Parking and Transportation supports on-campus, business-only mobility for a limited number of employees by issuing a limited number of Departmental Business Placards (DBP’s). The placards, sold only to departments, provide access to a range of university parking facilities.  Each placard contains an embedded proximity access card for use at qualifying gated parking facilities.  

Parking and Transportation uses virtual permits, including DBP’s, for enforcement.  License plates will act as permits moving forward. A physical DBP will continue to be provided as access cards are required to enter gated lots, but employee(s) and their license plates must be assigned to DBP in the Departmental Parking Portal.

Detailed information about DBP’s can be found in the Parking and Transportation Regulations.  

DBP General Information

  • Physical (DBP) placards are valid for two years.   
  • Please see DBP for expiration date 
  • DBP must be used in conjunction with a valid University of Iowa employee Ramp or Surface A Reserved permit.  
  • Parking and Transportation uses License Plate Recognition to enforce all permits on campus, including DBP’s.   
  • Employees and their vehicle license plates must be assigned to department DBP’s via the Department Parking Portal.    
  • By using a DBP, employees acknowledge the usage requirements and are responsible for all parking violations received while using the DBP.  

DBP Rates, Renewal and Cancellation

  • DBP rates can be found on the Rates page. 
  • Departments can use the Departmental Parking Portal to renew DBP’s, adjust MFK’s, assign employees to permits and add vehicle information.  Information on how to navigate the Portal can be found on the Parking Portal Info page. 
  • Permits financially renew in "even" numbered years
  • New physical placards are issued in "odd" numbered years
  • If departments no longer need a DBP, they must return the placard to the Parking and Transportation office to cancel the permit and stop accruing charges.  Refunds are prorated by the month.   

DBP Usage Requirements (location changes effective July 1, 2025)

  • DBP must be properly displayed on the front dash on the driver’s side facing up.
  • DBP is valid in faculty/staff reserved lots and UI public parking facilities: Parking Ramp 3 – Lot 80, Newton Road Ramp – Lot 10, Hawkeye Ramp – Lot 90, North Campus Ramp – Lot 20, IMU Parking Ramp – Lot 60, CRWC – Lot 11, and Library Lot – Lot 3.
  • Parking facilities eligible for DBP use are dependent upon capacity. 
  • The permit holder using the DBP needs to have the department contact register them in the Departmental Portal.
  • In conjunction those using the DBP must have a Parking Permit A, or Ramp Reserved parking permit (carpool permits included), in their own personal name.  
  • DBP use limited to one entry and one exit at a time. The placard cannot be shared for multiple and/or consecutive entries and exits.
  • Usage is limited to 3 hours in a qualifying parking lot or facility.  Staying beyond the 3-hour limit subjects the vehicle to a parking violation. 

DBP Restrictions

  • DBP’s not valid in the following parking ramps: Field House Ramp – Lot 6, Lot 14, and Family Care Center – Lot 99 and patient parking facilities including Parking Ramp 2 – Lot 70, and Parking Ramp 4 – Lot 30.
  • DBP’s are not valid in the following surface parking lots: Lot 4, Lot 9, Lot 17, Lot 24, Lot 29, and Lot 37.
  • DBP’s not valid in Cleary Walkway, Service Vehicle Zones, Loading Zones (free time parking zones), or pay by plate parking locations or metered parking locations.
  • DBP’s are not valid with any student parking permit or the following employee parking lot permits: Hancher – Lot 55, Finkbine Commuter – Lot 65, Hawkeye Commuter – Lot 85, Arena – Lot 75, IRL-Iowa River Landing and IRL – Intermodal Parking permits, SSB-Hospital Support Services Building, ISC – Integrated Services Building, MCNL – Medical Center North Liberty parking permits, MDDT – Medical Center Downtown parking permit, or NW - Night Weekend parking permit.
  • This placard is not to be used for personal convenience or for changing an existing parking lot assignment.
  • Improper display or use of the DBP will be subject to a parking violation and privileges may be revoked.