On May 8, Transportation Services will begin accepting applications for base lot, carpool, Flex, UW-Accessible, park and ride, and business alternate parking permits for the upcoming parking year. The upcoming parking year runs from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025.
The deadline to apply for early consideration in Round 1 is May 31. There will be additional application rounds throughout the summer before the new parking year begins, but applying on or before the May 31 “Round 1” deadline increases the likelihood of an applicant receiving a permit offer.
UW–Madison employees, UW Health employees, and most graduate students who apply for base lot and UW-Accessible permits will be automatically considered for the reduced cost parking program.
Jump to:
- Important notice about parking permit availability
- Before you apply: pre-application tips and resources
- Update your information with Transportation Services
- 2024-25 permit calendar dates and deadlines
- Post-application steps
- Parking permits for students
- Parking permits for UW departments and vendors
- Bus passes and other permit types
Important notice about parking permit availability
The UW–Madison campus has 9,000 parking spaces for 34,000 faculty and staff, including UW Hospital and Clinics employees. That is about one parking spot for every four employees – not counting visitors.
Due to space constraints, not everyone who applies for a parking permit can receive an assignment. Waiting lists for parking permits can be long. We encourage all campus community members to explore the range of commuting and parking options available to them.
Carpooling is an alternative commuting option that also allows on-campus parking. Carpools with three or more members bypass the parking permit waiting list, split parking costs, and receive benefits to make carpooling easier. Read more about the UW carpool program and get practical advice from four UW carpoolers on how to organize a ridesharing group.
Before you apply: pre-application tips and resources
Before applying for parking, determine your best commute option with these resources.
- Explore commute options and commuter assistance programs.
- Get free, one-on-one commute planning assistance.
If on-campus parking is the best option for you:
- Find the best permit for your schedule using the permit selection guide.
- Find parking lot locations on the campus parking map. Make four permit selections on your application to maximize your chances of receiving a parking assignment.
- Check current rates.
- Have an alternative commute plan.
Update your information with Transportation Services
Don’t miss an email from Transportation Services: make sure your contact information is up to date.
Log in to the eBusiness portal, select “Welcome [Your Name]!”, and click “Manage Your Account Information.”
2024-25 permit calendar: dates and deadlines
These application dates and deadlines are for base lot, Flex, park and ride, UW-Accessible, UW carpool, and business alternate applications.
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Open | May 8 | July 10 | August 2 | August 15 |
| Application Round Deadline | May 31 | July 30 | August 13 | August 27 |
| Offers emailed | July 10-11 | July 31 – August 1 | August 14 | August 28 |
| Acceptance Deadline | July 30 | August 13 | August 27 | September 10 |
Round 5 and beyond: applications are accepted on a rolling basis and processed every two weeks throughout the parking year.
Ready to apply?
Apply for base lot, Flex, UW Accessible, park and ride, and business alternate permits in the Permit Application System (PAS).
If you encounter problems applying for parking in the Permit Application System (PAS), contact your division’s Unit Transportation Coordinator (UTC).
Interested in a carpool permit?
UW carpool permit applications require three or more carpool members who are UW employees. Students are not eligible for the carpool program.
If you have questions about applying for a UW carpool permit, please contact tdm@fpm.wisc.edu.
Go to the UW Carpool Permit Application
Post-application steps
After applying, you will receive a confirmation email that Transportation Services has received your application. Transportation Services will process your application and assign a parking permit if and when space is available. You will receive an email from transportation@fpm.wisc.edu if you receive a parking assignment.
If your preferred parking assignment is not available, your application will be placed on a waiting list and processed in future rounds. Applying for parking does not guarantee you will receive a permit. Please make sure you have an alternate commute plan in place.
Parking permits for students
Graduate students with an employment appointment
Graduate students with a UW employment appointment (such as a fellowship or a teaching, research, or project assistantship) or a UW-affiliated employment appointment are considered UW employees by Transportation Services are therefore eligible to apply in the permit application system (PAS). Please follow the dates and deadlines when applying for a 2024-25 permit.
If you encounter problems applying for parking in PAS, contact your division’s Unit Transportation Coordinator (UTC)
Undergraduate students; graduate students with “student help” or no employment appointment
These student groups must complete a student parking pre-approval application before they can apply for a permit:
- Undergraduate students,
- Graduate students with a UW or UW-affiliated employment appointment classified as “student help,” and
- Graduate students without an employment appointment.
If your eligibility is confirmed and you are cleared to apply for parking, follow the dates and deadlines to apply for a 2024-25 permit.
Learn more about the student parking application process.
Student Parking Pre-Approval Form
Parking permits for UW departments and vendors
2024-25 department reserved stall and department limited, service, and vendor permit applications opened May 1. The deadline for early consideration is June 7.
Read more about 2024-25 department and vendor permits and how to apply.
Bus passes and other permit types
2024-25 employee bus passes, Lot 76 Quick Passes, and afternoon, night, moped, motorcycle, and fall semester permits will be available to purchase starting August 1.
There is no application process for these products. Starting August 1, purchases can be made online in the eBusiness purchasing portal and/or in person, depending on the permit.
Questions?
Contact Transportation Services customer service at customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu.