Student Life Handbook: Policies and Procedures Transportation and Parking Regulations

Speed Limit Enforced on Cold Spring Road

The speed limit on Cold Spring Road is 35 miles per hour (and 25 mph when children are present). Westmont expects students to make sure that whoever is driving their vehicle observes this speed limit to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists. Radar may be used to determine speed. If your vehicle is identified as one that has exceeded this limit, you will receive a $50 fine (regardless of who may have been driving the vehicle). A second excessive speed citation will result in the suspension of parking permit privileges in addition to another $50 fine.

On Campus Policies

The on campus speed limit is 15 mph and is enforced by Campus Safety.

California requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets. California Vehicle Code Section 27803 states that a driver and any passenger shall wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. Tickets can be issued to bike owners for not wearing a helmet on campus.

Parking Permits are Limited to Reduce Traffic on Area Roads

To limit traffic on Montecito roads, Santa Barbara County restricts the number of student and employee vehicles traveling on Cold Spring Road. Seniors and Juniors may purchase parking permits if requested by communicated deadlines. Sophomores are also eligible to submit permit requests, but are granted upper campus restricted permits based upon availability (space is very limited). It is a violation of both college policy and County regulations to bring or operate non-permitted vehicles on the campus, or park on a neighboring street. This will result in a $50 fine per incident and may jeopardize future permit privileges. First-year students (as determined by Admissions upon entry, and regardless of unit credit status) are not eligible to apply for a permit and should not bring a car to the college. Students bringing an unpermitted car to campus, regardless of duration, is a violation of the policy.

Upper Restricted Permits

Vehicles with Upper Restricted permits are eligible to park in the Clark (P2 & P3), Emerson (P4), Page (P6), Baseball/Carr Field (P8 & P9) and Central Plant (P10) parking lots.

Permit Enforcement

The college identifies vehicles and applies sanctions to student vehicles parked on campus without permits. Additionally, the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that governs the use of Westmont’s prime Montecito property specifically prohibits student parking in the vicinity of the college, on neighboring streets, or in the larger Montecito area (if not at their off-campus residence). This restriction applies whether the vehicle has a Westmont permit or not. Residents and merchants in the Montecito area (including the Upper Village and on Coast Village Road) are understandably frustrated when students use residential streets or business parking spaces for a vehicle not permitted to be on campus.

In addition to regular Campus Safety enforcement procedures and neighborhood sorties, Westmont identifies non-permitted vehicles in several ways: through a database; through observations by faculty/staff members; and, if necessary, with the assistance of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Sanctions for permit violations, especially “no permit” violations, are as follows:

• 1st & 2nd citation: $50 fine
• 3rd citation: $50 fine & meeting with Director of Housing & Parking
• Additional citations: loss of parking privileges for current and possibly future semesters

Appeals of Parking Citations

The Parking Appeals investigative body determines if a student has received a citation in error. Submit such appeals to parkingticketappeals@westmont.edu within 10 business days for consideration. Appeals over that time are not accepted. Appeals are not accepted in person or by phone. It is the student’s responsibility to have their permit displayed and affixed on the inside of the driver’s side windshield (lower left corner). Your permit allows you to park on campus, but that doesn't mean you will always find a parking spot in front of your assigned dorm location. Invalid reasons to appeal: “I had a good reason”, “I was told by a faculty member or coach it was ok”, “I was only parked for a brief time!”, or “the lot had plenty of spaces!” Parking Appeals acknowledges that many circumstances exist when a vehicle seems critical to accommodate a tight schedule, return to campus late at night, assist an academic department or student activity, etc. In these situations, it is likely less expensive to rent a taxi or use a ride-sharing service than pay a $50 fine and jeopardize future permit privileges. Please note that citations at Ocean View are not appealable.

Students Who Own Vehicles Must Have California License Plates.

The California Vehicle Code requires most vehicles used by students in California to be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and to display California license plates. The only exceptions are: 1) if the vehicle is not registered to the student AND it is operated in California less than it is operated in any other state AND the student is not registered to vote in California; OR 2) if the vehicle is not registered to the student AND it is used by a student under 23 years of age who is a dependent of a non-California resident AND the student is not employed in California in any capacity, whether full time or part time AND the student is not registered to vote in California.

Westmont College Reserves the Right to Tow Vehicles.

Non-operational vehicles that have not been moved in 90 days can be towed by the college once it has its initial ticket for not being moved within the 90 days. Owner will be notified that the vehicle needs to be moved. If the vehicle is towed, any charges would be billed back to the Student who owns the vehicle.

In order to comply with the Santa Barbara County Conditional Use Permit, to maintain orderly parking and to ensure ready access for emergency and refuse vehicles, Westmont has the right to fine, tow (at the expense of the owner/operator), revoke parking privileges, and/or issue other disciplinary sanctions.

Motor Homes

Visitors traveling in motorhomes may park at the local RV campgrounds. The closest one to campus is the Carpinteria State Beach Park, located 12 miles south, just off Highway 101. There are no locations or facilities on campus to accommodate motor homes or campers.

Transportation for Westmont-sponsored Special ROTC Programs

The ROTC Army program through UCSB and ROTC Air Force program through USC, UCLA, and Loyola Marymount University are Westmont-sponsored special programs. The college will assist to ensure students have transportation to their respective program locations as able. Westmont accomplishes this by the following means:

1. Seniors, juniors, and sophomores in the ROTC program will be guaranteed a parking permit for their personal/family vehicle if permit request is submitted by Housing & Parking’s communicated deadlines.
2. First year students will connect with upperclass students to arrange for ridesharing. If no upperclass students are in the program, please reach out to Housing & Parking for further assistance.
3. ROTC program participants need to be identified by the Records Office in order to qualify.

Westmont College Vehicle Regulations are available from Campus Safety.

Parking regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week; except as noted on holidays.

Parking Permit Transferability

Westmont College parking permits may not be transferred or sold by the owner.

Lost, Stolen, Forged, or Altered Permits

It is unlawful to possess or display a lost, stolen, forged, or altered parking permit. All such permits are subject to confiscation by Westmont Campus Safety. Fines will be enforced and other sanctions may be imposed, including loss of parking privileges for current and future semester(s).

Lodging in Vehicles

Sleeping, living, lodging in any recreational vehicle, car, truck, van, bus, or trailer on College grounds is prohibited.

Off Pavement Parking

No vehicle shall be parked on any sidewalk, pathway, or walkway designed for pedestrian use, or any unpaved area including lawns, landscaped areas, and trails unless prior authorization is received from Campus Safety.  Emergency vehicles and designated maintenance vehicles are exempted. 

Authority to Remove Bicycles

Westmont Campus Safety and/or Housing is authorized to move, relocate, secure or store any bicycle which:

1. Is located in any area other than approved bike racks;
2. Appears to be abandoned as evidenced by signs of disuse or neglect;
3. Is left unlocked or otherwise inadequately secured so as to be at risk of theft or vandalism;
4. Is not registered through Residence Life with a bicycle decal;
5. At the end of each semester and Mayterm

Removal of Bicycles, Bicycle Parts, and Locking Devices

REMOVAL OF BICYCLES IN VIOLATION: Whenever a bicycle satisfies the requirements of this article, Westmont College staff members are authorized to remove the securing mechanism (bicycle lock/chain) using whatever reasonable measures are necessary. The College shall not be liable for the cost of repair or replacement of such securing device. Bicycles are kept in storage for at least 30 days; after that time period, bicycles are donated to a non-profit organization.

REMOVAL OF LOCKS OR LOCKING DEVICES: Locks or locking devices left on bicycle racks, found not securing a bicycle, or left attached to any handrail, tree, shrubbery, door, sign post, lamp post, telephone pole, fence, or other object may be removed by authorized College personnel. The College shall not be liable to the owner of the securing device for the cost of repair or replacement of such securing device. Once these devices are removed they will be placed in a recycle bin.

E-bikes should be stored in approved bicycle racks. E-bike batteries must be charged following manufacturer guidelines, and may not be charged inside (dorm rooms, lounges, etc.).

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION POLICY

1. Overview
   1. Parking on the Westmont campus is a privilege extended to members of the college community including trustees, faculty, administrators, staff, students with a valid parking permit, vendors and visitors.
   2. This report outlines the policies and procedures of the EV Charging infrastructure on the Westmont campus.
2. Charging Stations
   1. Type: Westmont currently has Level 2 charging stations.
   2. Number of Stations: There are 6 charging stations available.
   3. Locations: Dining Commons (2), Physical Plant (2), and Global Leadership Center (2).
   4. Time limit: All EV charging sessions are restricted to a maximum of 6 hours per day. This assists in creating parking space turnover to maximize their availability and use by EV owners.
   5. Availability: The EV Charging Stations are available at designated areas as described above and are available to members of the Westmont community. 
   6. Parking: Parking in an EV Charging Station while not charging is prohibited, unless designated by Westmont Campus Safety. Non-compliance is subject to a citation. A 1-hour grace period at the end of charging will be honored to allow for students who may be in class when the charging completes.
   7. Overnight Parking: EV Parking in a dedicated EV Charging Station overnight is permitted; however, the vehicle must be moved to a non-EV Charging Station parking space by 7:30am (Monday-Friday). Non-compliance is violation of the policy and is subject to a citation.
3. Permit Requirement(s)
   1. Faculty, Staff and Students: A valid Westmont Parking Permit is required at all times when using the EV Charging Station.
4. Enforcement
   1. EV Charging Station regulations are enforced 24-hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding holidays).
   2. Any vehicle found to have exceeded the (6) hour parking limit or found in a non-charging mode are considered illegally parked and are subject to a parking citation.
5. Regulations
   1. The EV Charging Stations fall under the standard Westmont Parking Regulations and Policies, which require a valid Westmont parking permit in order to park on campus.
   2. Failure to abide by Westmont Parking Regulations and the EV Charging Stations parking regulations may result in the issuance of a citation and/or towing of the vehicle.
   3. Vehicles may not occupy multiple charging spaces during the same day.
   4. All vehicles parked at an EV Charging Station will be required to register their vehicle on the ChargePoint Network.
6. Prohibition(s)
   1. Parked vehicles not properly coupled to the EV Charging plug is strictly prohibited.
7. Safety
   1. Users of EV Charging Stations shall follow all instructions to ensure the safe and proper use of charging stations, including proper storage of the charging cord and plug after use.
   2. After use, the connectors must be plugged back into their respective stations.
   3. Do not use an EV Charging Station if it is in an unsafe or hazardous condition. Report all issues with the EV Charging Stations to Westmont Campus Safety at 805-565-6222.

How to start an EV charge session using FPL Evolution Charge Point:

1. Download the ChargePoint app available from the Apple Store or Google Play. The ChargePoint app will let you access the FPL EVolution ChargePoint at our Westmont locations. The app will also give you the ability to charge at other ChargePoint stations not located on the Westmont campus. Some of these charging stations located off campus require you to pay. (If you already have the ChargePoint app, skip down to step 2.)   
2. Create a ChargePoint account for free. You will need to add a payment method to pay for charging.

Summer Parking

Vehicles left on campus for the purpose of storage cost $100.00 per month and can be billed to your student account or paid separately to the Physical Plant (Campus Safety).

Summer billing starts the week after graduation. Anyone with permission to park on campus over the summer will be issued a parking permit for the summer through Campus Safety. The Permit will include starting and ending dates on the dashboard of the car.

Parking at Ocean View Apartments

The Westmont-owned Ocean View apartments are off campus.  Each apartment gets 1 spot per apartment that is shared between residents of the apartment.  The Lou Dillon lot is an adjacent parking lot that is rented by Westmont for student use during non-business hours (8am-5pm, M-F).  Students can also park on Ocean View Ave. and other neighboring streets.  Students are advised to keep an eye on the street parking signs which provide information about street cleaning times.

During the summer months, students are still responsible for having their vehicle out of the Lou Dillon lot from 8am-5pm, M-F. Vehicles in violation of said policy are subject to citations, fines, and potential towing.

Motorcycle/Moped/Scooter Policies

Any motorcycle, moped, scooter, or motorized bike (using fuel propellant or battery) needs to have a valid permit to be parked on campus. They must also have current registration with the DMV, if required. These permits are billed at 1/2 the cost of regular permits. Students are not allowed to have both a vehicle and a motorcycle/scooter on campus.

Parking is as directed by the Director of Housing & Parking Services.  Parking for these vehicles for upper campus is in the specific spots by the Campus Store.  Parking on lower campus is in the designated spaces near the VK bike rack and/or the Armington D bike rack.  Parking motorcycles or scooters in other campus bike racks is prohibited unless directed by Campus Safety or Housing & Parking. These vehicles may not be parked inside residence halls (lounges, hallways, rooms).

Unpermitted motorcycles/mopeds/scooters are subject to citations, fines, having a "boot" placed on the tire, and loss of future parking privileges. Please contact Housing & Parking with any questions!

Gas can not be stored next to any building or inside of the building. Gas must be stored in a proper storage container.