Have questions about parking at TCU? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re a student, employee, or visitor, this page covers the most common questions about permits, policies, game days, and more to help you understand how parking works on campus.
Looking for past emails or announcements about parking? You can find an archive of previous parking communications here. It’s a useful place to check details or stay current on any changes.
General Parking Information
Yes. All vehicles must register their license plate for a virtual permit in the T2 Parking Portal before parking on campus, including visitors. This policy is enforced year-round with no exceptions.
Students and employees can apply for their virtual permit online through theT2 Parking Portal. After signing in with your TCU credentials (or creating a guest account), follow the steps under the “Get Permits” section. Your license plate serves as your permit; you will not receive a sticker for your vehicle’s window.
The T2 Parking Portal opens August 4 for all eligible faculty, staff, commuter students, residential students, and approved first-year students.
No. TCU has transitioned to a fully digital system using license plate reader (LPR) technology. Plates must be visible from the driving lane and securely attached to the bumper. Plates placed behind bike racks, guards, or on dashboards are not acceptable.
Yes. Your license plate must be clearly visible from the driving lane and securely fastened to the bumper.
Updates on parking at TCU will be communicated through several channels. These include the TCU Parking & Transportation website, campus-wide emails, the T2 Parking Portal , and QR codes posted around campus. An archive of previous parking communications can be found here.
Permits & Vehicles
Liberty Lofts can purchase a commuter permit, not a residential permit. Go to the leasing office to receive a Liberty Lofts permit.
University House can not purchase any permit. Go to the leasing office to receive a University House permit.
Village East can not purchase any permit. You will receive a Village East permit at move-in.
Register the temporary plate in the portal. Once your permanent plate arrives, update your account. Do not use “TEMP,” “N/A,” or your driver’s license number in place of a plate.
You can register multiple vehicles in the T2 Parking Portal and switch between them as needed.
Yes. All employees must register and pay for parking.
Visitor Parking
Visitors must register their vehicle online through the T2 Parking Portal. QR codes are also posted in designated visitor areas throughout campus that link directly to the portal, making it easy for guests to register upon arrival.
Visitor permits are valid for 3 days, with a total of 9 free days per semester. Additional permits may be issued as needed.
Visitors may use designated visitor lots or white lined spaces in commuter/faculty-staff lots. Overnight visitors must use Lot 4. All visitor-accessible lots close at 3:00 a.m. daily.
First Year Student Parking
Because of limited parking and ongoing construction, first-year students are not automatically allowed to bring a car to campus. A limited number of parking permit exemptions are available for first-year residential students. Those interested must complete a Parking Permit Exemption form to be eligible to receive a parking permit.
For Fall 2025, the process worked as follows: All requests were entered into a lottery system, and a select number of permits were granted. The exemption form was open from June 1 to June 30, and students who were selected were notified on July 11. A total of 900 students applied, and 500 were randomly selected.
Students are encouraged to explore on-campus job opportunities, which can reduce the need for transportation. To view available positions, visit the TCU Career Center at careers.tcu.edu.
Transit System & Getting Around
Yes. Beginning in Fall 2025, TCU will operate three transit routes to help move students, faculty, and staff efficiently around campus. These Leap buses will connect more distant parking lots to the heart of campus, making it easier to get where you need to go. Riders will also be able to track buses in real time using a mobile app.
Rideshare services, ZipCar rentals, and carpooling are encouraged.
Yes, cars will be required to move during game days or major campus events. Communications and Leap buses will support these moves.
Yes. Efforts have been made to separate commuter and faculty/staff lots to improve access for commuters.
Citations & Enforcements
All appeals must be submitted online within 10 days of the citation being issued in the T2 Parking Portal. Appeals via mail or in person are not accepted. You can upload photos to support your appeal.
You’ll have 10 additional days to pay before the charge is transferred to your TCU account.
If you do not pay your parking fines, any citation older than 60 days will be sent to collections. Vehicles with three or more unpaid citations may be booted or towed. Booting includes a fine and a warning and repeat non-payment may result in towing and possible permit revocation. Faculty and staff citations will begin being issued on August 18, 2025. However, any outstanding citations issued before July 31, 2025, will be forgiven.
Construction & Parking Relocation
They are part of the campus master plan and are being converted to residence halls or academic buildings. Some lots will not reopen due to permanent repurposing.
Yes. It now serves reserved faculty/staff parking. The garage has 7 ADA spaces on the 1st floor and 3 on the 2nd floor.
To manage event access and ensure parking for guests.
No. TCU does not provide off-campus parking lots.
No. All EV chargers have been removed.