Parking infractions and appeals
University grounds are private property and regulations for the operation of motor vehicles are developed pursuant to the University of Waterloo Parking Regulations and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Parking restrictions are clearly posted and penalties are applied for illegal parking. Restrictions and penalties are included as terms or conditions of sale within all parking contracts. Purchase of a parking permit includes acceptance of all terms and conditions provided therein.
Payment is required to park at all times. Parking is permitted in authorized areas only, which are defined by the assigned permit, signage and by yellow lines painted on the pavement surface.
The parking appeals process is intended to objectively review and render a decision on an infraction in a timely manner. There must be substantial and valid evidence that the parking infraction was not committed or that it occurred due to circumstances beyond the appellant’s control.
The following are insufficient reasons for an appeal and will result in an automatically denied Stage 1 appeal:
- Lack of knowledge of the regulations
- Other vehicles were similarly parked improperly
- Not paying for parking, even if only parked illegally for a short period of time
- Not being ticketed for similar infraction in the past
- Arriving late for class/exam/meeting
- No other place to park
- Inability to pay the fine
- Inclement weather
- Vehicle driven by another person
- Someone other than Sustainable Transportation gave permission to park
- Believing parking was free during exams/semester break/reading week/weekend
- Not seeing posted signage.
- Missing, broken, or raised gates, unless this is clearly reflected in signage at the lot entrance
How to appeal an infraction
Stage 1 Appeal
- Within 14 days of the infraction, the appeal will be reviewed by an Appeals Adjudicator, who is a Sustainable Transportation staff member.
- Where the appeal has not been appropriately filed or where it is based on an invalid reason listed above, it will be denied. All other appeals will proceed to Stage 2.
- Results will be sent to the appellant via email.
- If an appeal is denied at Stage 1, a Stage 2 appeal may be submitted if the appellant can provide sufficient evidence that the parking infraction was issued due to process error, was not committed, or there is new evidence not previously available. Opposition to the Stage 1 decision without additional evidence is not grounds for a Stage 2 appeal - the request will be denied and the appellant will be notified by email.
- Stage 2 appeals must be filed within 14 calendar days of the date of the Stage 1 decision. The infraction must be paid to move to stage 2.
- If a second level appeal is not filed, payment is due within 14 days of the date of the Stage 1 decision.
Stage 2: Property Infractions Committee
- The appeal must be submitted within 14 days of the Stage 1 decision by logging into ePark and selecting Appeal Ticket.
- Appeals will be heard within 4 months of the submission of a Stage 2 appeal.
- Property Infractions Committee members represent student and employee groups of the University community and in no way represent Sustainable Transportation.
- The Property Infractions Committee may allow or disallow any appeal. The decision of the committee is final and binding.
- Results will be sent to the appellant via email upon decision.
Payment is due within 14 days of the date of the Stage 2 decision.