Permit Types and Permit Information

The annual base lot permit is best for employees who drive to campus for day shifts 3 or more days per week. Choose a base lot permit even if you are a part-time employee or work rotating shifts of days and evenings.

You must apply for an annual base lot permit to be considered for a parking assignment. Learn how to apply for parking.

Some students may be eligible for a base lot permit. To see if you qualify, visit the student parking page.

To learn about the rules and restrictions of holding an annual base lot permit, read the parking permit terms and conditions policy.

Permit holders may be required to relocate due to special events, construction, maintenance, or safety issues. Affected lots will have signage posted and information will be sent to permit holders whenever possible. Special event dates and impacts can be found on the events calendar.

The UW Accessible permit allows parking in UW-Disabled parking stalls, State disabled stalls, and unreserved parking stalls across campus. Accessible permits are only issued with proof of a valid state Department of Transportation (DOT) disabled permit.

A temporary UW Accessible permit may purchased at any Transportation Services office with a Wiscard/campus ID and written notification from a doctor. The temporary UW Accessible permit is valid for a maximum period of two months and will not be extended without a State DOT permit.

You must apply for a UW Accessible permit to be considered for a parking assignment. Learn how to apply for parking.

Permit holders are required to park in appropriate stalls on campus in the following order:

1. 1. UW Disabled stalls
   2. State disabled stalls
   3. Permit stalls

For more accessible parking and transportation information, see the accessible transportation options page.

Flex is a pay-per-use system to help reduce the number of single occupancy vehicle trips to campus. Flex permits are ideal for those who frequently use active or alternative transportation methods, such as biking, busing, walking, telecommuting, carpooling or vanpooling, and only need to park on campus occasionally.

Flex Gated permit holders pre-pay for parking in gated parking lots by adding value to their Flex permit in the eBusiness portal. Flex Gated permit holders may also park in alternate surface lots after-hours by paying with ParkMobile.

Flex Surface permit holders pay for parking with ParkMobile at the start of each parking session in the assigned lot, or in alternate surface lots after hours.

For more information on the Flex program, visit the Flex parking webpage.

You must apply for a Flex permit to be considered for a parking assignment. Learn how to apply for parking.

Permit holders may be required to move due to special events, construction, maintenance or safety issues. Affected lots will have signage posted and information will be sent to permit holders whenever possible. Special event dates and impacts can be found on the events calendar.

Afternoon permits allow access to specific parking lots from 2 pm – 7 am Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Lot 75 afternoon permits have slightly extended weekday hours, from 2 pm – 8 am.

You do not need to apply for an afternoon permit. Afternoon permits are available for purchase starting August 1 before each new parking year begins. Afternoon permits are available for purchase directly through eBusiness.

Available for faculty/staff, students, and the general public.

To learn about the rules and restrictions of holding an afternoon permit, read the afternoon permit policy.

Permit holders may be required to move due to special events, construction, maintenance or safety issues. Affected lots will have signage posted and information will be sent to permit holders whenever possible. Special event dates and impacts can be found on the events calendar.

Two options are available to faculty, staff, students, and the general public:

• Night Garage permits allow access to a specific parking garage from 4:30 pm – 7:30 am on weekdays, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Lot 75 night permits have slightly extended weekday hours, from 4:30 pm – 8 am.
• Night Surface permits allow access to specific surface lots from 4:30 pm – 7 am weekdays, and all day Saturday and Sunday.

You do not need to apply for a night permit. Night permits are available for purchase starting August 1 before each new parking year begins. Night permits are available for purchase directly through eBusiness.

To learn about the rules and restrictions of holding a night permit, read the night permit policy.

Permit holders may be required to move due to special events, construction, maintenance or safety issues. Affected lots will have signage posted and information will be sent to permit holders whenever possible. Special event dates and impacts can be found on the events calendar.

The reduced cost parking program offers a discount on annual base lot and UW-Accessible parking permits for eligible UW employees and most UW graduate and professional students. UW Hospital and Clinics employees may also be eligible for the program.

Those applying for base lot and UW-Accessible permits will automatically be considered for the reduced cost parking program.

Semester permits are also available as a low-cost parking option. Those eligible for a semester permit may purchase the permit in person at a Transportation Services office. Permit availability may be limited.

For more information about reduced cost parking permits, including current eligibility criteria, see the reduced and low-cost parking options page.

Those parking in Lot 76 may purchase a Lot 76 Quick Pass.

Lot 76 Quick Passes are available for purchase directly through eBusiness.

The Lot 76 Quick Pass is ideal for those who park infrequently in Lot 76 for long day shifts.

• • The Quick Pass is valid for parking in Lot 76 only.
  • Parking costs are paid at time of purchase.
  • Fees are deducted from the pass at a flat rate of $12 per day when the pass is used to enter and exit Lot 76 between 12 am – 11:59 pm.
  • Same-day exits and re-entries are allowed in Lot 76 only without starting a new rate session.
  • The pass is reloadable. Add more days of parking to a Quick Pass in the eBusiness parking portal.
  • Quick Passes, including additional value added to Quick Passes, are not refundable.

Carpools

Carpooling is an alternative to single-occupancy commutes to campus and reduces the demand for on-campus parking. Registered carpools consist of two or more employees driving to campus together in one vehicle on a daily basis. Carpool permits are available to groups of three or more employees. Students are not eligible as carpool members.

For more information, visit the carpool page.

Vanpools

Vanpools are groups of 8 to 15 commuters who ride to campus together in a passenger van that is owned, insured and serviced by the Wisconsin State Vanpool Program. Passengers share the cost of operating the van by paying a fare based on fixed and variable costs, the number of riders, and the number of miles driven.

For more information, visit the vanpool page.

Off-campus park and ride permits provide a low-cost parking option for employees to park off campus and use alternative forms of transportation to campus. One park and ride lot is available: Lot 202 (Park Street and Wingra Drive). Lot 202 is serviced by a park and ride shuttle that drops off at designated stops around campus. More details are available on the park and ride page.

You must apply for a park and ride permit to be considered for a parking assignment. See application instructions in the next section, Applying for Parking.

• Lot 202 parking and shuttle brochure (PDF)

You can also bus, bike or walk from park and ride locations! Contact the Commuter Solutions team for personalized route planning assistance.

Also learn more about regional park and ride options on the park and ride page.

Motorcycle

A motorcycle permit is required to use motorcycle parking areas during lot hours of control. A UW motorcycle permit is valid in any UW motorcycle stall. For motorcycle stalls by lot, see the Motorcycle Parking Map (PDF).

You do not need to apply for a motorcycle permit. Motorcycle permits are available for purchase starting August 1 before each new parking year begins. Motorcycle permits are available for purchase directly through eBusiness.

To learn about the rules and restrictions of holding a motorcycle permit, see the motorcycle permit policy.

Permit holders may be required to move due to special events, construction, maintenance or safety issues. Affected lots will have signage posted and information will be sent to permit holders whenever possible. Special event dates and impacts can be found on the Events Calendar.

Mopeds

Any moped on campus must park in a designated moped parking stall with a moped permit, in a mobile-pay stall with payment and within posted time constraints, or in a vehicle stall with a valid temporary permit displayed. Parking anywhere else will result in a citation.

Mopeds must be registered to the current owner and display a valid license plate to park on campus. Mopeds not displaying a current and valid license plate may be cited and towed.

You do not need to apply for a moped permit. Moped permits are available for purchase starting August 1 before each new parking year begins. Motorcycle permits are available for purchase directly through eBusiness. If a moped parking lot isn’t listed in eBusiness, it is unavailable.

Permit sales are restricted according to University Residence Halls contracts. Residence Hall contract holders will be restricted to select moped lots adjacent to their address of record. Non-residence hall occupants will not be able to select moped lots adjacent to Residence Halls. University Apartment (Eagle Heights) contract holders are not included in this restriction.

Moped permit purchases are audited to ensure valid, correct registration. You will be contacted by Transportation Services if there is an issue with your purchase. You may be unable to pick up your purchase until the issue is resolved.

Permit holders may be required to move due to special events, construction, maintenance or safety issues. Affected lots will have signage posted and information will be sent to permit holders whenever possible. Special event dates and impacts can be found on the Events Calendar.

For more on mopeds, visit the moped page.

Is it a moped or a motorcycle?

A moped is a motor vehicle capable of speeds no greater than 30 miles per hour with a 150-pound rider on a dry, level, hard surface with no wind. The power source must be an integral part of the vehicle and there should be a seat for the operator. A vehicle’s engine must meet the following standards, based on its features, to be considered a moped:

• If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, the engine must be certified by the manufacturer at 50 cubic centimeters (cc’s) or less or an equivalent power unit. This applies to most newer models bought in the United States.
• If the vehicle is equipped with fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, the engine must be certified by the manufacturer at not more than 130 cubic centimeters (cc’s) or an equivalent power unit.

Any vehicle with a larger engine capacity is a motorcycle, regardless of its appearance. If you have a question regarding whether your vehicle is a moped or motorcycle, please contact your dealer or local Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles office.

E-scooter users must follow UW-Madison parking policies and all traffic laws.

E-scooters may only park at bike racks or in designated e-scooter parking areas on the UW-Madison campus. No permit is required at this time.

E-scooters may not be parked at or locked to any object on campus other than a rack designated for that purpose. E-scooters may not be parked at or locked to utility poles, trees, bollards, railing, signs posts, or fences.

If your e-scooter was parked on UW-Madison property in a non-designated area, it may have been impounded. Complete the e-scooter claim form for more details.

The City of Madison and other off-campus communities may have different rules and regulations than the UW-Madison campus. Check with these groups for more details.

Business alternate permits allow for base lot permit holders to park in one alternate lot to conduct business on campus using their personal vehicle. The employee must work at multiple locations on a regular basis and provide justification when applying. The employee’s unit transportation coordinator (UTC) must approve the request.

Only one business alternate may be assigned. Business alternate permits will not be issued for lots closer to the applicant’s office than their base lot assignment. See the business alternate permit policy for full details.

You must apply for a business alternate permit and provide justification to be considered for a parking assignment. Learn how to apply for parking.

Permit holders may be required to move due to special events, construction, maintenance or safety issues. Affected lots will have signage posted and information will be sent to permit holders whenever possible. Special event dates and impacts can be found on the events calendar.

UW-Madison departments and affiliate groups can obtain permits for parking department-owned vehicles and/or doing business requiring frequent intra-campus travel.

Department limited permit

• Department limited permits provide daily parking in one specific lot for department-owned vehicles. Because the permit may be transferred to multiple users, departments may also purchase a department limited permit to provide parking for guests who are conducting university business.
• One permit (hangtag) can move between multiple vehicles. Limited to a specific lot. The cost of the permit is equal to the lot rate.
• Permits may not be purchased for individuals in lieu of an annual base lot permit for their personal vehicle.
• Permits are not for employees to park closer to their office than their base lot assignment.
• Use the department permit application to apply.
• Refer to the department limited permit policy for full details.

Department reserved stall

• UW departments may secure a constantly (24/7) “reserved” parking stall in a specific lot/ramp and a specific assigned stall. Transportation Services will install a sign that restricts the use of the stall to the department that purchases the stall.
• Please use the department reserved stall application form to apply.
• Refer to the department reserved stall policy for full details.

Service/vendor permit

• Service/vendor permits are to be used for occasional, short-term parking in service/vendor stalls across campus for the purposes of conducting official university business. Acceptable uses include attending meetings or trainings, conducting business on different areas of campus, or delivering items across campus.
• A service/vendor permit is only valid in service/vendor permit stalls, which are located in a large number of garages and lots. See stall locations and counts on the Service/Vendor Parking Map (PDF).
• The permit may be displayed and used in any department or personal vehicle.
• Permits may not be purchased for individuals in lieu of an annual base lot permit for their personal vehicle.
• Permits are not for employees to park closer to their office than their assigned base lot.
• Use the department permit application to apply.
• Refer to the service permit policy for full permit details.

Value Permit and Validations

See the event parking page for descriptions and purchasing information.

Commercial businesses or private organizations providing service or conducting official University business may purchase parking on campus.

Service/Vendor Permit

A vendor permit is valid in service/vendor permit stalls only, which are located in a variety of garages and lots on campus. Service/Vendor Parking Map (PDF)

To apply for a vendor permit, use the vendor permit application

Vendor Permit Restrictions

• Vendor permits cannot be purchased by UW faculty, staff or students.
• Vendor permits are not valid at timed parking stalls, reserved stalls, disabled stalls/access isles, non-metered loading zones, construction areas, on grass, sidewalk or fire lanes or in lots being used by Special Events.
• See the vendor permit policy for full restrictions and usage rules.
• There are no refunds for vendor permits. Replacement for a lost/stolen permit will be at a prorated cost. A lost/stolen permit report (PDF) must be completed and submitted to Transportation Services. See the lost/stolen replacement policy for process details.

Construction Permit

Contractors performing work on campus must pay for parking as described in the construction permit and staging policy.

All vehicles (including personal or company vehicles) must display a valid permit when parked on campus outside of a fenced construction area. Construction equipment (e.g. backhoes, dump trucks, cranes, etc.) is not required to display a permit.

FP&M project managers provide Transportation Services with a current list of all prime contractors as new projects are approved. All other vehicles used by employees of contractors and subcontractors who are working on campus projects must purchase temporary parking permits for the time needed (daily, weekly, monthly) from Transportation Services. All vehicles must be legally parked with a valid permit displayed in order to avoid being ticketed or towed.

Monthly parking is sometimes available in select lots on a month-by-month basis. Supply is limited. All monthly purchases are non-refundable.

There is no overnight monthly parking available on campus.

Permits must be purchased in person at one of the Transportation Services office locations. Call (608-263-6667) or email customer service to check availability.

Retired UW-Madison faculty are eligible for an emeriti parking pass.

• The emeriti pass is good for a maximum of 24 uses during the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
• One parking pass is granted per year.
• Emeriti passes are valid in these parking garages: Lot 6 (upper level), 7, 17, 20, 29, 36, 46, 67, 76, 80, and 83.
• Emeriti passes are not valid when a lot is full. If this happens, the “Lot Full” sign will be lit up.
• Emeriti passes are not valid in lots staffed for special events. See the events calendar for dates and affected lots.

Download or print the Emeriti pass brochure by clicking the red button below:

Emeriti pass brochure (PDF)

How to get your emeriti pass

Emeriti passes may be picked up in person at a Transportation Services office or ordered online by following these instructions:

• Go to the eBusiness purchasing portal.
• Click the “Employee or student login” button and log in with your UW NetID and password.
  • Can’t remember your NetID and/or password? You will need to get help from DoIT—start with this walk-through guide: https://kb.wisc.edu/iam/page.php?id=4612
• Click the “Get permits” button to start the purchasing process (note: this is still a “purchase” even though your pass is free!).
• Follow the directions on each page. Be sure you submit your current mailing address—this is where we will mail your emeriti pass.
• Once you get to the product selection page, find and choose the emeriti parking pass. Complete all remaining steps.

If you are unable to login with a NetID or you cannot see the emeriti parking pass as an option on the selection page, please contact Transportation Services customer service at customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu for assistance.

Registered UW and UW affiliate emeriti employed in any capacity by the UW are eligible to purchase parking permits and bus passes. Annual permits (base lot, Flex) must still be applied for per the instructions in the section below. Many emeriti options are describes in the emeriti transportation options policy.

Other parking options for emeriti

Registered UW and UW affiliate emeriti employed in any capacity by the UW are eligible to purchase parking permits and bus passes. Annual permits (base lot, Flex) must still be applied for per the instructions in the section below. For application instructions, see Applying for Parking.

For more parking options, see the emeriti transportation options policy.