Tempe residence-hall permits opened July 7, 2026 at 8 a.m.; Tempe commuter permits opened July 14.
Source ↗Car rules and parking at Arizona State University
Yes. First-year students at ASU Tempe may bring a car: campus residents can buy residence-hall parking with overnight access, and commuters can buy available commuter permits.
Start with the eligibility details below, then weigh permit cost, timing, overnight access, and transit. Source ↗
At a glance
Parking snapshot
Permits are first come, first served and authorize a facility but do not reserve an individual space.
Source ↗Residence-hall permits allow overnight parking; Centerpoint, Fulton, Tyler, and Lots 3, 55, 58, and 59 do not allow overnight parking.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Permits are required during semester and summer breaks; university holidays are the stated exception.
Source ↗Who qualifies
Eligibility details
On-campus first-year resident
Students living in an on-campus residence hall may purchase a residence-hall permit that allows overnight parking.
Source ↗Commuter
Tempe commuters may buy available annual permits; the 2026 commuter sale opened July 14.
Source ↗Upperclass student
Upperclass students follow the same housing-based rules: campus residents may buy residence-hall parking, while off-campus students may buy available commuter parking. ASU does not impose a separate class-year restriction.
Source ↗Accommodation or exception
Students with a state-authorized disability placard may use ASU accessible parking products under campus-specific rules.
Source ↗If you skip the car
Primary car-free alternative
ASU highlights campus shuttles, bicycles, Valley Metro buses, and light rail as alternatives.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Test it against your routineCommon questions
Arizona State University car and parking FAQ
Can freshmen have cars at Arizona State University?
Yes. First-year residents at ASU Tempe may buy a residence-hall permit with overnight parking, and first-year commuters may buy an available commuter permit.
How much is a parking permit at Arizona State University?
$1,050 / year. Tempe off-campus apartment permits are $1,300; commuter options range from $280 to $950.
When do Arizona State University parking permits go on sale?
Tempe residence-hall permits opened July 7, 2026 at 8 a.m.; Tempe commuter permits opened July 14.
Is a car worth it at Arizona State University?
For a student who stays around the Tempe campus, usually not: ASU shuttles, Valley Metro buses, and light rail cover many routine trips, while resident parking costs $1,050 a year. A car is more useful for a regular off-campus job or frequent trips beyond the transit network.
Trace the answer
Cited official sources
These verified university sources support the current claims above. Follow each link for the full policy.
Parking permits ↗
2026 sales opened July 7 for Tempe residence-hall students and July 14 for Tempe commuters. Residence-hall permits allow overnight parking; sales are first come, first served, and permits remain required during breaks.
Arizona State University Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedTempe campus permits ↗
Tempe resident permits cost $1,050 annually. Commuter options range from $280 to $950, and the page identifies facilities where overnight parking is prohibited.
Arizona State University Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedAccessible parking ↗
ASU publishes campus-specific accessible permit coverage and a process for people with state-authorized temporary disability parking placards.
Arizona State University Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedKeep comparing