Visitor Parking
Passes, meters, service areas, special events, weekends, and more
Welcome to the University of Kentucky! Whether you are here to attend a conference, call on a friend or family member, or inquire about admission to the University, we hope your visit will be a pleasant one.
Please take a moment to read the following so you will know how and where to park while visiting our campus.
- Visitor Temporary Passes
- Parking Meters
- Visitor Parking in Structure #5
- Service Areas
- Special Event Parking
- Weekend Parking
- Disabled Parking
- Residence Hall Visitors
- Parking Dos and Don'ts
Visitor Temporary Passes
Issue Locations
- 721 Press Avenue (main office), corner of Press Avenue and Virginia Avenue
- 110 Transcript Avenue, corner of S. Limestone and Transcript Avenue, Medical Center area
- Parking Structure #5, next to Kennedy Book Store on South Limestone
Payment Information
- Cost: $2.50 each
- Payable by: Check, Cash, Visa, or MasterCard
Use of Temporary Passes
- Temporary passes are not valid for entrance into gated parking facilities.
- Must be displayed in the lower left hand side of the windshield, on the driver's side, in clear view so the expiration date is clearly visible.
Parking Meters
- All parking meters accept nickels, dimes and quarters.
- All campus parking meters are blue or black.
- The city has parking meters in close proximity to campus, but their meters are gray.
- The enforcement times and rates are different for the city meters.
Locations & Time Limits
- Purpose: To allow short term parking for visitors, employees and students.
- There are over 325 meters on campus.
- The time limits for these meters are either 45 minutes or 3 hours.
Enforcement
The hours of enforcement for a parking meter are displayed on the meter post and on a tag inside the meter. There are two different enforcement times. Meters in residential areas are controlled 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All other parking meters on campus are controlled Monday thru Friday from 5:00 am to 7:30 pm. Be sure to check the hours of control tags located inside the meters and also on meter posts.
Visitor Parking in Structure #5
Visitor parking for groups or individuals is located in the Parking Structure on Limestone next to Kennedy Book Store. The cost of parking is $2.00 for the first hour, $2.00 for the second hour, $1.00 per hour thereafter, with a $10.00 per day maximum.
Parking for large groups must be arranged through the Special Event Coordinator. Events are scheduled on a first-come first-served basis, and advanced registration is required.
Note: There is no overnight parking in the structure unless otherwise pre-approved.
For more information on Structure #5, click here.
Service Areas
If you need to load or unload large or heavy items, you should request a SERVICE PERMIT that will allow your vehicle to stand in any yellow-and-white striped area for up to 45 minutes for purposes of loading or unloading only. After that time, your vehicle must be moved to a regular parking area or parking meter.
Special Event Parking
All requests to accommodate visitors for special events should be coordinated with the Special Event Coordinator well in advance of the event. This may be accomplished by submitting a special event request form or by calling (859) 257-7433 to make arrangements for parking groups of visitors to the U.K. campus.
Weekend Parking
Most employee lots and student commuter lots are accessible and available on weekends. Permits are not required after 3:30pm Friday afternoons until 5:00am Monday mornings.
Disabled Parking
Spaces for visitors with disabilities are located throughout campus in close proximity to entrances of University buildings. and are available to visitors with special needs. These spaces, however, do require a disabled permit issued by Parking Services or a gate attendant. If you need assistance with locating accessible parking, please contact our office.
Residence Hall Visitors
If you are visiting a student living in a residence hall, your student host must provide you with a guest parking permit that allows temporary parking in the spaces marked for residence halls. Parking permits are available at no fee at Parking and Transportation Services during regular business hours. Temporary passes will be issued on a space available basis in the residence hall parking area or to the next closest parking area.
Parking Dos and Don'ts
- DO display your visitor pass correctly or insert appropriate amounts of money in the meter.
- DO lock your vehicle and remember where you parked.
- DO allow plenty of time; you may have to walk farther than you expected.
- DO read and pay attention to the signs at the entrance to parking lots.
- DO use the intra-campus transportation system. Board any LexTran campus bus or any CATS bus and ride to and from dorms, parking areas and main campus at no fee.
- DO ask for a campus map from Parking and Transportation Services or gate attendant.
- DON'T park in disabled spaces or restricted areas or spaces without appropriate permits.
- DON'T park on red or yellow lines or curbs, blue curbs, or striped areas unless your permit has been authorized for those areas.
- DON'T park in areas not clearly marked for parking; be sure you understand where to park when given a permit.
- DON'T assume that because other vehicles are parked illegally that you may do so.
- DON'T disregard any citation you may receive while a visitor on campus--please contact Parking and Transportation Services as soon as possible regarding the citation.
The high volume of vehicles and the limited number of parking spaces on campus result in constant requests by permit holders for enforcement of the parking regulations. If you park in any lot without a valid permit, you risk being ticketed or towed.
If you need any further information, please contact us.