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1. Do I need to have a parking permit?

Yes. All vehicles parking on the Gorham Campus, Portland Campus surface lots and Portland Hall must display a valid permit at all times unless parked at a parking meter or in the Parking Garage on the Portland Campus. All permits are available from the Parking and Transportation office on either campus. Portland Hall residents should visit the Portland Hall Residential Life Office on the 2nd floor of the main building to acquire a decal or temporary permit.

2. When do I apply for my permit?

You may apply for your permit prior to the beginning of any semester. Requests for permits for the Fall semester will be taken in late July and your decal will be sent to you when the decals arrive. If the decals are available you may receive one in person or by mail in mid-July. Requests for incoming students starting in the Spring semester will be filled upon receipt of all proper paperwork.

3. Do you automatically send me my decal?

No, We do not just send you a decal if you have registered for classes. You must fill out the application form, provide a valid state registration and class schedule or student bill and not have any unpaid fines before we can issue you a decal. Only the Parking and Transportation Office may issue you a decal. Portland Hall Resident decals (including those issued to people who do not have a reserved spot in the Portland Hall lot), shall be issued only by the Portland Hall Residential Life Office)

4. I've sent in the paperwork for a decal, when I can I receive it?

Decal requests are processed when they are received. Depending on the workload, it normally takes one or two days to process a request and 3-5 days for it to arrive via the US Mail. Requests presented in person will be filled on the spot and the entire process takes about 5 minutes.

I've decided I'm not going to be a USM student, who do I call to cancel my decal?

You do not have to notify the Parking Office. We do not have reserve decals. Parking spots on campus are filled on a first-come, first serve basis.

I have a fine on my record that I'm appealing; may I still get a decal or temporary permit?

All outstanding fines including those under appeal must be paid off before a permit may be issued.

5. Where can I park during a snow ban on the Gorham Campus?

Please the Snow Ban information page on the USM Parking website at: http://www.usm.maine.edu/police/parking.htm

There are different guidelines when parking on the Portland campus during a snow storm. There is no overnight parking in any surface lots on campus. Any vehicles found on campus during snow removal periods will be subject to a $50.00 for impeding snow removal and could be towed at the discretion of Facilities Management.

During the winter months please park overnight only in the Parking Garage or on a City-controlled street or parking lot. Please see the following question for information regarding City of Portland snow parking bans.

6. Where is snow ban parking in the City of Portland?

Snow ban parking is available for both USM associated people and the general citizenry of Portland at the USM Parking Garage on the Portland Campus. When a ban is called on Monday-Thursday only, the Parking Garage will open for snow ban parking for $3.00 per ban. If weather closes the University, the garage will also close. Signs will be posted when the facility is closing, usually 1 hour after the University closes. All vehicles intending to park for the length of the ban must be in the garage when it closes. Vehicles must be out of the facility by 9:30am the following day.  Please address any questions about snow ban parking to usmparking@usm.maine.edu or to the Portland Parking and Transportation Office at 780-4718.

7. Where can I purchase vouchers for my department?

All voucher purchases are to be made through the Parking Office on the Gorham Campus. Please contact Sandra Eustis Brackett at x5212 for more information.

8. Can I park anywhere on Campus with a Parking Coupon or voucher?

Vouchers are valid in any lot or area designated on the coupon. They are not valid, however, in the Parking Garage, at meters, loading zones or handicap spots unless displaying the proper state-issued handicap identification.

9. Where can I park as an Overnight Guest on the Gorham Campus?

You can park in any resident providing that you have acquired a parking permit from the Parking and Transportation Office.

There is no overnight parking for Commuter permit holders in a commuter lot on campus. Please park either in lot G-13 with an overnight permit, or on a street controlled by the Town of Gorham. At night Resident parking lots must be kept open for use by residents.

10. Why do I have to pay for parking if I'm a visitor?

Paying for parking as a visitor on both campuses was instituted because of the greater use of parking areas than was anticipated. The coupon system lends itself to better management and control of parking. Collecting payments for parking leads to better enforcement of parking areas, allows for better and safer lots and to ensure that parking will be available for those who need it.

10. What happens if I receive a bill for past due parking fines and I do not want to pay it?

Not paying it is your choice, however you will continue to be billed by the University until it has been paid. Official academic information will also be held until all payments are made in full.

11. What do I do if I receive a bill that is either in error or is addressed to a person who no longer lives at my address?

If the bill is in error, please contact the Parking and Transportation Office in writing. Please provide any information or documentation that proves your statement. All requests must be signed in order to be considered.  If you receive a bill addressed to someone not known to you, you will have to submit a statement in writing to USM Parking and Transportation, 37 College Ave. Gorham, ME 04038

12. I just received a Motor Vehicle Violation and do not feel it was justified, what can I do?

You can fill out a Motor Vehicle Violation appeal form available on-line or from the Parking Office and return it for review by the department. You must submit the form within 10 days of the violation. You will receive a reply in writing or via email within 10-days.

13. I just received my decision about an appeal I submitted and I do not agree with the decision, what can I do?

When you receive the decision you will also receive an additional appeal form and instructions regarding how to continue with your appeal.

14. There is a broken parking meter on campus, what do I do?

You may use the Broken Meter Form on the the main page of this website or call x5212 and report it.

15. I would like to park my motorcycle on campus what do I need to do and where can I park it?

Motorcycles able to park on both the Portland and Gorham Campuses. In Portland, it is prefered that you park in the Paring Garage. There are designated parking spots in the garage or you may park in a regular spot. Parking in a surface lot requires a permit be placed on the motorcycle. Please park in a regular spot. You may park on a hashmarked area provided it is not part of a handicap spot. On the Gorham campus, the same guidelines apply. All motorcycles need to have a permit when parking on campus. Please see the Parking Services Office located in Upton Hall for a permit. On both campuses at no time is there motorcycle parking in a firelane, grass area or any area that would obstruct traffic.