Explore parking permit options for the Danforth, West and North Campuses to plan a seamless commute. Register your vehicle and display a valid parking permit when parked on WashU property, unless parked in a designated visitor space.
Permit categories
Yellow Permits
Park in any unreserved space within your assigned Zone 1–4 on Danforth Campus or Zone 5 on North & West Campuses.
Display your yellow permit 24/7.
Red Permits
Only available to WashU employees. Park in designated “Red Permit Parking” spaces within Zones 1-5, and display your red permit at all times when parked on campus.
The appropriate permit must be displayed in all zones on WashU property. Parking is a limited resource on campus, and we highly encourage everyone to adhere to parking policies and regulations. This will ensure existing resources meet the parking needs of our community.
Penalties for violations include ticketing and fines, towing and revocation of parking privileges. If you have a permit, please keep your license plate number, make, and model updated in the parking portal.
Parking Zones
Zone 1: East End
Zone 2: South Core
Zone 3: North Core
Zone 4: South 40
Zone 5N: North Campus
Zone 5W: West Campus
Permit options
Discover the perfect permit option for your commute to campus. Once you’ve made your selection, review our current permit pricing. Hang Tag permit holders can access garages using our gate arm technology. If the permit is within the correct zone and valid time frame, the gate will automatically open as you approach. Permits must be displayed visibly on the rearview mirror at all times.
Parksmart Parking Permit
Park in designated Parksmart areas on the West or North campus and commute to the Danforth campus via WashU West campus shuttle (West) or MetroBus #2 Red (North). West campus garage parking is available on level 2 and lower surface parking north and east of the garage. Reciprocal parking is available in designated Parksmart areas.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff, OLLI students, graduate and undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing) living on or off campus and basic service contractors. Graduates and undergraduates eligible for West campus only.
Bearly Drivers (Carpool) Parking Permit
Park in any yellow open space without signs in Zones 1 through 4 on the Danforth campus. Receive free enrollment in the Guaranteed Ride Home program that provides up to four rides home per year in the case of an emergency. Apply for your Bearly Drivers Permit and review carpool policies.
Eligibility: This permit requires full-time, benefit-eligible WashU staff members (2-4) with similar work schedules and shared commutes 80% of the time.
Faculty/Staff Red Parking Permit
Park in valid red spaces in zones 1 through 5 (including all garages), 24/7.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff.
Faculty/Staff Yellow Parking Permit
Park in valid yellow open spaces without signs within indicated (zone displayed on permit from 1 through 4) zones, including all garages. Yellow permits are also valid in other zones after hours, between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends.
Eligibility: Permit holder must be a Danforth campus faculty and staff member.
Daily Usage Parking Permit
The Daily Usage program is perfect for occasional parking (less than 3 times per week) on the Danforth Campus. Permit holders pay monthly based on daily usage and are assigned between zones 1 through 4. Zone 1 parks in the East End garage; Zone 2 in the DUC garage; Zone 3 in Snow Way or Millbrook garages; Zone 4 (Faculty/Staff only) in zone 4 yellow spaces.
Eligibility: Danforth Campus Faculty/Staff members who are eligible for payroll deduction. Danforth Campus Graduate Students (zone 1 only) who are eligible for student billing.
Faculty/Staff Red Evening Parking Permit
Park in valid red spaces in all zones from 3:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday – Friday and all day on weekends. This permit is RFID-enabled for garage entry. If used before 3:30 p.m., it requires pulling a ticket and paying hourly rates.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff.
Yellow Evening Parking Permit
Park in yellow open spaces without signs in zones 1 through 4, 3:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. Monday – Friday, and all day on weekends. This permit is RFID-enabled for garage entry. If used before 3:30 p.m., it requires pulling a ticket and paying hourly rates.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff.
Motorcycle
Motorcycle permits, required for vehicles 50cc or greater, are valid only in designated motorcycle areas and must be displayed on the front right fork 24/7. Washu prohibits motorcycles in garages with gate arms. For the safety of pedestrians, motorcycles, motorbikes and motor scooters may not be driven on campus walkways.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff.
WashU Medicine Parking Permit Reciprocity Request
Washington University in St. Louis offers a permit reciprocity program for eligible Danforth and WashU Medicine permit holders, allowing up to 20 hours of parking per week on the reciprocating campus. This program is designed for occasional use and must be used alongside your existing parking permit. Alternatively, MetroLink is a great option for free, quick, and easy travel between the Danforth, North, West and WashU Medicine Campuses for those with a Metro U-Pass.
Danforth Campus reciprocal permits are issued on an annual basis. Eligible individuals include faculty, staff, students, and basic services contractors with one of the following permit types:
- Surface Lot
- Clayton Garage
- Metro Garage
- Newstead Garage
- WUSM Tier 1 (Laclede Garage & Plaza Garage)
- Reserved
Please note: Kingshighway Lot permit holders are not eligible for reciprocal parking.
WashU Medicine permit holders have general reciprocity to park in yellow-permitted spaces at West Campus, North Campus, the DUC, and Millbrook Garages on the Danforth Campus.
In some cases, such as a faculty joint-appointment on both WashU Medicine and Danforth Campuses, reciprocity may also be granted for the East End and Snow Way Garages on the Danforth Campus.
The request will be verified with WashU Medicine. When approved, a physical permit—an RFID-enabled sticker—will be mailed to the campus mail stop code you provide. This may take up to five business days. Additional delays may occur due to departmental changes.
Previously issued permits for reciprocal parking will no longer be honored.
The following permit holders are eligible for a WashU Medicine reciprocal permit:
- Red
- Yellow Zone 1-4
- Yellow Zone 5 (North & West Campus)
Due to the construction of the new Neuroscience Research Building, all Danforth Campus, North Campus, and West Campus reciprocal parkers will need to park in the Clayton Garage or in the lot located at 1234 S. Kingshighway Blvd. (on the corner of Swan and Kingshighway). Availability may be limited.
If you are parking at 1234 S. Kingshighway Blvd., you’ll need your WashU ID badge in addition to your visibly displayed Danforth, North, or West Campus hangtag.
The Kingshighway lot is gated and located in a residential neighborhood near an active School of Medicine building. During business hours, security staff patrol the lot.
Shuttles run every 30 minutes from the Kingshighway lot to the Mid Campus Center (MCC) Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To request transportation outside of these hours, contact Protective Services by dialing 314-362-4357.
Parksmart Parking Permit
Park in designated Parksmart areas on the West or North campus and commute to the Danforth campus via WashU West campus shuttle (West) or MetroBus #2 Red (North). West campus garage parking is available on level 2 and lower surface parking north and east of the garage. Reciprocal parking is available in designated Parksmart areas.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff, OLLI students, graduate and undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing) living on or off campus and basic service contractors. Graduates and undergraduates eligible for West campus only.
Graduate Student Yellow Parking Permit
Park in valid yellow open spaces without signs within the indicated zone (displayed on permit from 1 through 3), including all garages. A yellow permit is also valid in any yellow, visitor or Parksmart designated space in any zone (zones 1 – 5N & 5W) between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday-Friday and all day on weekends. This permit is provided in the form of an interior sticker and should be adhered unobstructed to the lower passenger side corner of the front windshield of the registered vehicle.
Eligibility: Danforth campus Graduate students.
Daily Usage Parking Permit
The Daily Usage program is perfect for occasional parking (less than 3 times per week) on the Danforth Campus. Permit holders pay monthly based on daily usage and are assigned to zone 1 in the East End garage.
Eligibility: Danforth Campus Graduate Students (zone 1 only) who are eligible for student billing.
Yellow Evening Parking Permit
Park in yellow open spaces without signs in zones 1 through 4, 3:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. Monday – Friday, and all day on weekends. This permit is RFID-enabled for garage entry. If used before 3:30 p.m., it requires pulling a ticket and paying hourly rates.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff, graduate students and undergraduate students.
Motorcycle Parking Permit
Motorcycle permits, required for vehicles 50cc or greater, are valid only in designated motorcycle areas and must be displayed on the front right fork 24/7. Washu prohibits motorcycles in garages with gate arms. For the safety of pedestrians, motorcycles, motorbikes and motor scooters may not be driven on campus walkways.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff, graduate students and undergraduate students.
Parksmart Parking Permit
Park in designated Parksmart areas on the West or North campus and commute to the Danforth campus via WashU West campus shuttle (West) or MetroBus #2 Red (North). West campus garage parking is available on level 2 and lower surface parking north and east of the garage. Reciprocal parking is available in designated Parksmart areas.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff, OLLI students, graduate and undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing) living on or off campus and basic service contractors. Graduates and undergraduates eligible for West campus only.
Wallace Yellow Parking Permit
Park in valid (August – May) yellow open spaces without signs within Wallace garage 24/7. A yellow permit is also valid in any yellow, visitor or Parksmart designated space in any zone (zones 1 – 5N & 5W) between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday – Friday and all day on weekends. This permit is provided in the form of an interior sticker and should be adhered unobstructed to the lower passenger side corner of the front windshield of the registered vehicle.
Eligibility: Danforth Campus undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing living on the South 40) billed once via student accounts.
Northwest Resident Parking Permit
Park in valid (August – May) yellow open spaces without signs within the roof of Millbrook garage 24/7.A yellow permit is also valid in any yellow, visitor or Parksmart designated space in any zone (zones 1 – 5N & 5W) between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday – Friday and all day on weekends. This permit is provided in the form of an interior sticker and should be adhered unobstructed to the lower passenger side corner of the front windshield of the registered vehicle.
Eligibility: Danforth Campus undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing) living in the Village, Millbrook Apartments or on Fraternity Row.
Lofts Resident Parking Permit
Park in valid (August – May) yellow open spaces without signs in the Lofts garage 24/7. A yellow permit is also valid in any yellow, visitor or Parksmart designated space in any zone (zones 1 – 5N & 5W) between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday-Friday and all day on weekends. This permit is provided in the form of an interior sticker and should be adhered unobstructed to the lower passenger side corner of the front windshield of the registered vehicle.
Eligibility: Danforth Campus undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing) living in The Lofts. Lofts bundled pricing (no additional cost to students).
Lofts Zone 2 Parking Permit
Park in valid (August-May) yellow open spaces without signs in the Lofts garage as well as Zone 2 24/7. A yellow permit is also valid in any yellow, visitor or Parksmart designated space in any zone (zones 1 – 5N & 5W) between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday-Friday and all day on weekends. This permit is provided in the form of an interior sticker and should be adhered unobstructed to the lower passenger side corner of the front windshield of the registered vehicle.
Eligibility: Danforth Campus undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing) living in The Lofts.
Undergraduate Commuter Parking Permit
Park in valid (August-May) yellow open spaces without signs in Zone 2 24/7.A yellow permit is also valid in any yellow, visitor or Parksmart designated space in any zone (zones 1 – 5N & 5W) between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Friday and all day on weekends. This permit is provided in the form of an interior sticker and should be adhered unobstructed to the lower passenger side corner of the front windshield of the registered vehicle.
Eligibility: Danforth Campus undergraduate students (sophomore or higher standing) living off-campus.
Yellow Evening Parking Permit
Park in yellow open spaces without signs in zones 1 through 4, 3:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. Monday – Friday, and all day on weekends. This permit is RFID-enabled for garage entry. If used before 3:30 p.m., it requires pulling a ticket and paying hourly rates.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff, graduate students and undergraduate students.
Motorcycle
Motorcycle permits, required for vehicles 50cc or greater, are valid only in designated motorcycle areas and must be displayed on the front right fork 24/7. WashU prohibits motorcycles in garages with gate arms. For the safety of pedestrians, motorcycles, motorbikes and motor scooters may not be driven on campus walkways.
Eligibility: Danforth, North and West campus faculty and staff, graduate students and undergraduate students.
Permit pricing
| Permit Type | Where to Park | Time Restrictions | FY26 Annual Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parksmart | West/North Campus | 24/7 | $44.00 |
| Bearly Drivers Carpool | Yellow spaces (Zones 1–4) | 24/7 | $459.00 |
Red Permit | Red spaces (Zones 1–5, incl. garages) | 24/7 | $2,345.00 |
Yellow Permit | Yellow spaces (Assigned Zone 1–4) | 24/7, unrestricted after 5 p.m. | $941.00 |
Daily Usage | Assigned to Zone 1–4 | Based on daily use | Varies |
Red Evening | Red spaces (Zone 1–5) | 3:30 p.m.–7 a.m. on weekends | $218.00 |
Yellow Evening | Yellow spaces (Zone 1–4) | 3:30 p.m.–7 a.m. on weekends | $48.00 |
Motorcycle | Designated motorcycle areas | 24/7 | $20.00 |
| Permit Type | Where to Park | Time Restrictions | FY26 Annual Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Parksmart | West/North Campus | 24/7 | $44.00 |
Yellow Permit | Yellow spaces (Assigned to Zone 1–3, incl. garages) | 24/7, unrestricted after 5 p.m. | $941.00 |
Daily Usage | Assigned to Zone 1 | Based on daily use | Varies |
Yellow Evening | Yellow spaces (Zone 1–4) | 3:30 p.m.–7 a.m. on weekends | $48.00 |
Motorcycle | Designated motorcycle areas | 24/7 | $20.00 |
| Permit Type | Where to Park | Time Restrictions | FY26 Annual Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Parksmart | West/North Campus | 24/7 | $44.00 |
Wallace Permit | Wallace Garage | 24/7 | $941.00 |
Northwest Resident Permit | Millbrook Garage (roof) | 24/7 | $941.00 |
Lofts Resident Permit | Lofts Garage | 24/7 | Included in Lofts pricing |
Lofts Zone 2 Permit | Lofts Garage & Zone 2 | 24/7 | $941.00 |
Undergraduate Commuter Permit | Zone 2 | 24/7 | $941.00 |
Yellow Evening | Yellow spaces (Zones 1–4) | 3:30 p.m.–7 a.m. on weekends | $48.00 |
Motorcycle | Designated motorcycle areas | 24/7 | $20.00 |
Washington University reserves the right to modify parking regulations and enforcement procedures to maintain safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency. Certain locations may be subject to special or temporary restrictions, including limited access, time-based enforcement, or permit-specific requirements.