Policy 3-233: Operation of Vehicles on Pedestrian Walks.

1. General Provisions
2. Permitting for Sidewalk Access
3. Permanent Exceptions Not Needing a Permit
4. Other Provisions
5. Violations of Policy

‌Purpose and Scope‌

1. Purpose.

   To provide a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors at the University of Utah by establishing the requirements for operating a Vehicle on pedestrian walkways and Sidewalks.

2. Scope.

   This policy applies to all operation of Vehicles on campus pedestrian walkways and Sidewalks, including areas that are otherwise not explicitly designated for Vehicle traffic. This policy applies to all University owned property unless otherwise indicated.

‌Definitions‌

The following definitions apply for the limited purposes of this policy and any associated regulations.

1. “Landlocked Building” means a building on the University campus that does not have Vehicle access via adjacent roadway or parking lot and may require driving on a Sidewalk.

2. “Sidewalk” means campus pedestrian walkways and Sidewalks, including all areas that are otherwise not explicitly designated for Vehicle traffic.

3. “Vehicle” means:

   1. all Vehicles that, in accordance with state laws must be registered and licensed with the Utah Department of Motor Vehicles, including those owned by the university;

   2. transportation devices described in Utah Code Title 41, Motor Vehicles, that are not required to be registered and licensed with the Utah Department of Motor Vehicles, such as golf carts, and that are not owned by university; and

   3. any other Vehicles so designated by the Chief Financial Officer.

   4. “Vehicle” does not include:

      1. motorized wheelchairs or other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMDs) identified as reasonable accommodations through Policy 5-117 used by individuals with physical disabilities; or

      2. modes of transportation allowed by Policy 3-232.

‌Policy‌

1. ‌General Provisions‌

   1. The University of Utah, in order to provide a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regulates the operation of Vehicles on Sidewalks, pathways, and plazas

   2. The Office of Commuter Services shall establish a Sidewalk Route Map to define Vehicle routes on pedestrian walkways to Landlocked Buildings.

   3. Operation of Vehicles on University Sidewalks and plazas is prohibited except as described in this policy.

   4. A person may operate a Vehicle on a Sidewalk for the routine maintenance of buildings, delivery of goods, materials, or services if the person:

      1. has a permit from the Office of Commuter Services; and

      2. follows a route defined in the Sidewalk Route Map.

2. ‌Permitting for Sidewalk Access‌

   1. A permit to operate a Vehicle on Sidewalks may be issued by the Office of Commuter Services.

   2. The Office of Commuter Services may only issue a permit when the requesting department or individual justifies the need to operate Vehicles on Sidewalks for a specific event or task.

      1. The Office of Commuter Services shall issue a permit to a specific vehicle in accordance with Utah Administrative Code R810.

      2. The following are examples of events or tasks for which permission to drive Vehicles on Sidewalks may be granted:

         1. delivery or retrieval of waste, materials and equipment to Landlocked Buildings using approved routes and loading areas;

         2. the moving of furniture or equipment to or from buildings without other adequate access, particularly when such furniture or equipment cannot be moved by cart or dolly from a designated parking stall;

         3. special events; and

         4. construction, renovation, and remodeling activities as approved by the project parking plan and using a route designated for the construction, renovation, or remodeling activity.

3. ‌Permanent Exceptions Not Needing a Permit‌

   1. The following Vehicles may operate on Sidewalks without a permit due to the specific service they provide:

      1. any Vehicle responding to an emergency situation or event as outlined in the University Emergency Operations Plan; and

      2. marked authorized emergency vehicles.

4. ‌Other Provisions‌

   1. An individual who applies for a permit to drive a Vehicle on a Sidewalk shall describe, in the application for the permit, the authorized use, the route to be followed, the expiration period, and the purpose for traveling on the Sidewalk.

   2. In order for an outside vendor or contractor to obtain a permit to operate Vehicle on a sidewalk, the department or organizational unit receiving the services or sponsoring the event that requires the outside vendor or contractor shall request the permit.

   3. Unless otherwise approved in advance, or parked in a designated maintenance stall or area, a Vehicle may not be parked on a Sidewalk. After unloading equipment, materials, tools, etc. the vehicle must be moved to an appropriate parking stall.

   4. Vehicles operated on Sidewalks may not exceed a speed limit of 5 mph.

5. ‌Violations of Policy‌

   1. Any person may contact the Office of Commuter Services to report a violation of parking requirements, or the University Police dispatch to report a violation of requirements for driving a Vehicle on a Sidewalk described in this policy.

   2. Violators may be given a citation by the Office of Commuter Services and/or University Police and Vehicles may be impounded at the owner’s expense. Drivers of University Vehicles shall be personally responsible for citations, as will registered owners of other Vehicles.

   3. Violation notices will be processed and settled through the Office of Commuter Services in accordance with the Utah Administrative Code governing parking violation notices.

      ---

      Sections IV- VII are for user information and are not subject to the approval of the Academic Senate or the Board of Trustees. The Institutional Policy Committee, the Policy Owner, or the Policy Officer may update these sections at any time.

      ---

‌Policies/ Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms and other Related Resources‌

1. Policies/Rules [reserved]

2. Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms. [ reserved ]

3. Other Related Resources.

   1. Sidewalk Route Map

‌References‌

1. Utah Administrative Code R810

2. Utah Code Title 41, Motor Vehicles

3. Policy 5-117: Americans with Disabilities Act Policy

4. Policy 5-206 Vehicle Parking Policy

5. Policy 3-232 Operating Regulations for Bicycles Skateboard, Rollerskates, and Scooters (Non-motorized Riding Devices)

‌Contacts‌

The designated contact officials for this regulation are:

1. Policy Owner (primary contact person for questions and advice): Director of Commuter Services

2. Policy Officer: Chief Safety Officer

   See University Rule 1-001 for information about the roles and authority of policy owners and policy officers.

‌History‌

1. Current version. Revision 2.

   1. Approved by the Board of Trustees on March 6, 2026

   2. Legislative History for current version.

   3. Editorial Revisions [reserved]

2. Past versions.

   1. Revision 1. Effective August 9. 2022.

   2. Revision 0. Effective July 13, 1998

3. ‌Renumbering

   1. ‌Renumbered from Policy and Procedures Manual 5-15