To our UC Berkeley Permit Holders: Move-In 2026 Traffic & Parking Impacts
The Golden Bear Experience 2026 is just around the corner! We are excited to welcome our incoming freshmen and transfer students to campus.
Please be aware that Move-In Day and Golden Bear Orientation will impact campus parking and traffic during the following dates:
- Monday, August 17 – Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- Sunday, August 23, 2026
As our newest students transition to campus life, we want to ensure our current permit holders have the information needed to navigate these busy days. See below for specific details on lot closures, detours, and alternative parking options.
Campus Traffic Advisory: Move-In Day 2026
Our primary undergraduate Move-In Days are scheduled for Monday, August 17 – Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
During this time, approximately 9,000+ incoming undergraduates and their families will be arriving on campus to unload belongings, condensed within a tight 10-hour window each day.
To help ease campus congestion, campus leadership requests the following cooperation from our community:
For Department Chairs, Managers, and Supervisors
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Offer Remote Options: Review your operational needs and offer staff alternatives to traveling to campus, such as telecommuting or taking a vacation day.
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Adjust Event Planning: Consider scheduling meetings, retreats, or other group activities off-site during these days.
For Staff Commuting to Campus (August 17 – 19 & 23)
If you must be on campus, please plan ahead for significant delays:
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Alternative Transit: Bike, walk, or take public transit if possible. You can find optimal routes on the Berkeley Transit Website.
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Expect Parking Restrictions: Campus parking will be extremely limited. Review the list below for allowed lots, prohibited lots, and alternative parking locations.
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Allow Extra Time: If you must drive, factor at least 30 additional minutes each way into your commute and prepare to use the alternative lots listed below.
Move-in Day 2026
UC Controlled Lots for Move-In
On Monday, August 17th – Wednesday, August 19th, 8:00AM – 6:00PM the following parking locations will be reserved for Cal Move-In undergraduates.
Please review the tables below to see which lots UC Berkeley Permit Holders should avoid and where to find alternative parking.
Temporary Unavailable Parking Lots
UC Permit Holders may NOT park in the following locations between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
| Date | Noth Side Closures | South Side Closures | West side Closures |
| Monday, August 17, 2026 | None |
|
None |
| Tuesday. August 18, 2026 |
|
|
None |
| Wednesday, August 19, 2026 |
|
|
|
Alternate Parking Areas for UC Permit Holders
Due to the heavy congestion and traffic around the residence halls, and the limited parking available, we strongly recommend UC permit holders to park at the following alternate parking facilities and campus lots. Please note that these lots operate on a first come first serve basis:
| Permit Type | North Side Alternatives | South Side Alternatives | East Side Alternatives | West Side Alternatives | Central Alternatives |
| C Permit |
|
Available August 18 (Tuesday) - 19 (Wednesday), 2026
|
|
Available August 17 (Monday) - 18 (Tuesday), 2026
|
|
| F Permit |
|
|
|
Available August 17 (Monday) - 18 (Tuesday), 2026
|
Not Available |
| M Permit |
|
Available August 18 (Tuesday) - 19 (Wednesday), 2026
|
|
|
|
| S Permit |
|
Not Available |
|
Not Available | Not Available |
View the Campus Parking Map (pt.berkeley.edu/map) for location information.
Find your commute partner to ride transit with, or carpool to and from campus (and beyond). This is UC Berkeley's official Ridematching and Trip-Planning Module, with a closed exclusive network for the Cal community only, geared to make your commutes easier.