About Us

FAQs

Permits

Do I need a parking permit?

Yes. Parking permits are required to park on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. 

How much does a permit cost?

Check the Permit rates page

What do I need to know about the transition to virtual permits?

St. Petersburg Parking Permits will be transitioning to virtual permits for the upcoming school year- 2024/2025. See the virtual permits page for more details!

How can I access my parking account?

All USF students and employees can log into their parking account using their USF NetID on MyUSF. Affiliates, visitors, and others who have established a parking account can log in using their email address and password at this link.

I'm a student, why can't I buy my permit online?

Your affiliation with the university determines the permit type that you may purchase. You may not be able to purchase a permit for one of the following reasons:

  • Your parking account has not yet been established. If you recently created your USF NetID, please contact PATS to establish your account.
  • Your affiliation with the university has not been updated. You must be actively registered for classes to purchase a parking permit.
  • Permit allocations may not be available online yet.

Please contact our office should you need any assistance.

How should I display my permit?

Display of Permits:

  • Repositionable Permits must be affixed inside the front windshield on the lower left corner (driver's side). The protective covering must be completely removed from the permit before display. It is unacceptable to use tape, glue, prop, or other methods to affix permits. Improper display of a permit may result in a citation.
  • Virtual Permits are issued on the USF Tampa campus and a vehicle’s license plate will serve as its permit. Vehicles will need to park with their license plate facing the driving lane.
  • Motorcycle Permits must be affixed to the rear fender or the front fork. It is unacceptable to use tape, glue, prop, or other methods to affix permits.
  • Hangtag Permits must hang from the rearview mirror with the USF logo facing out in plain view.
  • Daily, Event, and Courtesy Permits must be placed on the driver's side of the front dashboard with the permit information facing up.

Photocopy or altered permit is strictly prohibited.

Can I use my St. Petersburg campus permit on the other campuses?

Parking Permits Valid On All Campuses

USF St. Petersburg permits are valid at USF Tampa and USF Sarasota-Manatee campuses with exceptions (see below).

Note that your parking permit should be purchased from your home campus assignment.

Parking at USF Tampa with USF St. Petersburg Permit

Students with "Green" or “Red” permits can park in "S" lots on the Tampa campus.

Employees with "Gold" permits can park in "E" lots and all Gold Zone lots except the GZ9 lot on the Tampa campus.

Employees with "Green" permits can park in "E" lots on the Tampa campus.

Employees with “Special” permits can park in "Y" (Park-n-Ride) lots on the Tampa campus.

Parking at USF Sarasota-Manatee with USF St. Petersburg Permit

USF St. Petersburg campus permits are valid in all parking lots on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus.

For rules and regulations on other campuses, please refer to the sites below.

What should I do if my permit is lost or stolen?

Report it immediately! Visit our PATS service window located in Bayboro Hall room 132 to obtain a replacement permit. Replacement fees may apply.

What if I no longer need my parking permit?

You may return your permit to PATS should you no longer need it. You may be eligible for a refund. Please refer to the refund policy for additional information.

What should I do if I have a new vehicle or if my license plate number changes?

You should add the new vehicle information and/or license plate by logging into your parking account, click on the Vehicle tab, and use the Add button to register the new plate to your account.

What should I do if I have a rental or borrowed vehicle?

You should place your repositionable permit on any rental or borrowed vehicle that you park on campus.

What if I have more than one vehicle?

St. Petersburg campus permits are repositionable, so you can place it on whichever vehicle you are parking on campus. However, motorcycles require a separate motorcycle permit.

Can I share my permit?

No. While you may register multiple vehicles on your parking account, only one vehicle may be parked on any campus at one time. Your permit is registered in your name and you are responsible for all fines associated with the vehicles on your account.

Are the parking restrictions lifted after 5:30 p.m.?

Permits are required 24 hours a day/7 days a week. From 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., vehicles with “Green” and “Visitor/Daily” permits may park in “Gold” spaces. "Special" and “Red” permits are only valid in their designated spaces at all times, 24/7.

If I can't find a place to park, what do I do?

Parking lots closest to the buildings fill up first. However, there is parking available on campus. Please contact PATS for assistance.

Where can I park with a state disabled placard/license plate?

Vehicles with a valid state disabled placard/license plate and a USF permit can park in any disabled space on campus.

As a USF student or employee, can I park in the bookstore parking area to make a purchase in the store?

No, these parking spaces are for non-USF customers only. All USF students and employees must park in the designated area for their current and valid USF permit.


Citations

What do I do if I get a citation?

Parking citations can be paid online, by mail, or at our service window. Unpaid citations will be assessed a late fee 14 days after issuance. If you believe that extraordinary or mitigating circumstances warrant a waiver of the citation, you may appeal it within 14 calendar days. Feel free to contact us if you would like to obtain more information about the citation or learn how to prevent additional citations.

What happens if I don't pay my citations?

Citations not paid within 14 days of issuance will accrue a late fee. Late fees do not accrue during the period that the appeal is under review. If an appeal is not submitted within 14 calendar days, the right to appeal is forfeited. After 45 days, the unpaid citation will be referred to collections with additional fees. If you accrue more than two outstanding citations, your vehicle may be immobilized and/or towed. If you have outstanding citations when it is time to renew your permit, you must settle your balance prior to purchasing your permit.

What do I do if my vehicle has been immobilized or towed?

You will be required to pay all outstanding citations and an immobilization fee. Once all fees have been paid, please contact PATS during regular business hours to request removal of the boot. If the vehicle has been towed, you will receive a release slip that will allow your vehicle to be released by the towing company. You will be required to pay any prevailing towing and storage fees assessed by the towing company.

I paid my citations, when will my student hold be released?

Holds are usually released within 24 hours during business days. If you paid your citations but your hold has not been released, please contact PATS during regular business hours. You may contact our office if you have any questions about your hold.

What is improper display?

Citations are issued for "Improper Permit Display" when the display of the permit does not follow the guidelines stipulated by PATS. Repositionable permits must be affixed to the vehicle's lower-left, driver's side of the windshield with the entire permit clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle. Both sides of the protective covering must be removed, and alternate methods to affix permits are not permitted and may result in fines.

I received a citation for facing traffic, what does that mean?

Per Florida State Statutes, vehicles shall not be parked facing traffic in those lots with angled parking. Where parallel parking is permitted, vehicles must be parked facing the flow of traffic.

Where is the parking office located?

The Parking Office window is located in Bayboro Hall room 132.


Appeal

How do I appeal a citation?

You can appeal a citation in our Parking Portal. Keep in mind that disagreement with or ignorance of regulations are not valid reasons for dismissal. Once the appeal has been reviewed, notification of the decision will be mailed to your address on file. You may also log in to your parking account to view the appeal status.

What happens if I do not receive a decision within 14 days from my appeal date?

Late fees do not accrue during the period that the appeal is under review. You will receive a notification once a decision is made. If the appeal is not approved, you will receive a new due date.


ParkMobile

What is ParkMobile?

ParkMobile is a mobile parking app that revolutionizes traditional parking standards and systems. Available in more than 3,000 locations across the US, the parking solution makes it easy for users to find metered parking spaces and conveniently pay for parking from their smartphones.

How do I set up my account with ParkMobile?

You can visit the ParkMobile website, Download the mobile app, or call the toll-free number on the green ParkMobile sign (1-866-727-5312) to register for a ParkMobile account; you will need your license plate number and a method of payment. Note: Parking Services only accepts MasterCard, Visa or Discover.

Key in your zone number located on the sign. Note: this number is different for every parking lot. You can add your frequently used zones as "Favorite Zones" in your ParkMobile account.

You can select an option to have ParkMobile send a text message reminder 15 minutes prior to the expiration of your parking transaction.

What are the advantages of ParkMobile Pay by Cell?

  • ParkMobile provides a touchless mobile payment service, including help support.
  • Pay for hourly or daily parking via a smart phone app, toll free number, or the web.
  • No need to stop at a pay station.
  • No need to go back and display your payment receipt, as the parking attendant or enforcement officer can quickly verify when a motorist has already paid by checking the license plate number the motorist has entered into the app.
  • No credit card necessary after you complete your account set up.
  • No coins/cash needed.
  • ParkMobile can send reminders by text message so you can extend your parking time from your cell phone.
  • Use your account wherever ParkMobile Pay by Cell service is offered.

I don't have a smartphone. How can I start a parking transaction?

Call the toll-free number posted on the green ParkMobile sign (1-866-727-5312), or you can pay at the machine with your credit card.

Where can I park and use pay by cell?

Green parking spaces in designated parking lots on campus. Check the map for Parking locations, and look for the green ParkMobile signs.

ParkMobile logo

Can I reserve a space or pre-pay for parking using ParkMobile?

No. All transactions are real-time. You should be parked in the space before you begin your parking transaction.

How long can I park in the ParkMobile zone?

Parking is permitted from time of payment through 11:59 p.m. on the day of purchase.

Can I move from zone to zone?

No. Your parking transaction is for a specific ParkMobile zone. If you move to another zone, you will have to pay again.

How does the parking officer know I've paid?

With ParkMobile, the USF enforcement officer can quickly verify when a motorist has already paid by checking the license plate number the motorist has entered into the app.

What happens if I receive a parking citation when using ParkMobile?

Review your ParkMobile receipt to ensure the license plate and time for which you paid matches your license plate and is within the time indicated on your citation. If you paid for the wrong plate number or if your time was expired, you may pay the citation online, or you may follow the instructions on the back of the citation to file an appeal online. If the license plate and time paid match the information on the citation, provide your citation number and a copy of the ParkMobile receipt to the parking office via email to stp-parking@usf.edu, or in person at our parking office.

How much does it cost to pay for parking by phone?

The parking rate is $5.00 for all day (tax included). All transactions are charged a $0.45 convenience fee.

How much does it cost to receive a reminder text?

There is no additional charge for the service (unless your cell provider charges for text messages); however, you will be charged a $0.45 convenience fee if you choose to pay to extend your parking transaction.

Do I get a receipt?

You can go online to your ParkMobile personal page anytime to make changes to your account, review parking charges, print parking transactions and receipts, or export data to another format.

Can I get a refund?

ParkMobile does not issue refunds for parking transactions. Parking Services cannot issue refunds for ParkMobile transactions.

Is it safe to do a credit card transaction on a cellular phone like this?

Yes. Your credit card number is encrypted when you sign up and is never entered, displayed, or spoken during a phone transaction.


Payments

Do you take cash?

No, effective fall 2020, our office no longer accepts cash payments.

How can I pay for my citations?

How can I pay for my parking permit?

Can I purchase my permit through my USF paycheck?