The Daily Decision program gives commuters access to low-cost, short-term options to meet their occasional parking needs. Using the ParkMobile app, this program provides community members greater flexibility than a traditional annual or semester permit, coupled with the convenience of contactless self-service.
Visit the Daily Decision page to learn more about parking options, prices, and locations, and visit ParkMobile.io to download the app, create an account, and park.
Parking Fines Increase 9/1/23
Permit and Payment Requirements Strictly Enforced
In response to a concerning increase in unauthorized parking across campus, Cornell is increasing violation fines for the first time since 2014. The new fine structure will take effect September 1, 2023, and apply to all vehicles violating posted parking guidelines.
Parking on campus is restricted to permit or payment at all times unless posted otherwise. Parking requirements and times of enforcement are posted at the entrance of each lot; please read all signs carefully before parking.
Because campus parking is limited and can be expensive, most students walk, bike, or ride the TCAT bus. New-to-Cornell students automatically receive free unlimited TCAT bus privileges in their first year, and find having a car on campus is more of a hassle than it’s worth.
Many community members who have only occasional parking needs or who are located on the periphery of the campus choose Daily Decision parking using ParkMobile. These deeply discounted mobile payment lots are convenient to TCAT transit routes and, in some zones, can be paid for multiple days.
Permit Sales and Delivery
Student permits are available for sale beginning in August of each year at myparking.cornell.edu; permits are valid until August 31 of the following academic year.
All student permits are sold online and mailed by our vendor to the address designated during the checkout process.
Commuting students must review and update their Student Local mailing address, and have their name clearly labeled on or inside their apartment mailbox to ensure timely delivery.
Please carefully review address information for accuracy to ensure timely delivery.
Student Permit Options and Eligibility Guidelines
On-Campus Resident Permits
LIMITED AVAILABILITY – must meet resident eligibility requirements or the permit will be recalled.
Students living in university housing can purchase a parking permit for their residence area. Resident permits are valid only in their signed parking area and the North Campus A lot after 2:30 pm.
ND – North Campus Residence Halls, Program Houses, and Cooperative Housing; 411 & 508 Thurston Ave.** Parking locations: Outer Circle of Hasbrouck Apartments; Program House Drive; Anna Comstock; Hurlburt House; A Lot.
SW* – South Campus Cascadilla Hall; Sheldon Court; Eddygate;109 Sage Place; Schuyler House. Parking locations: Stewart & Williams St; Schuyler House.
WD – West Campus House System, Program Houses, and Cooperative Housing; 112 Edgemoor Lane; 109 McGraw Place. Parking locations: Edgemoor Lane; University Ave Lot.
Permit prices prorate on a daily basis beginning September 1. The current price will display at the time of purchase.
Student Commuter Permit
LIMITED AVAILABILITY – must meet commuter eligibility requirements or the permit will be recalled.
B Commuter Permit – Annual Rate: $359.85
The B permit is valid at all times in the B Lot near the Vet College, TRB Lot, BTI Lot, and the North and South Morrison Lots on Judd Falls Rd; valid in the north campus A Lot after 2:30 pm.
Permit prices prorate on a daily basis beginning September 1. The current price will display at the time of purchase.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles, motor scooters, and mopeds parked in designated M permit spaces must have an annual Cornell University M permit sticker. Motorcyclists who have a parking permit for their car can display their annual permit on a motorcycle and park in spaces covered by that permit.
Can display student permit and park in vehicle spaces.
The permit price prorates on a monthly basis. The current price will display at the time of purchase. There are no refunds or exchanges for returned M permits.
Sharing Commuter Permits
Commuters can carpool and share the cost of a parking permit. One person purchases and is responsible for the permit, which can then be switched among vehicles registered with Transportation Services.
Please note that while commuting students can share the permit with their peers, permit ownership is not transferable.
Graduate Students on Assistantships
Parking Options for Eligible Graduate Students
Beginning in June 2023, graduate students funded by assistantships (teaching assistant (TA), research assistant (RA), graduate assistant (GA), and graduate research assistant (GRA)) will be eligible to purchase the same permits as faculty and staff, offering new options for students who carry out research and teaching on campus.
Getting Started
Review employee parking options and permit fees and privileges to understand the tier system and eligibility guidelines. The following permit options are currently available (*Must work in the associated zone):
When ready, complete the Permit Purchase Agreement Form to make a request. Some permits may not be available due to capacity limits or eligibility rules.
If the permit request is approved, Transportation Services will complete the transaction and mail the permit. We may contact the requestor to collect payment information. The student employee will receive a confirmation message (virtual permit) or will be emailed a printable temporary permit to use until their hangtag arrives.
If a permit is not currently available for purchase due to ineligibility or capacity limits, an alternate option will be offered. Transportation Services will evaluate parking demand and may open sales for additional permit areas after July 1. Please check back for changes.
Students can purchase an annual OmniRide student bus pass or choose to share the ride with other community members. Students may also opt to purchase regular student permits instead of faculty/staff permits.
Restrictions
Resident students may purchase a faculty/staff R (North Campus) or WE (West Campus) permit.
Resident students are not eligible for the free A or E permit.
Accepted payment methods for fee permits are credit card, check, and bursar; student employees are not eligible for payroll installments.
Student employees must meet the same work-in-zone and permit eligibility requirements as faculty and staff.
Permit Refund Policy
A pre-paid, annual permit is eligible for a refund if it is returned by March 31.
There are no refunds on M permits.
There are no refunds on annual permits after March 31.
There are no refunds on temporary permits.
There are no cash refunds.
Refunds are based on a prorated schedule. Refund amounts are determined on the day the permit is returned.
If a permit was charged, the account charged will be credited for any refund due.
Refunds on permits that were paid for by check or cash will be processed through Cornell University Accounting, and a check will be mailed. This process takes approximately two weeks.
Requirements
Permits are sold on a first-come, first-served, and space-available basis.
The rate is set as of July 1; permits prorate beginning September 1.
Annual permits are valid through August 31.
Permit ownership is not transferrable.
The vehicle on which the permit is displayed must be registered with the university.
No refunds on permits after March 31.
*SW permits may be made available to commuting students for a limited time at the beginning of each semester. Once the sales cap is reached, permit sales are restricted to residents only.
**Extremely limited. Permit sales are capped and are limited to North Campus residents of university-owned housing.
