2026-27 permits are available through MyParking now. Pre-year orders are mailed beginning August 1; after August 1, a buyer can print a 10-day temporary dashboard permit while the physical permit is mailed.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Car rules and parking at The University of Texas at San Antonio
Yes. UT San Antonio assigns parking by housing status: a first-year student in campus housing can buy the matching Housing Resident or University Oaks permit, while an off-campus student can buy a Commuter permit. 2026-27 permits are available through MyParking now.
Start with the eligibility details below, then weigh permit cost, timing, overnight access, and transit. Source ↗
At a glance
Parking snapshot
Housing Resident, University Oaks, and Commuter surface permits are listed for purchase. They provide access to the stated zones rather than a reserved individual space; UT San Antonio says certain permit types may be waitlisted when a current customer requests an upgrade or downgrade.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Housing Resident permits are valid in unmarked resident spaces at any time. University Oaks permits are valid in unmarked University Oaks spaces and, beginning September 1, designated Barshop commuter spaces at any time; keep the car within the locations printed for that permit.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗During an official intersession, any valid permit can use an unmarked resident or commuter space. Marked, reserved, and accessible spaces keep their normal restrictions, and study days and final-exam days are not treated as intersession.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Who qualifies
Eligibility details
On-campus first-year resident
Eligible. The permit menu assigns residential parking by housing location rather than class year. Most residence halls use the Housing Resident permit; University Oaks and Tobin Avenue Garage have separate products.
Source ↗Commuter
Eligible. The $210 Commuter permit is for students who drive to campus and covers unmarked commuter spaces at any time, plus designated employee spaces during evening and weekend hours.
Source ↗Upperclass student
Eligible. Upperclass students buy the permit tied to their residence or commuter status, with surface, garage, and lower-cost evening options listed for 2026-27.
Source ↗Accommodation or exception
The Accessible Student permit costs $210 for 2026-27 and requires an eligible state placard or plate. Students must take their documentation to Campus Services in person before the permit can be issued.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗If you skip the car
Primary car-free alternative
The Runner connects main-campus parking and nearby apartments during fall and spring. Current students also receive a fare-free VIA U-Pass for unlimited VIA bus and VIA Link trips around San Antonio.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Test it against your routineCommon questions
The University of Texas at San Antonio car and parking FAQ
Can a UT San Antonio freshman bring a car?
Yes. A first-year student living in a residence hall buys the permit assigned to that housing location, while an off-campus first-year student can buy Commuter parking.
How much is UT San Antonio student parking for 2026-27?
A Commuter permit is $210 for the year. Housing Resident and University Oaks permits are $353, while the Tobin Avenue Garage resident option is $1,046. Prices are prorated as the year progresses.
When can I buy a UT San Antonio parking permit?
The 2026-27 permits are available through MyParking now. Pre-year orders are mailed beginning August 1; after August 1, print the 10-day temporary dashboard permit while the physical permit is in the mail.
Can I park in a different lot during intersession?
Usually, yes. A valid permit can use unmarked resident or commuter spaces during an official intersession. Reserved, marked, and accessible spaces keep their restrictions, and finals or study days do not count as intersession.
Trace the answer
Cited official sources
These verified university sources support the current claims above. Follow each link for the full policy.
2026-2027 Parking Permits ↗
Lists current resident, commuter, accessible, evening, and garage permit prices, the locations each permit serves, and monthly proration.
UT San Antonio Campus Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedStudent Parking FAQs ↗
Explains online permit ordering, waitlists, pre-year mailing, accessible-parking requirements, and the more flexible parking rules during intersession.
UT San Antonio Campus Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedAccessible Parking ↗
Describes the 2026-27 Accessible Student permit, required state credentials, in-person registration, and temporary accessibility process.
UT San Antonio Campus Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedParking Regulations: Permit Types ↗
Defines permit privileges, holiday and intersession parking flexibility, accessible spaces, and the limits on leaving an unauthorized vehicle.
UT San Antonio Campus Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedThe Runner Schedules ↗
Shows the fall and spring campus shuttle routes that connect parking areas, the campus core, and selected nearby apartment stops.
UT San Antonio Campus Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedVIA U-Pass ↗
Explains fare-free VIA bus and VIA Link access for current students, giving commuters a practical alternative to driving every day.
UT San Antonio Campus Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedKeep comparing