Virginia Law

A. Enforcement in general.

1. The chief operating officer of the agency has the overall responsibility for monitoring the enforcement of parking regulations and to direct the creation of new or revision of existing regulations, enforcement procedures, and appeals processes.

2. The agency's Protective Services Department and specified licensed security officers employed by private security companies that are contracted by the agency have the authority and duty to enforce the museum's parking regulations through issuing parking permits, issuing parking citations, coordinating lawful vehicle removal/transfer, immobilization of vehicles, collection of fines, and to provide a fair method for appealing citations issued.

3. No vehicle operator, including museum employees, shall park a vehicle that violates any of these rules and regulations. Any vehicle found violating these regulations is subject to a fine.

B. Limitations on enforcement. Only regulations pertaining to the parking of motor vehicles enacted by the Commonwealth of Virginia in this regulation are to be enforced within the jurisdiction described in 8VAC103-20-10 B. Operators of vehicles in violation of the rules and regulations may only be subject to citation, fine, immobilization of the vehicle, or towing of the vehicle at the owner's risk and expense.

C. Payment of fines for parking violations.

1. Unless otherwise specified, tickets must be paid within 10 days of citation issue date.

2. Delinquencies are referred to a collection agency, the Virginia Department of Taxation Division of Set-Off Debt Collection, and credit bureaus. If the account remains unpaid, the individual becomes responsible for the payment of all additional agency costs. Collection costs may be as much as one-third of the balance due to the agency.

D. Parking offenses and enforcement actions.

1. Multiple citations. A vehicle may be issued multiple citations and fines for multiple violations at one time. A vehicle may be issued additional citations for the continued noncompliance of parking regulations, not to exceed one citation per four-hour period for the same violation.

2. Towing.

a. A vehicle may be towed from one area to another for violations of certain restrictions. Vehicles may be moved to an appropriate location or to an impoundment location. All towing arising from enforcement actions is at the owner's risk and expense. Any vehicle impeding the flow of traffic, whether in a roadway or parking lot, is subject to towing at the owner's risk and expense. Towing without notification can occur under certain circumstances.

b. Towing tickets cannot be appealed. All towing tickets must be paid within 10 days of citation issue date.

3. Booting.

a. A vehicle may be immobilized (booted) if its registered driver or owner accrues $300 or more of unpaid fines, has outstanding late fines in excess of 10 days, or the vehicle has been determined to be abandoned.

b. Tampering with a booted vehicle, without payment and release by an authorized museum staff member, may result in additional action(s) being taken by the museum in accordance and compliance with all applicable laws.

c. All booting arising from enforcement actions is at the owner's risk and expense. Booting without notification can occur under certain circumstances.

d. Booting tickets cannot be appealed. All booting tickets must be paid within 10 days of citation issue date.

4. Fire lane violation. A vehicle parked in a fire lane or a roadway is subject to towing at the owner's risk and expense.

5. Handicapped space violation. A vehicle improperly parked in a handicapped area is subject to towing at the owner's risk and expense without notice.

6. Reserved space violation. A vehicle improperly parked in a reserved space is subject to towing at the owner's risk and expense without notice.

7. Blocking of egress or ingress. Any vehicle that blocks, impedes, or restricts another vehicle's ability of egress or ingress as a result of violating a parking regulation is subject to towing, at the owner's risk and expense without notice.

8. Overnight parking.

a. Parking facilities at the museum are intended solely for the use of persons with business at the museum during established hours.

b. Overnight parking is permitted for staff on official travel and members and guests on council sponsored excursions only; no other overnight parking is permitted. Those requiring overnight parking for established purposes are to contact the Parking Services Office to make arrangements.

c. Vehicles parked overnight without authorization may be subject to a fine or towing at the owner's risk and expense without notice.