Freshman Parking

VCU encourages freshmen residential students to take full advantage of academic and social activities around campus. For this reason, the university focuses on reducing the number of cars on campus. Besides being pedestrian friendly, VCU’s campus has other modes of transportation available.

• Parking decals cannot be purchased by other students for first year residential students. Violations of the protocol may be pursued through the Student Code of Conduct and/or may result in revocation of future parking privileges.
• To promote good VCU-neighborhood relations, residential freshman parking in the streets and neighborhoods surrounding campus is not allowed and may be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Surrounding neighborhoods with resident-only permit parking further prevent long-term parking.

• Exceptions include medical conditions, employment, over 21 years of age, military reservists, university obligations, and other extenuating situations.
• Students entering their second year (i.e. third semester) at the University are eligible to register a vehicle on campus even if they have not completed enough credits to obtain sophomore standing. Students who begin as freshman in the spring semester of an academic year are permitted to register a vehicle on campus for the coming fall semester.
• Pre-college credits, advanced placement credits and CLEP credits, do not change student status as a freshman or first-year college student.

Students who can demonstrate a compelling need to have a vehicle can petition for an exemption.

Exemption requests must be approved in order to purchase a parking permit. Your signature on your exemption request verifies your understanding of the Student Code of Conduct. Falsified information may result in revoked parking privileges or judicial action.

Please allow at least two (2) weeks for the approval process. Requests for approval are not automatic and are generally given only when a student's transportation circumstances cannot be accommodated by local or campus transportation services.

Submit an Exemption Request