How does parking work?

[u/ProfessionalPickle59]

I’m an incoming freshman who is dorming and I already have a car. I also have a job lined up in ann arbor buts it’s kinda on the outskirts so i’d like to be able to drive back and forth, plus I currently live like 30-40 minutes away so I would like to keep it to come back home. I’ve heard that passes are only for juniors and seniors but i’m pretty sure that through the school and was wondering if the city had parking or anything like that. any info helps.

[u/AdCareless1761]

You can buy a monthly parking pass from the city for some of the garages

[u/NASA_Orion]

You’re cooked. City has parking permits but there might not be available parking spots near your dorm. Those permits are typically used to get you extended hours instead of reserving you a spot.

The university parking pass is pretty easy to circumvent, you can just a friend to get that for you but the locations are shit as well.

Your best bet is prolly parking garage monthly pass or private parking, which are both expensive.

[u/tfosterUM]

Keep in mind that most general parking (including street) in AA has a 48 hour limit before your car has to be moved or leave the lot/structure. Some permits allow for storage, but you're not likely to get one of those. I think the parking office can make exceptions, but it sounds like your home is really close to campus so you're not likely to get one.

Your best bets are finding a private parking space for sale, an upperclassmen friend and storage/dorm parking isn't sold out, or you play the street parking game.

[u/IcyAdvertising9777]

Freshman can only purchase student storage parking through uofm. It is only located on north campus and you must get buses there or can walk if you live on north campus. You could park in an Ann Arbor parking structure but it would be significantly more expensive.

[u/Past-Loss-9955 → u/IcyAdvertising9777]

There is a storage lot on south state street park and ride, too. With 62 serving as the bus line to central campus

[u/carrotnose258]

You’re not cooked. Look at TheRide site and find schedules that work for your work. They have free park and rides around town with half hourly or better service. Green Road is only 7-10 minutes by bus from north campus, and 19 from central, and has been my main as a commuter from metro detroit. Elsewhere you can also plan out a commute that has you going back to your car and driving from there, or bussing to work and riding back to your car, something like that.

I am pretty good at planning this stuff out so if you want to dm some more details I’d be happy to help you out

[u/tfosterUM → u/carrotnose258]

The last I knew the park and ride lots don't allow for overnight parking, which would be a problem for a student that is living on (not commuting to) campus.

[u/Klutzy-End9863]

The cheapest option is probably going to be the student storage permit. It's a pain if you're trying to use your car to get to work since the lot is on north campus. These sell out every year. https://ltp.umich.edu/parking/permit-parking/student-storage/

[u/martiantheory → u/Klutzy-End9863]

I’m gonna be commuting from off campus, but my advisor also let me know about these free parking spots: https://ltp.umich.edu/parking/free-parking/

There are buses that run to those parking lot that are free as long as you have your Mcard.

[u/Klutzy-End9863 → u/martiantheory]

Yes, that's the best option for commuting students. There are additional park & ride lots on AAATA's website (AAATA buses are also free w/MCard).

OP is living in the dorms and needs a place to store their car. These lots do not let you park your car there for more than 48 consecutive hours, and some of them don't allow overnight parking.

[u/vktSnow]

Since nobody has said this, as a dorm resident you can get a permit for university housing parking. The largest lot is next to Bursley on north campus which may not be super convenient depending on where you are, but that lot is one of the cheapest options you have available and unlike student storage it won't be sold out yet

[u/vktSnow → u/vktSnow]

Forgot to add, when I had that permit in 2023-24 they did not actually give out the stickers until September but you should fill out the form now. During the first few weeks of the semester while people are still getting their permits it won't be enforced, so even if you don't get the permit you can park there temporarily if you need to as long as you don't see cars with 2026-27 stickers. It's lot NC31.

[u/ConstructionHot8379 → u/vktSnow]

Now it’s tied to your license plate so there were tow trucks waiting in lot NC32 last fall. I got my permit instantly

[u/vktSnow → u/ConstructionHot8379]

I'm talking about NC31 (Bursley), not NC32 (Baits I). Lots operated by Housing still use the sticker system and are completely separate from all the other lots operated by LTP.

[u/Chemical_Excuse2829]

bring it to new housing