Tranportation & Parking Services
Because parking spaces are a limited resource on campus, UCSC has a parking permit prohibition for first and second-year residential students. The parking permit prohibition applies to those who live in any on- or off-campus University Housing facility, and covers all types of campus parking permits (including temporary daily, weekly, and monthly permits) except for motorcycle permits.
Learn about off-campus parking options.
Learn how students can get around using Cruz511 (UCSC rideshare community) and Zipcar, our carsharing program.
Campus parking permit eligibility:
Permit eligibility status for residential students is determined by the number of units (90 units) completed by Fall 2023. This status remains in place and does not change throughout the academic year. Residential students who have completed less than 90 units or achieve this threshold by Winter 2024 or Spring 2024 are ineligible for parking, but may pursue parking through an appeal process.
Commuting students who do not live in University housing (includes freshmen and sophomore students as long as they don't live in a University housing facility) are eligible.
Disabled students that qualify for a disability-related parking accommodation are eligible.
On rare occasions first and second-year residential students may be granted a parking exception by the Parking Review Panel. The following reasons are considered for a parking exception:
Situations for Which an Appeal May be Granted
Academic Appeals:
Student is enrolled in a field-study course or academic classes at another institution and cannot use public transit or a vehicle parked in a privately operated off-campus parking lot to get to the location.
Family Care Provider Appeals:
Student is a primary caregiver for sick or disabled immediate family member and cannot use public transit or a vehicle parked in a privately operated off-campus parking lot for frequent travel to provide care.
Healthcare Appointment Appeals:
Student has frequent in-person medical appointments off-campus (2 or more per month) and cannot use public transit or a vehicle parked in a privately operated off-campus parking lot to travel to and from appointments.
Job Related Appeals:
Student is employed off-campus and cannot use public transit or a vehicle parked in a privately operated off-campus parking lot to commute to the work location.
Transportation Related Appeals:
Student lives at an off-campus location not adequately served by public transportation.
Service Member Appeal:
Student is currently either a Veteran, a member of the National Guard or in the Reserves.
Coastal Science Campus Appeal:
Student is currently enrolled in class or employed at the Coastal Science Campus
To request an exception to the parking permit prohibition:
review and fill out an online appeal form (current 22-23 form)*
Updated 23-24 form will be added once it's available
to expedite your appeal, upload all your required documentation on the appeal form
do not submit a parking permit application with your appeal; if your appeal is approved, then you will submit your permit application online
understand that temporary permits will not be issued while an appeal is pending