Student with Issues Logging In?

  • Incoming Freshmen/New Students
    • Fall permits: Available starting July. Check for updates at Student Dates.
    • Account Info: Your details will be imported closer to the permit sale date.
  • Current Students

Faculty/Staff with Login Issues?

  • NetID Users: You should be able to log in as Faculty/Staff.
  • Affiliates and Temporary Employees
    • Create an account by clicking "Create Account".
    • Contact Parking to be placed in the correct permit group for online purchases.

How to Purchase a Permit?

How Will Permit Renewal Work?

  • In May, Faculty/Staff will receive an email with a link to the Parking Portal.
  • You'll need to provide
    • Vehicle details: License plate, make, model, color, and year.
    • Contact information: Confirm or update your info to ensure you have a valid permit for the new fiscal year.

How Many Vehicles Can I Assign to My Virtual Permit?

  • Employees
    • Register up to 5 vehicles.
    • Only 1 vehicle can be parked on campus at a time.
    • Motorcycles can be included without a separate permit.
  • Students
    • 1 vehicle for residence hall or commuter permits.
    • If using a motorcycle, a separate permit is required for residents.
    • Commuters can add a motorcycle to their commuter permit.

What If My License Plate is Obstructed or Missing?

  • Important: Ensure your license plate is fully visible for the License Plate Reader (LPR) system.
  • Examples of obstructions
    • No rear plate with the front plate blocked.
    • Bike racks blocking the rear plate.
    • Backing into a space with obstructed plates.
  • Consequences
    • Courtesy ticket followed by a Failure to Display citation (fines may apply).

Can My Partner and I Register the Same Vehicles on Our Permits?

  • Yes, you can register 2 vehicles.
    • First, register your primary vehicle.
    • The second vehicle can be listed as secondary.
    • For assistance, contact the Parking Office at parking@iastate.edu or 515-294-3388.

What If I Have a Temporary or Loaner Vehicle?

  • Loaner Vehicle Request
    • Fill out the Loaner Vehicle Request form with vehicle details: License Plate/VIN, make, model, etc.
    • Indicate the time frame you’ll be using the vehicle.
    • Depending on the duration, you may receive a temporary permit.
    • You are responsible for any citations received.

What Should I Do if I Leave the University?

  • Exit Process:
    • Email Parking Services at parking@iastate.edu when leaving ISU.
    • Any permits linked to your account will be invalidated, and a refund (if applicable) will be processed.
  • Note: If we're not notified, any permits linked to your account may still become invalidated if we find that you are no longer affiliated with ISU.

Do I Still Need a General Staff Permit if I Work from Home?

  • Yes, you can purchase daily passes for General Staff lots for the days you come to campus.

Can I Still Buy Daily General Staff Scratch Permits?

Will I Get a Citation for Multiple Vehicles on my account?

  • No, a citation is only issued if multiple vehicles are on campus at the same time.

What is License Plate Recognition (LPR)?

  • LPR uses scanning cameras to read license plates and check if they are registered for parking.
  • Data storage
    • License plate info is stored for 30 days (if no violations).
    • Violations are kept for 2 years.

Are Hangtag Permits Going Away?

What Are My Payment Options for Parking Permits?

  • Employees: Payroll deduction remains an option.
  • Credit Cards: Accepted for permit purchases.
  • U-Bill: No longer an option for permit payments.

How Can I Pay for a Citation?

  • Online: Citations can be paid with credit cards within 30 days through the portal.
  • After 30 days, unpaid citations will be handled by Accounts Receivable.

Is Parking Services Tracking My Time on Campus?

  • No, the LPR system only checks if your vehicle is authorized to park in the area.
  • There is no monitoring of when vehicles arrive or leave. LPR data is deleted after 30 days unless attached to a violation.

Will Campus Visitors Use the New Portal?

  • Yes, visitors will need to create an account to purchase a virtual visitor pass.
  • Visitors are encouraged to apply in advance before coming to campus.

Do I Need to Update My License Plate and Vehicle Information When I Get a New Car?

  • Yes! You must update your information when you get a new car or new plates.
    • If your new car does not have plates yet, provide the full VIN and for the license plate, type VIN#### (letters VIN followed by the last four numbers of the VIN).
    • You can update your details:

The ParkMobile App Isn’t Working. How Can I Pay?

  • If you’re having issues with the ParkMobile app:
    • Try reinstalling the app.
    • Alternatively, you can:
      • Pay via the web browser at ParkMobile.io
      • Call 877-727-5989 to pay over the phone.
    • Coins and Smart Cards are still accepted at physical meters on campus.

Why Did I Get a Parking Ticket?

  • Parking ticket definitions can help explain your specific ticket.
  • Check the comments section on the ticket for more information.
  • If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly, you can appeal it online within 30 days of the ticket date.

Is There Any Free Parking on Campus?

  • Yes, but availability is limited:
    • Iowa State Center lots offer free parking during the day in designated lots (no overnight parking).
    • Free parking is available in some campus lots:
      • Weekdays: After 5:30 PM until 7:00 AM.
      • Weekends: After 5:30 PM Friday until 7:00 AM Monday.
    • Always check the signs for specific lot rules, as some require a permit at all times.

Can I Get My Ticket Forgiven?

  • Yes, you can appeal your ticket online if you believe it was issued in error.
  • 30-day window to submit an appeal from the original issuance date.

What Do I Do if the Pay Machine Kiosk or Meter Isn’t Working?

How Do I Pay a Parking Ticket?

  • Online: You can pay through the ISU Parking Portal.
  • By Mail: Send a check or money order to the Parking Office (Do Not Send Cash).
  • In-Person: Pay at the Parking Office front counter using a check or credit card.
    • Important: Starting July 1, 2024, the Parking Office will no longer accept cash.

My Car Was Towed. How Do I Get It Back?

  • Reasons for Towing:
    • Parking in 24-hour reserve stalls or illegally.
    • Causing traffic issues.
  • What to Do:
    • Call 515-294-4444 (Parking or Police Department) to check if your car was towed.
    • HelpVan service can assist with transportation to retrieve your vehicle.
    • Alternatively, call Central Iowa Towing directly at 515-290-4188 to arrange a ride.
  • To Release Your Car:
    • You’ll need a valid Driver’s License and must pay the tow fee.
    • Expect to receive a parking citation along with the tow fee.
  • For more information, visit the ISU Towing and Impoundment page.

Can I Get a Refund for My Parking Permit if I Choose to Work from Home?

  • Yes, employees who purchased a parking permit can request a prorated refund if paid in full.
    • Payroll Deduction stops automatically once the permit expires.
    • To request a refund:
      • Email: parking@iastate.edu to cancel your permit.
      • Refunds are issued to the credit card used for the purchase (if applicable).
    • Important: Employees still need to display a permit or pay for parking at meters when on campus.
    • You can purchase:
      • Virtual daily General Staff permits online via the ISU Parking Portal.
      • Scratch-off daily General Staff permits (valid for one day only) from the ISU Parking Office.

Where Can I Park with My General Staff Permit?

  • General Staff permits are only valid in General Staff lots with a yellow sign.
    • NOT valid in other lots or metered spaces unless you pay separately.

My Parking Lot is Full. Where Can I Park?

For General Staff Permit Holders:

  • Park in the next available General Staff lot or pay for a metered space.
  • Do not park in a Reserve lot or metered space without paying – you’ll get a ticket.

For Reserve Permit Holders:

  • Immediately notify the Parking Office.
  • You’ll be directed to an available space, and an enforcement officer will be sent to the lot.

Important:

  • With a Reserve permit, you can park in any General Staff lot all day.
  • Do not park in other Reserve lots unless authorized.

I Have a Medical Permit. Where Can I Park?

Is There Any Free Student Parking?

  • Residence Hall Lots: Permits are required all hours in all ISU Residence Hall lots.
  • Iowa State Center: Offers free parking for commuters during the day, but no overnight parking is allowed.
  • Meters & Pay-by-Stall Spaces: Available for students to pay for parking across campus.
  • Free Parking Hours:
    • Staff and metered areas are free:
      • Weekends (starting Friday 5:30 p.m. to Monday 7:00 a.m.)
      • Weekdays after 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.
    • Important: Some stalls and lots are enforced 24/7—always read the signs!

Why Do Students Have to Pay for Parking?

  • Self-Funded Parking Services:
    • No tuition funds are used for parking services.
    • Parking Services covers costs for:
      • Snow removal
      • Maintenance (e.g., lot repair, signage, meters)
      • Employee salaries and office supplies
    • Funds come from permit sales, meter fees, and fines.

Is Parking Free During the Summer?

  • Normal Parking Rules Apply:
    • Students need a permit for Residence Hall lots and Commuter lots during the summer.
    • Check the student permit section for available permits.

How Can I Get a Job for ISU Parking Services?

  • Student Employment:

Can I Use a Visitor Permit if I Get a New Car or Drive a Temporary Car?

  • No:
    • Students cannot use visitor permits.
    • If your vehicle is displaying a visitor permit, you’ll be fined and possibly towed.
    • Refer to the Permit Agreement for more details.

Where Can I Park to Use the Maple, Willow, Larch Recreation Fields?

  • Weekdays (before 5:30 p.m.):
    • Pay for parking in Lot 100 (near Lied Recreation Center).
    • Walk across the bridge to the fields.
  • Weekends (after 5:30 p.m. on Friday to 7:00 a.m. on Monday):
    • Lot 100 and some General Staff Lots offer free parking.
  • Residence Hall Lot 63:
    • Requires a Lot 63 permit all day, every day.
    • Parking without a permit will result in a citation.

Where Can I Park with My Residence Hall Permit? Can I Park in Another Residence Hall Lot to Visit a Friend?

  • Residence Hall Permits: Only valid for the lot designated on the permit.
    • Example: If your permit is for Lot 112 at Frederiksen Court, you can only park in Lot 112.
  • Visiting Friends:
    • You cannot park in another Residence Hall’s lot (e.g., Lot 63 for Maple, Willow, or Larch).
    • Options:
      • Ride the bus.
      • Pay to park at a nearby meter or pay-by-stall lot.
      • Wait until after 5:30 p.m. or weekends when General Staff parking stalls become available for visitors.

Where Can I Park to Eat at a Dining Center?

  • Walking or Biking: Recommended as parking near dining centers is limited.
  • Limited Meter Parking: Available near dining centers but often full during peak times.
  • Loading Zones:
    • Some areas, like Conversations, Seasons Marketplace, and East Side Market, have 30-minute loading zones for quick pickups.
  • Weekdays (7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.):
    • Parking is limited to meters and pay-by-stall spaces.
    • No permit? You’ll be ticketed.

Where Can I Park When Visiting Campus?

  • Visitor Parking Options:
    • Meters: Available across campus.
    • Pay-by-Stall Lots: Lots where you pay per stall.
    • Visitor Permits: Available for longer-term parking.
    • Free Parking: Available during specific times in select lots (check signs for details).
  • For more information, visit the Visitor page.

I Received a Ticket While Visiting Campus. What Are My Options?

  • Ticket Options:
    • Check out the Visitor page for information on how to handle your citation.
    • You may be able to appeal or pay the ticket depending on your situation.

Where Can I Park for Tailgating and ISU Football Games?

  • Football Parking:
    • Managed by ISU Athletics for donors and general public.
    • Some campus staff lots are open for weekend parking.
    • Important: Read signs carefully! Some areas are enforced 24/7.
    • Parking Tip: Make sure your vehicle is parked within a designated stall. Blocking an emergency lane or traffic can result in being ticketed or towed.
    • View the Football Parking and Tailgating page

Where Can I Park When Attending a Campus Event?

  • Event Parking:
    • Follow the instructions given by your event coordinator.
    • If no instructions are given, visit the Visitors page for parking options and visitor permits.
    • Parking Tip: Plan ahead and know where you can park before arriving to campus. Improper parking without a valid permit can lead to fines and towing.

Can I Use a Credit Card to Pay Meters or Pay-by-Stall Lots?

  • Yes! You can use a credit card:
    • ParkMobile app: Pay using your card via the app.
    • Guest Portal: Pay as a guest through the ParkMobile Guest Portal.
    • Physical Meters: Accept:
      • Cash (coins)
      • ParkMobile
      • Smart Card
    • Note: Physical meters do not accept credit cards directly at the meter, but ParkMobile can be used for payment.

Can I Park for Free While Working on a Construction Project?

  • Permits Are Required: All vehicles on ISU campus must have permits to park in campus lots.
  • Project-Specific Parking Plans: Each construction project has its own designated parking plan, which is provided by Facilities Planning and Management.

Am I Required to Pay When Parking at Meters or Pay-by-Stall Lots?

  • Yes, Payment is Required: You are not exempt from paying for parking at meters or pay-by-stall spaces while working on campus.
  • Exceptions: Certain permits may allow you to park in these areas for a limited time without charge, if you are eligible.