Permits

USF embraced the trend of utilizing Virtual Permits in our parking operations for all campuses. Virtual permits have numerous benefits including efficiency, sustainability, and cost. Now, our valued customers will immediately have access to park on any campus upon purchasing online, compared to the previous processes which involved waiting for a physical permit to arrive in the mail. It is also a more sustainable process as permits don’t need to be printed and then mailed. Finally, Parking Services can more efficiently check lots and garages for violations. This will help to ensure only valid permit holders are parking on campus freeing up more spaces for you.

Make sure vehicle information is up-to-date when you buy your permit as Parking Services utilizes License Plate Recognition (LPR) for enforcement. This is why USF St. Petersburg campus will require all vehicles to “Park Plate Out.” Enforcement officers will be able to see whether the vehicle associated with your license plate is authorized to park on campus. If you haven’t purchased a permit and you attempt to park on campus, you may receive a citation.

All vehicles parked on the St. Petersburg campus must abide by the “head-in-only” rule to ensure that the license plate is facing the drive lane. This way it can be read by the License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras.

Exception to the rules are as follows:

1. Vehicles parking in a disabled parking space.
2. Vehicles actively charging at an electric charging station.
3. Vehicles displaying an official State-issued front license plate. 

At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. All permits will transition to virtual permits as of August 7th, 2024 or when purchased thereafter.

The process to purchase your parking permit has not changed. Simply visit the USF Parking Portal to login, choose your permit type, and check-out. The only difference is that you won’t receive a sticker in the mail. You will receive email confirmation of your purchase and be cleared to park on campus immediately.

Any vehicle that you intend to drive to campus must have its license plate number registered to your permit. Otherwise you may receive a citation. Please ensure your account vehicle information is up-to-date or you may receive a citation. You can register up to three vehicles to your permit, but only one can be on campus at a time.

You can add the new plate by logging into your parking account via myUSF, clicking on the View Your Permits tab, and then Add Vehicles to Your Permit Button under your current permit.

You can add the new plate by logging into your parking account via myUSF, clicking on the View Your Permits tab, and then Add Vehicles to Your Permit Button under your current permit.

As is already the case, visitors will either use the permit pay station in the parking garage and display the printed permit or the ParkMobile app to purchase their permit. ParkMobile requires you to put in your license plate, which will then register with our License Plate Recognition technology.

Virtual permits are still required. Vehicles parked in disabled parking should park as they traditionally do to accommodate the person with a disability.

Vehicles actively charging at one of the electric vehicle charging stations on campus are exempt from the park plate out policy.

Lot designations are now identical on all USF campuses. St. Petersburg permits can park in the following areas on the Tampa Campus. 

• GZ permits may park in E designated lots or GZ parking in the Collins or Laurel Garages.
• E and S permits must park in E and S designated areas.
• R permits may park in S designated area only.