FAQS

Check the Permit rates page

Yes. Parking permits are required to park on the USF Tampa Campus 24 hours a day/7 days a week, year round.

All USF Students, Faculty and Staff 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.

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

• Your parking account has not been established yet. If you recently created your USF NetID it takes 24 to 48 hours for your parking account to be established.
• Your affiliation with the university has not been updated. You must be actively registered for classes in order to purchase a parking permit.
• Permit allocations may not be available online yet.

Please contact our office should you need any assistance.

Display of Permits:

• Virtual Permits - The majority of parking permits issued on the USF Tampa campus are virtual and a vehicles license plate will act as it’s permit. Vehicles will need to park with their license plate facing the drive aisle.
• 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 use other methods to affix permits. Improper display of a permit may result in citations.
• Adhesives Permits are available for individuals who register a convertible, soft-top, or open vehicle (vehicle registration must be presented for permit purchase). Permits must be adhered to the driver's side corner of one of the following: rear windshield, front windshield, or rear bumper.
• Motorcycle - must be affixed to the rear fender or the front fork. It is unacceptable to use tape, glue, prop, or use other methods to affix permits.
• Bicycle - must be affixed to the tube.
• Hangtags - must hang from the rearview mirror with the USF logo facing out, in plain view.
• Special Parking Permits (Courtesy, Special Event, Admissions, and Pay-and-Display Permits) - must be placed on the driver's side of the front dashboard with the permit information facing up.

USF Tampa Student ("S", "R") permits are valid in student lots and employee ("E", "GZ", Reserved) permits are valid in staff lots on the St. Petersburg and Sarasota campuses. However, "Y" Park-N-Ride permits are only valid in Lot 11 on the USF St. Pete campus, but are not valid on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Parking Permits Valid On All Campuses

USF Tampa permits are valid at USF St. Petersburg, and USF SarasotaManatee campuses with exceptions (see below).

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

Parking at USF St. Petersburg with a USF Tampa Permit

Faculty and Staff with Gold-Zone (GZ) permits can park in all USFSP Gold spaces.

‘E’ permit holders can park in all areas designated as Green parking. This includes
the parking garage on Levels 2-5 and parking lots 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 11B, 12, 13, 14, and
19.

Students with ‘S’ and ‘R’ permits can park in all areas designated as Green parking.
This includes the parking garage on Levels 2-5 and parking lots 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 11B,
12, and 19.

Students with ‘Y’ permits can park in parking Lot 11 at Harbor Hall only.

Parking at USF Sarasota-Manatee with a USF Tampa Permit

USF Tampa permits are valid in all parking lots on the USF Sarasota-Manatee
Campus, except for Park ‘n Ride (Y) permits.

For further information regarding other campuses’ rules and regulations, please
reference the sites below.

USFSP: https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/resources/administrative-and-financial-services/parking/

USFSM: https://usf.app.box.com/s/u9q2m4a9849unhiyfwucq6tvqrhvlqgo

Report it immediately! Visit our office located on USF-Plum Drive to file a report and obtain a replacement permit for a small replacement fee.

You may return your permit to PATS should you longer need it.  You may be eligible for a refund.  Please refer to the refund policy for any additional information.

You should add the new 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.

Any vehicle that you intend to drive to campus must be listed in your account and its license plate number registered to your permit, otherwise you will receive a citation. You can register up to three vehicles to your permit, but only one can be on campus at a time.

You can register up to three vehicles to your permit, but only one can be on campus at a time. Add additional vehicles by logging into your parking account, clicking on the Vehicle tab, and using the Add button to register the additional license plates to your account.

No. While you may register up to three vehicles on your parking account for your virtual permit, only one may be parked on campus at a time. Your permit is also registered under your name. You are responsible for all fines associated with the vehicles on your account.

Permits are required 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Not all restrictions are lifted.

However:

• After 5:30 PM, vehicles with R, GZ, E, S and D daily/visitor permits may park out of their assigned lots (except Resident lots that are reserved for R permits at all times).
• "Y" permits are only valid in "Y" lots between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. However, after 9:00 PM and on weekends (weekends begin at 5:30 PM Friday), with a valid "Y" permit displayed you can park in "S", "E", "GZ", and "D" lots.
• All labeled and reserved spaces, including "R" lots, are restricted for their intended use at all times, 24/7 (24 hours a day / 7 days a week).

Parking lots closest to the buildings fill up first. However, there is parking available on campus. We recommend that you proceed to one of the Park-n-Ride lots (18 or 43), where parking is always available, and catch the fare-free Bull Runner to your destination.

Vehicles displaying your valid state disabled placard and a non-Park-n-Ride USF permit can park in any disabled space on campus.

In addition to student permit options, a limited number of Staff "E" permits are made available to GAs, TAs, and GRAs on a first come, first served basis. GAs, TAs, and GRAs are required to have an active contract in GEMS at the time of purchase. Annual parking permits can be purchased through payroll deduction.

Parking citations can be paid online, by mail, or at our offices. 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.

Late fees are added 14 days after issuance. Also, a hold is placed on student records and registration, and all delinquent accounts are turned over to a collection agency. If you accrue more than two outstanding citations, your vehicle can 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.

If you are having financial difficulties we suggest that you contact the parking office to inquire about possible payment options that may be available depending on your circumstances.

We recommend you contact our office so that we may research the situation. Typically we will ask the following questions that could result in this occurring:

• Does this vehicle belong to a family member?
• Did you share your permit with another individual, friend, or roommate?
• Did you appeal a citation in the past that was issued to the vehicle?

Holds are usually released within 24 hours during business days. If you paid your citations, but your hold has not been released, you should go back to your parking account to ensure that all the citations are paid. Some outstanding balances, such as NSF fee may not be paid online. You may contact our office if you have any questions about your hold.

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 (such as using tape) to affix permit are not permitted and may result in fines.

The majority of parking permits issued on the USF Tampa campus are virtual and a vehicles license plate will act as it’s permit.

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.

Contact Parking & Transportation Services immediately. In order for the boot to be removed you must settle all outstanding citations as well as any related boot fees. Parking citations/boot fees can be paid online, by mail, or at our offices during normal business hours.  For after-hour services please contact University Police at 813.974.2628.

If you leave a timed space, a space is not guaranteed upon your return. However, you may park in any other available timed space within the lot/location of you purchase.

You may have incorrectly entered your license plate number.
In addition, you may only park in an available timed space within the lot/location of your purchase. However if you believe you were cited in error, you can submit an appeal online and include supporting documentation.

The main Parking Office is located on USF Plum and USF W. Holly Drive, near the USF Water Tower and behind Central Receiving.

Online through our website! Simply access your parking account. Keep in mind that disagreement with or ignorance of regulations are not valid reasons for dismissal. Once you submit your appeal, you will receive an email confirmation with the appeal information. You may also login to your parking account to view the appeal status 24/7.

Are you a student? Need some help with your appeal? You may contact the Student Government Solicitor General before you file. Remember the appeal deadline!

If you are submitting an appeal for a citation that you received on a one-time or limited use vehicle, such as rental car, loaner, borrowing a neighbor's, or friend's vehicle, you should indicate that information on your appeal request.

The time that the appeal is under review does not affect your citation due date or late fees. Once a decision is made you will receive a notification with the new due date.

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.

You can visit the ParkMobile website, Download the mobile app, or call the toll-free number on the green ParkMobile sign (1-877-727-5714) to register for a ParkMobile account; you will need your license plate number and a method of payment. Note: USF Parking and Transportation 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.

• 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.

Call the toll-free number posted on the green ParkMobile sign (1-877-727-5714), or you can pay at the machine with your credit card.

In various parking lots on campus. Check the map for Parking locations, and look for the green ParkMobile signs.

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

It depends on the parking restrictions of the lot. Parking can be purchased in half hour increments up to the maximum time limit for that particular zone. Your parking transaction will continue until you have reached the maximum time limit for which you have paid.

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

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.

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 psweb@usf.edu, or in person at either of our parking offices.

The parking rate is $0.75 per half hour or $5.00 for all day, plus 7.5% sales tax. All transactions are charged a $0.35 convenience fee.

There is no additional charge for the service (unless your cell provider charges for text messages); however, you will be charged a $0.35 convenience fee if you choose to pay to extend your parking transaction.

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.

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

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

Many USF offices do not take cash for security reasons. However, you can add money to your USF ID and pay with Bull Buck$. You can also purchase a Bull Buck$ card from the machine in the lobby of our main office.

View Payment Options

View Payment Options

View Payroll Deduction

If you are having financial difficulties we suggest that you contact the parking office to inquire about possible payment options that may be available depending on your circumstances.

If you would like to add cash to your USF ID, a Bull Buck$ machine is available in the lobby of the main Parking Office and other locations across campus. These machines only accept bills $20 or less. Funds may also be added using a credit card and bank account (checking or savings) by going online to www.usf.edu/bullbucks.

Use the Bull Runner Transit. It's convenient and easy to use. The BullTracker (Automatic Vehicle Locator) system lets you see the bus location and when it will arrive at your stop. Set up text alerts to fit your schedule. Visit: https://usfbullrunner.com.

First step is to complete a Charter Service Request using our online form. Be sure to include all details such as complete Fast Chart String, authorized signer, dates, needed times for pick up etc.

Yes, M – F (7:00 – 5:00) we charge a two (2) hour minimum charge per bus. After these regular business hours and on weekends a four (4) hour minimum may be charged.

We prefer to stay within the area of the USF regional campuses; Tampa, St. Pete & Sarasota but will consider other Florida locations on a case-by-case basis. It depends on our resources and personnel.

Our mission is to provide a campus circulator bus system. Since we have the equipment and personnel on staff, we can also provide a charter service on a first come first serve basis. However, operating the buses and many times paying overtime to the drivers for this service costs more. This cost is passed on to the user.

No. While on campus, you and your guests may ride together on the Bull Runner with a valid USF ID fare free. However, if they are not with you, they will need a Bull Runner daily bus pass.

You are responsible for any incidental costs such as parking at another facility, tolls etc. Also, for an overnight stay, room and board for the driver is additional.

All children under the age of six must be in a legal child restraint and be accompanied by their parent or legal adult guardian.