Parking Regulations / Citation Appeals

Parking permits are required at all campuses. Visitors can obtain a free temporary parking permit from any Campus Police office. Parking permits are non-refundable once selected.

For all parking related issues, please call 760.795.6674

Note: Parking Regulations are in effect on all days and hours when classes are in session, except Saturdays and Sundays. All traffic laws are in effect at all times.

Disputing Citations

Parking citations may be appealed at the Campus Police Department offices within the first 21 calendar days from the date of issuance only. Appeals are reviewed by the Parking Citation Appeal Panel consisting of members of the Faculty, Staff and Student populations. The purpose of a review is to provide some additional information that the officer or CSA was not aware of at the time the citation was issued. All requests are to be returned to the MiraCosta College Parking office (mailing address: One Barnard Drive Oceanside, CA 92056) within twenty-one (21) days from date of issuance. It is imperative that you present a preponderance of credible evidence against the prima facie case presented by the issuing agency. Attach any documents you feel are necessary to help support your case (i.e.- copy of your disabled person ID, copy of a parking permit, etc.)

Once the citation review has been completed, you will be notified by mail of the results. This process could take up to six weeks. You are not responsible for the citation until the appeal process is complete however, you are responsible for contacting the parking office if you do not receive a response within six weeks. This document will be reviewed by members of MiraCosta College District Appeal Committee: One Faculty, one staff, and one student representative.

Parking Rules on Campus

All portions of the California Vehicle Code are in effect for all moving and parked vehicles on campus at all times. The operation of a motor vehicle or bicycle on MiraCosta College property is a privilege granted by California Vehicle Code 21113.a and 22507.8 and Section 15801 of the California Education Code. For the purpose of enforcing parking regulations, all student and staff vehicles parked on the Oceanside Campus or at the San Elijo Campus must be registered. CLC students must either have a decal or use the daily permit dispenser.

Decal Placement

Vehicles must bear a decal which must be properly displayed:

  • Hanging permits must be displayed on the rear-view mirror with the number clearly visible from the outside.
  • Sticker decals must be adhered to the vehicle’s right rear bumper or right rear window.
  • Day use and temporary permits must be displayed on the dash board.

Failure to display the permit according to these guidelines can result in a citation. 

Student Parking Basics

  • Parking permits cost $35 ($17.50 in summer and half cost for CLC permits).  You may choose a hanging permit that is transferable to other vehicles or a sticker permit that must be adhered to the rear bumper or rear window of a vehicle. 
  • To obtain your permit, you must register one vehicle either in person or at https://surf.miracosta.edu
  • Permit fees can be paid online via SURF or in person at the Student Accounts Office.
  • Parking permits can be obtained from Campus Police (with proof of payment) or the Student Accounts Office (A&R at SEC).
  • Students may park in student lots only; no parking in staff/visitor lots.
  • All vehicles parked on any MiraCosta College campus must display a valid parking permit.
  • Parking is enforced at all times when classes are in session, except Saturdays, Sundays, and after 4:00pm on Fridays.
  • Daily parking permits are available at all three campuses.
  • See below for grace periods.
  • After 6 pm, students with valid semester parking permits may park in staff lots 1C, 3C, and 5A only on the Oceanside campus

Full-Time Staff, Faculty, or Associate Faculty Parking Basics

Where to Pick Up Your Permit

You may register your vehicle and pick up your parking permit at Campus Police (with proof of payment) or Student Accounts. Vehicle information may be entered online. The MiraCosta College parking permit allows for parking at all campuses. CLC permits are not valid at the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses. CLC students may register their vehicles with the front counter support staff at the CLC.

Cost of Decal

To park a car or truck the fee is $35 per semester ($17.50 in the summer).  If you register a licensed moped or motorcycle, the fee is $17.50 ($8.75 in summer). Students may pay fees online via SURF or in person at the Student Accounts Office at the Oceanside campus or the Admissions and Records office at the San Elijo campus. Daily permits are available for $.50 at the CLC and $1.00 at the Oeanside & San Elijo campus. CLC parking permits are half the cost of regular permits and valid at the CLC only; they can be obtained at CLC front counter support staff area.

Exceptions: MiraCosta College offers parking permits at no cost to students enrolling only in fee-based noncredit and/or Community Services classes, to students who have a current disabled placard or plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Students with valid disabled placards or plates must register their vehicle with Campus Police and they may park in any disabled, staff, student and visitor lots as long as the disabled placard is displayed.

Campus Police Hours of Operation

(call the cashier at 760.795.6835 for Student Accounts operating hours)

Oceanside Campus: San Elijo Campus: Comm. Learning Ctr.
     
Mon-Thu. 7am-11pm Mon-Thu. 7am-11pm Mon-Thu. 7am-10pm
Fri. 7am-11pm Fri. 7am-7pm Fri. 7am-3pm
Sat. 7am-3pm Sat. 8am-4pm Sat. 7am-3pm

Summer hours may vary. The SEC Cashier's office is open from 8 am to 7 pm Monday through Thursday and from 8 am to 2 pm on Friday; hours may vary during registration.

Non-Registered Vehicle on Campus

Hanging permits may be transferred to any vehicle used by the permit owner. A day use parking permit can be purchased for $1.00 at the Oceanside & San Elijo campuses and $.50 at the CLC campus. Temporary parking permits for paid parking permit users or campus visitors can be obtained at the Campus Police office.

Decal Replacement for New Vehicles

If your primary vehicle changes during the semester, simply come in to the Campus Police office and update your vehicle information.  For decal users, remove the permit from the old vehicle, bring in the pieces to Campus Police, register your new vehicle, and the permit will be replaced.

Parking Locations

At the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses, a vehicle registered to a student must be parked in a marked space in student lots (or along the perimeter road in Oceanside). Motorcycles must be parked in the spaces specifically marked for motorcycles, located in staff lots. Bicycles must be parked in bike racks.  Guests and visitors not driving a campus-registered vehicle must obtain a special parking permit at Campus Police or at the Admissions and Records office at SEC. Visitor permits are valid in both student and visitor lots/spaces.

Campus Vehicle Violations

Violations include, but are not limited to: improper display of decal, parking on campus without displaying a valid permit, reckless driving, speeding, ignoring stop signs, parking in unauthorized or reserved areas, and excess noise while operating a vehicle on campus. The campus speed limit in parking lots is 10 miles per hour.  Other speed limits are as posted.

Traffic and Parking Citations

The MiraCosta College District police officers have the authority to issue traffic and parking citations where violations occur. Parking citations are $40 ($330 for parking in disabled parking spaces without a valid handicapped placard or license plate and $50.00 for an unregistered vehicle through DMV). These citations are kept at the Campus Police office for a period of 21 calendar days during which time the fine may be paid at the Cashier’s Office or at the Admissions and Records office at the San Elijo Campus. After the 21 days, the citation will be sent to an agency for collection and the fine will increase. If the fine is still not paid it will be forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV will refuse to register or re-register the vehicle until all outstanding citations have been paid in full or dismissed. Students are also subject to disciplinary action in cases of repeated violations. Traffic violation fines vary. These citations are processed by the local courts.

Grace Periods

Students have two weeks from the first day of each semester (one week in summer). During these first two weeks, students may park only in student lots without a permit and will not be cited. After the grace period has expired, all students are expected to have their permits on their vehicle; any vehicles not displaying a valid semester permit will be cited. Do not park in staff or visitor lots; unauthorized vehicles will be cited.

Please take note of the following

Parking citations not paid or appealed within 21 calendar days will incur a $15.00 late fee. Citations will be sent to a processing agency for collection after 21 days. DMV registration of vehicle will be held until payment is made is full. Fines also increase once sent to DMV. Traffic violation fines vary depending on violation.

Skateboards, roller blades, and scooters are not to be ridden at any time on campus. (Safety Handbook, section 5.) Bicycles may not be ridden on sidewalks or paths; bicycles must be pushed to bicycle racks. Bicycles must be parked in racks provided in such a manner as not to obstruct sidewalks, paths, or vehicle flow. Racks are located in most staff lots. (Safety Handbook, section 5.) No animals are permitted on campus grounds. Exception: seeing-eye/service dogs. (Policy 8000.)

MiraCosta College accepts no responsibility for either thefts or damage to cars or contents of cars parked on campus. A student's own insurance should cover these matters. MiraCosta College does request that such incidents to be reported to the Campus Police Department.

If you have any questions regarding parking regulations, safety or security, call Campus Police at (760) 795-6674.

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