“Parked In A Fire Route Ticket”

So, I am currently a university student and I pay for parking at a student residence. On Sunday night, I came back to my university town and had to park my vehicle, but realized that all the spots were taken but this one spot at the front. I had to reverse park into this spot, and wasn't able to see any signs stating it was a fire route. On this particular day it was raining, and after leaving my car I quickly ran into my apartment building. These tickets are totalling up to $500, and on top of my student fees I don't have the funds to pay this fee. Is there any defence I can use to defend myself against this ticket? Any help at all would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Who issued the ticket? The city or the university?