To support the ongoing maintenance and improvement of parking facilities, University of Iowa Parking and Transportation is proposing modest rate increases for most parking permits beginning Aug. 1. 

The proposed rates – including a cost decrease to permits for the commuter lot farthest from campus – received unanimous support from the Parking and Transportation Charter Committee before seeking approval by the Iowa Board of Regents. 

If approved, this will be the first permit rate increase since 2016 and will help the department meet the rising demand for parking on campus. 

Some of the parking projects in the works include expanding some existing lots across campus; constructing the Hawkeye Parking Ramp north of Kinnick Stadium; and planning for another new west campus ramp. In recent years, the department also implemented new technology and operational efficiencies – including virtual permits using LPR and mobile payment. These new features have enhanced customer service and reduced costs for the department. 

“Our department is committed to providing quality parking services to the campus community,” says Debby Zumbach, associate vice president for business services and director of parking and transportation. “We have reached a point where additional revenue will be needed to keep up with demand.”  

The proposed permit rates for the 2024-25 academic year reflect the variety of parking needs and preferences of employees and students. Permit holders will be notified by email this week and later this spring after the Iowa Board of Regents votes on the proposal at its April meeting. 

A new Commuter B permit is proposed and would lower the monthly cost by $8 for employees and students who park in Hawkeye Commuter. The new Commuter B permit would cost $20 a month, while the Commuter A permit for the closer commuter lots would cost $28 a month. 

Some student permit fees also would increase modestly under the proposal. Student permit fees were reduced in 2019, and the proposed increases for 2024-25 remain lower than the rates before 2019. 

Zumbach says that the department strives to balance affordability and availability of parking for students. 

"We understand that some students need to bring their vehicles to campus, but we also encourage them to explore other options, such as our reliable CAMBUS system, which can help them access campus without a vehicle," she says. 

The university also is proposing increases for some types of parking citations. The citation rates were last increased in 2012, and the proposed rates are aligned with the rates of other state institutions. 

The proposed increases must be approved by the Iowa Board of Regents.