Academic Year Parking Registration
Transportation and Parking works with the campus community, including Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) representatives, as well as professional schools, to develop schedules and processes that support student transportation needs. Transportation and Parking uses virtual permits for parking across campus. Virtual permitting removes the need for physical hang tags, and instead, parking access is assigned and verified through license plate recognition (LPR). License plate(s) must be registered through Online Services to associate vehicle with virtual permit.
Following the lottery process, any remaining permits in S11 (student commuters) or RR (student residents) will be made available through Online Services on August 1. All other permits released via the waitlist.
- First-Year Undergraduate Students are prohibited from parking on campus based on UNC’s Transportation and Parking Ordinance. Students with qualifying circumstances may apply for an exemption through the Hardship Parking Application.
- First-Year Undergraduate Students with mobility limitations may apply through the Transportation and Parking Accommodations Committee.
- Bike Registration is free and mandatory at UNC.
- UNC’s Point to Point (P2P), Chapel Hill Transit, and Regional Transit are available for local and regional travel.
- Sophomores and sophomore transfers register for permits based on class and residential/commuter status. Students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing are residents and students in living off-campus housing are commuters.
- Commuter lots are designated for transient parking and not intended for long-term parking or storage for nearby housing.
- Permit eligibility is verified in the Fall Semester. Students who register for a permit with an incorrect class or residential/commuter status will be notified by email and the virtual permit cancelled.
- Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first.
| Sophomore Resident Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| A PERMIT | 2 |
| CD PERMIT | 6 |
| K PERMIT | 53 |
| L PERMIT | 3 |
| RR PERMIT | 475 |
| Sophomore Commuter Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| RD PERMIT | 13 |
| S10 PERMIT | 10 |
| S11 PERMIT | 15 |
- Juniors and junior transfers register for permits based on class and residential/commuter status. Students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing are residents and students in living off-campus housing are commuters.
- Commuter lots are designated for transient parking and not intended for long-term parking or storage for nearby housing.
- Permit eligibility is verified in the Fall Semester. Students who register for a permit with an incorrect class or residential/commuter status will be notified by email and the virtual permit cancelled.
- Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first.
| Junior Resident Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| A PERMIT | 6 |
| CD PERMIT | 25 |
| K PERMIT | 64 |
| L PERMIT | 10 |
| RR PERMIT | 339 |
| Junior Commuter Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| CD PERMIT | 30 |
| JD PERMIT | 6 |
| N5 PERMIT | 5 |
| RD PERMIT | 40 |
| S4 PERMIT | 3 |
| S10 PERMIT | 13 |
| S11 PERMIT | 40 |
- Seniors register for permits based on class and residential/commuter status. Students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing are residents and students in living off-campus housing are commuters.
- Commuter lots are designated for transient parking and not intended for long-term parking or storage for nearby housing.
- Permit eligibility is verified in the Fall Semester. Students who register for a permit with an incorrect class or residential/commuter status will be notified by email and the virtual permit cancelled.
- Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first.
| Senior Resident Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| A PERMIT | 12 |
| CD PERMIT | 22 |
| K PERMIT | 54 |
| L PERMIT | 18 |
| RR PERMIT | 289 |
| Senior Commuter Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| CD PERMIT | 35 |
| JD PERMIT | 7 |
| N5 PERMIT | 9 |
| RD PERMIT | 57 |
| S4 PERMIT | 10 |
| S10 PERMIT | 18 |
| S11 PERMIT | 55 |
- Graduate students register for permits based on residential/commuter status. Students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing are residents and students in living off-campus housing are commuters.
- Commuter lots are designated for transient parking and not intended for long-term parking or storage for nearby housing.
- Permit eligibility is verified in the Fall Semester. Students who register for a permit with an incorrect residential/commuter status will be notified by email and the virtual permit cancelled.
- Graduate students living in Student Family Housing should contact Baity Hill Office property manager for parking assignment. Baity Hill residents are not eligible for commuter permits.
- Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first.
| Graduate Resident Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| RR PERMIT | 35 |
| S12 PERMIT | 10 |
| Graduate Commuter Permit | Availability |
|---|---|
| CD PERMIT | 93 |
| JD PERMIT | 27 |
| N5 PERMIT | 25 |
| RD PERMIT | 165 |
| S4 PERMIT | 16 |
| S10 PERMIT | 58 |
| S11 PERMIT | 268 |
| S12 PERMIT | 81 |
Hardship parking is considered on a case-by-case basis for students with qualifying circumstances, which include commuting from off-campus housing and/or military and family obligations. Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first.
Students must demonstrate qualifying circumstances where commuting demands cannot be met by available transportation options, such as transit, carpool, biking, or walking. Permit costs are the responsibility of the student (Student Permit Prices).
Qualifying circumstances include:
- Family obligations
- Internship or clinical requirements
- Significant extracurricular involvement
Law School representatives determine the number of permits available for 2L – 3L for the lottery process. First-year law students (1L) do not receive an allocation for the lottery process. Notification of permit assignments are sent via email within 10 days after the close of lottery registration. When notified of a virtual permit assignment, students will be directed to Online Services and must provide proof of insurance, license plate registration and pay for the permit by the designated deadline or the permit is forfeited. Student citation balances must be cleared prior to registering and purchasing a permit.
- Students register for permits based on 2L – 3L status.
- Residential students (living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing) register in the lottery as a graduate resident for on-campus parking.
- Students living in Student Family Housing should contact Baity Hill Office property manager for parking assignment. Baity Hill residents are not eligible for commuter permits and may not have two permits.
- 1L students are eligible to sign up for waitlists following the lottery process in the S3, S10, and T lots.
- Hardship Process: Students with a qualifying hardship may be eligible to apply for a permit through the Law School’s Hardship process. Contact the Law School for more information. Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first.
Commuting (living off-campus) 2L and 3Ls may enter the Law School lottery:
| Law School Permit | Second Year Availability | Third Year Availability |
|---|---|---|
| S3 PERMIT | 5 | 10 |
| S10 PERMIT | 11 | 19 |
| T PERMIT | 35 | 70 |
MBA First and Second
Business School representatives determine the number of permits available to first and second year MBA for the parking lottery process. Notification of permit assignments are sent via email within 10 days after the close of lottery registration. When notified of a virtual permit assignment, students will be directed to Online Services and must provide proof of insurance, license plate registration and pay for the permit by the designated deadline or the permit is forfeited. Student citation balances must be cleared prior to registering and purchasing a permit.
Hardship Process: Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first. Students with a qualifying hardship may be eligible to apply for a permit through the MBA’s Hardship Process.
- MBA students register for permits based on MBA1 – MBA2 status
- Residential students (living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing) register in the lottery as a graduate resident for on-campus parking.
- Students living in Student Family Housing should contact Baity Hill Office property manager for parking assignment. Baity Hill residents are not eligible for commuter permits and may not have two permits.
Commuting (living off-campus) MBA students may enter the MBA lottery.
| Business School MBA Permit | MBA 1st Year Availability | MBA 2nd Year Availability |
|---|---|---|
| BD PERMIT | 100 | 100 |
MAC Students
Business School representatives determine the number of permits available to first and second year MAC for the parking lottery process. Notification of permit assignments are sent via email within 10 days after the close of lottery registration. When notified of a virtual permit assignment, students will be directed to Online Services and must provide proof of insurance, license plate registration and pay for the permit by the designated deadline or the permit is forfeited. Student citation balances must be cleared prior to registering and purchasing a permit.
Hardship Process: Even if a student’s circumstances warrant applying for a hardship permit, students should apply through the lottery process first. Students with a qualifying hardship may be eligible to apply for a permit through the MAC’s Hardship Process.
- MAC students register for permits based on MAC status
- Residential students (living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing) register in the lottery as a graduate resident for on-campus parking.
- Students living in Student Family Housing should contact Baity Hill Office property manager for parking assignment. Baity Hill residents are not eligible for commuter permits and may not have two permits.
Commuting (living off-campus) MAC students may enter the MAC lottery.
| Business School MAC Permit | MAC Availability |
|---|---|
| BD PERMIT | 44 |
Medical School 1st and 2nd Year
Notification of permit assignments are sent via email within 10 days after the close of lottery registration. When notified of a virtual permit assignment, students will be directed to Online Services and must provide proof of insurance, license plate registration and pay for the permit by the designated deadline or the permit is forfeited. Student citation balances must be cleared prior to registering and purchasing a permit.
- Medical School students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing should register in the lottery as a graduate for resident on-campus parking.
- Students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing with a parking permit for the residence are not eligible for a commuting permit and may not have two permits.
- Graduate students living in Student Family Housing should contact Baity Hill Office property manager for parking assignment. Baity Hill residents are not eligible for commuter permits and may not have two permits.
Commuting students (living off-campus) may enter the Medical School lottery:
| Medical School 1st and 2nd Year Permit Zone | Original Allocation |
|---|---|
| S11 PERMIT | 40 |
Medical School 3rd and 4th Year
- Parking zone availability and the registration process are handled through the Medical School, Dean of Student’s Office. Students must pay for the assigned permits in full by the designated deadline or the permit is forfeited.
- Medical School students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing may register as a Graduate Resident for an on-campus parking space. Students living in Student and Family Housing (SFH) should contact the Baity Hill Office for parking assignment. Resident students may only sign up for the waiting list in resident lots
- Students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing with a parking permit for their residence are not eligible for a commuting permit or to have two permits assigned at the same time.
2023-2024 Academic Year Dates and Deadlines
The lottery and waitlist timeline for undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical (1st and 2nd year only) students:
- Lottery Registration: July 3 – July 12
- Lottery Assignment Email Notification: July 17
- Lottery Payment Due: July 17 – July 21
- Waitlist Opens: July 17
- Waitlist Release One: July 31
- Waitlist Release One Payment Deadline: July 31 – August 4
- Waitlist Release Two: August 7
- Waitlist Release Two Payment Deadline: August 7 – August 11
Residents and Potential Residents of Student Family Housing
Parking is limited for Graduate and Family Housing. Each apartment home is assigned one parking permit and has access to covered parking under the building. Parking for secondary vehicles should be requested through the Baity Hill Office. Approved request for parking for secondary vehicle parking assignments is provided the RR lot or S12 lots (based on availability). The RR lot is served by the fare-free CHT NU Route that travels from main campus to the gated lot. To request visitor parking, all residents must contact the Baity Hill Management office. Visitor parking is in uncovered spaces at each apartment and is very limited. Metered spaces provide short-term parking for visitors.
- Bike Registration is free and mandatory at UNC.
- UNC’s Point to Point (P2P), Chapel Hill Transit, and Regional Transit are available for local and regional travel.
Employees and students are allowed to park in designated patient/visitor areas only if attending a medical appointment. Medical Appointment permits are required for students and employees parking in areas designated as patient parking while attending medical appointments. Medical Appointment permits may be obtained online, through the Transportation and Parking Office or through a parking lot attendant.
- In order to accommodate an occasional need to park on campus, daily parking options are offered via ParkMobile.
- Hourly parking available at meters, Rams Head parking deck, and Raleigh Road Visitor Lot.
Students are required to register license plate information and provide proof of insurance in order to receive weeknight parking access for the academic year. Weeknight virtual permits are honored in designated lots throughout campus at 5 p.m. Students with daytime permits are automatically registered for weeknight access based on license plate.
Permission to park is virtual (no physical parking permit is required). License plate recognition equipment will read plates in lots throughout campus. The cost of weeknight parking is included in student tuition and fees. Students (excluding first-year undergraduates) are eligible for weeknight parking access.
Weeknight Parking Registration Steps
- Use ONYEN to log into Online Services.
- Use top menu to select “Vehicles.” If “Vehicles” does not appear, select “more,” then “Vehicles.”
- Add vehicle information including license plate and proof of insurance.
- The registered license plate is the virtual permit for weeknight parking.
Other registration procedures may be completed by individuals. More information and registration forms are available online.
Students may sign up for parking permit waitlists based on residential/commuter status. Students living in UNC-Chapel Hill Housing are residents and students in living off-campus housing are commuters. Waiting lists are not available during summer sessions. First-year undergraduates are not eligible.
Wait List Ranking
- Students who register for the lottery and do not receive the first-choice permit are put on the waiting list.
- Waiting list priority is determined by class status – position within class is determined randomly.
- Students who did not register in the lottery can join the waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis at Online Services.
- Students changing waiting list will move to the bottom of the newly requested list.
To cancel a permit, students must complete the cancellation form, the cancellation will be effective the date of the request. Students will receive an email confirmation of the processed cancellation. Parking permit refunds will be credited to the original card used for payment. Students will receive an email confirmation when the credit is in process.
Student permit pricing is in effect as established in the ordinance.
Please see online options for customer service:
- Parking and Transit Assistance: parking@unc.edu
- Billing and Payment Assistance: parkingbilling@unc.edu
- Parking Maintenance and Repair Assistance
- Hospital Parking Assistance and Information: emppark@unchealth.unc.edu
- Online Services (account management)
- Mobile app for daily/hourly parking options
- What is a virtual permit and how does it work?
- A virtual permit means that no physical permit/hang tag is required. Instead, your license plate is registered in the system and serves as your credential. License plate recognition (LPR) technology scans your plate to verify that you are credentialed to park in the lot. Vehicles must park with license plate visible from the travel lane of the space.
- Why can’t I back in or pull-through park?
- You must have a valid front license plate to back in or pull-through park. Otherwise, back-in or pull through parking is not allowed. LPR technology must be able to read your plate from the travel lane of the parking space to verify your registered plate.
- Do I still use my UNC One Card for gate access?
- Yes, for gated access lots, UNC One Card will continue to be used.
- When will I receive my permit?
- Parking permits are virtual, so there is no physical permit. Instead, your license plate is your permit. Once you have registered your license plate in your Online Services account and purchased a permit, you have parking privileges.
- What if I drive multiple vehicles or get a new license plate?
- You can register multiple and update vehicle license plates online. Only one vehicle can be on campus at a time associated with the permit. Any license plate registered to your account is your responsibility when parking on campus.
- If I register more than one vehicle, does that mean I can park all of them on campus?
- No, you may only park one vehicle on campus at one time with that paid virtual permit. Individuals who park more than one vehicle on campus at the same time must purchase a paid parking permit or session for the additional vehicle(s).