Wisconsin State Statute 36.11(8) (8e) gives Transportation Services the authority to regulate and enforce parking on all UW-Madison property.
Pay a citation
Citations must be paid or appealed no later than 10 calendar days
after the date the citation was issued.
Pay online
Credit/debit payments accepted from MasterCard, Visa, Amex, and Discover.
Pay in person
Visit a Transportation Services office to pay in person.
Pay by mail
Send a check or money order made out to UW Transportation Services:
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Transportation Services
610 Walnut Street
Room 124
Madison, WI 53726
Appeal a citation
Appeal requirements
- Review the citation appeal policy.
- Appeal online or in person no later than 10 calendar days after the date the citation was issued.
- Submit a bond payment (if applicable).
- Those with a valid Wiscard, UW Health ID or affiliate ID may submit a first-level appeal without bond payment.
- If appealing online as a guest, you may need to log in again after paying the bond to submit the appeal.
After the appeal is submitted
A valid appeal will be reviewed within four weeks (30 days) of submission.
- If the citation is upheld, the bond amount will be forfeited.
- If the citation is dismissed, the bond amount will be refunded.
For auditing purposes, we do not discuss appeals over the phone or in person.
Invalid reasons to appeal
When submitting an appeal you must provide a defense. These reasons are considered invalid:
- Couldn’t find a legal parking space.
- Didn’t know policies or regulations.
- Didn’t see posted restrictions.
- Couldn’t find a convenient parking space.
- Had four-way flashers on.
- Didn’t have money or change.
- Didn’t have enough time to park properly.
- Just “dropping off” or “standing” for a short time.
- Will never do it again.
- Left a note. (Any malfunctions, problems or questions must be reported to Transportation Services.)
Summary of violations and fees
Refer to rates for a fee schedule of specific violations.
| Violation description | |
|---|---|
| Improper display | Vehicle tow / Large vehicle tow fee |
| Overtime parking in timed stall | Double permit (parking 2 vehicles on campus at one time) |
| No permit / Flex No Pay | Altered, counterfeit, or unauthorized use of permit (annual) |
| Invalid/missing license plate | Altered, counterfeit, or unauthorized use of permit (temporary) |
| No parking / Improper Parking / Reserved Special Events | Parking in disabled (HC) stall without proper authorization |
| Fee Description | |
|---|---|
| Late penalty fee (for citations not paid within 10 days of issuance) | |
| Suspension fee (for citations not paid within 30 days of issuance) | |
Towed vehicle information
Towed vehicle locations
Vehicles towed during UW Badger football games are taken to Lot 59 (2125 Observatory Drive).
Vehicles towed during WIAA tournaments hosted at the Kohl Center are taken to Lot 60 (800 Walnut Street).
Vehicles towed at other times will be taken to our contracted towing vendor’s lot:
University Towing Service
2716 County Highway N
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
(608) 665-3203
Storage fees
Daily storage fees will be charged by the vendor for vehicles not picked up on the same day they are towed.
Car/truck: $40 per day
Moped/motorcycle: $20 per day
If the vehicle is retrieved the same day, no storage fee will apply.
- Vehicles are subject to towing and impoundment if:
- the vehicle has $100 or more in unpaid citations (30 days or more past due).
- the vehicle is parked on campus with an altered, counterfeit or stolen permit. If a permit is found to be altered, counterfeit or stolen, it will be removed by the towing company and UW Transportation Services will take ownership of the altered, counterfeit, or stolen permit.
- All citations and towing fees due to UW Transportation Services must be paid prior to the vehicle being released to the registered owner. Cash or credit cards can be used to pay fines. No checks accepted.
- Payment can be made at the Transportation Services WARF office or University Towing Service during business hours. After business hours or on weekends, payments must be made by visiting University Towing Service; call (608) 665-3203 for details. University Towing Services accepts cash payments only.
- Vehicles that have been towed for an invalid or missing license plate will be held until the owner can show proof of registration to Transportation Services.
- Storage fees owed to University Towing Service must be paid in cash at time of release.
Towable violations include, but are not limited to, these actions:
- Blocking fire lanes.
- Parking in loading zone (25 minute) more than 75 minutes and receiving three consecutive citations.
- Blocking vehicle or pedestrian traffic ways.
- Parking in no parking zones where hazards exist.
- Abandoned vehicles or unauthorized vehicles in a permit area.
- Altering or making a counterfeit UW parking permit.
- Parking in a reserved stall or disabled stall/access aisle.
- Parking that impedes progress of necessary maintenance projects (snow removal, paving, etc.)
- Parking illegally in a designated tow-zone (all of campus is tow zone).
- Parking illegally with outstanding parking citations ($100 or more and 30+ days past due).
- Parking illegally with license or vehicle identification number covered, unreadable, or missing.
- Tows may be performed if your vehicle is leaking gas, oil, antifreeze, etc., or your vehicle is in the way of unforeseen danger, i.e., flood waters, etc.
- After 72 hours, Transportation Services will conduct a check on the registered owner of the vehicle to verify their wellbeing.
- Vehicles determined to be abandoned are towed at owner’s expense and impounded. Owners may have to show registration to release the car.
- Owner is responsible for storage fees.