Student Parking Permits
A valid parking permit is required at all times when parking on campus. Students may purchase permits based on their eligibility requirements by logging into the myCommute portal with their UCInetID and password. Most student parking permits are virtual, so upon successful vehicle registration within your account, your license plate will serve as your permit.
Student commuters living within two miles of campus and freshmen residents of Mesa Court, Middle Earth, and Las Lomas cannot purchase a permit without a parking permit application approval. Only applicants who demonstrate a compelling need for a car on campus will be approved, and approval does not guarantee permit availability.
Parking Permit Options*
"S" Zone Commuter
This is recommended as the most cost-effective permit option for students commuting regularly from beyond two miles of campus.
Commuter permits are separated into parking zones. View the Zone Commuter Parking Map to see which zone would be best for your on-campus schedule.
| Rate | How to Purchase |
|---|---|
|
$15.00 per day $40.00 per week $76.00 per month |
“S” Zone permits are available in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis through myCommute.
Only the permits available to you will be shown when you log into your account. |
| “S” Zone Options | Eligibility** | Valid 7AM-12AM in GENERAL UNASSIGNED parking stalls of: |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles from campus | Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) | Lot 14 | Lot 14A | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 2 | Graduate students | Level 5 of Health Sciences Parking Structure (HSPS) | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 3 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Lots 16H | Lot 70 | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 4 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Anteater Parking Structure (APS) | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 5 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Social Science Parking Structure (SSPS) | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 6 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Student Center Parking Structure (SCPS) | Lot 5 | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
Hours of Zone Restriction Exceptions: Any “S” permit, regardless of the selected zone, is valid in the areas listed below during these specified hours only***
- Monday-Friday (3 p.m.-12 a.m.): General unassigned stalls in Zones 1-6
- Monday-Friday (5 p.m.-12 a.m.) & Saturday-Sunday (All Day): Any general unassigned stall, “P” preferred stalls, and “AR” reserved stalls not marked as “Enforced 24 Hours”
“S” Zone 1-6 Commuter Permits are NOT VALID:
- For overnight parking
- “P” Preferred stalls
- “AR” Reserved stalls
- “R” Resident stalls
- “X” Reserved/Executive stalls
- Exclusively reserved stalls
- Service / E-Plate stalls
- Disabled stalls without a DP placard / DP license plate
- Pay-by-Space stalls
- Yellow stalls in ECPS
**Eligibility is based on your local address through UCI Registrar’s office or UCPath. If you do not see the permit that you should be eligible for, make sure that your correct address has been submitted to these offices.
***Parking outside of your zone beyond the hours listed will result in a citation.
"P" Preferred Zone Commuter
This is recommended as the most cost-effective permit option for students commuting regularly from beyond two miles of campus and would like the ability to park in “P” preferred stalls within their zone.
View the Zone Commuter Parking Map to see which zone would be best for your on-campus schedule.
| Rate | How to Purchase |
|---|---|
|
$20.00 per day $49.00 per week $95.00 per month |
“P” Preferred Zone permits are available in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis through myCommute.
Only the permits available to you will be shown when you log into your account. |
| “P” Preferred Zone Options | Eligibility** | Valid 7AM-12AM in “P” PREFERRED & GENERAL UNASSIGNED parking stalls of: |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles from campus | Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) | Lot 14 | Lot 14A | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 3 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Lots 16H | Lot 70 | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 4 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Anteater Parking Structure (APS) | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 5 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Social Science Parking Structure (SSPS) | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
| Zone 6 | Graduate / Undergraduate students commuting from beyond two miles of campus | Student Center Parking Structure (SCPS) | Lot 5 | Lot ARC | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
Hours of Zone Restriction Exceptions: Any “P” permit, regardless of the selected zone, is valid in the areas listed below during these specified hours only***
- Monday-Friday (3 p.m.-12 a.m.): General unassigned stalls in Zones 1-6
- Monday-Friday (5 p.m.-12 a.m.) & Saturday-Sunday (All Day): Any general unassigned stall and “AR” reserved stalls not marked as “Enforced 24 Hours”
“P” Zone 1-6 Commuter Permits are NOT VALID:
- For overnight parking
- “AR” Reserved stalls
- “R” Resident stalls
- “X” Reserved/Executive stalls
- Exclusively reserved stalls
- Service / E-Plate stalls
- Disabled stalls without a DP placard / DP license plate
- Pay-by-Space stalls
- Yellow stalls in ECPS
**Eligibility is based on your local address through UCI Registrar’s office or UCPath. If you do not see the permit that you should be eligible for, make sure that your correct address has been submitted to these offices.
***Parking outside of your zone beyond the hours listed will result in a citation.
"R" Resident
These permits are available to sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate on-campus residents, residents of American Campus Communities (ACC) who have not purchased a permit through their ACC parking office, and off-campus residents who require 24-hour parking.
| Rate | How to Purchase |
|---|---|
|
$20.00 per day $69.00 per week $135.00 per month |
“R” Resident permits are available in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis through myCommute.
Graduate residents of Campus Village Housing will need to contact their housing community to purchase a parking permit. Only the permits available to you will be shown when you log into your account. |
| “R” Resident Options | Eligibility** | Valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the parking area assigned to your resident housing community: |
|---|---|---|
| “R-MC” Mesa Court |
Mesa Court housing residents (excluding freshmen residents) | Lot 5 | Lot 14 | Lot 14A |
| “R-ME” Middle Earth |
Middle Earth housing residents (excluding freshmen residents) | Level 3-7 of Anteater Parking Structure (APS) | Lot 18R |
| “R-LL” Las Lomas |
Las Lomas housing residents (excluding freshmen residents) | Lot 15A | Lot 15D |
| “R-AV” Arroyo Vista |
Arroyo Vista housing residents | Lot AV2 | Lot AV3 |
| “R-CVGRAD” Campus Village |
Campus Village housing residents | Lot 16AE | Lot 16AW | Lot 16B | Lot 16H | Lot 70 | “R” Resident-assigned stalls in Lot 13 | Lot ARC |
| “R-OC” Off-Campus |
Residents of off-campus apartments or residents of apartments owned by American Campus Communities (VDC, VDCN, CDS, PDS, PLZV 1, and PLZV 2) | White stalls of East Campus Parking Structure (ECPS) |
Hours of Resident Parking Restriction Exceptions: (Does NOT apply to “R-CVGRAD” permits)***
- During Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) operating hours: “R-MC,” “R-ME,” and “R-LL” permits are valid in Lot ARC and white stalls of ECPS
- Monday-Friday (5 p.m.-12 a.m.) & Saturday-Sunday (All Day): Any “R” resident permit may park in general unassigned stall, “P” preferred stalls, and “AR” reserved stalls not marked as “Enforced 24 Hours” in surface parking lots only (not parking structures)
“R” Resident Permits are NOT VALID:
- “P” preferred stalls outside of the hours stated above
- “AR” reserved stalls outside of the hours stated above
- “X” reserved/executive stalls
- Exclusively reserved stalls
- Service / E-Plate stalls
- Disabled stalls without a DP placard / DP license plate
- Pay-by-Space stalls
- Yellow stalls of ECPS
**Eligibility is based on your current resident housing status.
***Parking in these specified stalls outside of the hours listed will result in a citation.
"E" Evening
This permit type is for students who only need park on campus in the evenings (5PM-12AM).
| Rate | How to Purchase |
|---|---|
| $44.00 per month |
“E” Evening permits are available in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis through myCommute.
Only the permits available to you will be shown when you log into your account. |
| Eligibility | “E” Evening Permits Valid In: |
|---|---|
| Graduate / Undergraduate commuters or residents of VDC, VDCN, CDS, PDS | Monday-Friday (5PM-12AM) & Saturday-Sunday (All Day): Any general unassigned stall, “P” preferred stalls, and “AR” reserved stalls not marked as “Enforced 24 Hours” |
“E” Evening Permits are NOT VALID:
- Outside of the hours stated above
- “R” resident stalls
- “X” reserved/executive stalls
- Exclusively reserved stalls
- Service / E-Plate stalls
- Disabled stalls without a DP placard / DP license plate
- Pay-by-Space stalls
- Yellow stalls in ECPS
"MX" Motorcycle
This permit type is for motorcycles only and cannot be used for any other type of vehicle.
| Rate | How to Purchase |
|---|---|
| $44.00 per month | Please visit the Transportation Office to purchase your “MX” Motorcycle permit. |
| Eligibility | “MX” Motorcycle Permits Valid In: |
|---|---|
| Graduate / Undergraduate Commuters | Monday-Friday (7AM-12AM) & Saturday-Sunday (All Day): Motorcycle stalls on campus |
“MX” Motorcycle Permits are NOT VALID:
- Standard-size vehicle stalls
- For overnight parking
- “P” preferred stalls
- “AR” reserved stalls
- “R” resident stalls
- “X” reserved/executive stalls
- Exclusively reserved stalls
- Service / E-Plate stalls
- Disabled stalls without a DP placard / DP license plate
- Pay-by-Space stalls
- Yellow stalls in ECPS
"MBA" Permit
This permit type is for MBA program students who will only need to park on campus during the days/times stated below.
| Rate | How to Purchase |
|---|---|
| $44.00 per month | Please contact your program administrator to request an “MBA” permit. |
| Eligibility | “MBA” Permits Valid In: |
|---|---|
| FEMBA / EMBA / HCEMBA Students |
|
“MBA” Permits are NOT VALID:
- “P” preferred stalls outside of the hours stated above
- “AR” reserved stalls outside of the hours stated above
- “R” resident stalls
- “X” reserved/executive stalls
- Exclusively reserved stalls
- Service / E-Plate stalls
- Disabled stalls without a DP placard / DP license plate
- Pay-by-Space stalls
- Yellow stalls in ECPS
Additional Information
Parking Permit Applications
Applications are reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and same-day approval may not be possible, especially during highly impacted times (such as the weeks leading up to an academic quarter). Applicants who receive parking approval may purchase a parking permit for up to 3 months at a time.
To support residents traveling on and off-campus, a number of sustainable transportation options are available which include University Carshare, OC Bus, the Holiday Shuttle, and bike support. A detailed guide for reaching local points of interest is available in our Surviving Without A Car booklet.
Overnight Parking
For the safety of those on campus, overnight parking is not permitted for students without a “R” Resident permit. If you anticipate a need for overnight parking, you will need to submit an overnight vehicle request form.
A valid parking permit is still required for the duration of overnight vehicle requests. All overnight parking requests are subject to review, and you will be contacted if there are any perceived problems involving your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy my student parking permit?
With the exception of specialized permits, such as MX and MBA permits, students may purchase their permits online through myCommute. Log into your myCommute account with your UCInetID to purchase your permit.
Why can’t I see any zone commuter permits in myCommute even though I live outside of the two-mile range restriction?
Your available permit options in myCommute are based on the local address you submitted to UCI Registrar and/or UC Path. Make sure that these offices have the correct local address on file before attempting to purchase a permit.
I have a Commuter Zone permit. Can I park outside of my zone?
After 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and all-day Saturday and Sunday, you may park in zones 1-6 (general and “P” preferred restrictions remain). Additionally, after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday, you may park in “P” stalls in zone 1-6 and non-24 hour enforced AR stalls and in faculty/staff parking lots.
Will there always be enough commuter parking on campus? What about in my zone?
During peak times (9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.), parking may be full in core locations of your designated zone. If this occurs, please park in the Lot ARC or the white stalls in the East Campus Parking Structure. The Anteater Express shuttle provides direct access to various campus destinations. Live route tracking is available at shuttle.uci.edu.
Can I trade my commuter zone permit in for another zone?
Yes. Zone permits may be traded for another zone through your myCommute account. Please note that your new zone will be effective the day after you initiate the trade. If you have any questions, please parking@uci.edu.
I have a Student Resident permit. Can I park outside my designated resident area?
After 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday, you may park in any open lot (not a parking structure) in unmarked stalls or non-24 hour enforced AR stalls.
When can I renew my zone permit?
To retain your current zone, renew before the expiration date referenced on your current permit.
When I log into myCommute, why is my preferred permit zone not available?
All available permit inventory is listed in myCommute. Your preferred zone may have reached its permit cap and is now sold out. Make sure to purchase or renew your permit early to retain the zone of your choice.
How are permit caps set for each zone?
During the first three weeks of every quarter, UCI Transportation conducts a comprehensive lot utilization study (student staff count parked cars in each lot at different scheduled times during the day). We use this data to establish permit caps for each zone.
I am an east campus resident (VDC, VDCN, CDS, PDS, PV), can I purchase a resident parking permit?Residents must demonstrate a compelling need for a vehicle on campus in order to purchase an on-campus resident parking permit. As many of you know, campus parking lots are already in high demand. There are, however, extenuating circumstances in which a campus resident may have a valid reason for needing a vehicle on campus. If this is the case, the individual should submit a Parking Permit Application. Approved applicants may qualify to purchase a resident parking permit for up to 90 days at a time. A detailed guide for reaching local points of interest is available in our Surviving UCI without a Car Guide.
I am an east campus resident (VDC, VDCN, CDS, PDS, PV), can I buy a commuter parking permit?
East campus residents may not purchase a commuter parking permit. As many of you know, campus parking lots are already in high demand. There are, however, extenuating circumstances in which a campus resident may have a valid reason for needing a commuter parking permit. If this is the case, the individual should submit a Parking Permit Application. Applications need to be submitted quarterly for review. To reach popular campus destinations without a car, Anteater Express has many routing options.
*Permit options and rates are subject to change at any time.
Contact Us
UCI Transportation
949-824-7275
Transportation Office
200 Public Services Building
Irvine, CA 92697-4525
ZotCode: 4525
Business Hours
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed on university holidays.