Public Parking Options

Parking for Seasonal Special Events Campus Public Parking Lots Hill Area Public Parking Lots Off-Peak Hour Public Parking Ticket Machines (DMT) Public Parking in the City of Berkeley

Travel Directions Parking Tips Parking for Invited Guests Reciprocity: Other UC Campus Permits Honored

Public Parking on Campus

Campus parking is very limited. Virtually all spaces are reserved for permit holders during peak hours of Monday through Friday until 5:30 pm. We encourage the public to choose City over University parking facilities and to take advantage of public transit when possible.

This page offers information about rates and access to the campus lots.

Parking for Seasonal Special Events last updates: Commencement 2007

Parking & Transportation will post parking information here for certain seasonal Special Events attended by the public. Check these pages throughout the year for recommendations and availability of parking specifically for these events. Also find links to external event calendars.

Occasionally, regular permit parking will be impacted by seasonal events. News affecting lot access can be found on the P&T home page.

Unattended Lots (Pay in Advance at Pay Stations)

Berkeley Way Lot (South Side)		Witter Field Lot
Lower Hearst Garage (Level 2)		University Hall West Lot
RSF Garage (East Side)

Locations for Hourly Pay Parking

Berkeley Way Lot:
Berkeley Way between Shattuck Avenue and Oxford Street
Entrances on Hearst Avenue and Berkeley Way
Hourly Pay Parking at all times only in 11 designated spaces on south side of lot.

Lower Hearst Garage:
Hearst Avenue @ Scenic Avenue
Entrance on Scenic Avenue
Hourly Pay Parking at all times only in Gold Zone on Level 2.
No campus permits, unless otherwise noted.

RSF Garage:
Bancroft Way @ Ellsworth Street
Entrance on Bancroft Way
Hourly Pay Parking at all times only in Gold Zone on east side of lot.
No campus permits, unless otherwise noted.

Witter Field Lot:
Centennial Road, east of Stadium Rim Way
2 entrances on Centennial Road
Hourly Pay Parking at all times throughout lot.

University Hall (U/Hall) West Lot:
Addison Street @ Oxford Street
Hourly Pay Parking at all times throughout lot.
No campus permits, unless otherwise noted.

Hours of Operation

All unattended lots, except UHall West
- Monday–Saturday: 5:00 am–2:00 am (Closed 2:00 am–5:00 am)
  Sunday: 9:00 am–5:00 am
U/Hall West
- Open 24 hours

Public Parking Rates, Unattended (DMT rates)

Up to 1 Hour = $3.00
1 – 2 Hours = $4.00
2 – 3 Hours = $5.00
3 – 4 Hours = $6.00
4 – 5 Hours = $7.00

5 – 6 Hours = $9.00
6 – 7 Hours = $11.00
7 – 8 Hours = $13.00
Over 8 Hours = Max. $15.00

More Info and Exceptions

After 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, hourly public parking is available until 5 a.m. at all lots, including all levels of the Lower Hearst Garage.

All U.C. affiliate parking permits are valid under regular night and weekend parking policy, except for Gold Zones, 11 spaces in Berkeley Way Lot, and U/Hall West Lot. At Lower Hearst, parking rate signs are posted at the pay stations and at the entrance to Level 2.

Attended Lot (Pay at Exit)

MLK Student Union Garage (SUG) Lot

Location
Bancroft @ Telegraph
Garage beneath Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Student Union

Hours of Operation
Monday–Saturday: 7:00 am–12:00 am
Sunday: 1:00 pm–9:00 pm

Public Parking Rates, Attended

Up to 1 Hour = $1.00
1 – 2 Hours = $3.00
2 – 3 Hours = $5.00
3 – 4 Hours = $8.00

4 – 5 Hours = $11.00
5 – 6 Hours = $14.00
Over 6 Hours = $18.00

More Info and Exceptions

Non-reserved spaces only. Pay-at-exit to PCI parking attendant. Non-restricted campus lots are available to the public for a fee during off peak hours. There is no parking allowed in any lot from 2 am to 7 am, except for U/Hall West (open 24 hours). Hours and fees are subject to change at any time (e.g., during holidays, football games, concerts, public ceremonies). Public parking is very limited during special events (football games, concerts, etc.) — the use of public transportation is strongly advised.

Hill Area Public Parking Lots

Botanical Garden Lot

Lawrence Hall of Science Parking Lot

Botanical Garden Lot
Across the street from Botanical Garden @ Centennial Drive

Lawrence Hall of Science East Lot

Hours of Operation
Botanical Garden Lot

Daily 5:00 am–2:00 am

Lawrence Hall of Science East Lot

Daily 7:00 am–8:00 pm

Public Parking Rates, Hill Area Lots (Meter machines)

Half Hour Parking= $0.75
2 Hours Parking= $2.50

Four Hours Parking = $4.50
All Day Parking = $7.00

Off-Peak Hour Public Parking

During off-peak hours, public parking is available on non-restricted campus lots. Check posted signs for rates and times. No attendant on duty.

Off-Peak Hours
Monday–Friday: 5:00 pm–2:00 am
Saturday–Sunday: 5:00 am–2:00 am

Public Parking Off-Peak Hours
.50 per half hour
$12 maximum

Public Parking for Off-Peak Hours paid for with cash at Ticket Machine.

Ticket Machine (Dispensing Machine)

Accepts cash only: most coins and $1 and $5 bills.
Rate is .50 per half hour
Maximum purchase is 6 hours ($12)

Most ticket machines on campus will not allow ticket purchase during peak parking hours. Vehicles parking on campus during this time will be cited if not also displaying departmental authorization or campus permit.

After 5pm, ticket machines on campus will again allow purchases.

May 2007
Ticket from machine also called DMT (dispensing machine ticket)

Public Parking in the City of Berkeley

There are various public parking lots and facilities near campus and in downtown Berkeley. This list includes municipal and privately owned parking lots and garages open to the public. Please consult signs for hours and fees prior to entering the facilities.

Berkeley Way near Shattuck
Center Street near Shattuck (2025 Center Street)
Allston Way near Shattuck (2061 Allston Way)
Durant Avenue near Telegraph (2450 Durant Avenue)
Bancroft Way near Bowditch (2558 Bancroft Way)

Related Link: City of Berkeley Parking Lots

Traveling Directions

UC Berkeley's Visitor Services website provides information and assistance for your visit to the campus.

Parking Tips

Make parking arrangements in advance.
If coming to campus by invitation from a department or for a clinic appointment, ask a department or clinic representative to arrange your parking and provide you with a permit or to direct you to on- or off-campus public parking. Read more about parking as an Invited Guest.

Schedule visits for early morning or late afternoon.
During peak parking hours (9:30 am - 3 pm, Mon - Fri), University parking areas are often filled to capacity.

Read signs carefully before parking your vehicle.
Regulated parking hours, permit requirements, fees and special parking instructions are posted at all main campus entrances and in off-campus lots. Violation of University parking regulations may result in a citation and/or towing of the vehicle.

Can't find a parking space? Return to the East or West Gate and request assistance.
The gate attendant will direct you to a public parking facility near the campus. Gates are staffed Mon – Fri, 7:45 am – 5 pm; staffing varies during the summer months.

Use public transportation whenever possible.
Getting to Berkeley by public transit can be easy! By visiting the Parking & Transportation Office located at 2150 Kittredge Street you can find information about how to get to campus via public transportation, including Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) or AC Transit (the East Bay's bus system). Visit 511.org or dial 5-1-1 for more information.