The Green and Orchard Park housing parking assignments are announced in late August; standard eligible daily parking is purchased in AggiePark.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Car rules and parking at University of California, Davis
Restricted. First-year residence-hall students generally cannot bring a car; eligible commuters pay daily rates, while apartment residents use limited housing assignments or lotteries.
Start with the eligibility details below, then weigh permit cost, timing, overnight access, and transit. Source ↗
At a glance
Parking snapshot
Residence halls have no standard student permit supply; The Green and Orchard Park use limited-quantity lotteries.
Source ↗Campus-housing residents are not eligible for affiliate-rate parking or overnight campus parking unless Transportation Services approves a Resident Parking Exception. Eligible commuters buy daily parking for a campus visit, not long-term vehicle storage; The Green and Orchard Park use their separate housing-lot assignment rules.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Parking regulations are enforced year-round, including quarter breaks and summer; university holidays are exempt.
Source ↗Who qualifies
Eligibility details
On-campus first-year resident
Residence-hall students are not eligible to purchase or display campus parking permits and may not bring a car to campus; apartment parking is separately limited or lottery-based.
Source ↗Commuter
Students otherwise eligible to park may purchase daily affiliate access in C, C+, L, M, or F zones.
Source ↗Upperclass student
Class year does not override the housing rule. Upperclass residence-hall students remain ineligible for standard campus parking; eligible commuters may buy daily parking, while The Green and Orchard Park residents follow their property's limited assignment or lottery process.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Accommodation or exception
A residence-hall student may submit a written appeal for extenuating circumstances; distance from home, ordinary work or class obligations, ownership, and social activities generally do not qualify.
Source ↗If you skip the car
Primary car-free alternative
UC Davis undergraduates ride Unitrans and Yolobus free with university ID, and the Causeway Connection is free to all Aggies.
Source ↗Test it against your routineCommon questions
University of California, Davis car and parking FAQ
Can freshmen have cars at University of California, Davis?
Not if they live in a residence hall: those students may not bring a car or buy a campus permit. Eligible first-year commuters may pay daily parking rates, while The Green and Orchard Park residents use limited housing assignments or lotteries.
How much is a parking permit at University of California, Davis?
UC Davis uses daily rates instead of a normal student semester permit. For 2026–27, C parking costs $5.50 per day, C+ costs $6.50, L and M cost $3.75, and remote F costs $2.75.
When do University of California, Davis parking permits go on sale?
The Green and Orchard Park housing parking assignments are announced in late August; standard eligible daily parking is purchased in AggiePark.
Is a car worth it at University of California, Davis?
For most undergraduates, no. Residence-hall students generally cannot keep a car, UC Davis is exceptionally bike-friendly, and undergraduates ride Unitrans and Yolobus free. Eligible commuters should bring a car only when their route or schedule is not workable by bike or transit, because parking is charged each day.
Trace the answer
Cited official sources
These verified university sources support the current claims above. Follow each link for the full policy.
Parking and cars ↗
Residence-hall students cannot buy or display campus permits or bring a car. Apartment parking is limited or lottery-based, and residence-hall exceptions require a written appeal.
UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedPermit types and rates ↗
C-zone access is available to commuting students, and the FY 2026–27 affiliate C rate is $5.50 daily; L and M are $3.75 and F is $2.75. Enforcement continues during quarter breaks and summer, except university holidays.
UC Davis Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedCommute options ↗
The university lists free Unitrans and Yolobus rides for undergraduates with ID and free Causeway Connection rides for all Aggies.
UC Davis Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedResident Parking Exception Request ↗
The official form states that campus-housing residents cannot use affiliate-rate or overnight campus parking without an approved resident exception.
UC Davis Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedKeep comparing