The Parking Office is located within the Department of Campus Safety (DCS) and is located in the Culbertson/Slater Complex at 602 E. Wayne Ave.
The College of Wooster Office of Campus Safety is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the motor vehicle regulations on the campus. The motor vehicle regulations have been developed to maximize efficient use of existing parking areas and to create a safe and orderly environment so that all members of this community and visitors to the campus may enjoy their stay. Safety personnel must enforce Federal and State laws, city ordinances, and College regulations; therefore, your cooperation is imperative and appreciated.
No vehicle will be permitted to park on College of Wooster property without a valid parking permit. We have established a 24/7 permit system to assist in making this work. Individuals must complete the online registration form (included below) to get a permit before parking a vehicle on College property.
If you encounter any problems arising from a traffic situation or have questions concerning parking, parking citations or parking permits, please contact the DCS Office at 602 E. Wayne Ave. or phone 330-263-2590 (campus extension 2590).
Definition of Terms
- Motor Vehicle includes automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, motor scooters, motor bikes, mopeds, and any other motor powered vehicle designed for land operation.
- Student refers to all persons enrolled in a course(s) for credit.
- Staff or Faculty designates any member of the College community (other than students) who is employed by the College. The term does not include subcontracted employees (not directly employed).
- Visitor defines any person, other than staff or student, who parks or drives a vehicle on campus. This group (visitors) includes participants in any summer programs.
- Immobilizer describes the device placed on a vehicle’s tire/rim to prevent the vehicle from being moved.
Vehicle Registration Requirements
Parking Permits
- Parking permits are non-transferable and are limited to one per student.
- Student permits must be displayed in lower left hand corner of the rear windshield of the vehicle with the permit number visible.
- Staff and Visitor permits must be hung from the rear-view mirror while parked on campus.
- Permit holders may park based on availability in the designated parking area assigned according to their classification (student, staff, visitor).
- Parking permits should be removed from a vehicle before the vehicle is sold or traded-in.
- If you are unable to purchase your desired lot area (North/South), or if your residence changes after purchasing a permit, you may exchange your permit provided that permits are still available.
Additionally, there is a waiting list that you may sign up for to obtain permits. The waiting list is also on a first-come, first-served basis. You must have already purchased a permit for the current year/semester in order to be placed on the list. You must also park only in the designated parking areas assigned to your current permit while on the waiting list. Frequent violations of the Parking Rules and Regulations will result in a denial/removal from the waiting list as well as revocation of current parking permit with no refund.
Student
Any student who wishes to drive or park a vehicle on College property must register the vehicle with Campus Safety and display a valid parking permit.
Permit Guidelines:
- The permit must be affixed to the inside of the rear windshield, on the bottom left (driver’s side) corner.
- Students may register only one vehicle.
- The student must be the owner or primary operator of the vehicle — registering a vehicle for another student is not permitted.
- Parking permits are limited based on available space and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, including Temporary Permits, based on class year.
- Returning students are given the opportunity to purchase permits for the upcoming academic year at the end of each spring semester.
Students can complete the registration form online:
2025-2026 Academic Year: https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
2026-2027 Academic Year: Coming April 2026
Registration fees for Student parking are as follows:
- Annual Parking Permit (North or South): $200 per year
- One–semester Permit (North or South): $110
- Weekly Permit (7 days): $10 (limit 3 weekly permits per semester)
- Replacement Permit: $10
- Gault Schoolhouse (residents of Gault Schoolhouse only): $120 full year; $65 semester
- Fairlawn Apartments (residents of Fairlawn Apts. only): $120 full year; $65 semester
- Visitor Permit (three consecutive days or less): Free (NOTE: Visitors parking overnight must have a visitor permit)
- Temporary and Visitor permits are available at the DCS Office 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Staff/Faculty
All members of the staff or faculty must register any vehicle that they plan on parking or driving on Campus property. The Campus Safety Office offers the registration service free of charge to all employees of The College of Wooster. Each employee is requested to limit the number of vehicles registered to two. If a non-registered vehicle is driven to campus, a temporary permit must be obtained from the Campus Safety Office. Staff vehicle registrations may be completed at the Campus Safety Office. All staff are expected to park their vehicles in Staff parking only. Staff will not be permitted to park in any posted Student, Service Vehicle, or Visitor parking areas. Staff will not be permitted to transfer their permits to other staff, visitors or students.
Visitor
Any visitor who wishes to park a vehicle overnight on campus must register the vehicle with the Campus Safety Office. Visitor lots will be checked after 9 pm Sunday through Saturday. Any vehicles that are not registered and parked in Visitor lots will be ticketed and/or immobilized or towed. Registered visitors may park for up to three consecutive days for free; Visitor registration forms and permits are available at the Campus Safety Office on a 24/7 basis. Students will not be permitted to obtain Visitor permits. Any guest of a student wishing to park on campus after 9pm must obtain a Visitor permit from Campus Safety and must be accompanied by their host student when obtaining a Visitor permit. Both student and visitor will need to present identification.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking
The College of Wooster is proud to offer accessible parking in our campus parking lots. These spaces are usually marked with the internationally recognized symbol of a blue background with white wheelchair logo painted inside the parking space on the ground. However, some spaces are marked with blue signage that specifically states that it is reserved for ADA parking only. Any student, staff, faculty member, or visitor who has a valid ADA license plate or placard (hangtag) may park in any accessible space on campus. This means students who are authorized to park in ADA spaces may park in staff lots with accessible parking spaces and vice versa. Please ensure your unexpired placard is clearly visible and hanging from your rearview mirror so we can see it. For more information, please visit the Ohio BMV.
Electric Vehicle Charging Policy
There are several clearly marked parking spaces on campus which are reserved for electric vehicle charging. Parking in these spaces is only permitted for electric vehicles, including both plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and battery only electric vehicles (BEV), and only while actively charging. Between the hours of 7 am – 8 pm M-F, users are permitted a maximum of 5 hours of charging at a time and are kindly requested to move their vehicles once charging is completed. Violators of these rules are subject to ticketing and/or towing. These spaces are available for students, employees, and visitors. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Sustainability.
Permit Replacement
A lost, damaged or destroyed permit may be replaced at the DCS Office for a $10 fee. Damaged permits should be returned when applying for a replacement.
Bicycles
Bicycles may not be stored or parked in any residence hall public area which has not been explicitly designated for bicycle storage. All bicycles should be adequately secured when not in use. For the purpose of theft protection, individuals bringing bicycles to campus are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the registration service offered by Campus Safety or the Wooster City Police Department. The CS Office will retain unclaimed or abandoned bicycles for three (3) months, after which time they will be donated or disposed of.
Regulations
The College assumes no responsibility or liability for any vehicle or its contents while it is operated or parked on the campus. Every member of the campus community driving or parking a motor vehicle on or around the campus is responsible for knowing the State of Ohio and College of Wooster motor vehicle regulations. College regulations are as follows:
No Parking Zones are indicated by signage, yellow curbs, or yellow/white painted lines. Emergency Vehicle Lanes—marked with yellow curbs, lines, or lettering—are also considered No Parking Zones. In addition, parking is prohibited in the following areas::
- Parking lot drive lanes
- Holden Drive
- Babcock Circle
- Scheide Circle
- Freedlander Theater Circle
- Scot Center Drive and walkway
- Portions of the Lowry Center rear lot
- All program house driveways
Prohibited Areas
Parking or driving on lawns or sidewalks is strictly prohibited.
Loading Zones
Loading/unloading is permitted in designated loading zones for a maximum of 15 minutes, with emergency flashers activated. Vehicles exceeding this time limit or not using flashers are subject to enforcement. Loading is not permitted in ADA spaces or crosswalks. All vehicles in loading zones must be registered with Campus Safety.
City Street Parking
Most street parking around campus is regulated by the Wooster Police Department. However, University Street (between Beall Ave. and Bever St.) is controlled by the College. Students are not permitted to park on either side of this street. All community members must follow local city parking laws and ordinances.
Restricted Walkways
The Memorial Walkway, Campus Mall, and pedestrian paths between:
- Holden and Lowry
- Lowry and the Scot Center
are limited to foot traffic, College service vehicles, and emergency vehicles only.
Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrians always have the right of way.
Vehicle Use and Parking Eligibility
Residential students are not permitted to drive to class. However, commuter students and those living in non-College owned off-campus housing may drive to campus and park in designated South student areas with a valid South student parking permit.
All vehicles operated on campus must be used and parked responsibly.
Lot Assignments
All campus community members must park only in lots assigned to their classification (e.g., student, staff, visitor, North or South campus) as clearly marked by signage.
Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Regulations
Citations
Any individual who violates campus motor vehicle regulations should expect to be cited. In addition to receiving a fine, violators may face:
- Vehicle immobilization or towing
- Revocation or denial of parking privileges
- Conduct review
- Liability for property damage
Parking violation fines are assessed in the following manner:
- No valid permit $100
- No parking zone / Fire lane / Handicap space $50
- Parking in staff, service, or visitor space $50
- Blocking vehicles, roadways, or dumpsters $50
- Parking on lawn or walkway $50
- Occupying more than one space $25
- Failure to park in assigned area $25
- Not a valid parking space (includes EV charger misuse) $25
The College reserves the right to revoke or deny registration and campus parking privileges for the following reasons:
- Chronic violations: Three (3) or more citations in a single academic semester
- Falsification of information during registration
- Tampering with, defacing, or misusing a permit
- Actions hazardous to safety, property, or operations of the College
- Other concerning behavior or violations as determined by Campus Safety
Owner Responsibility
The vehicle owner or registered permit holder is ultimately responsible for all violations, even if the vehicle is being driven by another individual. Repeated offenses or violations linked to a specific vehicle may result in the loss of parking privileges and all related fines will be charged to the registered owner’s account.
A student whose vehicle is chronically in violation of parking regulations or is used in an act of vandalism, harassment or other concerning behavior may also be referred to the College Conduct system for disciplinary action. No refunds will be given for permits that have been revoked.
Towing & Immobilization
Vehicles may be towed or immobilized under the following circumstances:
- Obstructing traffic flow or access for emergency/service vehicles
- Parking in Fire Lanes, No Parking Zones, ADA spaces without proper identification, on grass, or in any area not designated as a legal parking space
- Blocking dumpsters or roadways
- Parking outside assigned areas
- Repeated parking violations or if the owner has been denied campus parking privileges
- Lack of a valid campus parking permit
- Other circumstances deemed necessary by Campus Safety
Towed or immobilized vehicles are subject to all related expenses, which must be paid before release. Information about towed or immobilized vehicles can be obtained by calling the Campus Safety Office at 330-263-2590.
Important: Never attempt to move or drive an immobilized vehicle, as doing so may cause damage. The College is not responsible for any damage resulting from improper removal attempts. All outstanding fines and a $50 removal fee must be paid before the immobilizer is removed.
Parking Appeal Review
The College of Wooster recognizes the importance of due process and offers an appeal process for parking citations:
- Appeals must be submitted to the Campus Safety Office (602 E. Wayne Ave.) during regular business hours
- Appeals must be filed within five (5) business days of the citation date
- A completed appeal form must accompany the original citation
- Fines will be placed on hold pending the outcome of the appeal
- Appeal decisions are final, and individuals will be notified of the result
Please contact the Campus Safety Office with any questions regarding the appeal process.
Parking Lots
All campus parking lots are indicated by a parking sign posted at or near the entrance to the lot. The signs clearly indicate who is permitted to park in the lots as follows:
- North student parking lots (Light Blue sign)
- South student parking lots (Gold sign)
- Staff parking lots/spaces (Dark Blue sign)
- Visitor parking lots/spaces (Green sign)
- Service/emergency vehicle spaces (Red sign)
It is the permit holder’s responsibility to know where they are permitted to park. Here is a link to the campus parking map: Campus Parking Map — The College of Wooster
If you are unsure of where you are authorized to park, contact Campus Safety before parking.
If you are unable to locate an available valid space in your designated parking area (North or South lots), please contact Campus Safety immediately at 330-263-2590 so we can assist you in finding an appropriate space.
Please note that a lack of open spaces in your assigned lot does not permit parking in unauthorized or illegal areas. Vehicles parked in violation may still be cited, immobilized, and/or towed at the owner’s expense.
While we understand you may not always be able to park near your residence, Campus Safety offers safety escorts for individuals who park in their assigned areas and feel uncomfortable walking to their residence hall or house at night.