The Department of Public Safety has authority to enforce the parking regulations adopted by the President of Bemidji State University/Northwest Technical College, in accordance with Minnesota State Statutes.
Minnesota State Statute 169.966 authorizes the development and enforcement of campus parking regulations that are consistent with the Minnesota Traffic Code. Violations of these regulations are violations of Minnesota State Statute.
In accordance with State of Minnesota Statute 169.34, no vehicle shall be parked in crosswalks, landscaped areas, driveways, fire lanes, within 15 feet of fire hydrants, along yellow painted curbs, in front of any removable barricade, on sidewalks, no parking areas or in a space which obstructs traffic.
Anyone operating or parking a vehicle on campus is responsible for being familiar with and compiling with all traffic and parking regulations. Parking permits allow parking in assigned parking lots, campus streets or parking areas within lots. The purchase of a parking permit does not guarantee space availability unless specific assignment of a space is made. The vehicle operator is responsible for finding a legal parking space.
City and Campus Parking Guidelines and Exceptions
Bemidji State University does not enforce parking regulations on the streets that border or encompass the campus. These areas are regulated and enforced by the City of Bemidji. Most of the area streets have parking restrictions that are indicated by signs placed along the roadway and it’s important to be aware of these restrictions.
Many areas are restricted by the day of the week (calendar parking) or the time of the year (seasonal parking) which restricts parking between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. from Nov. 1 through Apr. 30.
During the winter months, it may be necessary to allow extensive snow removal from campus lots. When conditions exist that necessitate the complete removal of snow from an area, the lot may be closed. Closing notices will be posted at the lot and also in affected buildings. After notification, vehicles remaining in the closed lot will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Any abandoned vehicle on campus may be cited and towed at the owner’s expense. An abandoned vehicle is defined per MN state statute 168B.011 definition.
Residents leaving a vehicle on campus during an official university break period are required to park the vehicle in the Oak Hall parking lot in the southeast corner of the lot. Vehicles stored in other areas may be removed at the owner’s expense.
If there is a need to park a vehicle outside of a designated parking stall in order to facilitate loading or unloading, the operator of the vehicle must contact the Department of Public Safety, Walnut Hall, (218) 755-3888, with the location in which the vehicle will be parked, and the description of the vehicle, including the license plate number.
If the Department of Public Safety authorizes unloading/loading to occur, the maximum time allowed is 15 minutes unless told otherwise. If it is determined that the location in which the vehicle is parked may create a hazardous or dangerous situation, parking will not be authorized. The operator of a vehicle parked for the purpose of loading or unloading must activate the vehicle’s hazard lights when doing so. This does not allow vehicles to drive onto sidewalks or areas where vehicles are permitted from driving. Such vehicles may be cited and towed at the owner’s expense.
Parking meters are available in various locations throughout campus to allow for convenient short term parking. All meters are enforced 24 hours a day 7 days a week the entire year. There are no exceptions.
All meter fees are 50 cents per ½ hour. Meter time limits may vary from a maximum of 4 hours to 30 minutes depending on the meter. Each meter is labeled with meter enforcement hours, denomination fees and maximum hour limits.
Individuals parked in a metered stall are responsible for the information listed on the meter. If a meter malfunctions, please notify the Department of Public Safety at 3888.
Vehicles with any university permit will be subject to citation if parked in an expired metered space.
Vehicles that extend beyond the boundaries of a designated stall, independently or in combination, are not permitted to park in campus lots. Examples are: semi-trucks and trailers, motor homes, buses, travel trailers, boat trailers, snowmobile trailers or any other vehicle or vehicle/trailer combination that extends beyond the boundaries of an individual parking stall. Buses may be allowed to park in a designated area at the discretion of the Department of Public Safety.
Vehicles parked in campus lots must be operable at all times. Vehicles that are emitting fluids or any other type of material that may create a hazardous condition or damage the parking lot surface are restricted from parking in campus lots. An attempt will be made to contact the owner of any vehicle found in a campus parking facility in this condition. If the owner of a vehicle is not able to be contacted, the vehicle may be towed from campus at the owner’s expense.
No vehicle shall be used for temporary lodging while parking on the campus. All persons found in violation will be referred to the proper authorities.
It is prohibited to plug in any type of heating element for vehicles by running an extension cord into any university electrical outlet. This policy applies to all campus buildings and also correlates with the residential life policy.
When a person reports a disabled vehicle to the Department of Public Safety, they will be given 24 hours to remove the vehicle from most lots unless directed otherwise. Disabled vehicles will not be allowed to remain in the Limited Reserve lot overnight.