Student Life Handbook: Policies and Procedures Transportation and Parking Regulations

Speed Limit Enforced on Cold Spring Road to Ensure Safety of Children, Pedestrians, and Motorists

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. Radar is 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.

The on campus speed limit is 15 mph, and is enforced enforced.

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. Citations can be issued by Campus Safety 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 request and purchase regular permits. Sophomores will only be allowed to request and purchase "restricted" permits for upper campus on a space-available basis, and such 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. Parking a car on campus no matter how long is still a violation of the policy if you are not permitted.

Permit Enforcement

The college identifies vehicles and applies sanctions to students’ vehicles parked on campus without permits, and in the vicinity of the college and in the larger Montecito area with or without permits. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that governs our use of the Montecito campus property specifically prohibits student parking on neighboring streets or in other public areas which are not at their off-campus residence. 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, 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 are as follows:

• 1st notification: $50/citation;
• 2nd notification: $50/citation, minimum one-month suspension of future parking privileges, conference with student life staff member;
• 3rd notification: $50/citation, minimum one-semester suspension of future parking privileges, conference with dean of students (or designee).

Appeals of Parking Citations

Students who believe they have received a parking citation in error may submit an appeal to parkingticketappeals@westmont.edu within 10 days of the issuance  of the citation for consideration. Appeals past that time are not accepted. Appeals are not accepted in person or by phone. It is the student's responsibility to have parking permit stickers displayed and affixed inside the driver's side windshield lower corner. Your permit allows you to park on campus that doesn't mean you will always find a parking spot in your desired location. It is not acceptable to appeal a citation by saying, “I had a good reason,” “I was told by a faculty member it was ok to bring an unpermitted vehicle to campus,” or “I was parking in the Dining Commons lot to get a quick meal.“ Parking Appeals acknowledges that many circumstances exist when having 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.

College Reserves the Right to Tow Vehicles

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

Since 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 ensure that first-year and sophomore students have transportation to their respective program locations. This provision is made because of restrictions in the issuance of parking permits to first-year and sophomore students. Westmont accomplishes this by the following means:

1. If a junior/senior is attending the program at the same time and has a vehicle, the college will connect the first-year and sophomore students with those with transportation to ROTC.
2. If no juniors or seniors in the ROTC programs have their own transportation, Westmont will loan a college vehicle for the student to drive to the program site. The vehicle internal chargeback costs will be covered by the college, but the student operator is required to buy/replace fuel for the vehicle.
3. ROTC program participants need to be identified by the Records Office in order to qualify for the loan of a vehicle. Participants in Westmont-sponsored programs may contact the Housing & Parking Office for information on how to borrow a college vehicle.Please contact the Housing Office for more information.

Parking Violations and Fines

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 against college policy to possess or display a lost, stolen, forged, or altered parking permit. All such permits are subject to confiscation by Westmont College 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, or lodging in any recreational vehicle, car, truck, van, bus, or trailer on College grounds is not 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 or Dispose of Bicycles
Westmont Campus Safety and/or Housing & Parking Office is authorized to move, relocate, secure or turn into the Residence Life any bicycle which: a. Is parked in violation of any of the sections of this regulation; b. Appears to be abandoned as evidenced by signs of disuse or neglect; c. Is left unlocked or otherwise inadequately secured so as to be at risk of theft or vandalism.

Removal of Bicycles, Bicycle Parts, and Locking Devices

REMOVAL OF BICYCLES IN VIOLATION: Whenever a bicycle satisfies the requirements of this article, any Westmont College staff member or person authorized by the College to remove bicycles may remove the securing mechanism using whatever reasonable measures are necessary to remove the bicycle. Employees and persons so authorized to remove the bicycle in this manner and the College shall not be liable to the owner of the securing device or to the owner of the bicycle for the cost of repair or replacement of such securing device.

REMOVAL OF LOCKS OR LOCKING DEVICES: Locks or locking devices left on parking racks or parking devices found not securing a bicycle, or left attached to any handrail, tree, shrubbery, door, sign post, lamp or lamp post, telephone pole, fence, or other objects may be removed by authorized College personnel. Employees so authorized and 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.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Policy

Parking on the Westmont campus is a privilege extended to members of the college community including trustees, faculty, administrators, staff, students, vendors and visitors who have a registered vehicle and have a valid Westmont parking permit. This section outlines the policies and procedures of the EV Charging infrastructure on the Westmont campus.

Charging Stations

1. Type: Westmont currently have Level 2 charge stations.
2. Number of Stations: There are 6 charging stations available.
3. Locations: at the Dining Commons, at the Central Plant and at the Global Leadership Center.
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 the charging will be honored to allow for students who may be in class when the charging completes.
7. Overnight Parking: 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 730am. Non-compliance is violation of the policy and is subject to a citation.
8. Permit Requirement(s): Faculty, Staff and Students: A valid Westmont Parking Permit is required at all time when using the EV Charging Station.
9. Enforcement: EV Charging Stations are enforced 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Any vehicle found to have exceeded the six (6) hour parking limit or found in a non-charging mode are considered illegally parked and are subject to a parking citation.

Regulations

1. The EV Charging Stations fall under 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 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.

Prohibition(s): Parked vehicles not properly coupled to the EV Charging plug is strictly prohibited.

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 at some locations off campus.

Summer Parking 

Vehicles left on campus for the purpose of storage cost $100 per month (or any portion of the month), billed to the student's account by Campus Safety.

Billing starts the week after graduation. Anyone with permission to park over the summer will be issued a parking permit for the summer by Campus Safety. The permit will include starting and ending dates on the placard/permit to place on the dashboard of the car. 

Electric Bicycles

Motorized bikes (also called electric bicycles) are similar to mopeds, but California law treats them differently. A motorized bicycle is defined by having pedals and an electric motor with fewer than 750 watts. There are three different classes of electric bikes:

• Class 1 electric bicycle: A bicycle with an electric motor that activates when the rider is pedaling and deactivates once the bike reaches 20 miles per hour.
• Class 2 electric bicycle: A bicycle with an electric motor that can propel the bike without the rider pedaling. The more cannot be capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
• Class 3 electric bicycle: A bicycle with a speedometer and a pedal-assist electric motor that stops providing power once the bike reaches 28 miles per hour. Class electric bicycle riders must wear a DOT-approved safety helmet.  

By California law, electric bikes can only be ridden by one person at a time - you can't carry passengers. Additionally, electric bicycles may not be ridden on campus walkways or pathways.

Electric bicycles must be stored outside of buildings (including student residences). If you are charging your battery separately, please be advised to follow manufacturer requirements. 

Please contact the Housing & Parking Services Office for more information regarding electric bicycles. 

Westmont College Vehicle Regulations are available from Campus Safety.

Last Updated on 7/6/23