Parking Permits and Rates

Overview

Queen’s University has a carpooling program to encourage the reduction of single-occupancy vehicle use. Please ensure you are following the proper COVID-19 protocols when carpooling.

The fee for a carpool permit is the current permit rate divided by the carpool members, reducing the cost per person. 

The benefits to registered participants include:

• Sharing vehicle expense costs;
• Reducing the amount of stress from driving alone;
• The ability to use special parking permits for emergencies when they are required to bring their personal vehicle to campus;
• Reserved parking spot.

Comments and suggestions about our carpooling program are most welcome.

Regulations

Individuals who have self-identified a carpool group (minimum two people) do not have to register on the website, but should come directly to the Parking Office to complete a carpool application. Spouses and cohabitants that share the same address are excluded from the carpool program. Carpool permits are subject to all regulations under the parking regulations for motor vehicles.

To create a carpool, current parkers must be willing to surrender a valid parking permit and convert the remaining valid parking permit to a carpool permit. Permits are valid for the parking year September 1 – 31 August 31 and must be renewed annually. A list of persons participating in the carpool must be supplied upon renewal.

Registered carpool participants may park in any reserved Carpool space, available on campus. Carpool members are not permitted to use the carpool reserved parking spaces when travelling to the Campus individually. The reserved Carpool spaces are reserved for registered carpoolers from 7:00 am to 9:30 am. Any Carpool space that remains vacant after 9:30 am, reverts to a regular parking space that can be used by any employee for the remainder of the day.

All vehicles using the transferable carpool permit must be registered with Parking Services. Carpool permits must be prominently displayed. If cars are rotated among the group, it is the carpool members’ responsibility to ensure that the permit is displayed on the vehicle that is driven to campus. Failure to display permit will result in ticketing of vehicle.

Only one registered vehicle in a carpool can be parked on the lots or on-street parking at one time with the carpool permit displayed. Each carpool will be issued three one-day permits per parking year. These one-day permits may be used if your carpool requires more than one vehicle on the lots or on-street parking at one time.

The fee for the Carpool permit would be the current permit rate which would be divided by the carpool members to reduce the cost per person.

Methods of Payment

Arrangements for full payment of parking fees must be provided before the permit is issued. Methods of payment will be as follows:

• All Queen’s University employees with a full-time continuing appointment must pay by payroll deduction.
• All other can pay by cheque, Visa, MC, debit card or direct withdrawal.

Students must be currently registered to purchase parking permits.

HonkMobile 

Queen’s University has partnered with HonkMobile to allow students, faculty, staff, and visitors to pay for campus parking directly from their smartphones or tablets. Using the HonkMobile app, users will be able to search, pay for, and add additional time remotely, without having to return to their vehicles parked at Queen’s pay-and-display lots. 

The free app is available on honkmobile.com, the Apple App Store, or Google Play, and is easy to set up. During setup, users will be asked to enter their license plate number and payment method (credit card, PayPal, VISA Debit, Masterpass and ApplePay are all available), as well as an email address. 

Once registered, users select their parking zone using an address or zone ID and choose how long they would like to stay. The app will prompt users 15 minutes before time expires and give them the option to add more time. Once payment is made, a receipt will be sent via email. If problems with the app are encountered, or if you believe you’ve received a ticket in error, email the Queen’s Parking Department for assistance. 

Pay-and-display lots on campus are now equipped with the mobile payment option, which will complement existing payment methods, all of which will still be available. See Honk app for Queen’s locations.  HonkMobile is also the payment provider for the City of Kingston’s off-street municipal parking, so Queen’s users will also be able to use the app seamlessly both on and off campus. 

Visit honkmobile.com to download now.

Service Charges

A service charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) will be imposed for all returned cheques by the bank to the Parking Office.

Refund of Parking Permit Fees

Cancellation will occur upon the return of the parking permit for the next month after cancellation.  Permits are not pro-rated.  An Administrative Fee will be charged for permits cancelled before the expiry date.  Upon cancellation of a parking permit the following will occur:

• Payroll Deduction - Deduction stopped;
• Lump Sum Payment - Refund by cheque for month(s) following cancellation;
• Direct Withdrawal - 10 days notice before next withdrawal;
• MasterCard or Visa - Refund by cheque for month(s) following cancellations.

One-day permits are not refundable if they have been scratched.

These regulations are issued under the authority of Facilities, and apply to all parking areas owned or leased by Queen's University. All persons using University parking facilities are subject to the regulations detailed on this page.

Parking permits are required for all Queen's surface lots and Queen's designated on-street parking from 0700 hours to 1600 hours, Monday through Friday inclusive, with the exception of statutory holidays.

The following parking Lots requires a permit 24 hours per day all year: Kingston Hall, LaSalle, McLaughlin, Stirling, University Club, Waldron as well as roadway spaces between Grant and Kingston Hall.

All vehicles (including trailers, boats etc.) owned or leased by the University which are parked on Queen's permit parking areas anytime between the hours 0700 hours and 1600 hours Monday – Friday inclusive are required to have a valid parking permit. Wherever possible, departments should make arrangements for off-campus parking for vehicles not in use.

All vehicles parked on a Queen's parking lot or designated on-street parking are subject to the parking restrictions and enforcement provisions outlined on this page. All vehicles parked on Queen's parking areas must be operational and possess valid vehicle registration.

Types of Parking Permits

Main Campus Permits

Main Campus permits (RED) are valid for as long as the holder wishes to retain it. Each year permit holders will be advised of any rate increases (usually effective September 1) and changes to the parking regulations.
Main Campus Permits are valid on all surface parking areas controlled by the University and on all West Campus parking lots.

West Campus Permits

For the current parking year, West Campus permits will be valid for the period 1 May to 30 April. West Campus Permits are valid only on the parking lots north of McArthur Hall. West Campus Permit holders who have renewal privileges will be invited, by mail, to renew their permit for the upcoming parking year.

West Campus Permits are not valid on Main Campus. The parking lot to the southwest of McArthur Hall (adjacent to Union Street) is reserved for Pay and Display (short-term) parkers. The smaller lot is valid for Main or West Campus permits only.

Summer Permits

A limited number of weekly summer permits will be sold in the summer months (valid for weeks between 1 May to 31 August) for parking lots on Main Campus.

One-Day Permits

One-day permits can be purchased using the visitor one-day parking permit request form found on the parking website. The permits must be scratched out for the day/month/year that is applicable. One-day permits are valid for parking lots on Main or West Campus.

Proper Display of Permits

Permits are a hanging tag that must be displayed in a manner that can be completely visible from outside the vehicle. Notes of explanation left on the windshield will not be accepted in lieu of a permit.

Cancellation of Permits

The permit holder may cancel permits at any time by returning the permit to the Parking Office. Stop payment on cheques does not constitute cancellation, and permit holders who use this method will be held liable for payments until the Parking Office receives formal notification of permit cancellation. Refunds are not provided after the first five business days in the month.  A $50.00 Administrative Fee will apply for parking permits cancelled before the expiry date.

Staff members on leave (sabbatical, maternity, L.T.D.) may arrange to temporarily cancel their parking permit for the period that they are away. These arrangements must be made in person at the parking office. A refund will be made for the period of cancellation.

One-day permits are not refundable if they have been dated.

Lost or Stolen Permits

Permits, which are lost or stolen, must be reported to the Parking Office immediately. Such permits are invalid. Replacement permits may be obtained upon payment of an administration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
If a lost or stolen permit is subsequently found, it must be returned to the Parking Office immediately. Use of a permit, which has been reported as lost or stolen, is considered to be a fraudulent use of a permit and may result in a fine or the withdrawal of parking privileges.

Change of Permit-holder Information

Permit holders must inform the Parking Office of any changes in the information provided on their application form.

Application for Parking Permits

Eligibility

All University employees, registered students and persons who work in University-owned buildings may apply for a parking permit.

Application Procedures for Current Permit Holders

Parkers who have a valid renewable Main Campus permit (Red) will be advised in August about any changes to the parking program including rate increases.

Permit holders are reminded that they must inform the Parking Office of any changes in the information provided on their application form.

Applications Procedures for New Applicants

Eligible individuals may apply for a Main Campus parking permit will be considered on a space available basis according to the stipulations outlined on the Permit Rates page. Application forms are available on the parking website.

Applicants are requested to provide all the information requested on the application form. Failure to do so may result in the application not being processed.

Applications are kept on file until applicants are successful in receiving a parking permit, or request to have their form removed.

Persons who are appointed to a full-time continuing position during a parking year (1 July to 30 June) will be issued a temporary permit for the balance of the year, providing that there are permits available, and that they do not live in the zone 3 (see maps below). However, he/she will not have automatic renewal privileges.

Issuance of Parking Permits

All permits will be issued on a space available basis.

New Applicants who live in Zone 3 (Core Zone) are not eligible to apply for a main campus surface parking permit. Applicants must apply using their current address.

Permit holders may park in the areas designated below, appropriate for their type of permit, and subject to the restrictions outlined in this section.

Parking Lots/On-Street Parking Locations

 Main Campus Map (PDF, 433 KB) 

 West Campus Map (PDF, 130 KB) 

Restricted "No Parking" Areas

Vehicles must not be parked in "No Parking Areas", in driveways, on lawns, on fire access routes, patios, fields, footpaths or sidewalks. Fire exit doors must not be blocked.

The Parking Regulations apply to restricted areas twenty-four hours per day and seven days per week, and offending vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed.

Queen's parking permits are not valid on KGH, Community Housing or KCVI parking lots.

Reserved Accessible Parking Areas

The parking regulations apply to reserved accessible parking areas twenty-four hours per day and seven days per week and offending vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed.

Service Areas

Signed service areas are provided for the use of service and delivery vehicles making deliveries and unloading equipment to Queen's departments. Vehicles without a Service Area permit may park in a Service Area for a maximum of fifteen minutes. Vehicles parked in these areas for a period of time exceeding fifteen minutes require a Service Area permit. Any company that has a contract with Queen's University is eligible to receive a service area permit. Service area permits are restricted to a maximum of two per company and are valid only on clearly company vehicles (some exceptions may apply). Vehicles with a Service Area permit are allowed to park in a signed Service Area only (no restrictions on time) as long as their Service Area permit is clearly displayed. Service Area permits are valid only in the vehicles to which they are assigned. Service Area permits are not valid on any on-street permit parking or on any surface lot.

Service area permits remain the property of Queen's University, and may be reclaimed by the owner due to improper use.

Snow Removal Conditions

From 1 December to 31 March inclusive (including vacation periods), vehicles parked on surface lots or on-street permit parking between midnight and 0700 hours will be towed without warning if, in the opinion of the Parking Manager, they impede snow removal operations.

Lot Full Conditions

If a parking lot or on-street parking area is filled to capacity, permit holders should proceed to another area where space is available.

In the event that all surface lots and on-street permit parking are full, permit holders may park in the underground Parking Garage for that day only at no charge. It is emphasized that in order to park in the underground Parking Garage under these conditions, permit holders MUST obtain "LOT FULL" card from the Parking Garage attendant in booth as official authorization.

Vehicles, which are parked in violation of any aspect of these Parking Regulations, will be ticketed and/or towed and impounded by a commercial towing company. In addition, repeated violations of the parking regulations, improper or dishonest use of parking permits, failure to pay fees etc. may result in fines and/or the withdrawal of parking privileges.

Improper Parking

In addition to adherence to the regulations and restrictions outlined elsewhere in this document, vehicles parked on Queen's surface lots or designated on-street parking must be parked between the two yellow lines that designate a proper parking space. Vehicles improperly parked will be ticketed and/or towed.

Campers, trailers, boats, etc. parked on any parking lot or on-street permit parking area without permission of the Parking Office will be ticketed and/or towed away.

Note that vehicles in violation of the provisions on this page will be ticketed and/or towed away without warning.

Improper Use of Permits

In addition to the regulations and restrictions outlined elsewhere in this document, vehicles parked on Queen's surface lots or designated on-street parking must bear a valid and properly displayed permit between 0700 hours and 1600 hours, Monday through Friday inclusive, with the exception of statutory holidays.

Lost or stolen permits, which are subsequently found, must be returned to the Parking Office immediately. Use of a permit, which has been reported as lost or stolen, is considered to be a fraudulent use of a permit.

Other fraudulent uses of a permit include use of a permit, which has been issued to another individual, use of a forged permit, or use of an invalid permit.

All cases of fraud or misuse of parking permits will be referred to the Associate Vice-Principal (Operations and Facilities) for action and may result in a fine and/or the withdrawal of parking privileges. For use of an invalid, lost or stolen permit, the minimum penalty usually will be a fine equivalent to the monthly parking permit fee multiplied by the number of months since the permit was declared invalid, lost or stolen. Penalties for use of another's or a forged permit will be decided on a case-by-case basis. In addition, vehicles displaying improper permits may be ticketed and/or towed.

Withdrawal of Parking Privileges

Repeated violations of the Parking Regulations, improper or dishonest use of parking permits, failure to pay fees etc. may result in the withdrawal of parking privileges. Parking permits are the property of Queen's University, and may be reclaimed at any time by the Parking Office due to improper use.

Payment of Parking Tickets

Under By-Law 99-166 and 24-19 (2) of the City of Kingston, Queen's and Parking staff may issue parking infraction notices from the City for violations of the Queen's parking regulations.

All tickets must be paid at the City of Kingston Parking Office at:

City Hall,
Ontario Street,
Kingston, Ontario.

For parking infractions, vehicles will normally receive a tow warning on receipt of a second ticket and will be towed following a third ticket. Exceptions to this include cases of violations of the restrictions outlined earlier on this page, and fraudulent use of a permit, which may result in towing without warning.

Recovery of Impounded or Immobilized Vehicles

Vehicles subject to impoundment as a result of a breach of these regulations, will be removed to a commercial impound area where they may be claimed upon payment of a towing fee plus any accumulated storage charges as set by the operator of the commercial impound area. Information about towed vehicles may be obtained by calling 613-533-6979 (0800 to 1600 hours) or 613-533-6080 (after 1600 hours).

Appeal Procedures

Any person wishing to appeal a ruling concerning the application of the Parking Regulations should address the appeal in writing to the Parking Manager, Rideau Building, Queen's University.

Any person wishing to appeal the issuing of a parking ticket for a violation of Queen's parking regulations may bring it to the Parking Office and complete an appeal form or complete an appeal form available on the Physical Plant Services website under requests. The Parking Manager will consider the appeal and either void the ticket or return the ticket to the person who received it with an explanation of the Regulation that was violated. The appeal must be submitted to the Parking Office within five (5) working days of the date that the ticket was issued otherwise the ticket cannot be voided.

Permit holders with a valid parking permit are entitled to two tickets voided per parking year (1 Sept to 30 August). Tickets for no parking areas, no pay and display permit, expired pay and display permit, or for parking in accessible parking space will not be voided. Any additional tickets will be the responsibility of the permit holder.

Any person wishing to appeal a ruling made by the Parking Manager may do so in writing to the Associate Vice-Principal (Operations and Facilities) within five (5) working days of the date of the ruling.

Any person wishing to appeal a ruling made by the Associate Vice-Principal (Operations and Facilities) in the case of fraud or misuse of a parking permit may do so in writing to the Vice-Principal (Operations and Finance). The appeal must be submitted to the Vice-Principal (Operations and Finance) within five (5) working days of the Associate Vice-Principal's decision.

General Security Measures

• Call Campus Security (533-6111) if you see suspicious persons/activity on any parking lot.
• Check all four tires before unlocking your vehicle.
• Always look in the back seat of your vehicle before unlocking it.
• Be aware of the location of the EMERGENCY phone closest to where you park.
• Never lend keys to persons you do not totally trust.
• Lock your vehicle door as soon as you and your passengers are seated.
• Ensure all windows are closed and doors are locked after parking your vehicle.
• Keep a photocopy of your vehicle registration and description of your vehicle in a safe place.
• If you have a choice, park in a well-lighted, busy section of the parking lot.
• Do not leave parcels, luggage, valuables etc. on the seats or in full view inside your vehicle, use your trunk.

Gas Leaks

If a vehicle is leaking gas on University property an attempt will be made to locate the owner of the vehicle immediately. If the owner of the vehicle cannot be located the vehicle will be towed and impounded by a commercial towing company at the owner's expense.

Motorcycles or scooters displaying a Ministry of Transportation licence plate must park ONLY in the designated motorcycle areas within the parking lots.  Any student or university employee parking a motorcycle or scooter on campus are required to purchase a motorcycle parking permit.  If you have already purchased a surface parking permit, motorcycle permits will be issued at no charge otherwise the current rate is charged.  Motorcycle parking is limited and available on a first come first serve basis.

Motorcycle permits are only issued annually and ownership is required at the time of purchase.

The policy governing the provision of parking passes free of charge to retirees was originally developed about eight years ago in consultation with, among other, the Retirees’ Association of Queen’s (RAQ).

The administration of this policy has not thus far been conducted in accordance with the details of the policy.  These details are set out below, together with provisions that will ensure the policy will, in future, be administered correctly.

The policy identifies two situations in which a retiree making unremunerated contributions to Queen’s (e.g. teaching and thesis direction, research, administration) may qualify for parking privileges free of charge.

1. Any retiree whose unpaid contributions to the University  require his/her frequent and regular presence on campus (three days per week or more) over the entire year is required to submit a letter to his/her Dean (or, in certain circumstances, his/her Vice-Principal) providing details of the nature and duration of his/her presence on campus.  If the Dean (or equivalent) agrees that the retiree’s contribution do require his/her frequent and regular presence on campus (three days per week or more) over the entire year, the Dean (or equivalent) asks the Parking Office to issue without charge an annual parking permit to the retiree.  This permit is only for the use of the retiree only.  It is not transferable, nor is it automatically renewable.  Any renewal of this arrangement requires that the retiree submit a new letter to his/her Dean (or equivalent), and that the Dean (or equivalent) agree that the retiree’s contributions require his/her frequent and regular presence on campus (three days per week or more) over the entire year.

2. A retiree whose unpaid contributions to the University require his/her presence on campus, but with less frequency than specified in #1 above is required to submit a letter to his/her Dean (or equivalent) providing details of the nature and duration of his/her presence on campus and the expected number of days per year on which this presence will be required.  If the Dean (or equivalent) agrees that the retiree’s contributions do require the retiree to be on campus the expected number of days specified, the Dean asks the Parking Office to issue the appropriate number of daily parking passes without charge.  These passes are for the use of the retiree only.  They are not transferable, nor is their issuance automatically renewable.  Any renewal of this arrangement requires that the retiree submit a new letter to his/her Dean, and that the Dean agree that the retiree’s contributions do require the retiree to be on campus the expected number of days specified yearly.

In either situation, the retiree, in writing to his/her Dean (or, in certain circumstances, his/her Vice-Principal), must include the following information:

• Retiree’s name
• Retiree’s employee number
• The type of privileges required (i.e., annual pass, or a specific number of daily passes)
• The unit(s) for which unremunerated services are being provided
• The nature of these unremunerated services
• The time commitment required to provide these unremunerated services, with sufficient detail to confirm that the frequency and duration justifies the issuance of the parking privileges requested

If the Dean (or equivalent) does not support the retiree’s request, or recommends the issuance of daily passes when an annual pass is requested, a reason for the decision is to be provided to the retiree. The Dean (or equivalent) must, when submitting the supporting letter, provide the Parking Office with an account number to which the cost of the annual pass or the requested number of daily passes, is to be charged.