Permit Parking

Parking permits are available to faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, other academic appointees, and students (by year) on a first come, first served basis. Transportation & Parking Services reserves the right to limit the number of students in any given lot. First year students are not permitted to purchase a parking permit. Payment of permit parking fees entitles the individual access to the parking lot, but does not guarantee that a parking space will always be available. To accommodate the parking needs of special events, the University reserves the right to close parking lots and temporarily re-assign permit holders to another lot. Advance notice will be given in such instances.

Transportation & Parking Services maintains wait lists when a lot sells out of permits. To add your name to the parking wait list, fill out the Parking Permit Wait List Form or visit the Parking Office, 5525 South Ellis Avenue, Suite 171. Those on the Parking Permit Wait List will be notified by email when a spot opens in the preferred lot. You will have two weeks to claim and complete the permit transfer. Payment for the permit will begin as of the date of notice.

Purchasing Permits

Permits can be purchased on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Permits can be paid for by check, credit card (Visa/MasterCard only), payroll deduction, or a Form 62. No refunds can be issued for credit card purchases older than 45 days. To apply for a parking permit, please fill out and return the parking permit application. It is the permit holder's responsibility to renew or cancel their parking permit. All permits expire on the date indicated on the permit hangtag. There is also a $25 penalty fee for any renewals made after the expiration date. The online parking portal is only used for renewals. All new customers will need to contact the parking office. We prorate on the fifteenth of each month to $60.00 for the rest of that current month.  We don’t issue refunds for any time that may go unused.

Parking permit rates are as follows:

• $235/month: Lexington, Various All Access

• $160/month: Kimbark South

• $160/month: Various Partial Access, Judd, McGiffert 

• $135/month: Campus North (Ellis) Garage, Wells, Faculty Apartments, Woodlawn Social Services Center, Edelstone, Law, Keller, Chapin, 6054/Kenwood, Dorchester, International House

Parking rates include any required City of Chicago and Cook County parking taxes.

The permit holder cannot sell, transfer, or give the permit to another person. Permit holders are responsible for making all payments for parking permits. Failure to do so will result in discontinued access to the parking lot.

Permit Usage

• The permit must be displayed from your rearview mirror while in your assigned lot

• Vehicles not displaying the parking permit will be ticketed on the first offense

• It is the responsibility of the permit holder to notify Transportation & Parking Services of any change in name, contact information, vehicle information, employment/student status, or department

• If your permit is lost or stolen, you may obtain a replacement from the Parking Office. The cost to replace a permit is $35

Permit holders and visitors acknowledge, by use of the parking system, the authority of the University’s Transportation & Parking Services to regulate and enforce parking at the University. In using the parking system, permit holders and visitors affirm that they will act in compliance with the University’s parking regulations.

While the University of Chicago Police Department patrols the parking lots, a parking permit does not include or imply security protection for your vehicle. The University assumes no responsibility for theft of, from, or damage to any vehicle.

Permit holders will receive notification when it is time to renew their permit. For this reason, it is important that all permit holders’ contact information is accurate. To ensure your contact information is accurate, please log into your account with your CNET ID and password. The site will allow you to do the following:

• Enter or change your vehicle information

• Update your contact information

• Pay any parking tickets

• Purchase your parking permit

If you need assistance logging into your account, please email parking@uchicago.edu.

Permit holders must remain in active status (current) to secure a space inside any University parking facility. The permit must be in active status in order to renew it online as well. If a permit expires, permit holders must visit the Parking Office to reapply for a parking permit.

Summer Parking

Permit spaces are not held over summer months or for prolonged absences from campus. If you would like to be guaranteed a permit when you return you must purchase a permit for the time you are away. If your permit lapses while you are away you will be required to purchase a new permit and a new application must be completed and submitted to the Transportation & Parking Office.

Returning students who have a parking permit are allowed to pre-purchase a parking permit for the next academic year in June. Pre-purchasing a pass for the next academic year does not include parking over summer. Parking fees for returning students must be paid in full to be eligible to keep a parking space. If you wish to park on campus during the summer, you are required to purchase a summer permit.

Occasional Parking Permit

Enrollment in the Qualifying Commuter Benefits program allows participants to enroll in the Occasional Parking Program. Enrollment in this program gives the participant a limited quantity of parking passes for access to Campus North (Ellis) Garage. To be eligible for the program, students, faulty, or staff must be enrolled in a registered carpool or in the University’s Commuter Benefits program.  Passes are valid for one year after they’re issued.  To apply to the program, fill out the Occasional Parker Program Registration Form.

Transportation & Parking Office

The University’s Transportation & Parking Office is located on the first floor of Campus North (Ellis) Garage, 5525 South Ellis Avenue, Room 171. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. To reach the office, call 773.702.8969 or email parking@uchicago.edu.

For a comprehensive look at the University’s transit and parking options, check out the 2023-2024 Transportation & Parking Guide.