Parking Facilities, Types of

Responsible Office: Physical Resources

Responsible Officer: Associate Vice-President (Physical Resources)

Effective Date: September 1, 2025

Previous Reviews: See Revision History

Approving Authority: Associate Vice-President (Physical Resources)

A7. Purpose

This document describes the types and designated purposes/ uses of parking facilities that may be established and available on University property.

A8. Definitions

The defined terms in the Highway Traffic Act (Ontario) and in Guideline A: Traffic & Parking Administrative System apply equally in this guideline.

A9. University Campus Master Plan

The University campus master plan (CMP) provides a vision and roadmap for the current and future development of academic, research, ancillary and administrative facilities to effect University strategic mission and operational purpose. The CMP provides a guide towards effective planning, design and development of University property by symbiotically blending the University built environment --- the buildings and facilities for academic, research, ancillary and administrative purposes --- together with campus circulation --- the roadways, walkways, and parking facilities for navigation to, on, and from campus --- while conserving/ preserving University green spaces, including natural environment, maintained grounds and hard landscaping for community members to enjoy, holistically providing a welcoming and inviting, safe, clean and accessible University campus enabling outstanding learning, profound discovery and vibrant campus life experiences.

A10. Parking, No Guarantee

Consistent with the University campus master plan, all available University property either is currently in use for academic, research, ancillary or administrative purpose or has been reserved for contemplated use for future academic, research, ancillary or administrative purpose. As a result of this land use/ land use reservation, opportunities for additional/ expanded parking facilities are limited and, in some instances, existing parking facilities may be designated for future redevelopment/ repurposing to accommodate such future academic, research, ancillary or administrative purpose.

As a result, parking cannot be guaranteed at any time, black zone parking permits for premium permit parking excepted.

A11. Parking Facilities, in General

Parking facilities are situated within the interior and surrounding perimeter of University property and designated for general purpose/ use, University-restricted purpose/ use, or both.

Parking facilities are typically mixed-purpose/ multi-use facilities consisting of several types of designated parking purposes/ uses assigned within a parking lot, including a parking space and/ or a series of parking spaces within an area marked, signed and designated for such specific parking purposes/ uses, e.g. a parking lot may have an area assigned as a loading zone, several individual parking spaces assigned for service vehicle parking, an area within the parking lot assigned for University fleet vehicle parking, another area within the parking lot assigned for red or yellow permit parking, and several individual parking spaces assigned for black zone permit parking.

A12. Parking Facilities, for General Purpose/ Use

General purpose/ use parking facilities include:

  • visitor (or public) parking facilities; and
  • permit parking facilities.

Visitor parking facilities are general purpose/ use parking facilities primarily intended for the general public, particularly visitors and/ or invited guests while at the University, as well as University employees, students, and other community members without parking permits. Visitor parking facilities are available on a fee-for-service, pay-as-you-use/ park basis.

Permit parking facilities are general purpose/ use parking facilities primarily intended for University employees and students choosing to bring their personal vehicles to campus to park while at the University as well as certain service contractors and other community members to park their personal vehicles while performing certain service work at the University. Permit parking facilities are available on a fee-for-service basis and require the advance registration and issuance of a parking permit together with the advance payment of applicable parking fees according to type of parking permit issued. The following options are available for permit parking:

  • value perimeter parking (yellow zone parking permit);
  • basic interior parking (red zone parking permit); and
  • premium interior parking (black zone parking permit).

A12.1. Accessible Parking Facilities

Accessible parking facilities are distributed among general purpose/ use parking facilities in the support and furtherance of the University’s accessibility goals. Accessible parking spaces are available for the exclusive use by community members with physical disabilities on a fee-for-service basis during posted hours of operations.

At the time of use of an accessible parking space:

  • A valid, ServiceOntario - issued accessible parking permit must be conspicuously displayed (with the permit number and expiry date visible) from the vehicle’s dashboard or driver’s sun visor;
  • the person named on the ServiceOntario - issued accessible parking permit being displayed must be either the driver or a passenger of the vehicle; and
  • payment of any parking fees, as may be applicable, must have be made in advance.

While the University strives to exceed municipal zoning requirements for accessible parking on University property, from time to time the number of applicants requesting accessible parking may exceed the number of accessible spaces available and, therefore, as is the case generally for parking, accessible parking cannot be guaranteed.

A12.2. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Facilities

Electric vehicle (EV) charging station facilities have been established amount general purpose/use parking facilities in support and furtherance of the University's sustainability goals.  EV charging stations are available for the express purpose of parking electric vehicles during the active charging cycle, up to a four-hour daily maximum in designated locations, on a pay-as-you-park basis during posted hours of operations. The parking rate charged is for parking only and there will be no charge for electricity as a commodity.

Green (EV) permit-holders and University fleet electric vehicles are exempt from the requirement to pay any additional parking fees while actively using EV charging station facilities.

A12.3. Motorcycle Parking Facilities

Motorcycle parking facilities are available within general purpose/ use parking facilities for parking motorcycles on a fee-for-service basis during posted hours of operation.

A12.4. Bicycle Stand Facilities 

Outdoor bicycle stand facilities are provided throughout University property, typically near major buildings, at no-charge to users for parking their bicycles, electric bicycles (e-bikes) included, and electric kick-scooters (e-scooters) outdoors.

A13. Parking Facilities, for University-Restricted Purpose/Use

University-restricted purpose/ use parking facilities are typically a parking space or series of parking spaces within parking lots reserved for specific or otherwise restricted purposes/ uses and for no other purpose, i.e. not available typically for use by visitors, employees, and students for their personal vehicles. University-restricted purpose/ use parking facilities include:

  • emergency services parking facilities;
  • loading zone facilities;
  • transit terminal facilities;
  • bus stand facilities;
  • taxi stand facilities;
  • University fleet vehicle parking facilities;
  • service vehicle parking facilities; and
  • construction parking facilities.

A13.1. Emergency Services Parking Facilities

Emergency services parking facilities are restricted for use by the Campus Safety Office, including Fire Prevention Office, and any emergency service authority having jurisdiction, including police, fire and paramedic service vehicles.

A13.2. Loading Zone Facilities

Loading zone facilities, including building loading dock areas, are for the express purpose of the receiving or shipping of goods for the University. Loading zone facilities are restricted to authorized vehicles parked, normally no longer than 20 minutes, for off-loading or loading supplies, materials, equipment and product and other goods for the University.

A13.3. Transit Terminal Facilities

Except as otherwise permitted by the University, the transit terminal facilities are for use by permitted public transit commissions/ agencies, including Guelph Transit and Metrolinx/ GO Transit, and permitted commercial bus companies to park, stop and stand permitted public transit/ commercial buses to receive and discharge passengers.

A13.4. Bus Stand Facilities

Bus stand facilities are for use by other commercial bus companies to stop, stand or park to receive or discharge passengers for University sponsored or sanctioned events on- or off-campus, including varsity or recreational athletic events and off-campus excursions.

Availability of bus stand facilities cannot be guaranteed and only after posted hours of operations of visitor or permit parking may buses use visitor or permit parking for such purpose as identified from time to time in advance by Campus Parking Services.

A13.5. Taxi Stand Facilities

Taxi stand facilities are for use by licensed passenger transportation services, including taxi, limousine, or ride-hailing applications, including Lyft or Uber, for stopping, standing or parking to receive or discharge passengers, provided always that such companies are: authorized to do so in advance by the University authority; park only in the spaces provided and normally not park for longer than 30 minutes at one time; stop, stand or park where permitted for the immediate receiving or discharging of passengers; and agree to and direct company drivers to comply with any further requirements of this policy, including these regulations.

Should taxi stand facilities become full, all other taxi, limousine, or ride-hailing services must not stop, stand or park elsewhere on University property, except for the immediate receipt or discharge of passengers.

A13.6. University Fleet Vehicle Parking Facilities

University fleet vehicle parking facilities are available for parking University fleet vehicles. University fleet vehicles are required to be registered with Physical Resources’ Transportation Services. To park on University property, University fleet vehicles are also required to be registered with Campus Parking Services. Valid University fleet vehicle parking permits are required to be issued for each University fleet vehicle parking on University property.

University units remain fully responsible for observing and complying with this policy, including the regulations, including operating, storing and parking their University fleet vehicles in accordance with this policy and the regulations.

A13.7. Service Vehicle Parking Facilities

Service vehicle parking facilities are restricted for use by certain designated University units and third-party service contractors that routinely perform delivery or maintenance work/ service across University property.

Designated University service units include:

  • Ancillary Services, including Campus Parking Services and Hospitality Services; and
  • Physical Resources

Service vehicle parking permits are required for designated University service units from Campus Parking Services. University unit employees are not permitted to use service vehicle parking permits to park personal vehicles in service vehicle parking spaces near the employee’s primary assigned work location.

A13.8.  Construction Parking Facilities

Construction parking facilities may be established by Physical Resources from time to time for use by construction contractor and subcontractor employees while engaged and performing construction on University property and be registered with the University at Campus Parking Services. Construction materials are only allowed in construction zones/hoarding. 

Off-loading and loading of construction products, materials, debris, etc. from branded/ marked construction vehicles may only be performed with a special exemption parking permit coordinated through physical resources and issued by the Campus Parking Services. Availability of construction vehicle parking cannot be guaranteed. Should construction parking spaces become full, construction vehicles may park in yellow zone parking with a yellow zone parking issued by Campus Parking Services. When yellow zones become full, they may park in visitor parking and will be required to pay the applicable parking fees without any compensation whatsoever from the University. Construction contractors and subcontractors are not permitted to use University of Guelph service vehicle parking at any time.