Student Parking

There are a limited number of parking spaces on campus for current students. For reasons of sustainability and community, students are not allowed to bring a car to Swarthmore College without explicit approval from the Department of Public Safety. Approximately 160 parking permits are set aside for members of the student body with extenuating needs or circumstances that will require a car. The number of student permit requests outnumbers the spaces we have set aside for students. As such, student parking permit applications will be prioritized by established and existing criteria: class year, extenuating need, and special medical accommodations. The cost for a permit is $150 for the academic year. A limited number of long-term parking permits for Myers Avenue are available for purchase through the Swarthmore Borough. Additional information is available at the Borough Hall Administration Office located at 121 Park Avenue, or using this link. 

Students should not plan on bringing a car to campus unless they receive explicit permission to do so. Parking regulations are enforced at all times. Students found in violation of campus parking/transportation policies may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and will be subject to citations/fines as outlined below.

Any student owning or operating a motor vehicle on College property is required to read and abide by the College's Motor Vehicle Rules. A copy of the Motor Vehicle Rules can be obtained at the Benjamin West House.

Parking Areas

Student permit recipients must park in their assigned student parking lot at all times. 

  • Students with an "ML" permit MUST park in the Mary Lyons lot;
  • Students with a "CS" permit MUST park in the Cunningham South lot.
  • Parking in a space other than your assigned lot is prohibited at all times.
  • Whether or not the student has a permit, students may not park in Faculty-Staff or visitor spaces at any time.

Appeals

Any ticket may be appealed within ten (10) days of the violation date in order to be considered. Appeals may be submitted by emailing parking@swarthmore.edu. All appeal decisions are final. 

Enforcement

Student Cars without Permits Parked Anywhere on Campus at Any Time

For non-permitted student cars parked on campus, including in faculty-staff-permit spaces, student-permit spaces, handicapped-accessible spaces, or visitor spaces, Public Safety will issue a citation and Boot/Tow notice. After one citation and Boot/Tow Notice, the vehicle will be booted or towed at the next infraction at the owner's expense.

Student Cars with Student Permits Parked in Spaces Other Than the Assigned Student Lot

A student permit allows the student to park only within the assigned student parking lot at all times. Student permits do not allow students to ‘commute’ to campus from their assigned parking lot for any reason including athletic practices/matches, or due to running late to class. Students are encouraged to plan accordingly and utilize the Garnet Shuttle for transportation around campus. Public Safety is also available for walking safety escorts 24 hours a day if the shuttle is not operating. If a vehicle with a student permit is parked in any other space, including faculty-staff spaces or visitor spaces, Public Safety will issue a citation and Boot/Tow notice for the infraction. After one citation, the car will be booted or towed at the next infraction. Booting and/or towing will also include an evaluation for the revocation of parking privileges.

Cars Towed Immediately in Cases of Compromised Safety or Accessibility

In the case of a car parked in a fire lane, loading zone, signed accessible space, or in any case where there is a safety or accessibility issue, the car will be towed immediately at owner/operator’s expense. Public Safety will not wait for multiple tickets to accrue.

Fines:

  • $25 Infractions:

    • Prohibited Parking by Sign or Yellow Line
    • Parking in other than an authorized lot or space
    • Overtime in time-limited zones
    • Parking without a permit or while permit is suspended/revoked
    • Taking two spaces or parking outside of authorized areas

  • $55 Infractions:

    • Blocking crosswalks, driveways, dumpsters, or other vehicles
    • Exceeding speed limit
    • Reckless driving
    • Driving/parking on sidewalks or grass
    • Disobeying control devices or barriers

  • $125 Infractions:

    • Parking in a fire lane or roadway
    • Blocking hydrants, exits, or fire escapes
    • Parking in accessible spaces without a placard
    • Vehicle boot removal
    • Vehicle towing (excludes towing company fees)

Citation Fines Payment and Adjudication

Drivers have 30 days to pay a citation fine. If a student’s fine is not paid within 30 days, the fine will be added to the student’s account. The student may not graduate until all fines are paid in full. Matriculating students may not be approved for a parking permit the next academic year if they have unpaid citations.

Public Safety officers will boot the vehicle at the next infraction when a student accrues one of the following: a boot/tow notice; three unpaid citations; $100 or more in outstanding fines. To have a boot removed, the driver must pay the boot-removal fine of $125 and all outstanding parking fines. If a student with a permit accrues three or more citations, or is booted/towed, that student’s permit may be suspended for the remainder of the academic year. Permit revocation decisions are typically based on the accumulation of three violations that have been un-appealed or unsuccessfully appealed and/or repeated wanton disregard for parking regulations. All decisions are final. Once privileges are revoked, the vehicle may not be brought and parked on College property, and shall be towed each time it is found on campus at the owner’s expense.

Small Motorized Vehicle E-Scooters, Hoverboards, and E-Skateboards

Due to safety concerns, small motorized vehicles, including e-scooters, hoverboards, and e-skateboards, are not permitted for use on campus. The use, storage, and charging of these lithium battery-powered devices on Swarthmore College property is prohibited.

E-bikes are permitted on campus, provided that users follow all applicable traffic regulations, remain on main roadways and off of campus pathways when possible, and remain at a safe distance from pedestrians. E-bikes may not be stored or charged inside any campus buildings, and you must lock your property to the outdoor bike-racks. Bikes must be parked parallel to the rack and must not prevent people from using the sidewalk or walkway. Bikes may not block any entrance to a campus building. If a bike is locked to any other bike parked at the rack, it may result in the cutting of the lock and the confiscation of the bike. E-bike batteries that are detachable from e-bikes are not permitted to be charged inside campus buildings.

Electric mobility aids for individuals with disabilities will be permitted on campus with prior approval by the Student Disability Services Office (studentdisabilityservices@swarthmore.edu). 

Any violation of this policy may result in confiscation of your vehicle, a violation fine, and/or referral to the College’s Student Code of Conduct. 

Towing

If a vehicle is towed, The Department of Public Safety will notify community members via email (if vehicle owner information is on file) that their vehicle has been towed and who to contact about retrieving their vehicle. Public Safety will also share any vehicle owner details with the towing company, who will also attempt to contact the owner. There is a towing fee and daily storage fees which must be paid directly to the towing company before a vehicle can be retrieved. 

Liability

Swarthmore College is not responsible for loss, damage, or theft of vehicles or their contents while parked or operated on College property.