How to avoid parking problems at SLCC

Battling for a parking spot is a necessary evil during the first few weeks of a semester at Salt Lake Community College.

Sometimes desperate students put off buying a pass, or park in a handicap spot when the lot is full. And parking staff will be ready to issue tickets for cars that break the rules.

Failing to pay for a parking ticket can lead to much worse consequences. So save yourself some time and frustration and follow these SLCC parking rules.

The price of a parking pass

A parking pass for one semester costs $17.50. The annual parking pass costs $35 and is valid from August 31 to the next August 31.

While there is a grace period for parking at the beginning of each semester — meaning students can park without a fine until they have time to buy a parking pass — that period has expired for Spring 2016 and tickets will be issued to those who do not have a pass.

Where to buy a pass

Students can purchase a parking pass at any of these seven campuses: Taylorsville Redwood, Jordan, South City, Library Square*, Westpointe, Airport and Miller.

The college also provides an online portal for parking passes. Students who purchase a pass online will need to pick up their pass at the Gunderson Facilities Services Building at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus.

Where to park

Student parking spaces are marked with yellow lines and faculty parking spaces are marked with blue lines. Handicap zones are in both yellow and blue parking areas and are marked with signs and painted logos on the spaces themselves.

Parking for disabled students

Disabled students can get a parking pass for the handicap zones on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus only, in the Gunderson Building on the far northwest corner of the campus.

One student tried to buy a disabled permit at the Cashier’s Office, which is stated on the SLCC website as a place where disabled permits are sold, but he was redirected to the Gunderson Building and was told he was wrong about where to buy the permit.

Be sure to have the car registration and state handicap forms with you when you go. Students with a disabled permit can also park in student or staff parking spaces when all disabled parking stalls are full.

Parking meters

Another option for students is to use the parking meters. It costs a nickel for 6 minutes, a dime for 12 minutes and a quarter for 30 minutes. There is a three-hour limit for using parking meters. Student parking permits are not valid at the meters.

Parking at Library Square

*Students attending the Library Square campus should know that they need special parking passes and there are special rules about where they can park. Check with the front desk at that campus for details.

Fines

Parking fines are normally $10 but can cost as much as $50, depending on the violation. If you don’t pay the fine within one week, the fine automatically doubles.

Any student who has unpaid tickets at the end of a semester won’t get class credit until the fines are all paid. Vehicles with outstanding fines may also be booted and towed.

Alternate transportation

For students who can, it might be wise to take public transportation to avoid the parking crunch on some campuses. To get bus schedules for buses that serve SLCC campuses, use the Utah Transit Authority Route Finder or download one of their mobile apps.