Hardship Parking

First-year undergraduate students are not eligible to apply through the lottery for parking. The Ordinance Regulating Traffic and Parking at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prohibits first-year undergraduate students from obtaining a permit without review of qualifying circumstances and assignment through the Hardship process. First-year undergraduate students who receive an approved Residency Requirement waiver through Carolina Housing or have other qualifying circumstances may apply for exemption through the Hardship process.

The Hardship Parking Process is identified in the Joint Code of the Student Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapter 5, including the Hardship Parking Committee composition, required documentation, and review process.

Step 1:  Before Submitting the Application

• Apply for a permit through the student parking lottery process
• Explore all transportation options, including public transit, ZipCar, bike, or walk

Step 2:  Collect Documentation

• Detailed documentation requirements available in the Joint Code of the Student Government
• Claims shall be substantiated by some form of documentation regardless of the nature of the claim
• Collect documentation required for application submission in advance of the application deadline
• Documentation should not include information that would violate HIPPA or FERPA policies
• Documentation should not include confidential information such as medical history, specific conditions, social security numbers, et cetera

Step 3: Submit Application

• Complete and submit the hardship parking application with required documentation attached by the deadline

Step 4: Application Review

• The application review process is governed by the Joint Code of the Student Government and managed by student representatives

Step 5: Hardship Parking Notification

• Students are notified via the provided email address of the Hardship Committee decision
• Permit recipients must purchase permits by the established deadline and provide vehicle registration and proof of insurance at that time
• Permit costs are the responsibility of the student (Student Permit Prices)

The appeals process can be found in the Joint Code of the Student Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapter 5, Article 4, Section 546.

• The hardship parking appeals process requires additional documentation.
• Students requesting a hardship parking assignment appeal must submit a complete appeals application that includes additional information by the posted deadline; the appeals application is available after students are notified of the hardship parking assignment decision.
• Student hardship parking appeal process includes an interview, which is conducted in person or video conference call. During the interview, students should be prepared to present new or additional information for the appeal.
• Students are notified via the email address provided of the appeals decision.
• If a permit assignment is granted via appeal, students must purchase permits by the established deadline and provide vehicle registration and proof of insurance at that time; permit costs are the responsibility of the student.
• The appeals decision is the final decision for hardship parking.

For questions regarding appeals, please contact the Student Hardship Parking Committee at usgvp@unc.edu.

Spring 2024

First Round Hardship

• Application Submission: November 17 – December 2
• Application Review: December 3 – December 6
• Hardship Assignment Announcements: December 7 – December 9
• Appeals Due: From date of decision – December 16
• Payment Deadline: December 13 (or three business days from notification)

First-year undergraduate students are not eligible to apply through the lottery for parking. The Ordinance Regulating Traffic and Parking at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prohibits first-year undergraduate students from obtaining a permit without review of qualifying circumstances, including Medical Non-Mobility, and assignment through the Hardship process. First-year undergraduate students who receive an approved Residency Requirement waiver through Carolina Housing or have other qualifying circumstances may apply for exemption through the Hardship process.

• Hardship Medical Non-Mobility Accommodation Applications are accepted throughout the year
• If an applicant’s medical non-mobility travel requirements change or the applicant has additional information for the committee to review related to the parking assignment, an update from the Health Care Professional, schedules, or other relevant documentation may be submitted for additional review
• Students must apply annually for Medical Non-Mobility Hardship parking