FAQS

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:

• 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.

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.

Due to this unprecedented situation, the current USF Parking and Transportation Services policy to provide prorated refunds for returned parking permits is being temporarily suspended. USF is actively working to develop a plan for refunding returned parking permits. More information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.

If you choose to voluntarily return your permit, there is a lockbox located in the front of our main office. As we want to practice social distancing it is recommended to return your permit via mail.

Before mailing it, please complete the following form and include it with your permit. Once received, we will record the postmark date and send a confirmation email. For updates and more information please sign up with USF PATS Traffic & Alerts LISTSERV. To subscribe/unsubscribe visit: www.usf.edu/PATSalert

You should log into your account, go to "Manage Your Vehicles" and select "Add vehicle" to register it. You do not need to purchase another permit.

You can register up to 3 vehicles. Parking permits can be repositioned in any same-owner vehicle registered with PATS.

Stop by one of the Parking & Transportation offices, present your driver's license, and we will give you a courtesy permit (up to three per semester) at no charge.

No. Your permit is registered under your name. If you lend it to anyone and they receive a citation, you are responsible for all fines.

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.

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.
Please note, for those lots with straight-in parking (90 degree) a vehicle may also be parked with the rear of the vehicle towards the closed end of the parking space.

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.

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.

Due to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed by the Federal Government, the University no longer offers pre-tax payroll deduction as a payment option for parking permits. However, payroll deduction is still offered on a post-tax payment basis.

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. You may also use the Cashier's Office to make a cash deposits to your account.
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 fill out a Bus Service request 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, Lakeland, 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 your guests may ride the Bull Runner, fare free. However, if they are not with you they will need a Bull Runner daily bus pass to board the bus at all locations.

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.