Student Parking

While you’re at the University of Pittsburgh, we can help you navigate campus parking. This guide serves as your roadmap to finding the parking plan that works best for you.

Where to Start 

Located inside Panther Central in Towers Lobby, the Parking Services Office is your primary resource for all parking related matters on campus. We can assist with other transportation issues as well. The University of Pittsburgh is not responsible for any damage or loss of motor vehicles or personal property contained in any motor vehicle on campus. 

Hours 

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. We extend our hours at the beginning of the fall and spring terms. Hours are subject to change during the summer term.

Permit Types

Deciding what kind of permit you need is as easy as determining your enrollment status at Pitt. Purchasing a permit does not guarantee a parking space but allows you to park if space is available.

If you are a full-time student living in a University residence hall operated by the Department of Housing Services, resident parking is available in the Residence on Bigelow, Centre Plaza (CP), Towers Garage (LT), Panther Hollow (PH), U (Behind Sutherland Hall), Atwood Apartments (L), Park Plaza (PK), and OC (Allequippa Street/upper campus) parking facilities (subject to change). Available spaces are limited, and the Parking Services Office distributes permits through a lottery system based on dorm assignment. Resident student permits follow the same academic terms as housing contracts or leases. These permits are also valid in non-restricted University lots weekdays between 5 p.m. and midnight and on weekends, except during special events. See the evening student parking facilities list on the reverse page.

Permit applications will be available on July 16, 2025, and will close on August 1, 2025. Be advised that applying for a permit does not guarantee your ability to receive a permit.

If you are a commuter student, your options include daytime parking permits, hourly parking, and daily parking. Daytime commuter parking permits are available for the OC (Allequippa Street/upper campus), Tower View (TV), and University Drive (UD) lots (subject to change). As with resident permits, availability is limited, and commuter permits are issued by the academic term. Once issued the permit holder must park in their assigned lot weekdays 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. These permits are not valid for overnight parking in any campus lots. They are valid in non-restricted University lots weekdays between 5 p.m. and midnight and on weekends, except during special events. See the parking facilities on the evening student list on the reverse page.

You can purchase an evening student permit, which is valid weekdays from either 2:50 or 4:50 p.m. until midnight and all day on weekends, except during special events, depending on location. 

During athletic or other special events, Lots Fieldhouse (E), Fraternity (F), Allequippa Street (OC), Public Health (PG), Falk School (SC), Soldiers and Sailors (SO), and Tower View (TV) are used for event parking. Therefore, these lots may not be available for permit or hourly rate parking. The Parking Services Office makes every effort to notify customers of special events affecting parking availability. If you are unsure whether your lot is impacted, feel free to call us at 412-624-4034.

What is the process to get a permit?

Resident Students

  1. Submit a permit application online.
  2. Email the completed application and a copy of your vehicle registration to the Parking Services Office
  3. You will be notified via email if you are to receive a permit, along with additional instructions regarding payment and pickup.

Commuter Students

Based on availability, you may purchase a permit online at PittParking.com. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted forms of payment.

Evening Students

You may purchase a permit at any time during the year in person or by calling the Parking Services Office. 

Purchase in person: Simply bring a copy of your student ID, vehicle registration card, and form of payment to the Parking Services Office, 127 N. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15260. We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and Panther Funds in person. 

Purchases by mail: Send a copy of your vehicle registration card and form of payment to the University of Pittsburgh. We accept checks or credit cards—please do not send cash. For credit card mail orders, include card type, number, expiration date, and signature. 

Over the phone: Please call 412-624-4034 with your credit card number, and a customer service representative will assist you. Your permit will be mailed to you. Please allow 10 days for delivery.

Parking Enforcement

We do our best to ensure you have a parking space when you need one. To accomplish this, we sometimes have to penalize those who don’t follow the rules. You are subject to penalty, including ticketing, booting, and/ or towing, if you: 

  • Buy or borrow a permit from someone other than the Parking Services Office 
  • Use unauthorized University lots (please check the map for details)
  • Impede access or traffic • Park in violation of special event procedures 
  • Fail to pay parking violations • Use an invalid permit or keycard
  • Display a permit that has been canceled, altered, defaced, or reported as missing (which may also result in a fine) 
  • Use your permit at the wrong time • Are a repeat offender 
  • Forget to buy a pass for weekend visitors (so they don’t get a ticket) 

Towing is at our discretion, but the responsibility for towing and storage charges is yours (or the vehicle owner’s).

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