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Parking Information

Faculty and Staff Parking Permit Information

Undergraduate Parking Permit Information

Graduate Student Parking Permit Information

Visitor and Vendor Parking Permit Information

UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is committed to providing safe and reliable parking for all students, faculty, staff and visitors. We strive to protect the parking spaces of those who pay for a valid parking permit to ensure a safe and user-friendly environment is maintained on campus. Parking citations will be issued to those who do not abide by UC Merced's parking regulations.

Paid parking does not guarantee space availability. Virtual parking permit purchases are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Certain virtual parking permits may not be available at any given time. 

Parking Access

UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services may temporarily close or modify any parking space or facility.
Every attempt will be made to provide adequate advance notice. Any vehicle entering a barricaded area or passing a posted notification may be cited, immobilized (booted) or towed. 

Restricted Lots

  • University and Calaveras Lots
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • All specially marked spaces (e.g. ADA*, XAV**) and Lots
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Faculty/Staff Lots

  • Le Grand Lot, Library, Library Lot 2 and Bellevue -Gold
    7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday
  • North Bowl, North Bowl 2, ECEC and Scholars Lots 
    7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday
  • All specially marked spaces (e.g. ADA*, XAV**) and Lots
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Student Commuter, Staff and Visitor Lot

  • Bellevue Lot - Green Zone
    7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday
  • All specially marked spaces (e.g. ADA*, Carpool) and Lots
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

*Americans with Disabilities Act
**Reserved Accessible Van

 

Virtual Parking Permit Information

UC Merced uses a License Plate Recognition (LPR) permitting system. Your vehicle's license plate is used to verify parking purchases. No semester physical permits are issued. Please click here for LPR FAQ.

Please note:

  • A valid driver's license is required to purchase parking.
  • License plate information is required prior to purchase. 
  • Permit holders may only have one vehicle parked at a time on campus. 
  • All outstanding citations must be paid in full prior to purchasing parking.
  • The TAPS office accepts cash, check or Cat Dollars only. Please make checks payable to UC Regents.

 

Designated Parking Areas

All vehicles parked on University property must utilize marked spaces. In paved lots, parking spaces are designated by white lines on the roadway and/or yellow markers and numbers painted on the roadway. In temporary (dirt) lots, parking spaces are designated by yellow markers and/or white "PARK" signs with black lines and arrows (vehicles must park between the black lines with the arrows pointing inward at the vehicle). For a visual display of this, please click here.

 

"Pay by Text", Daily and Hourly Parking

Simply text "PARKBELL" to 727563 when you arrive to campus.** 

Valid for parking in Bellevue Lot - Green Zone Only.

Valid for use by Commuters and Visitors only. On-campus residents not authorized.

**When using the Pay by Text feature, parking payment links are sent via SMS by Flowbird (Start my Parking). Message and data rates may apply, as well as text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. One message per request. View Terms of Service here and Privacy Policy here

 

Where Do Your Parking Fees Go? 

Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is 100% self-funded and responsible for more than just parking. 
No state or tuition dollars or student fees are used to maintain our parking lots, roads, sidewalks or pathways. That's where we come in. It's our job - and parking revenue - that pays for it. Overall, infrastructure is becoming more costly amidst an unprecedented decline in permit revenue. Offering daily parking fee options assist our unit to remain operational and allows us to be able to meet the demands of managing and maintaining the campus' extensive parking and transportation systems. 
We appreciate your commitment to keep our parking areas and roadways safe at all times. 
Thank you!