Navigating Parking at the University of Michigan: A Comprehensive Guide

Finding suitable parking at the University of Michigan can be a challenge for students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. This article provides a comprehensive overview of parking options, permits, enforcement, and alternative transportation solutions at the University of Michigan (U-M).

Introduction

The University of Michigan's parking system is designed to accommodate a diverse community, but its complexity can be daunting. Understanding the various permit types, parking locations, and regulations is crucial for a hassle-free experience. This guide aims to clarify these aspects, offering insights into daily parking, permit renewals, enforcement policies, and alternative transportation choices.

Daily Parking Options

For faculty and staff who do not have annual parking permits but occasionally need to drive to campus, daily parking options are available. These permits are valid in color-tiered parking areas for which they are purchased, as well as in lower color tiers. For instance, a daily blue permit allows parking in blue, yellow, or orange parking areas. Daily parking is valid in both open parking lots and parking structures, provided the color-tiered permit is valid at that location.

It's important to note that daily parking permits are not valid at the Forest Parking Structure. Additionally, these permits are non-refundable. To check your pre-paid park balance, visit the pre-paid parks information page.

Exceptions to Daily Parking

Daily permits are not valid and will not be honored at the Coliseum lot (W32), W39, W40, W41, or in any lots south of Hill Street on home football game Saturdays. They are also not valid at any lots located on Kipke Drive during home basketball games or during special events such as concerts, performances, or athletic events with on-site parking attendants. Furthermore, the daily program is not eligible for special parking programs like P3 evening/weekend access.

Virtual Permits and License Plate Recognition (LPR)

All parking permits are now virtual, with your vehicle's license plate serving as your parking credential. This system uses License Plate Recognition (LPR) to verify active, valid permits. LPR relies on an unobstructed view of license plates from the drive lane. If a vehicle is backed in without a front plate, the automated scan will fail. Therefore, your license plate must face the drive lane. An optional front plate is offered at-cost for those who prefer to back into parking spaces.

Parking Customer Service

For questions or assistance, there are two Parking Customer Service offices: one at 523 S. Division Street on Central Campus and another in University Hospital (UH) South on Medical Center Campus. After-hours drop boxes for parking permit returns are available at each location.

Canceling or Exchanging Parking Permits

Permits can be canceled or exchanged online. Log in to your account, select the permit you wish to cancel, and click “Request Permit Return or Exchange.” Indicate whether you want to exchange or cancel the permit, click ‘Confirm,’ and then ‘Complete.’ The Parking Customer Services team will review the request, which typically takes 24-72 hours. If your account hasn’t been updated after three days, contact customer service.

Permit Renewals and Costs

Parking permit costs for FY26 are as follows:

Gold: $2,036
Blue: $829
Yellow: $180
Orange: $92

If you need parking recommendations based on your work schedule, a team member can assist you. The previous limit of 60 parks no longer applies.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Parking Recommendations Based on Shift Times

Customer service representatives can provide parking options based on your work location, shift start and end times, and travel origin.

Parking Enforcement and Citations

To report illegally parked vehicles (e.g., parking over the line or in a space designated for a different permit type), call 763-1131 to contact parking enforcement.

Contesting a Parking Citation

If you receive a parking ticket (citation) and wish to contest it, a City of Ann Arbor parking referee is available to hear your complaint. Citations can be contested online, and information regarding contesting the citation can be found on the back of the citation.

Event Parking

For events requiring valet service, arrangements must be made between your department and the valet service provider.

Departments may request daily parking permits for individual visitors and guests attending meetings or events hosted by the departments. University of Michigan faculty, staff, or students from the Ann Arbor or Dearborn campuses can request daily parking permits. UM-Flint daily permits are limited to three per month and are available at no charge.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Additional Resources

The University offers a chatbot on its website to answer common parking-related questions. If the chatbot and FAQs do not provide the necessary information, you can fill out a contact form. However, customer service representatives cannot respond to all suggestions for the parking system.

Alternative Transportation Options

The AAATA Park & Ride program offers free parking (no permit required) and free rides from several parking locations to and from various U-M locations. Simply swipe your valid yellow Mcard in the card reader when boarding. For more information on the AAATA and commuting options, visit theRide.org.

Park & Ride Locations

Ann Arbor Pioneer High School (Main St at Stadium Blvd)
Miller Road Lot (south side of Miller Rd at M14)
Lot NC37 (Green Road, near Baxter Road)
Lot SC34 (South State Street, across from car dealership)
Plymouth Road/US-23

Employee Commuter (EC) Shuttle

On Monday mornings, from the EC1 lot, employees are shuttled directly to the Rogel Cancer Center circle drive and then the UH South staff entrance.

Patient and Visitor Parking

The University of Michigan offers numerous parking options for patients, families, and visitors. It is advisable to plan your arrival time to allow for either self-parking or valet services. Building-specific parking information is available on the respective building pages for the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Kellogg Eye Center, Mott Children's Hospital, Rogel Cancer Center, Taubman Center, University Hospital, and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital & C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking spaces are available at all parking structures. Current fees apply, except for individuals with a "FREE PARKING" decal affixed to their State-issued handicap placard. Upon exit, ask the parking attendant for "free" accessible parking options.

Oversized and Recreational Vehicle Parking

Oversized and recreational vehicle parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Daily parking must be purchased for $3 from Valet Services at 734-545-4435. Canadian currency or coin is not accepted.

Financial Assistance

The Guest Assistance office offers a special parking program for patients who meet specific income guidelines.

Ticket Validation

Ticket validation is available at several locations:

Rogel Cancer Center: Main Entrance Information Desk, Ground Level/B2 (Infusion patients must be validated at their point of service to receive free parking.)
University Hospital/Taubman Center: Main Entrance Welcome Center, Floor 1; Family Surgery Waiting Area, Floor 1; Welcome Center, Floor 2
Von Voigtlander Women's & C.S. Mott Children's Hospital: Welcome Center

Student Parking

For incoming students, understanding parking options is essential. U-M student parking is limited, and the cost of official university permits can be high.

University of Michigan Parking Pass vs. Private Parking Leases

Students have two main parking options: purchasing a University of Michigan parking pass or leasing a private parking spot.

University of Michigan Parking Pass

Price Range: $190 - $780 per semester
Availability: Limited, with priority given to faculty and staff
Restrictions: Valid only in specific lots; no reserved spots
Convenience: Subject to daily availability, no guaranteed access

Private Parking Leases (BuyMySpot)

Price Range: Often lower than university permits
Availability: Wide selection of private spots throughout Ann Arbor
Flexibility: Choose a location that fits your needs
Reliability: Guaranteed parking with 24/7 access

Many students opt for private leases through BuyMySpot for affordable long-term parking near campus.

Parking Around the University of Michigan: Best Options

For students seeking alternatives to university-issued permits, several privately managed lots and garages offer convenient options, often with more flexible terms.

Maynard Street Parking Garage

Location: Heart of downtown
Parking Rates & Availability:
- Hourly Rate: $1.20 per hour
- Daily Max: $28 per day
- Monthly Pass: $175 per month
- Availability: Limited due to high demand

Ross Parking Garage

Location: Near the Ross School of Business
Parking Rates & Availability:
- Hourly Rate: $1.20 per hour
- Daily Max: $28 per day
- Monthly Pass: $175 per month
- Availability: Limited, priority given to university staff

Finding Discounted Parking in Ann Arbor

BuyMySpot offers a marketplace for students to find affordable, long-term parking in Ann Arbor.

Why Use BuyMySpot?

Lower Prices: More affordable than city garages or university permits.
Convenience: Choose a spot close to campus, your dorm, or your apartment.
Guaranteed Availability: No need to compete for a spot every day.
Flexible Lease Terms: Rent by the month or semester.

Student Permits Offered by the University

The university offers several student permit options, each with specific eligibility requirements and restrictions:

Student After Hours: Eligible for Graduate Students. Valid in any Blue, Yellow, or Orange parking lot or structure from 3 pm to 5 am, Monday through Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday with exceptions.
Student Orange: Eligible for Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students. Valid in North, Ross Athletic, and West Side Orange lots (NC, SC, and W). NOT valid in M75.
Student Storage: Designed for students who bring vehicles to campus but do not need to use them frequently. Available to all students, including freshmen and sophomores, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Student Yellow/After Hours: A dual permit combining Student Yellow and After Hours options. Valid at any North or South Campus Yellow or Orange lot (except for Lot NC40 - Stearns Building and lots on Medical Campus) and in Blue parking lots/structures from 3 pm to 5 am, Monday through Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday with exceptions.
Student Accessible Parking: Student Blue Accessible (handicap) parking is provided in University lots and structures in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requires display of a State-issued Disability Placard and a U-M Student Blue permit during enforcement hours.

Faculty and Staff Permits

Faculty and staff have several permit options based on location and convenience:

Orange Parking: Remote, located on the periphery of the north and Ross Athletic campuses. Bus service is provided to campus core areas.
Yellow Parking: Located on campus edges within a moderate walking distance to campus core areas.
Blue Parking: Located in the heart of core campus areas.

Visitor Parking

Visitor parking is available in multiple locations across campus using the AIMS Mobile Pay (AMP) System and the Palmer Structure with pay-in-lane machines. Parking fees are $2.50 per hour. Enforcement hours and maximum hours of use vary by location.

AIMS Mobile Pay (AMP) System

The AMP system allows users to pay parking fees from any internet-capable device. Choose the lot, duration of parking, and add your vehicle information to purchase parking time.

Palmer Structure

Palmer parking structure has pay-in-lane stations at two lanes to process exit transactions. Stations accept debit/credit card payments. QR-coded validation tickets issued by department hosts provide discounted or free parking. Exit assistance is available via the HELP (intercom) button.

Using an Automated Pay Station

Take a ticket from the entry terminal upon entering the parking structure.
Proceed to the parking structure exit and insert your parking ticket into the pay station.
Follow the on-screen and audio instructions.
Insert your credit card to pay the amount indicated.
If you lose your ticket, press the “Lost Ticket” button on the pay station. The default rate for a lost ticket is $60.00.
For assistance, press the HELP button.

QR-Coded Validation Tickets

Departments can use validations to pay for their guests' parking fees.

University of Michigan-Flint Parking

Temporary metered parking is available in Lot P at the William S. White Building. Metered parking (276 spaces) is located downtown on Saginaw St. (from Flint City Hall north to the Flint River and alongside streets from Buckham Alley to Brush Alley). Additional parking options include the Downtown Flat Lot (125 E. Kearsley Street, Flint, MI 48502), Rutherford Parking Garage (125 W. Kearsley Street 48502), and Riverfront Parking Garage (302 Beach Street, Flint, MI 48502).

Tiered Parking System

The parking system is tiered and color-coded, with each tier priced progressively higher based on proximity to campus core areas and user convenience. Higher-tier Faculty and Staff permits are valid in locations with lower-tier permit requirements. For example, Yellow permits are valid in Orange locations.

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