For 2026–27, resident-student garage and lot sales opened July 13, 2026 at 8 a.m.; commuter and graduate student sales opened July 16 at 8 a.m. Classes begin August 18.
Source ↗Car rules and parking at University of South Carolina
Yes. New first-year students live on campus and may buy resident undergraduate parking. The S surface-lot permit costs $150 for 2026–27, with garage and housing-area options subject to inventory.
Start with the eligibility details below, then weigh permit cost, timing, overnight access, and transit. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Source 3 ↗
At a glance
Parking snapshot
Student garage permits are first-come, first-served. A permit does not guarantee a space near a destination, and event operations can fill or temporarily relocate parking.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Resident S lots explicitly allow overnight parking. CS commuter lots and Any Decal lots prohibit parking between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.; students must use a permit and location that authorizes overnight access.
Source ↗Parking rules are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including break periods and holidays. The regulations do not authorize leaving a vehicle as long-term storage, and abandoned vehicles may be removed.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Who qualifies
Eligibility details
On-campus first-year resident
New first-year students are required to live on campus, and resident undergraduates may buy an S surface-lot permit. Campus Village and Bates residents may use location-specific CV permits, and verified Greek Village residents may use GV permits.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Source 3 ↗Commuter
Commuting undergraduates may buy a CS permit for designated commuter lots and eligible Any Decal areas, or purchase a garage permit if available.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Upperclass student
There is no separate class-year restriction. Upperclass undergraduates use the same resident or commuter permit categories based on where they live, subject to garage and lot inventory.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Accommodation or exception
Students using campus ADA spaces must have a valid university parking permit and register their state-issued disability placard or license plate with Parking and Transportation Services.
Source ↗If you skip the car
Primary car-free alternative
The COMET operates eight daytime and two evening campus routes free with a Carolina Card, plus a weekend route during fall and spring. Rides On Demand provides late-night transportation through the TransLōc app.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Test it against your routineCommon questions
University of South Carolina car and parking FAQ
Can freshmen have cars at University of South Carolina?
Yes. New first-year students live on campus and may buy resident undergraduate parking. The S surface-lot permit costs $150 per year; Campus Village, Bates, and Greek Village residents have location-specific options.
How much is a parking permit at University of South Carolina?
The Resident Undergraduate (S) surface permit costs $150 for 2026–27. Garage or reserved parking costs $440 per semester or $880 annually; Greek Village costs $300 per semester or $600 annually.
When do University of South Carolina parking permits go on sale?
For 2026–27, resident-student garage and lot sales opened July 13, 2026 at 8 a.m.; commuter and graduate student sales opened July 16 at 8 a.m. Classes begin August 18.
Is a car worth it at University of South Carolina?
Probably not for routine campus travel: campus COMET routes are free, and resident surface parking costs $150 per year. A car is most useful for frequent off-campus Columbia trips, but a permit does not guarantee a space near every destination.
Trace the answer
Cited official sources
These verified university sources support the current claims above. Follow each link for the full policy.
Student Permits ↗
The 2026–27 fee schedule lists resident, commuter, garage, Greek Village, Founders Park, and motorcycle permit prices and describes student permit categories.
University of South Carolina Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedPermits ↗
The 2026–27 dates list July 13 resident sales, July 16 commuter and graduate sales, and August 18 classes; rules apply through breaks and holidays.
University of South Carolina Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedStudent Permit Reference Guide ↗
The 2026–27 guide maps resident, commuter, graduate, garage, Campus Village, and Greek Village permits to eligible facilities and says garage permits are first-come, first-served.
University of South Carolina Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedAll Parking Areas ↗
Resident S lots list overnight parking as available, while CS and Any Decal lots prohibit parking from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.; facility rules are enforced around the clock.
University of South Carolina Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedRules and Regulations ↗
The regulations require a university permit and registered state disability credential for ADA spaces and address abandoned or stored vehicles.
University of South Carolina Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedTransportation ↗
The COMET runs eight daytime and two evening campus routes free with a Carolina Card, with weekend service during fall and spring.
University of South Carolina Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedRides On Demand ↗
Late-night on-demand campus rides are scheduled through the TransLōc app; full service resumes August 18, 2026.
University of South Carolina Parking and Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedNew First-Year Student Housing FAQ ↗
The 2026 first-year housing FAQ states that new first-year students are required to live on campus, connecting them directly to the resident-undergraduate permit category.
University of South Carolina Housing · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedKeep comparing