The U of M’s board of governors approved revised parking regulations during their Oct. 15 meeting, effective immediately. The new parking regulations include fine increases to five citation violations and the implementation of nine new citation violations.
In the submission to the board prepared by Kristina Manaigre and Cameron Neufeld of the office of parking and transportation, it was indicated that the parking regulations — including fines — were last updated in 2016.
The office of parking and transportation recommended to the board that most fines be kept at their current levels, but recommended new rules to reflect changes, such as the introduction of electric vehicle charging stations and lanes for cyclists. Changes to parking regulations were also recommended due to inadequately addressed matters, such as parking on a landscaped area or camping overnight, according to the submission.
“We are also recommending increases in fines for certain safety related violations to align with similar fine levels at the City of Winnipeg,” read the submission.
“The proposed citation fine increases are to discourage rare, yet significantly disruptive violations to the University of Manitoba community and to enhance campus safety. The addition of new citation violations and overall language updates will ensure that proper enforcement can occur.”
The U of M’s board of governors approved revised parking regulations during their Oct. 15 meeting. Image by Milan Lukes.
Fine increase to existing citation violations
Fines for parking within three metres of a fire hydrant on university property, at a bus stop or that cause obstruction or hazard on a roadway have all been increased. Fines for stopping in an area designated by the university as a “no parking” or “no stopping” zone have also increased. This equally applies to “no idling” or “ridesharing/taxi parking only” zones. An increase in fines for parking at hooded meters is also now in effect.
All of these fines were originally $70 when paid in full and $35 when paid within the first 10 days (discounted). With the approved changes, these fines have been increased to $100 when paid in full and $50 when discounted.
New citation violations
The new parking violation that has the lowest fine is for overtime parking in an electric vehicle stall, fined at $40 in full and at $20 when discounted.
Other new violations include parking or stopping on a boulevard or landscaped area, parking in a carpool stall without arriving with more than one person in the vehicle and parking an oversized vehicle without an oversized vehicle permit. An oversized vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle that is longer than 6.7 metres — whether that is the vehicle length alone or with any connected trailer. Occupying a designated electric vehicle charging station stall without actively charging is another additional violation to the parking regulations. Individuals can anticipate a $70 fine in full and $35 when discounted for each of these violations.
Stopping, parking, leaving or operating an unauthorized powersport vehicle on university property is the last new violation with the same penalty fee. Authorization may be provided by the university’s vice-president (administration) or designate. The office of parking and transportation defines a powersport vehicle as a motorized vehicle for off-road use, citing snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft and dirt bikes as examples.
Parking or stopping a vehicle on university property that is a sidewalk, where a sidewalk crosses a roadway or on a bicycle or pedestrian path will now cost you $100 in full and $50 when discounted. The same fine is now incurred when ridesharing and taxi services stop to pick up passengers in designated pick-up zones outside of specified times.
Camping overnight on university property in a vehicle — oversized or not — is the latest violation with the greatest fine at $300 in full or $150 when discounted.
Cameron Neufeld, director of the office of parking and transportation, clarified that “there are no rules prohibiting parking permit holders from parking in their lot overnight. Overnight camping refers to individuals planning to sleep on campus overnight either in a camper or a vehicle,” said Neufeld.
There are now 30 individual violations under the university’s parking regulation that carry a fine. Theft of service, such as tampering with a parking meter or transferring your permit to another person, has the greatest fine at $350 with no discounted fine available.
Citation violation statistics for 2023
Records obtained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act indicated that the university received $584,974.40 in total revenue collected for citations during the 2023 calendar year.
During this time, 13,316 citations were paid — the majority (6,693) were for vehicles parked without payment or that had exhausted the parking time. Over 2,700 citation violations were issued and paid for parking in a reserved staff lot, 1,979 for parking in a reserved student lot and 536 for improper parking.
