Visitor & Guest Parking
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A valid UCSC permit is required to park in all non-ParkMobile parking spaces on campus. Responsibility for finding a legal parking space rests with the vehicle operator. Purchase of a permit does not guarantee a parking space in a specific parking lot. The inability to find a legal parking space is not a justification to park illegally.
Hourly and daily parking options are available in several locations via ParkMobile. Find out more about ParkMobile and which lots allow payment via ParkMobile.
Visitor Permit Types
Temporary Visitor Daily: $10.00
Permit valid during all enforcement hours for the selected day
Temporary Visitor Night: $5.00
Permit valid only after 3:30 p.m. on the selected day
Temporary Visitor Weekly: $45.00
Permit expires 6 days from selected start date
Visitor permits are valid in all lots that accept A permit types (parking map).
Purchasing a Virtual Visitor Permit
Before you can purchase virtual permits, you must first visit the TAPS Sales Office in person to set up an account.
After visiting the TAPS Sales Office to set up your account:
- Visit ucsc.aimsparking.com
- Select “Login” from the top of the page.
- Select “Email Authentication” from the left menu.
- The first time you do this, use the “Forgot Password” link to set up your password. Mkae sure to use the email address you used to set up your account at the TAPS Sales Office
- Enter your email address and password to login.
- From the dashboard, select “Order Permits.”
- Select either “Temporary Visitor Daily” or “Temporary Visitor Night.”
- Select “Add Vehicle.”
- Add your vehicle information.
- When finished adding vehicle(s), select “Confirm.”
- Select “Add Permit to Cart.”
- Complete the verification step if prompted.
- Select payment type.
- Fill in the requested contact and payment information and select “Checkout.”
- A copy of your receipt will be emailed. Please keep this for your records.
You may now park in the lots that allow A permits (parking map). Your license plate will act as your permit.
Purchasing a Visitor Permit in Person
The TAPS Sales Office is located in the H Barn on the lower campus, and business hours are Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please note that the Sales Office closes promptly at 5:00 pm; customers still in line at 5:00 pm will need to return the next business day to conduct their transaction.
Special Situations
Large Vehicles
Parking for large vehicles, such as limos and buses, is limited to the Barn Theater lot at the base of campus. You must contact the TAPS Event Parking Coordinator at least 5 business days in advance. Charter buses should review the information under Charter Bus Parking for loading and unloading information.
Visitors With DMV Placards or Plates
Visitors with DMV-accessible placards or plates may park for free in DMV-accessible spaces, Medical spaces, ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in time zones (e.g., 10-, 15-, or 20-minute spaces) for longer than the posted time. DMV accessibility placards are not valid in spaces reserved for departments, individuals, contractors, carpools or vanpools, or in lots solely designated for “C” permit holders.
Visitors With E Exempt Plates
Visitors with vehicles (which are not UCSC vehicles) that have E Exempt license plates must possess a valid UCSC parking permit when parking in a space where permits are required. Visitor permits can be purchased at the TAPS Sales Office (see Visitor Parking Permits section above). Parking in ParkMobile spaces for free is allowed, but only for the permitted time for the space. The visitor is responsible for determining and adhering to time restrictions when parking in a ParkMobile space.
Department Guest Permits
Departments may purchase virtual parking permits for guest. Campus departments expecting 15 or more vehicles needing parking permits should contact the TAPS Event & Construction Parking Coordinator in advance to arrange for parking (both location and attendants to sell or issue permits).
Family Student Housing Visitors
Visitors to Family Student Housing (FSH) may purchase a temporary parking permit from the TAPS Sales Office. Visitors who park in another resident’s space are subject to citation. All Family Student Housing parking spaces are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please check the parking designation signs for all Family Student Housing spaces to avoid a parking citation.
Visitors may also use one of the 2-hour ParkMobile spaces located in the Family Student Housing complex (map of campus). These spaces are enforced from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.