Permit options
Daytime commuting
After-hours commuting
Specialty permits
Annual permits
Apply now for a 2026-27 parking permit.
Approved permits will be valid September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027.
Need parking now? Please check eBusiness for summer availability.
Product options
Find parking lots where these permits are available on the rates and locations chart.
Base lot
Access to one specific campus lot or garage, plus additional surface lots after hours. Best for daily commutes. There is often a waiting list.
Park & ride
Affordable off-campus lots with frequent shuttle service to and from campus. Flex option is available. Includes after-hours parking on campus. Great for longer commutes.
Flex
Pay-per-use option for occasional trips. Access to one specific campus lot or garage, plus additional surface lots after hours. There is often a waiting list.
UW accessible
Valid campus-wide in unreserved and disabled parking stalls. Accessible Flex pay-per-use option is available.
Steps to apply
First-time applicants
- UW Health and Health Sciences employees: complete the parking request form.
- All other employees: Contact your UTC.
Choose a permit type
- Base lot, Flex, park & ride, or UW accessible
- Option to add business alternate for additional lot access
Find your lot(s)
Available lots are posted on the rates chart.
Find lot locations:
- Campus parking maps
- Interactive campus map
- Lot locations & addresses (accessible text)
Provide additional requirements
- UW accessible permits: State-issued disabled permit number
- Business alternate permits: Justification required
Ready to apply?
After you apply
What happens next?
Application review timeline
- Applications submitted from August through April are reviewed every two weeks.
- Applications submitted from May through July have longer processing times.
Processing times vary and may be extended if your application is placed on a waiting list.
Email notification
You will receive an email only when a permit becomes available.
In the meantime, plan a backup commute
Need assistance?
Want more parking options? Pool your resources!
By joining the campus carpool or vanpool program, you can get a permit faster and spend less on parking and transportation. The programs include:
- No waiting list for carpool / vanpool permits.
- Free daily passes for drive-alone days.
- Eligibility for the Emergency Ride Home program.
Carpool program
Register a carpool of 2+ or apply for a permit with 3+ members.
Vanpool program
Commute with Enterprise coordinates a shared vehicle for groups of 4+ commuters, ridematching, and campus parking permits.
Policies, resources and support
When applying for a permit, please note:
- Permit availability is limited and subject to change.
- Construction or special events may require you to relocate to a nearby lot. We notify permit holders and provide alternative parking areas in these cases.
- All citations and other unpaid fees due to UW-Madison Transportation Services must be paid before applying for or accepting a parking assignment.
To avoid citations, towing and other penalties, permit holders must follow these and all other applicable Transportation Services policies:
- Parking permits must be properly displayed.
- Vehicles may not be continuously parked in a facility for more than 72 hours without exiting, unless authorization is granted by Transportation Services.
Frequently asked questions
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This is my first time applying for parking and I need help.
Ways to get help:
- Contact your Unit Transportation Coordinator.
- Contact our customer service team.
I can't use the permit application system. What should I do?
- Make sure you are using a valid NetID or UW Health login credentials.
- Contact your Unit Transportation Coordinator.
- Contact our customer service team for more troubleshooting.
When should I apply?
To maintain a parking assignment, you must apply for a new parking permit every year. Annual parking permits are valid from September 1 through August 31 of the following year.
Here’s what you need to know when applying for base lot, flex, UW accessible, park & ride, carpool, and business alternate permits:
- May: Application period for the upcoming parking year opens. Announcements appear in campus newsletters such as Working at UW, or check with your Unit Transportation Coordinator (UTC).
- September 1: New parking year begins.
- September through April: Applications are accepted and processed every two weeks.
- May: Applications for the current year close. Any remaining permits move to direct purchase in the eBusiness portal.
Which parking lots can I apply for?
Find your chosen permit type on the rates page to check lot locations where that permit is currently offered.
Do you have any tips for my permit application?
- Choose four parking lots on your application. Refer to the campus parking maps for locations.
- Check the lot availability page to find lots that currently don’t have waiting lists and add them to your application.
- Consider other ways of driving to campus, such as a park & ride or remote lot permit with shuttle service, carpooling, and vanpooling.
When will I know if I received a permit assignment?
- Summer applicants: If you apply during the summer for the upcoming year, you may receive your assignment as early as July or August.
- Late applicants: For applications submitted after August 1, assignments are processed and emailed approximately every two weeks.
Please keep in mind that receiving a parking permit depends on current availability, and your application may be placed on a waiting list. Applying for parking does not guarantee you will receive a permit. Make a plan for campus travel, and explore your commute options.
How can I check the status of my permit application?
- Return to the Permit Application System to check the status of your parking application.
- You may also contact customer service.
I received an offer for a parking permit. How do I get the permit?
- Click the link to the purchasing portal and login with your NetID or UW Health credentials.
- Select your assigned permit from the list of permit options.
- Choose a payment method. You may be eligible to choose payroll deduction, or you may pay in full.
- Follow the pick-up instructions on your receipt to get your permit.
How much do parking permits cost?
How does payment work?
When purchasing your permit, you may have the option to select payroll deduction (if eligible) or pay in full.
Exception: Flex permits are pay-per-use, which means you pay only when you park.
Are lower-cost permit options available?
- Employees will automatically receive a reduced rate for a base lot or UW accessible permit if they are eligible at time of purchase. Eligibility is based on the employee’s pay rate.
- Park & ride and buy-it-now permits are lower-cost permits.
- Carpooling and vanpooling allow you to split the cost of a permit.
More questions?
Check the Help Center.
Or contact customer service at (608) 263-6667 or customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu.