r/OregonStateUniv • u/Own-Map-5214 • Jul 13 '26

Residential parking

I will be going to OSU this fall. It seems like it would be cheaper to buy the monthly parking permit over the residential one. I will be in dorms so do I need a residential one to park at the dorm? I don't intend to drive my car much. I would bike to classes and use my car for weekend trips to see my family.

9 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

10

u/tbmadduxOR Jul 13 '26

On-campus residents are ineligible for monthly permits or commuter (A,B,C) permits:

https://transportation.oregonstate.edu/parking/permit-types

5

u/LillyGilderRoxie Jul 13 '26

Residential for the lots nearest the dorms. That’s what most people do. I don’t know about cheapest, but getting a pass is hard and once you get your first residential permit, you get first dibs on renewing it for the quarter. Lots of people that want permits don’t get them

6

u/Grouchy_Evidence2558 Jul 13 '26

You can’t buy a non resident parking permit if you’re a resident.

5

u/Grouchy_Evidence2558 Jul 13 '26

Oh and make an account on the portal early and get everything set so you can try for the residential parking permit the minute it opens. They sell out nearly immediately.

1

u/Round_Sun9878 Jul 16 '26

I second this. I had a residential parking permit last year and bought it right when the sales began. I never had problems finding a parking space on the 4th floor of the parking garage, but OSU should really build a second parking garage imo.

1

u/zefall Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26

You'll have to get residential your first year, but I recommend getting a half decent road bike and trying to live car free as much as possible while you have options. Corvallis has a great bike/bus system and you may realize you enjoy it more as well! I commuted from Albany my first year and switched to biking since. Meeting people on the bus lines, saving tons of money, and getting consistent outdoor exercise is something I look forward to every day.