Flexible parking options are available to help meet the business needs of university departments, affiliated departments and external vendors.
If you are a department representative using department funding, or a vendor using company funding to pay for parking, this page is for you.
Availability is subject to change. Construction or special events may require relocation to a nearby lot.
All permit holders must follow Transportation Services policies.
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Application information
How to apply
Refer to individual permit descriptions for specific requirements and where to apply.
- Annual applications. Most department and vendor permits are valid for one year (September 1 – August 31).
- Permits must be renewed. You must re-apply every year for a new permit.
- Application period. Applications typically open in early May. Applications are accepted and processed throughout the year.
Immediate needs
Please contact Transportation Services for assistance.
Parking for events and guests
Daily reserved parking
Secure reserved parking spots for guests for a day or half-day. Orders must be placed least two weeks before an event or visit.
Annual reserved parking
Reserve a dedicated parking space for regular visits from visitors, clients, and/or guests.
Parking validations
Cover the cost of guest parking in UW campus garages. Parking availability is first-come, first-served.
Parking for department vehicles
What level of parking access do you need?
One location
Primary access. Department limited permits authorize 24/7 parking in any unreserved (unsigned) stall within a specific garage, ramp or surface lot.
After-hours access. Permits are also valid for parking in other surface lots where UW permits are required weekdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Guest parking
Permits are transferable and may be displayed in any department-owned or personal vehicle.
Continuous parking limit. Vehicles may not be continuously parked in a facility for more than 72 hours without exiting, unless authorization is granted by Transportation Services.
Multiple locations
Primary access. Service/vendor permits authorize occasional, short-term parking in designated service/vendor stalls across campus (garages, ramps, and surface lots). Permits are transferable and may be displayed in any department-owned or personal vehicle.
Authorized uses
- Attending meetings or training sessions.
- Conducting official university business.
Requirements & restrictions
- Dual permits: If the user also has a personal permit (base lot or flex), both the personal and the service/vendor permit must be displayed. Flex permit holders must be in paid status.
- Commuting prohibited: Service/vendor permits cannot be used to park closer to your workplace than your personal assignment allows.
- No personal use: Departments may not purchase service/vendor permits on behalf of employees for their daily commuting or personal use.
- Vehicles may not be continuously parked in a facility for more than 72 hours without exiting, unless authorization is granted by Transportation Services.
Guest / client / visitor parking
Ways to provide short-term parking options for clients, visitors and guests.
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Department reserved stall
Primary access. Departments may secure continuously reserved stalls in designated campus surface lots or parking garages. Transportation Services provides signage restricting stall use to the purchasing department. Permits can be distributed to department guests.
Service/vendor permit (S-pass)
Primary access. Service/vendor permits authorize occasional, short-term parking in designated service/vendor stalls across campus (garages, ramps, and surface lots). Permits are transferable and may be displayed in any department-owned or personal vehicle, including visitors and guests.
Authorized uses
- Attending meetings or training sessions.
- Conducting official university business.
Requirements & restrictions
- Dual permits: If the user also has a personal permit (base lot or flex), both the personal and the service/vendor permit must be displayed. Flex permit holders must be in paid status.
- Commuting prohibited: Service/vendor permits cannot be used to park closer to your workplace than your personal assignment allows.
- No personal use: Departments may not purchase service/vendor permits on behalf of employees for their daily commuting or personal use.
- Vehicles may not be continuously parked in a facility for more than 72 hours without exiting, unless authorization is granted by Transportation Services.
Daily permit
Primary access. Daily permits authorize parking in any unreserved (unsigned) stall within an assigned garage, ramp or surface lot during the time period indicated on the permit. UW departments and affiliated agencies may distribute daily permits to visitors conducting official university business.
- Permits may be ordered online between two months and two weeks before they are needed.
- For requests made less than two weeks in advance, please visit a Transportation Services office.
Validations
Primary access. Validations can be used in any UW campus ramp or garage where hourly visitor parking is available, except if the garage is reserved for special event parking. Half-day and full-day parking validations are available. UW departments and affiliated agencies may distribute validations to visitors conducting official university business.
Planning an event?
Work with our special events team to organize parking and discuss transportation options for guests.
- Meetings
- Conferences and lectures
- Performances and events
Permit options for vendors
Commercial vendors and contractors conducting official business at UW-Madison can apply for specialized permits.
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Service/vendor permit (S-pass)
Primary access. Service/vendor permits authorize occasional, short-term parking in designated service/vendor stalls across campus (garages, ramps, and surface lots) to conduct official university business. Permits are transferable and may be displayed in any vehicle.
Requirements & restrictions
- Service/vendor permits may not be used for daily commuting or personal use.
- Vehicles may not be continuously parked in a facility for more than 72 hours without exiting, unless authorization is granted by Transportation Services.
A90 construction permit
Primary access. A90 construction permits authorize access at or near designated construction zones on campus from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A90 permits must be requested through a Facilities Planning & Management project manager.
Daily permit
Primary access. Daily permits authorize parking in any unreserved (unsigned) stall within an assigned garage, ramp or surface lot during the time period indicated on the permit.
- Permits may be ordered online between two months and two weeks before they are needed.
- For requests made less than two weeks in advance, please visit a Transportation Services office.
What you need to apply
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Preferred parking lots
Department limited permits, reserved stalls and daily permits
Availability is subject to demand. We will do our best to accommodate requests.
- Check the campus parking map or interactive campus map for lot locations.
- Check the list of lot locations for accessible text descriptions.
Service / vendor permits
- Check the service / vendor parking map for service vendor stall locations.
- Check the list of stall types and locations for accessible text descriptions.
Rates and policies
Rates
- Check current rates.
Policies
- Department limited policy
- Department reserved stall policy
- Service / vendor permit policy
- Daily permit policy (Section II.e.)
- Construction permit and staging area policy
Financial information
- [[UDDS number]]
- TS number [[TS lookup tool]]
- Name and contact information of designated person to handle financial transactions with Transportation Services.