PARKING
In Madison, parking is possibly one of the biggest problems related to the use of a car. Not only is it expensive, but it can be a great nuisance. The following are the most common places to park a vehicle:
Lot 60
Lot 60 is located by the University Hospital, and is available during the school year on a space available basis.
The fee for regular parking in this lot is currently $400 per academic year.
Overnight parking is available in a designated portion of the lot.
The criteria used for making student assignments is:
- Commuting students with few transportation alternatives
- Working students using their vehicles at least 3 times a week for employment when there is a proven need.
- Students using their vehicles on weekends or occasionally
Graduate students may purchase permits for most lots that are enforced after 5pm for ¼ the annual rate for the lot.
Applications for University parking are available at the following Transportation Services offices:
- Main Office: (608) 263-6666, 610 Walnut St., Room 124, WARF Building
- East Campus Office: (608) 262-7707
- Visitor Information Place, Park St. side of Memorial Union
See http://www.fpm.wisc.edu/trans/, the web page of UW Transportation Services, for more information.
Visitor Parking
One-day and half-day visitor permits are available for several campus lots.
The cost is $6 for a full day, $3 for a half day.
Parking Meters
There are public meters in most parking lots.
The time limits range from 25 minutes to 10 hours.
If you contact the Transportation Services office, you can obtain a list of hourly rates for certain parking meter locations.
Parking Ramps
Parking ramps are a convenient way to park a car for either a short time or an extended period of time.
They usually charge by the minute and hour.
The following ramps are for use for public parking:
- Area 7 Grainger Hall-Brooks Street entrance
- Area 46 South East Ramp-Johnson and Lake Street
For a list of rates and times of use, contact the Transportation Services office. There is a large public parking ramp between University Avenue and State St., with entrances on Lake St. and Frances St.
Street Parking
In Madison there are a lot of restrictions when it comes to street parking.
You must park at least 15 feet from cross walks, and you must be 4 feet from driveways.
Also, if your car is parked in the same spot for more than 48 hours, it will be ticketed.
When parking your car, look for signs that give times of available parking, and check to see if you can actually park there.
Some parking spots are only allowed for emergency vehicles, and in many spots you can park for only two hours at a time.
In the winter months, there are certain parking restrictions when snow is on the ground.
Residential parking permits for certain streets in Madison are available for a yearly fee; these permits allow the holders to disregard two-hour restrictions.
For information, call the City of Madison Department of Transportation, 266-4761, or see
http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/parking/parkinfo.html.
Private Parking
When living in an apartment complex, you can usually buy a parking space located either under the apartment, or outside.
Unfortunately, these parking sports are VERY expensive.
You should talk to your building owners for information on a private parking spot.
There are also private parking spots that you can rent from private homeowners.
These parking spots are most times very hard to find, and are also very expensive.
CIVC has a "Parking Notebook" with information on privately-owned parking lots, spaces, and garages.