The parking system is tiered and color-coded. Each tier is priced progressively higher, reflecting the parking 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, and so on.
Permits are virtual and linked to a vehicle license plate. The parking system uses license plate recognition (LPR) to verify that vehicles have an active, valid permit. Virtual parking permits can be purchased at: https://umich.aimsparking.com/
In LPR-based systems, enforcement vehicles are equipped with LPR cameras designed to scan hundreds of plates per minute as they patrol parking lots and structures. This process relies on an unobstructed view of license plates from the drive lane. This method is the established industry standard for universities, hospitals, and municipalities using LPR, as it allows for efficient and consistent verification across tens of thousands of spaces. If a vehicle is backed in without a front plate, this automated scan fails. Therefore, your license plate must face the drive lane.
If you purchase a virtual parking permit and want to back into a parking space, an optional front plate option is offered at-cost, as a convenience.
For more information on the LPR system, please see the LPR FAQs page.
A listing of available permit types and their eligibility is listed below.
Student Permits
Student After Hours
Graduate Students are eligible for the Student After Hours permit. It is honored 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
Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students are eligible for the Student Orange Permit. It is honored in North, Ross Athletic and West Side Orange lots. These lots numbers are NC, SC, and W. Permit is NOT valid in M75.
Student Storage
Student Storage parking is designed for students who bring their vehicles to campus, but do not need to use them frequently. Storage parking is available to all students, including freshmen and sophomores. Distribution is first come, first served.
Student Yellow/After Hours
Graduate Students are eligible for the Student Yellow/After Hours permit. It is a dual permit combining two student parking options: Student Yellow and After Hours. Permits are honored at any North or South Campus Yellow or Orange lot (except for Lot NC40 – Stearns Building and the lots located 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. Students with disabilities may have access to faculty and staff accessible parking areas. Use of the accessible spaces requires display of a State-issued Disability Placard and a U-M Student Blue permit during enforcement hours. Faculty/staff are not eligible for the Student permit.. In the event that the individual is both a student and a faculty/staff member, only those with less than a 50% faculty/staff appointment are eligible.
Faculty and Staff Permits
Orange Parking
Orange permit parking is remote, located on the periphery of the north and Ross Athletic campuses. Bus service is provided to campus core areas.
Yellow Parking
Yellow permit parking is located on campus edges within a moderate walking distance to campus core areas.
Blue Parking
Blue permit parking is located in the heart of core campus areas. All structures are tiered Blue parking.
Gold Parking
Gold permit parking is located in structures and lots on all campuses, based on user need.
Retiree Permits
After Hours
The After Hours permit is honored in all color-coded parking lots and structures (Blue, Yellow and Orange), except for Gold areas, from 3 pm to 5 am, Monday through Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday.
