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Parking & Transportation Services

Parking & Transportation

Customer Service Location:
Elgin Street Garage
Suite 110
4224 Elgin Street
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-2007
Phone: 832-842-1097
Email: [email protected]
Office Location Map

Administrative Offices:
Elgin Street Garage
4224 Elgin St., Building E
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-2007
Staff Directory

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Student Parking Permits

Spring 2025 student parking permit registration is open. To secure a permit, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to AccessUH using your CougarNet credentials, and click on the myParking Account icon.
  2. Click "Purchase Parking Permit"
  3. Read the "Important Info" page and then click "Next"
  4. Read about toll tags and how they can be used with garage permits, then click "Next"
  5. Select your permit (during priority renewal, only your current permit will appear)
  6. Check the two agreement boxes and click "Next"
  7. Add vehicle information. Students can choose up to three vehicles to be active on their permit.
  8. Finish checking out.
  9. The cost of the permit will be added to your spring fee bill.

 Remember:

  • Parking permits are virtual. There is no hangtag or sticker to display.
  • Semester permits are non-refundable after the 12th class day of the semester.
  • The spring semester permits also include the summer months at no additional charge.
  • Students cannot have more than one active parking permit.
  • Parking permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis based on availability. (Empty spaces in specific lots does not necessarily mean that permits for that location are available.)
  • To be eligible for the University of Houston at Sugar Land permit, a student must be taking a majority of their semester credit hours in Sugar Land.
  • Three-wheel vehicles such as the Polaris Slingshot require a vehicle permit and are not eligible for a motorcycle permit. Three-wheel vehicles cannot be parked in motorcycle spaces but must use a standard parking space.

More Parking Information 

Click on each header below to see more information/details on the topic that is highlighted:

Getting a Parking Permit

Student permit selections are done online:
  • Log in to AccessUH using your CougarNet credentials, then click on the myParking Account icon.
  • Click "Purchase Parking Permit"
  • Read the "Important Info" page and then click "Next"
  • Read about toll tags and how they can be used with garage permits, then click "Next"
  • Select the desired permit
  • Check the two agreement boxes and click "Next"
  • Add vehicle information. Students can choose up to three vehicles to be active on their permit.
  • Finish checking out.

Canceling a Parking Permit

Valid University of Houston parking permits can be canceled at any time. However, student permits are non-refundable after the 12th class day of the semester. If canceled prior to that date, the refund will be prorated. To cancel a parking permit, follow these steps:
  • Log in to AccessUH
  • Go to your myParking account
  • Click "Cancel Parking Permit" button
  • Click on the permit number of the permit to be canceled
  • Scroll to bottom of page and click "Return Permit"
  • Scroll to bottom of page and click "Submit" button

Paying For a Student Parking Permit

Students who purchase a permit online will have the permit charge added to their fee bill. The fee bill is your UH account where all university-related fees (housing, graduation application, online education, etc.) and tuition are posted. The permit charge will appear within 1-2 weeks and will need to be paid by the specified due date to avoid additional charges. Student permits bought during the summer for the upcoming fall will not appear on the fee bill until near the start of the fall semester.

Campus is Divided Into Parking Zones

There are numerous ungated parking lots on campus. Parking and Transportation Services has divided these lots into eight different zones, ranging from A-H. Students who get a parking permit for a specific zone are allowed to park in any of the ungated, uncovered parking lots within that specific zone. Zone permits do not allow for parking in garages or gated lots. This map shows where the different zones are located and what lots comprise each zone.

Methods for Entering and Exiting Parking Garages

With virtual permits, students do not receive a physical hangtag to swipe at the gate to gain entry.

The following lists show the various locations and entry methods that can be used:

THESE AREAS USE PHYSICAL COUGAR CARDS (PRIMARY), DIGITAL COUGAR CARDS (SECONDARY), AND TOLL TAGS (ALTERNATE):  

  • Elgin Street Garage
  • University Gateway Garage
  • University of Houston at Katy
  • East Garage
  • Stadium Garage faculty-staff and student sections

THE FOLLOWING AREAS USE PHYSICAL COUGAR CARDS (PRIMARY) AND TOLL TAGS (ALTERNATE):

  • Welcome Center Garages

Registering a Toll Tag for Garage Entry

Parking and Transportation Services allows the use of EZ Tag (Harris Co.) or TxTag as a hands-free way to enter and exit your assigned on-campus parking garage or faculty-staff gated lot. If you'd like to use your toll tag, follow these steps to add it to your permit:
  • Sign in to your myParking account through AccessUH.
  • Click on your name in the upper right corner.
  • Click "Manage Your Account Information" in the pull-down menu.
  • Edit the toll tag information at the bottom of the page.
  • Enter only the eight numerals in the toll tag number. Letters and special characters will prevent the tag from working properly.

How the Evening-Weekend Permit Works

Students, faculty and staff who purchase an Evening-Weekend parking permit cannot use it to park on campus (including UH Technology Bridge and UH at Sugar Land) until after 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. It can be used at any time of the day on Saturday and Sunday. These rules apply at all times, including when the campus is under relaxed parking rules. The permit can only be used in ungated zone lots in non-restricted spaces. Avoid parking in restricted spaces, such as reserved, disabled, unloading and metered. Anyone who parks in a metered space must pay the fee, even if they have a valid permit. The Evening-Weekend permit cannot be used to park in garages. This permit is non-refundable.

Parking Regulations Enforced at All Times

A valid UH parking permit is required to park on the University of Houston campus at all times, unless paying to park in a visitor parking location. Parking rules are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and university holidays.

You must park where your parking permit designates if it is Monday-Thursday between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. If it is after 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday, or any time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a valid UH parking permit can be used to park in any unrestricted space in any ungated zone parking lot on campus. Restricted spaces include reserved, disabled, unloading and text to pay.

Using a Permit During Event Parking

Anyone with a valid University of Houston parking permit may park at no charge in in their zone or parking garage if it is being utilized for paid event parking, unless otherwise stated.
This policy is not valid at lots/garages being used for donor parking.
In order to be admitted in, the permit-holder is required to show the parking attendant their virtual Cougar Card through the UH Go app on their phone. The permit-holder must click the "Tap for QR Code" button to pull up the QR Code with the moving background. Screenshots will not be accepted. The parking attendant will scan the QR Code to confirm if the person has a valid UH parking permit.