Enforcement, Appeals & Payments
All staff, students, and visitors operating vehicles on the WPI campus are required to comply with the university’s parking rules and regulations. In addition, all parking on the WPI campus is by permit only, and all vehicles not displaying a valid WPI-issued parking permit are subject to ticketing and/or towing without notice and at the owner's risk and expense. Learn more about ticket violations and fines, payment procedures, and how to appeal a citation.
Enforcement Policy
Upon accumulating three tickets, students and employees will receive an email from the WPI Police Department advising them of the requirement of payment. Any one vehicle accumulating five tickets or more will be put on the tow/boot list. Those vehicles will be subject to the placement of the Denver boot and/or immediate towing until all violations are resolved.
The Denver Boot will be applied on vehicles for a minimum of 48 hours. If tickets are not rectified during this timeframe vehicles will be towed at the owners expense and will no longer be authorized to park within any campus areas and if found; will continue to be towed until all parking fines are resolved.
NOTE: Prior to the Denver boot being removed all violations owed on the vehicle must be paid in full in addition to a $75.00 boot removal fee. You must contact the WPI Police Department for removal of the Denver Boot.
In addition to fines and other action including but not limited to loss of parking privileges may be imposed.
Ticket Violations & Fines
| Number | Definition | Cost | Subject to Tow? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Overnight parking | $25 | Yes |
| 02 | Loading and/or prohibited parking areas | $25 | Yes |
| 03 | Obstructing service road, crosswalk, grassy area, sidewalk, or island | $25 | Yes |
| 04 | Obstructing snow removal | $25 | Yes |
| 05 | Failure to display parking permit | $15 | |
| 06 | Removing or moving any street sign, traffic sign, or temporary barrier | $20 | |
| 07 | Parking in a restricted, blocked, or reserved area | $25 | Yes |
| 08 | Visitor/Admissions parking area | $25 | |
| 09 | Fire lane | $25 | Yes |
| 10 | Handicap Parking/blocking ramp | $200 | Yes |
| 11 | Speeding greater than reasonable | $50 | |
| 12 | Disregard of traffic signs, arrows, or police officer’s direction | $25 | |
| 13 | Operating as to endanger | $50 | |
| 14 | Operating without a license or registration | $50 | |
| 15 | Counterfeiting, altering, or transferring a permit or violation notice | $25 | |
| 16 | Failure to register out of state motor vehicle | $10 | |
| 17 | Boot Application | $75 | |
| 18 | Other | $15-$80 or $____ |
Payment Procedures
Upon receipt of a parking/traffic violation, the owner/operator may pay the fine in person at the WPI Police Department via GoatBucks or checks/money orders ONLY. Checks must be made out to WPI. Payment of the fine within 21 days of the date of the violation will be considered final disposition of the case. If not paid within 21 days, a $10 late fee will apply.
Payment by check or money order may be mailed to:
WPI Police Department
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Appeals
The owner/operator may choose to contest the violation. This must be done within 21 days from the date of the violation. Parking appeals can be processed online here. Appeals are reviewed once a month. (Note: this process includes a written response and administrative follow-up). Appeals after the 21-day rule will not be considered for review.