicapped parking.
     • The following types of permits are valid in Commuter parking zones:
       • Commuter Permits
       • Visitor Permits
       • Vendor Permits
   • Carpool
     • Carpool zones are indicated by an orange parking block marked as carpool.
     • Only vehicles displaying a valid Caltech carpool ID may park in a designated carpool zone
   • Reserved
     • Reserved spaces are marked with a name that is printed on the parking block. The name on the block indicates the individual or department to whom the space is assigned.
     • Only those vehicles that are specifically authorized by the assignee may park in a reserved space.
   • Undergraduate
     • Undergraduate parking permits are limited to the following locations during peak weekday hours (Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm):
       • Structure #1 (N. Wilson Garage)
       • Structure #3 (California Garage)
   • Handicapped
     • Only vehicles displaying a valid state of California or Caltech handicapped permit may park in handicapped spaces.
     • All vehicles parked in handicapped spaces must display a valid Caltech or visitor parking permit in addition to a handicapped permit.
   • Motorcycle
     • All motorcycles 150 cc or greater must display a valid Caltech or visitor parking permit.
   • Loading
     • Loading zones may be indicated by yellow markings or by signs.
     • Parking in loading zones is limited to 30 minutes.
     • Vehicles parked in a loading zone are not required to display a Caltech parking permit.
     • Vehicles parked in excess of the 30-minute time limitation will be subject to citation and/or tow.
   • 90-Minute Visitor
     • 90-minute visitor spaces are green in color, and may also be indicated by signs.
     • Vehicles parked in a 90-minute visitor zone are not required to display a Caltech parking permit.
     • Vehicles parked in excess of the 90-minute time limitation will be subject to citation and/or tow.
   • Credit Union
     • Short term Credit Union parking is available at 515 South Wilson Avenue.
     • Credit Union spaces are for the exclusive use of Credit Union patrons.
     • Vehicles may not be parked in a Credit Union space longer than 20 minutes.
   • Children's Center
     • Short term Children's Center parking is available in front of the Children's Center facility.
     • Children's Center spaces are for the exclusive use of Children's Center patrons.
     • Vehicles may not be parked in a Children's Center space for longer than one hour.
   • Athletics
     • Ten 90-minute athletics patron spaces are available in the B2 level of the underground structure near the Brown Gym.
     • The spaces are for the use of athletics patrons only while using the athletics facility.
     • Vehicles parked in a 90-minute visitor zone are not required to display a Caltech parking permit.
     • Vehicles parked in excess of the 90-minute time limitation will be subject to citation and/or tow.
   • Athenaeum
     • The Athenaeum parking lot (on the corner of Hill Avenue and California Boulevard) is for the exclusive use of Athenaeum members, patrons and guests.
     • A visitor permit is not required.

City of Pasadena Regulation

The City of Pasadena has an "Overnight Parking Ordinance." The ordinance prohibits parking on city streets between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. except by permit. Overnight permits may be purchased at city-owned parking kiosks. Information about these kiosks is available on the City of Pasadena website or by calling (800) 317-7177. The city streets surrounding the Institute are subject to citation for this violation. The streets include Wilson Avenue, Del Mar Boulevard, Hill Avenue, California Boulevard, and Catalina Avenue.

Parking citations, whether issued by the City or Campus Security and Parking Services, are under the control of the City of Pasadena after they are issued. If you receive a citation, it may be contested through the City. The forms to request an administrative review are available at Campus Security and Parking Services at Holliston Avenue parking structure and at the Campus Security and Parking Services office at 515 South Wilson Avenue.