Parking Regulations

Board of Governors for Higher Education
Parking and Traffic Regulations for CCRI

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  • PARKING REGULATIONS
    • Chapter 1- General
    • Chapter II - Registration of Vehicles and Issuance of Parking Permits
    • Chapter III - Parking, Stopping, and Standing
    • Chapter IV - Operating Rules and Speed Limits
    • Chapter IV- Penalties for Violations

PARKING REGULATIONS

Pursuant to and in accordance with the powers granted by Title 16, Chapter 52, General Laws of Rhode Island, the following Rules and Regulations are established and adopted by the Board of Governors for Higher Education for the control and use on the properties and highways of Community College of Rhode Island and to maximize safety for all persons using the College campus. These rules and regulations shall become effective on and after January 1, 1994.

The General Laws of Rhode Island relating to the use and operation of vehicles and the laws of the highway, including, but not limited to the Motor Vehicle Code Act (Title 31), shall continue in effect on the College campus.

Chapter 1- General

Section 1-1. Policy of Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each and every member of the College community to read, understand, and abide by these regulations. Ignorance of these regulations is not an acceptable reason for appeal of a violation. Dissemination of these regulations will be made by:

1. Department of Police/Security and Safety
2. Office of the Dean of Students
3. Personnel Office for administrators, faculty, and staff

Every person driving on the campus is expected to comply with the spirit as well as the letter of these regulations and is reminded that the use of parking facilities is a privilege and not a right. The Director of Police/Security and Safety in consultation with the Dean of Administration and the Dean of Students is hereby delegated the power to issue, suspend, or revoke parking permits at any time for just cause. Under emergency conditions including, but not limited to snow removal, fire, and conferences, the Police/Security Department of the Community College of Rhode Island is authorized to temporarily alter these regulations.

Section 1-2. Definitions

As used in these Rules and Regulations, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them by this section.

1. Street, Road, Highway, Roadway....Every street, roadway, or place open for the purposes of vehicular travel and parking on the campus of the College.
2. Motor Vehicle.....Every kind and nature of vehicle propelled by motor which may be driven or operated upon the streets, or any vehicle attached to a vehicle propelled by motor.
3. Pedestrian Safety Zones, and Crosswalks.....That part of the street set aside, and suitably designated by signs or marking on the surface of the street, for use by pedestrians.
4. Parking.....Includes stopping and standing of vehicles, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily, to take on or leave passengers, or while loading or unloading, except stops in obedience to traffic control devices and signs or a campus traffic officer.
5. Parking Area.....An area of the campus of the College set aside for the purpose of parking vehicles which have been duly registered with the Police/Security Office or an area set aside for non-registered students and visitors parking.
6. Parking Space.....A marked line or lined area within a parking area as defined above.
7. Campus Police/Security Officer.....An officer of the Campus Police/Security Department appointed by the Board of Governors for Higher Education pursuant to Title 16, Chapter 52, Section 2, of the General Laws of Rhode Island, and who is authorized thereunto to issue summonses in the manner set forth in Rhode Island General Laws Title 31, Chapter 27, Section 12.
8. Campus Police Officer/College Patrol Person/and Security Officer.....An employee of the Campus Police/Security Department who performs patrolling of a protective and policing nature in an assigned area of the campus, guarding the campus and its occupants against hazards such as accidents, injury, damage, fire, theft, and trespassing; directs campus traffic; gives routine information to the public regarding campus traffic and parking regulations, locations of offices and buildings; and who cooperates with the state and local police in the enforcement of the laws and regulations of the College.
9. College.....For the purposes of these Rules and Regulations the term “College” shall mean all properties and highways under the care of the Board of Governors for Higher Education at the Community College’s of Rhode Island campuses located in Providence County and Kent County.
10. Summons.....A notice upon which shall be recorded an occurrence involving one or more violations of these regulations.
11. Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal Violations.....A notice upon which shall be recorded an occurrence involving one or more violations of these regulations, with the exception of those which are excluded from the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal Court of the Department of Transportation by section 31-43-1 of the Motor Vehicle Code Act, which are returnable to the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal Court of the Department of Transportation.
12. Major Violation.....A violation considered hazardous to the health and safety of the campus community or one that would or could cause damage to the property of the Community College of Rhode Island. Violations of this nature may result in a summons and/or towing.
13. Minor Violation.....A violation not considered hazardous to the health and safety of the campus community, but one that tends to decrease the efficiency on the campus parking system. This violation may result in a summons or towing in posted areas.
14. Employee.....When used herein “employee” shall mean any person, other than a student hired through the Financial Aid Office including faculty, staff and administrative employees of public and private employers maintaining offices or representatives on the campus of the College.
15. Student.....Any person enrolled in one or more academic courses and who is not a full-time or part-time (20) hours or more a week College employee as defined above.
16. Visitor.....Any person temporarily operating or parking a vehicle on campus who is not an employee or student as defined above. Visitors’ parking is available in designated areas or assigned lots.

Section 1-3. Authority of Police Officers

1. It shall be the duty of all duly appointed Campus Police, Patrol Persons and Security Officers under 16-52-2 to enforce the provisions of these Rules and Regulations under the supervision of the College Director of Police/Security and Safety.
2. Any appointed Security Officer under 16-52-2 observing a violation of any rule regulation specified herein may issue a summons in the manner and form set forth in Title 31 of the General Laws (Motor Vehicle Code).

Section 1-4. Compliance with Orders of Appointed Police/Security Officers Required.

At all times, drivers of motor vehicles shall stop or move the same on signal or direction of an appointed CPO/CPP Officer under 16-52-2. Such officer, with reasonable cause, may require an owner, operator, or passenger of any vehicle to produce identification. Failure to comply with directions of this officer or failure to produce identification upon request shall be a violation of these regulations.

Section 1-5. Traffic Signs

The Dean of Administration, upon the recommendation of the Director of Security/Campus Police, is hereby authorized to direct the placement and maintenance of all official traffic signs, markings, and safety zones, either permanent or temporary, which are required to enforce or otherwise carry out these regulations.

Section 1-6. Damage, Defacing, or Interfering with Traffic or Parking Signs Prohibited

Section 31-13-11 of the General Laws provides as follows: “no person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic control device or any part thereof”. Violators are subject to such fine, penalty, or both for such offenses committed upon the public ways of the State of Rhode Island.

Chapter II-Registration of Vehicles and Issuance of Parking Permits

Section II-1. Necessity of Vehicle Registration and Eligibility to Register.

1. Any employee or student as defined in these regulations who wish to park a motor vehicle in an assigned area or reserved space shall register such vehicle with the Police/Security Office and a permit shall be issued to qualified applicants.
2. The owner/operator of all vehicles which are to be parked upon the campus of the College bearing out-of-state registration plates, and all resident students shall obtain a parking sticker by registering such vehicle(s) with the Police/Security Office.
3. Parking permits shall bear symbols which will authorize the motor vehicle to be lawfully parked in designated areas.
4. Parking permits shall be displayed in the lower right corner on the passenger side of the rear window of the registered vehicle at all times. Convertibles, station wagons, trucks, and vans shall display permits on passenger’s side, inside front windshield. Applicants for permits must present Community College identification or any other means of identification satisfactory to the Police/Security Office. Motorcycles owners shall register their motorcycles with the Department of Police/Security and Safety.

Section II-2. Classification of Permits

1. Special parking spaces may be issued by the Campus Police, Patrol Persons and Security Department to individuals whose physical condition or employment requires special consideration. Written application shall be made to the Director of Police/Security and Safety. A certificate substantiating the need may be required. All applicants depending on the duration of needed parking will be required to make application to the Registry of Motor Vehicle for either a permanent parking or temporary permit.
2. Administration, Faculty and Staff Permits- Issued to administrative, faculty members, staff, and all other employees who have been assigned to reserved areas by reason of their employment or duties.
3. Students-Issued to all persons qualifying as students that are driving registered vehicles on campus.

Section II-3. Registration Violations

Failure to register a vehicle as required, fraudulent registration, misrepresentation of type of College affiliation, permit alterations, or parking of a motor vehicle in a restricted area with an expired permit shall each constitute a violation of these regulations.

Chapter III-Parking, Stopping, and Standing

Section III-1. General

No person shall allow or permit any motor vehicle under his or her control or registered in his or her name to stand or park on the campus of the College in violation of the provisions of these regulations except to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a campus traffic officer or traffic control device or sign.

Section III-2. Prohibition of Parking in Specified Locations

It shall be a violation of these Rules and Regulations constituting illegal parking to park:

1. Upon a sidewalk or crosswalk.
2. Within an intersection.
3. Within fifteen (15) feet of an intersection or street corner.
4. Within eight (8) feet of a hydrant.
5. Within a posted or marked fire zone or fire lane.
6. At any place where there are posted traffic signs prohibiting parking or standing.
7. In any area designated as reserved for fire, police, rescue, or other emergency vehicle.
8. In front of a driveway or gateway.
9. In any posted bus stop or taxi stand.
10. More than twelve (12) inches from right-hand curb, when parallel parking is permitted.
11. In any delivery or service zone, except while loading or unloading.
12. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at a curb (double parking).
13. Adjacent to any building in such a manner as to obstruct the exit or entry of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
14. In such a manner to obstruct or impede entry or exit to trash receptacles, walkways, or parking areas.
15. On land, lawns, or open areas not set aside for parking under these regulations.
16. In any parking area, stall, or open space other than that authorized by a valid parking permit appropriately affixed to the vehicle (weekdays only).
17. In any parking area, in such a manner that the vehicle occupies more than one stall or is not parked in a designated stall, or obstructs exits or entry by other vehicles.
18. Overtime parking in areas so specified.
19. Handicapped parking violations not inclusive of those under Title 31, Chapter, 28
    ** For the purpose of this subsection, yellow painted curbs and paved surfaces with yellow painted markings constitute traffic signs which prohibit parking.

Section III-3. Overnight Parking Prohibited

It shall be a violation of these regulations to leave a vehicle parked overnight without approval from the Police/Security and Safety Department. A special tag will be issued for overnight parking by the Department of Police/Security and Safety.

Section III-4. Parking Which Prevents Snow Removal Prohibited

It shall be a violation of these regulations to park a vehicle on any street or road in such a manner, which impedes or obstructs the removal of plowing of snow or ice. This section shall be effective during those periods when emergency snow conditions exist.

Chapter IV-Operating Rules and Speed Limits

Section IV-1. Maximum Speeds

1. The maximum speed on all campus roads is 20 MPH
2. The maximum speed in all parking lots is 10 MPH
3. These limits shall not apply to emergency vehicles in the course of emergency work.
4. Maximum speed limits are in effect 24 hours a day throughout the year.
5. Speed limits are enforced by radar.

Section IV-2. Passing Prohibitions

Passing moving vehicles, which are traveling at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour is prohibited on all campus roads. Passing vehicles stopped for pedestrian traffic is prohibited.

Section IV-3. Obedience to all Posted Traffic Control Devices Required

The operator of any vehicle shall obey the instruction of all traffic signs and traffic control devices placed on the campus of the College pursuant to authority granted by these regulations unless otherwise directed by a campus traffic officer.

Section IV-4 Prohibited Driving and Parking Areas
(Except Emergency and Service Vehicles) fine $40.00)

1. All unpaved areas
2. All posted service areas

Section IV-5. Pedestrian Crosswalks and Safety Zones

Failure to stop for pedestrians crossing any street or road at suitably designated safety zones or crosswalks is prohibited.

Chapter V- Penalties for Violations

Section V-1. Violations of State Law

Speeding, reckless driving, racing, driving to endanger, drunken driving, driving while under the influence of barbiturates, amphetamines, or other hypnotic or somnific drugs, leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, using a motor vehicle without authority or the owner, loaning or permitting another person to use a license, leaving the scene without making known identity after causing injury to person or property, and similar offenses and violations of the General Laws of Rhode Island and the Rules and Regulations of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles relating to the laws of the road and the operation of motor vehicles. They subject the violator to such fine, penalty, or both for such offenses committed on the College property as are imposed for the same offenses committed upon the public ways of the State of Rhode Island.

Section V-2. Penalties for Violations of these Rules and Regulations

Violations of these regulations shall subject the violators to the following penalties:

1. Operating Violations- Any person who operates a motor vehicle on any street, road, highway, or other property of the College in violation of these regulations shall be fined for the first offense in accordance with the penalties adopted under Section 31-43-1 of the General Laws. Fines include, but not limited to the following enumerated operating expenses:
   1. Excessive speed in violation of Section 31-41-3
      1. 1-10 miles in excess of posted limit-Fine with costs-$85.00
      2. Over 11 miles in excess of posted limit- $10.00 per mile over limit. $195.00 + for the first offense. $15.00 per mile in excess of the speed limit for the second offense and $20.00 per mile in excess of the speed limit for the third offense if within twelve months of the first offense.
   2. Passing violations under Section IV-2.
   3. Driving in prohibited areas in violation of Section IV-4.
   4. Failure to obey traffic signs or devices, violation of Section IV-3. Fine with costs.
   5. Failure to comply with the orders of campus traffic officers in violation of Section 31-15-9. Hearing required.
   6. Driving the wrong way on a one-way street, violation of Section 31-15-9.
   7. Failure to stop for pedestrians at a crosswalk of safety zone in violation of Section IV-6. Hearing required. Any subsequent operating violation of these Rules and Regulations by the same person within a six (6) month period shall require an appearance at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal Court.
2. Parking Violations 
   The following violations are considered serious offenses and potential hazards to one’s health or safety or one that would cause damage to the property of Community College of Rhode Island. Any person who parks a motor vehicle, or any owner of a motor vehicle who permits said vehicle to be parking in violation of these regulations shall be issued a summons. A fine of ($40.00) dollars for each violation:
   1. Parking in a crosswalk
   2. Parking within eight (8) feet of a hydrant
   3. Parking within a posted emergency vehicle area
   4. Parking within a posted tow-away zone
   5. Parking within a fire lane
   6. Parking so as to obstruct exit/entry to a building, crosswalk, or a trash receptacle.
   7. Parking so as to obstruct the normal flow of traffic.
   8. Parking facing flow of traffic
   9. Parking which blocks a gateway or field entrance
   10. Parking so as to prohibit exit/entry to parking lots and driveways
   11. Parking upon a sidewalk or walkway
   12. Parking upon grass or land not for vehicular traffic
   13. Handicapped parking violations not inclusive of those under Title 31, Chapter, 28 (2) The following violations are not considered serious offenses and potential hazards to one’s health or safety, but tend to decrease the efficiency of the campus parking system. Any person who parks a motor vehicle or any owner of a motor vehicle who permits said vehicle to be parked in violation of these regulations will be issued a summons. A fine of ($40.00) dollars for each violation listed below:
   14. Parking within a posted bus stop or taxi stand
   15. Parking in delivery or service areas
   16. Parking in a “No Parking” zone
   17. Parking in areas reserved for Visitor Parking
   18. Parking which obstructs snow removal
   19. Overtime parking Parking so as to occupy more than one designated space
   20. Parking in any area other than authorized by a valid permit
   21. Parking at yellow curb and/or similar yellow markings
3. Registration Offenses- Any person who fails to register a motor vehicle as required and properly display a parking permit in violation of these regulations or otherwise violates the registration provisions including, but not limited to Section II-1. of these Rules and Regulations shall be fined as follows:
4. Handicapped permits as defined in statue 31-28-7A:
   A person upon application to the registry of motor vehicles shall be issued a placard, which shall be imprinted with the international symbol of access with an expiration date. Persons with such permits shall be allowed to park in designated locations and be immune from prosecution for use of these locations. Penalties for the first offense are $100 and increasing two fold with each subsequent violation. Second offense $175, third offense $325. Penalty for wrongful use of handicapped placard, statue 31-28-7(a)(4)(A) $500 fine.

Section V-4. Penalties- Towing

1. Vehicles are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense whenever parked in such as manner as to create a hazard to public health or safety or in a manner that would or could cause damage to the property of Community College of Rhode Island, including but not limited to:
   1. In a fire lane or within eight (8) feet of a fire hydrant
   2. In an emergency vehicle or emergency service area
   3. Obstructing exit/entry to building. walkways, sidewalks, or trash receptacles or entrance or exits of parking areas or gateways and field entrances.
   4. Obstructing traffic when dangerous to public health or safety
   5. When parked in reserved areas, without having a valid permit affixed to the vehicle.
   6. When parked in a posted tow zone
   7. Parking upon grass or land not for vehicular traffic
2. Vehicles abandoned on campus for a period in excess of twenty-four (24) hours shall be towed.
3. All towing operations shall be witnesses by a Campus Traffic Officer who shall submit a report to the College Security Office with the following information:
   1. The registration of the vehicle
   2. The location from which towed and the time and date of the tow order
   3. The name of the tower and the location to which the vehicle was removed and is being stored
   4. Name of the officer who authorized towing
4. Vehicles towed under the provisions of this section will be removed to and stored at the place of business of the person engaged to perform such towing.

Section V-1. Severability of Provisions

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or article of these Rules and Regulations or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall, for any reason, be judged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of these Rules and Regulations or their application to other persons or circumstances.