Returning residential student permit sales start July 8

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 2, 2025) — Student residential (R) parking permits will go on sale at noon Tuesday, July 8, for returning UK students with a 2025-26 campus housing assignment.

This priority presale window is available for students who had a residential housing assignment last academic year and is handled on a first-come, first-served basis through 5 p.m. Friday, July 18. After that date, the permits will go on sale to the broader residential student population.

Permit pricing information

Parking permits are priced based on proximity and predictability. Most residential permits for the new academic year cost $504. Residential permits for the Shively Lot (R16) cost $336 for the academic year. These permits are only available for purchase for a full academic year (eight months).

Students who choose to purchase a residential (R) permit are required to park within their designated residential area. They may also choose to park in the residential periphery (RK) area at Kroger Field.

Additional parking permit options are available for students who are seeking a less expensive alternative or who do not require or desire regular or proximate access to their vehicle. These include:

• Residential periphery (RK) parking is available at Kroger Field and can be purchased by the semester or the full academic year. RK permits cost $136 for the fall semester or $272 for the full academic year.
• Remote (X) parking is also available for $168 for the full academic year.

For more details about residential parking options, including classifications, permit types and parking area locations, please visit the student permits page.

Purchasing a permit

To purchase a permit online, log into your customer account. The appropriate residential parking permit(s) for your housing assignment will appear as an option for purchase. Housing assignments must be finalized before residential permit options can be displayed.

Purchases can also be made in person at the Transportation Services customer service center, 721 Press Ave., or over the phone at 859-257-5757.

Please have the make, model, color and full license plate information for your vehicle available, as vehicle information is required before a permit purchase can be processed. 

The Transportation Services customer service center office hours are 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

All outstanding parking citations must be paid before a permit purchase may be processed. Citations may be paid online or over the phone.

Parking control details

For students who choose to park on campus, note that 2025-26 parking permits will be valid beginning Saturday, Aug. 9, and must be displayed upon arrival. Residential permits will also be activated for entry and exit from gated parking structures beginning on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Permit renewal time also offers students a good opportunity to consider other methods of transportation to, from and around campus, rather than single occupancy vehicles. Transportation Services offers several attractive incentives to encourage both employees and students to consider sustainable options, such as biking, busing, walking, ride-hailing or ride-sharing. For details about these programs, visit the Sustainable Transportation section of the Transportation Services website.

For information concerning parking and transit operations on campus, sign up for the e-news or follow Transportation Services on X @UKParking and on Instagram.