Parking and Traffic Regulations for Savannah Technical College

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Effective Date: October 1, 2019

Application: All Campuses

By Order of:

Wayne R. Willcox, MSCJ

Chief of Police/Chief Information Officer

Savannah Technical College

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Article 1-Statement of Policy

Authority & Jurisdiction – The Savannah Technical College Police Department has the

responsibility and authority to administer the traffic policy for the institution and to control

traffic and parking on all campuses accordingly. The Georgia Motor Vehicle and Traffic Code

(Title 40) and the Technical College System of Georgia confer the right to Savannah Technical

College to control traffic and parking on its properties. All individuals operating a vehicle on

Savannah Technical College property shall abide by state law and the regulations set down by

this vehicle code.

Enforcement – The Savannah Technical College Police Department enforces Georgia State law

and vehicle codes and the rules and regulations of the College. Statutes and Rules are enforced

24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including holidays, except as otherwise indicated within this

code. Violators are subject to fines and the College reserves the right to tow for serious

violations and emergencies with the approval of the Chief of Police.

Vehicle Insurance – Georgia law requires that every owner and driver of a motor vehicle in this

state maintain financial responsibility through liability insurance coverage. Any other means of

financial responsibility must be approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Anyone who

operates a vehicle on Savannah Technical College property must meet this requirement.

Driver’s Licenses/Vehicle Registration – The State of Georgia requires that the operator of a

motor vehicle must possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration.

Liability– Savannah Technical College does not assume responsibility or liability for loss of

personal articles from a vehicle, any damage/loss to a vehicle due to theft, collision, vandalism,

flood, fire, or any other cause while the vehicle is on Savannah Technical College Property.

Permission to Park and Operate a Vehicle on Campus – A PARKING PERMIT DOES NOT

GUARANTEE OR RESERVE A PLACE TO PARK. It does give license to drive and park on

Savannah Technical College property in the manner prescribed by this vehicle code. PARKING

PERMITS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES FOR VEHICLES PARKED ON SAVANNAH

TECHNICAL COLLEGE PROPERTY. These privileges may be revoked at any time at the

discretion of the College.

Control of College Roads and Parking Lots – The College reserves the right to close any

campus parking area when it is necessary for maintenance, safety or to meet special needs. When

possible, notices will be posted indicating the closure.

Fines – Fines shall be levied according to the schedule indicated in Article III & IV. Fines must

be paid upon receipt of a violation. All fines not paid within the specified time become financial

obligations to the college. Students must pay all fines before they can obtain future permits,

clear for graduation, or receive transcripts or certificates. Employees with unpaid fines may be

subject to disciplinary procedures. Violations may be appealed as indicated in Article V.

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Suspension of Privileges– The privilege to operate or park a vehicle on campus may be

suspended to preserve the safety of the campus. Vehicle operators accruing 4 or more citations

(parking or moving) in an academic year may be subjected to this suspension at the discretion of

the Police Chief.

Article II-Vehicle Registration and Responsibility

Vehicle Registration– Student parking permits are paid through student fees. Faculty/Staff

parking permits are provided while actively employed by the College. All vehicles operated on

campus by students or employees MUST be registered with the Police Department and display a

current and valid permit. Vehicles that are operated by students or employees and are

unregistered or do not display a current and valid Savannah Technical College permit are not

permitted to park on campus. It is unlawful to forge, fabricate or alter a parking permit.

a. Registration – Vehicles must be registered with The Police Department within 5 business

days from the time that Students are issued a College ID/ or start classes or when an

employee starts working for the College.

b. Student/Faculty/Staff Permits – permit must be affixed to the exterior lower driver side of

the rear windshield. As of October 1, 2019, Faculty/Staff hang tags will no longer be

honored.

c. Visitor/Temporary Permits may be obtained through the police department. This

requirement may be waived for official business and special events on campus.

d. Handicap Parking Permits – The Police Department is not authorized to issue temporary

or permanent handicap parking permits. The vehicle owner can go to the nearest DOR

office in the county in which they reside to obtain a Disabled Person’s Parking Affidavit

(MV-9D) or they can complete the form on line at

http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/forms/pdf/motor/mv-9d.pdf. Student and employee vehicles

with handicap parking permits must also display a valid STC parking permit.

e. Unregistered Vehicles – An unregistered vehicle may be subject to a check through the

Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles or other agency and issued a parking fine if it is

found to be in violation of any of these regulations. If a College student or employee has

an unregistered vehicle on campus, he/she will be subject to citation. Any unpaid

citations will be billed to the student’s account.

f. Selling or transfer of a Registered Vehicle – When selling a vehicle, the original owner

must remove any Savannah Technical College parking permits on the vehicle and notify

The Police Department within 5 business days, if not, any citations issued to that vehicle

are the responsibility of the original owner until the Police Department is notified..

g. Permit expiration – Student permits are valid for 1 academic year as indicated on the

permit, but are no longer valid if the student is not enrolled in classes in any term during

that year. Faculty/Staff permits are valid as long as they employee is employed at the

College or until a newer style permit is issued.

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Curb Designations– All curbs adjacent to campus buildings are considered Fire Lanes unless

there are parking spaces designated by parking bumpers and/or white lines painted on the

pavement. Parking on a yellow curb is prohibited.

Parking next to buildings – Parking adjacent to buildings is restricted to state owned vehicles

and delivery vehicles. Personal vehicles may park for no more than 15 minutes adjacent to a

building to load or unload.

Handicap/Disability Parking – Handicap/Disability parking spaces are reserved for vehicles

displaying Handicap/Disability license plates or permits issued by an authorized State Agency.

These vehicles may be parked in the designated spaces while transporting the designated

Handicap/Disabled Individual identified on the permit. Use of the Handicap/Disability Plate or

Permit to park in a Handicap/Disability space by another individual who is not actively

transporting a handicap/disabled individual and who willfully and falsely avails himself or

herself of the privileges afforded to such special plate under this title shall be guilty of a

misdemeanor ( § 40-2-74 O.C.G.A. )

Lot Restrictions– Reserved parking is indicated by signage and is enforced 7 days a week/24

hours a day. There is no Student parking in the front of the campus. Student Parking is located

in the rear parking lot and along the south side roadway. Students may not park in any lot or

space designated as Reserved, Hero, Staff, Faculty, Official State Vehicle, or Visitor parking.

Spaces marked “Reserved, A Hero Parks Here” require a current Faculty/Staff permit with a

current “HERO” sticker. Personal vehicles may not park in spaces marked for Official State

Vehicle Parking or Driver’s Education Vehicles.

HERO Parking – HERO parking is reserved 24/hours a day/7 days a week for the exclusive use

of those individuals who have contributed 1% of their salary to the current HERO campaign.

Hero parking on campus has no affiliation or relationship to any military or first responder

program.

Visitor Permits–Visitors are those who are neither students nor employees of the College who

occasionally have a need to park on campus. Visitors, vendors and other special groups on

campus for official business or approved events are required to have permits, unless waived by

the Police Department. Visitor vehicles, including buses, may be restricted to designated areas of

the parking lots. Students are prohibited from parking in visitor spaces. Students may not park in

visitor parking for any reason. Student rides are not permitted in visitor parking, but may wait in

the rear parking lot.

Temporary Permits– Temporary permits are available for students/faculty/staff members when

their registered vehicle is being repaired or is unavailable for a short period of time and they

must drive an unregistered vehicle temporarily. Temporary permits are free of charge and are

issued for up to 5 days and must be displayed on the vehicle dash when parked on campus.

Lost Parking Permits– If a parking permit is lost it must be reported immediately to the Police

Department office before a new permit will be issued. A replacement fee of $5.00 will be

assessed for lost permits. Recovered permits must be returned to the Police Department.

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Inoperable Vehicles/Disabled Vehicles– Vehicles that are disabled/inoperable and/or are not

properly registered will be considered abandoned after 24 hours from their date/time of

discovery. These vehicles may be fined and/or towed at the owner’s expense. Inoperable

vehicles may not be stored on campus.

Overnight Parking – Students/Faculty/Staff that wish to leave a personal vehicles on campus

overnight (between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am must secure prior authorization from the Police

Department. Large truck, trailer, boat, or recreational vehicle parking is not permitted at any time

without authorization from the police department.

Large Vehicles /Vehicles Towing Trailers/Boats – A Large vehicle and/or a vehicle towing a

trailer/boat are not permitted to take up more than one total parking space for the vehicle and its

trailer. Unattached trailers are not permitted on campus.

Auto Work– Auto repair work of any kind is not permitted on campus, except in an emergency

or as part of an approved course or event.

Motorcycles– Motorcycles and motorized bicycles (mopeds, motor scooters, etc.) are subject to

all regulations in this code.

a. Motorcycles/scooters must park in normal vehicle parking spaces

b. Motorcycles/mopeds/scooters may not park in crosshatch areas between handicap

parking spaces

c. Mopeds that have an engine size of 100cc or less may park in the bicycle racks.

Bicycles– Bicycles are not required to be registered with The Police Department.

a. Bicycles may not be ridden on pedestrian sidewalks or on lawn areas. Bicycles must

use roads open to automobile traffic only.

b. Bicycles are to be chained to bicycle racks only. Bicycles chained to building

handrails, trees, etc. are subject to fines and impoundment by The Police Department.

c. The Police Department reserves the rights to sell abandoned bicycles or give them to

charity after a 30 day hold from the date of impound.

Parking Regulations Suspension – The Chief of Police may suspend parking regulation

enforcement for special events, emergencies, and other reasons that are in the best interests of the

College.

Article III – Violations and Fines

Parking permit owners are responsible for the proper operation and parking of the vehicles they

documented by the Police Department. Repeat violators are subject to a Repeat Violator fine

schedule (see Article IV). Student grades, subsequent registration, transcripts and diplomas may

be held until all fines are paid. Fines are paid at the Cashier Window.

Vehicle Registration/Permits:

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a. Permit Not Displayed/Not Registered – $10.00 Fine: All vehicles parked on Savannah

Technical College property must be registered with The Police Department. Students,

staff and faculty must register for a parking permit.

b. Expired Permit – $10.00 Fine: Student permits are valid for one year and must be

renewed prior to expiration.

c. Improper Display – $10.00 Fine: All parking permits must be displayed on the exterior

rear window in the lower driver side corner.

Restricted Parking:

a. Posted Reserved or Restricted Space – $25.00 Fine: Reserved parking by special permit

or permission from The Police Department.

b. Posted No Parking – $10.00 Fine: No parking or standing.

c. Posted Delivery or Limited Time Zone – $10.00 Fine: 15 minutes is the maximum time

permitted in temporary loading/unloading/delivery zones unless otherwise specified by

posting.

d. Posted Faculty/Staff Parking – $25.00 Fine: Faculty/Staff parking with valid permit only.

Illegal Parking:

a. Parking on a Yellow Curb – $10.00 Fine: Parking on a yellow curb is prohibited.

b. Parking on Lawn/grass or Walkway – $10.00 Fine: Parking on sidewalks or lawns/grass

is prohibited.

c. Blocking a Driveway, Wheelchair Ramp, or crosswalk– $10.00 Fine: Vehicles shall not

block driveways, handicap access ramps, or pedestrian crosswalks.

d. Improper Parking – $10.00 Fine: Vehicles must fit inside a designated space, and may

not cross or park on the painted lines. Drivers of vehicles that do not fit within campus

spaces will need to make arrangements for off-campus parking. Vehicles shall not park

on the grass or pedestrian walkway/sidewalk, or strike a parking sign/post. Vehicles with

trailers are not permitted without authorization from the police department.

e. Red Zones/Fire Lanes/Fire Hydrants–$25.00 Fine: A vehicle may not stop or park in a

red zone or fire lane, when the vehicle is not occupied by a licensed driver with the

ability to move the vehicle immediately in an emergency or when ordered by a police

officer or employee.

f. Handicapped Parking –$50.00 Fine first violation $100 Fine subsequent violations: Blue

handicapped spaces with a sign posted are for handicapped parking only, including

nights, weekends and holidays. The only vehicles allowed to park in handicapped spaces

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are those displaying a special handicap license plate or placard issued by a State Agency.

PERMITS ARE VALID FOR THE PERSON NAMED ON THE PERMIT ONLY (if the

named person is not actively being transported as the driver or passenger of the vehicle,

the vehicle cannot be parked in a handicapped space). Vehicles displaying BOTH a valid

handicap permit and a valid STC permit may park in staff or student parking if handicap

parking is unavailable.

g. Parked in Roadway - $10.00 Fine: Parking with any part of a vehicle overhanging into

the traveled portion of a roadway.

Traffic Control Devices:

a. Entering the Wrong Way – $30.00 Fine: Vehicles shall at all times travel in the proper

direction by lane assignment and shall not enter into areas posted Wrong Way.

b. Failure to Stop – $30.00 Fine: Vehicles must come to a complete stop at all posted Stop

signs.

c. Failure to Yield – $30.00 Fine: All vehicles must yield the right-of-way to vehicles and

pedestrians where posted. All vehicles must yield to a Police

Department/Fire/Ambulance vehicle when lights/siren have been activated.

d. Unsafe Vehicle Operation – $30.00 Fine: The operation of a vehicle in a manner deemed

hazardous or unsafe is prohibited. All vehicle operations are limited to public roadways

unless prior permission is obtained from The Police Department.

e. Tampering with Vehicle Gates/Barricades/Cones/Signs – $30.00 Fine: Attempting to

open, raise or alter static or motorized vehicle gates is prohibited. The movement of a

traffic cone, barricade, or sign is prohibited.

Misuse of Vehicle:

a. Reckless Driving – $50.00 Fine: Vehicles driven with wanton disregard for the safety of

others are considered reckless. This includes, but is not limited to “laying

drags/burnouts” and display of unsafe speed. Speed limit on campus is 20 mph.

b. Obstructing Traffic – $50.00 Fine: There is no stopping, standing or parking in a way

that prevents another vehicle from moving or hinders the normal flow of traffic.

c. Passing a Moving Vehicle – $50.00 Fine: Passing a moving vehicle on campus roads is

prohibited.

d. Aggressive Driving – $50.00 Fine: A person commits the offense of aggressive driving

when he or she operates any motor vehicle with the intent to annoy, harass, molest,

intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person or motor vehicle.

e. Limits on sound volume produced by radio, tape player, or other mechanical sound-

making device from within the motor vehicle – $30.00 Fine: It is unlawful for any person

operating or occupying a motor vehicle on any campus property to operate or amplify the

sound produced by a radio, tape player, or other mechanical sound-making device or

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instrument from within the motor vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance

of 100 feet or more from the motor vehicle.

f. Littering - $30.00 Fine: A person commits the offense of Littering when he or she

drops/discards and leaves rubbish, trash, junk, garbage, cigarette butts, or other waste

material on the grounds or roadways of Savannah Technical College and not in

receptacles designated for the disposal of such material.

g. Wireless Communication Device Use – $50.00 Fine: Any violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-

241 while operating a vehicle on STC property.

Article IV – Repeat Offenses

Repeat Violator: Repeat violators will be assessed an additional fine for any warning or

violation in excess of the proscribed number. (Repeat violations accrued by academic year)

a. 3rd violation, base fine plus $15

b. 4th or more violations, base fine plus $25 and possible revocation of vehicle privileges on

STC property

Article V – Appeals

Appeal forms are available online on the STC Police Department website at the Police

Department Office in each campus. All information must be filled out completely and returned

in person to the Police Department or by mail (postdated) within five (5) business days of

citation issuance. Results of the appeal will be emailed and/or mailed to your STC email and/or

home address. Appeals made after five (5) days may be grounds for denial.

Failure to complete all information on back of the form may be grounds for denial.

Appeals based upon, but not limited to, ignorance of the regulation, financial hardship, tardiness,

weather conditions, other vehicles were parked or operated improperly, only parked improperly a

short time, or a lack of parking do not constitute a valid appeal and may be denied.

Appeals are adjudicated by the Chief of Police.