Navigating campus parking is a common concern for students and faculty alike. At CalArts, understanding the vehicle registration and decal process is essential for hassle-free parking on campus. This guide provides you with all the necessary information regarding CalArts parking, focusing on where and how to obtain your vehicle decal.
Free parking is a benefit for all students, staff, and faculty at CalArts. You’ll find parking lots conveniently located near Chouinard Hall and the Main Building, with street parking also available throughout the campus. For visitors, designated parking is available in Lot 1.
To ensure smooth access and adherence to parking regulations, CalArts requires vehicle registration. Upon registration, students, staff, and faculty can obtain a CalArts vehicle sticker, often referred to as a car decal. This decal serves as your campus parking permit and should be displayed on the front-left window of your vehicle. The best part? There’s no fee required for this vehicle sticker.
Speed limits on campus are strictly enforced at 10 mph to ensure pedestrian safety and a calm environment. It’s the responsibility of everyone driving on campus to follow all traffic laws as outlined in the California Vehicle Code, in addition to CalArts-specific regulations. Violations such as speeding or reckless driving will result in a $50 fine, payable to Campus Safety upon notice of violation.
Parking violations to be aware of include:
- Parking in a red zone (no parking).
- Parking in designated handicapped or reserved spaces without proper permits.
- Exceeding the 20-minute limit in temporary parking (green) zones or visitor spaces.
- Hazardous parking that obstructs traffic or poses a safety risk.
- Parking in spaces specifically reserved for the president, president’s guests, or the nurse.
These parking rules are enforced 24/7. A parking violation notice will be placed under your windshield wiper, and a $25 fine will be applied for each infraction.
Ahmanson Hall Road is designated as a fire road and is strictly for loading and unloading purposes, with a maximum time limit of 20 minutes. If you need to load or unload, it’s necessary to coordinate access with Campus Safety at 661-222-2702 beforehand. Even residents must move their vehicles to designated parking areas after loading or unloading. Violations in this area incur a $50 fine. Parking in restricted areas like the Library Loading Dock, E-Ramp, and the C-Annex Red Zone carries a higher fine of $100.
Vehicles left on campus without current Department of Motor Vehicles registration or in a non-drivable condition are considered abandoned. CalArts may remove such vehicles 10 days after notifying the owner. However, if the vehicle is not registered with CalArts, this notice period is waived.
It is important to note that CalArts is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal vehicles while parked or driven on campus property. This includes damage from various causes such as fire, falling objects, vandalism, accidents caused by others, or damage resulting from towing or booting for illegal parking. However, CalArts will assume responsibility for accidents deemed “at-fault” between Institute vehicles and personal vehicles.
Vehicle and Parking Registration: Getting Your Car Decal
Registering your vehicle with Campus Safety is mandatory for all students, faculty, and staff. There is no charge to register your vehicle. Upon registration, you will receive the essential CalArts car decal, which grants you access to park on the CalArts campus when properly displayed on your vehicle’s windshield.
After you register your vehicle online, you will receive an email notification informing you that your CalArts car decal is ready for pickup. Decals can be picked up at the Campus Safety Office, located in E100, after 3:30 pm on weekdays. This is your designated location for obtaining your parking permit.
Rideshare and Pickup Policy on Campus
For those using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, or expecting other transportation pickups on campus, it’s required to submit a drive-on request to Campus Safety in advance. This procedure helps manage campus traffic and ensures safety. You will need to provide the driver’s name or rideshare company and the name of the CalArts host to the Main Gate staff.
To submit a drive-on request, you have a couple of convenient options, either on or before the day of the pickup:
- Call Campus Safety directly at 661-222-2702. Campus Safety will then notify the Main Gate of your request.
- Send an email to [email protected]. Provide the necessary details in your email.
If a driver arrives at the Main Gate without a prior drive-on request, Campus Safety will attempt to contact the person expecting the pickup. If contact cannot be established, unfortunately, the driver will be turned away to maintain campus security and order.
Designated Pickup Locations for Rideshares
CalArts has established two designated rideshare pickup points for your convenience. One is situated in front of the Main Building, near the iconic Blue Wall, and the other is located in front of Chouinard Hall. These designated locations are clearly marked by blue curbs, making it easy for both riders and drivers to find each other. Utilizing these designated pickup zones helps to keep traffic flowing smoothly and ensures everyone’s safety on the CalArts campus.
