Parking and Vehicle Regulations

Vehicle Registration and Parking Permits 

Hofstra students must register their vehicle with Hofstra’s Department of Public Safety by visiting hofstra.edu/parking-permits. After logging in to the Hofstra portal, students will be brought directly to the parking permit form. After completing and submitting the parking permit form, students are able to download the parking permit. The parking permit may be printed at this time or may be accessed in the MyApps section of the Hofstra portal (click on the “Parking Permits” icon) for printing at a later date. If a student loses the parking permit, it may be reprinted using this same method. 

Parking permits must be displayed at all times when on campus. Plastic hangtags can be picked up at the David S. Mack Public Safety and Information Center on the southeast corner of Hempstead Turnpike and California Avenue. Vehicles that are not registered and are not displaying a hang-tag may be ticketed, booted, and/or towed.

Each member of the Hofstra community may register only one vehicle per academic year. If they enter the license plate information incorrectly, need a temporary parking permit at any point during the year, or drive a motorcycle, they should email ParkingPermits@hofstra.edu and someone will respond during business hours Monday through Friday.    

The campus speed limit is 15 mph; violators will be cited. 

Residential students are prohibited from parking on the south (academic) side of campus Monday-Friday during the hours of 8a.m. and 6p.m. Failure to comply with this policy will result in ticketing, booting, and/or towing.

Special Parking Privileges 

If authorized, individuals with physical disabilities may receive special parking privileges, anyone requiring “Person First” parking privileges must first apply through the Student Health Center. If approved by Student Health, a special parking permit may be obtained at the David S. Mack Public Safety and Information Center. 

Use of Another/Different Vehicle 

Only one vehicle per person can be registered with the Department of Public Safety. In the event that a second vehicle is being used, a temporary parking pass will be issued for a maximum of two weeks, or violators will be cited. Drivers are responsible for all summonses issued to any vehicle operated on campus. 

Personal Motorized Vehicles 

 All personal motorized vehicles must be registered with Public Safety by visiting the David S. Mack Public Safety and Information Center on the southeast corner of Hempstead Turnpike and California Avenue.  

The University prohibits the charging, storage, and use of all personal motorized vehicles in all campus buildings, including residence halls. The prohibition includes hoverboards, self-balancing scooters, battery-operated scooters, hands-free Segways, electric-powered skateboards, and similar devices. Charging of lithium cell batteries is also prohibited inside all University properties.  

The following rules and restrictions apply to the use of personal motorized vehicles: 

• Operation is prohibited in all campus buildings, and pedestrian bridges. Devices must remain outside at all times. They should be parked and secured in the bicycle racks on campus.  

• The devices are not permitted on the sidewalks and must not be left in a location that obstructs building entrances/exits or pedestrian traffic.  

• Operators of these devices should take appropriate steps to ensure their personal safety and that of the University community. This includes operating devices within reasonable speeds to minimize or eliminate potential hazards with other vehicles and pedestrian traffic.  

• The use of helmets and other safety equipment is recommended and strongly encouraged.  

• Operators should avoid damage to campus and public facilities, properties, and infrastructure. Any damage to University property should be reported to Public Safety immediately. Devices should be walked around gate arms.  

• The owner and/or operator is solely responsible for the safe operation, storage, and charging of such devices.  

Violations of this policy will constitute a violation of the Residential Living Agreement and of the Code of Community Standards. Any student in violation may be subject to disciplinary action. 

Parking in a Manner That Warrants Towing/Booting 

Any vehicle that is not registered with Public Safety or is parked in violation of any of the campus traffic regulations will be fined, booted, and/or towed at the owner’s expense. The driver must report to the David S. Mack Public Safety and Information Center to secure the release of the vehicle. The towing fine must be paid in order for the vehicle to be released. If your vehicle has been booted, do not attempt to remove the boot. Persons who attempt to remove a boot from a vehicle will be subject to conduct charges and possible fines. The University will not be held responsible for damage to booted or towed vehicles or for personal property lost as a result of having the vehicle booted, or towed. Any vehicle parked on campus (a) without a proper license plate or (b) for four days or more without a valid University permit, is considered abandoned, and is subject to disposal, for which the University will not be responsible for any damage or loss of property. 

Student Parking Lots 

Students may park only in areas marked for student parking, and only between lines that outline the parking space. Do not park in areas marked “Restricted,” “Reserved,” or “Visitors.” This rule applies whenever vehicles are on campus for any reason. 

Citations 

Citations and/or referrals to the Office of Community Standards will be given by the Department of Public Safety for the following violations of regulations, among others: 

•  Parking in a “Person First” space without a special parking permit. 

•  Parking within the prohibited distance limits of a fire hydrant. 

•  Dangerous or reckless driving. 

•  Failure to stop at a stop sign. 

•  Speeding. 

•  Entering parking field via exit. 

•  Leaving parking field via entrance. 

•  Leaving the scene of an accident. 

•  Parking in front of a closed gate or barricade. 

•  Obstructing traffic. 

•  Parking in other than specified area when parking privileges have been suspended. 

•  Driving or parking on any grass area, walkway, or ramp, except emergency and maintenance vehicles, or as directed by a Public Safety officer. 

•  Parking in a tow away zone. 

•  Parking for the purpose of making mechanical repairs. 

•  Abandoning a vehicle. 

•  Parking in an area not outlined for parking. 

•  Parking in wrong field or space. 

•  Parking outside of lines. 

•  Parking in restricted or reserved space or area. 

•  Scofflaw. 

•  Failure to properly display a Hofstra University parking permit. 

•  Parking in a fire zone. 

•  Residential students: Parking on South Campus during prohibited hours.   

Appeal of Parking Violations 

If you feel that a summons was issued or that your vehicle was towed in error, you may file an appeal as indicated below. Appeals must be submitted within 10 business days of receiving the ticket. All rulings on appeals are final. 

•  Download the Parking Appeals Form at hofstra.edu/parking. 

•  Complete the form and submit it along with a copy of the summons to Public Safety via email to publicsafety@hofstra.edu. 

Disciplinary Action for Recurrent Violations of Parking and Vehicle Regulations 

The University reserves the right to refuse parking privileges to anyone found to abuse the University’s parking rules and regulations. Students who repeatedly violate University parking regulations could face disciplinary action that may result in, among other penalties, suspension of driving privileges on the Hofstra campus. If a student’s driving privileges are suspended/revoked, that student is not permitted to drive or have a vehicle on any part of the Hofstra campus for any reason. 

*For more information on campus vehicle regulations, consult the Campus Vehicle Regulations brochure available at the David S. Mack Public Safety and Information Center or visit hofstra.edu/parking.