The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Student Parking

UNC-Chapel Hill offers a variety of transportation options to support student access needs. The campus is pedestrian-friendly, with shuttle bus service throughout campus and the Town of Chapel Hill.

Cancel a Permit

Students may cancel a permit using the Permit Request form. Permit cancellations are typically processed within two business days of submission. The cancellation submission date determines any refunds due. Students should see a refund on the credit card used when purchasing a permit within 10 business days.

Permit Registration

Transportation and Parking works with student representatives to set schedules and processes that support campus transportation needs.

Virtual permits are used for parking across campus. License plates must be registered through the MyPark Portal to link vehicles with permits.

Student parking permits are distributed through a lottery system.

Registration Process
  • Students register for parking based on their class (First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate) and whether they live on or off campus. Class status is provided by Enrollment Management. Permit notifications are sent to the student’s registered email.
  • Eligibility is verified in the fall. Changes to residential or commuter status may result in cancellation. Students requesting a hardship permit must still participate in the lottery.
Permit Requirements

Students assigned a virtual permit must log in to MyPark Portal to:

  • Upload proof of insurance and registration
  • Pay by the deadline
  • Clear any citation balances

Failure to complete these steps will result in forfeiture.

Commuter lots are for short-term use only and may not for storing vehicles near student housing.

After the Lottery

Remaining permits are offered via a waitlist. If space is available in the RR Estes (residents) lot after the lottery, permits may be sold first-come, first-served starting Aug. 1 through MyPark Portal.

Representatives from the Law, Business and Medical Schools assign permits through a lottery. Email notifications are sent within 10 days after lottery registration closes.

Students awarded permits must complete the following actions in MyPark Portal:

  • Upload proof of insurance
  • Upload license plate registration
  • Clear any outstanding citation balances
Additional Details
  • Students register for permits based on 2L – 3L status.
  • Residential students in a Carolina Housing facility must register in the lottery as a graduate resident for on-campus parking.
  • Students living in Student Family Housing should contact the Baity Hill Office property manager for parking assignments. Baity Hill residents are not eligible for commuter permits and may not hold two permits.
  • 1L students are eligible to sign up for waitlists in the S3, S10, and T lots after the lottery.
  • Hardship Process: Students with a qualifying hardship may be eligible to apply for a permit through the Law School’s Hardship process. Contact the Law School for more information.

2L and 3L students who live off campus may enter the Law School lottery.

Hardship parking is considered on a case-by-case basis for students with qualifying circumstances. Students should apply through the lottery process first, even if they plan to request a hardship permit.

NOTE: As of Fall 2026, the hardship parking process is a continual, rolling process throughout the academic year.

Hardship permits may be granted when commuting needs cannot be met through available options such as transit, carpool, biking or walking.

Qualifying circumstances include:

  • Off-campus housing
  • Family obligations
  • Internship or clinical requirements
  • Significant extracurricular involvement (such as military service)
The hardship parking process is identified in the Joint Code of the Student Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapter 5, including the Hardship Parking Committee composition, required documentation, and review process.

Step 1:  Before Submitting the Application
  • Apply for a permit through the student parking lottery process
  • Explore all transportation options, including public transit, ZipCar, bike, or walk
Step 2:  Collect Documentation
  • Detailed documentation requirements available in the Joint Code of the Student Government
  • Claims shall be substantiated by some form of documentation regardless of the nature of the claim
  • Collect documentation required for application submission in advance of the application deadline
  • Documentation should not include information that would violate HIPPA or FERPA policies
  • Documentation should not include confidential information such as medical history, specific conditions, social security numbers, et cetera
Step 3: Submit Application
  • Complete and submit the hardship parking application with required documentation attached by the deadline
Step 4: Application Review
  • The application review process is governed by the Joint Code of the Student Government and managed by student representatives
Step 5: Hardship Parking Notification
  • Students are notified via the provided email address of the Hardship Committee decision
  • Permit recipients must purchase permits by the established deadline and provide vehicle registration and proof of insurance at that time
  • Permit costs are the responsibility of the student (Student Permit Prices)
The appeals process can be found in the Joint Code of the Student Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapter 5, Article 4, Section 546.

  • The hardship parking appeals process requires additional documentation.
  • Students requesting a hardship parking assignment appeal must submit a complete appeals application that includes additional information by the posted deadline; the appeals application is available after students are notified of the hardship parking assignment decision.
  • Student hardship parking appeal process includes an interview, which is conducted in person or video conference call. During the interview, students should be prepared to present new or additional information for the appeal.
  • Students are notified via the email address provided of the appeals decision.
  • If a permit assignment is granted via appeal, students must purchase permits by the established deadline and provide vehicle registration and proof of insurance at that time; permit costs are the responsibility of the student.
  • The appeals decision is the final decision for hardship parking.

For questions regarding appeals, please contact the Student Hardship Parking Committee at usgvp@unc.edu.

Students may register for summer parking online beginning in April, before Summer School sessions start. Registration is first-come, first-served. When registering through MyPark Portal, students should select their summer status from the menu options. To complete registration, students must provide:

  • License plate information
  • Proof of liability Insurance
  • Payment in full
  • Valid summer address

All student permits are virtual. Citation balances must be cleared before registration. If a permit is needed for only part of the Summer Session, students must cancel the permit via the Permit Request form to receive a prorated refund.

Students are required to register license plate information and provide proof of insurance to receive weeknight parking access for the academic year. Weeknight virtual permits are honored in designated lots throughout campus after 5 p.m. Students with daytime permits are automatically registered for weeknight access based on license plate. Permits are virtual and are identified by license plate number. License plate recognition equipment will read plates in lots throughout campus. The cost of weeknight parking is included in student tuition and fees.

Registration Steps

  • Use ONYEN to log into the UNC-Chapel Hill MyPark Portal.
  • Use top menu to select “Vehicles.” If “Vehicles” does not appear, select “more,” then “Vehicles.”
  • Add vehicle information including license plate and proof of insurance.
  • Contact parking@unc.edu for a weeknight permit assignment.