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Short-Term Parking

Several options are available to meet short-term employee access needs. The campus is pedestrian friendly, with shuttle bus service throughout the campus and Town of Chapel Hill. Parking access options include hourly parking and service vehicles and spaces (availability varies by department).

Employees may use state vehicles or service permits to conduct University business. State vehicles and service permits are valid in service spaces for the designated time limits identified on the sign, permit, or in a regular space. Service permits are intended for short-term access (2-hour limit) to locations away from the primary work site or for loading/unloading at the primary work site. Service permits are monitored and are not intended for an employee to use for proximate parking. State vehicles and service permit access is managed through the employee’s department.

Transportation and Parking has partnered with ParkMobile to provide an electronic payment option for UNC-Chapel Hill Park-and-Ride lots served by Chapel Hill Transit. Once registered with ParkMobile, University students, employees, and affiliates may use the mobile app, website, or the toll-free number to pay for parking.

“Local” Park-and-Rides served by Chapel Hill Transit require a parking permit. Daily and weekly park-and-ride permits are available for purchase through ParkMobile or in-person at the Transportation and Parking Office. “Regional” Park-and-Rides, served by GoTriangle and PART, are free to park.

Hourly parking is available around campus in hourly pay lots or metered spaces.

  • Rams Head Deck, located on central campus, offers hourly/daily parking.
  • Raleigh Road Visitor Lot, located on South Road, offers hourly/daily parking.
  • Meters located throughout campus provide short-term parking but are often limited to 3-hour or 30-minute parking.

Employees and students are not eligible to park in designated patient/visitor lots, such as Dogwood Deck or ACC Lot, unless parking for a medical appointment.

Employees, including contract employees, who are attending a medical appointment must request a Medical Appointment permit to park in the Dogwood Deck or Ambulatory Care Center lot. Employees are not eligible for parking in lots designated for patient parking during regular Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. business hours, and may receive citations unless a Medical Appointment permit is displayed.