Bring donation items to the Parking Services Office for a chance to take $15, $20, or $30 off an outstanding citation balance. All donations will benefit the Patriot Pantry.
Bring donation items to the Parking Services Office for a chance to take $15, $20, or $30 off an outstanding citation balance. All donations will benefit the Patriot Pantry.
Spring permits go on sale starting January 5 and will be available throughout the semester. Purchase opens on a staggered schedule: Monday, January 5 (Faculty & Staff/Graduate Students/Seniors), Tuesday, January 6 (Juniors & Sophomores), and Wednesday, January 7 (Freshmen and Others).
George Mason shuttle service remains in operation until Friday, December 19. There will be no shuttle service between December 20 and January 4, 2026. All shuttle services will operate on winter break service hours starting Monday, January 5, 2026.
Reduced rates for selective fall semester permits are available for purchase. Click the link below to learn about the permit exchange process.
Traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus greatly increases during the first few weeks of the semester. Shuttles, shared transportation, and alternative rides are available. See the announcement for more details.
Introducing the online quiz tool to provide recommendations on your parking permit options and the easiest ways to get around George Mason University.
Make a difference, one commute at a time! Help MasonCommutes.com become the go-to place for Mason ridesharing and commuting of all types.
Register your license plate when purchasing your virtual permit. No more hangtags or printable permits. It’s easy to manage from anywhere, anytime.
Find out the latest updates on transportation services, Mason shuttles, and parking information for the new semester.
Test your knowledge and waive your citations through our online, educational quiz.
is now your permit
Register your license plate when purchasing your virtual permit. It's easy to manage from anywhere, anytime.
Spring Permits Available Online Starting January 5, 2026
Mason Square
Parking Services Office
Van Metre Hall, Room 219
3351 Fairfax Dr, MSN 2G3
(703) 993-8146
(703) 993-8007
[email protected]
When purchasing a permit online at My Parking Portal, payments can be made with Visa, Mastercard, or electronic check. A $50 administrative fee will be applied to accounts with insufficient funds or if the account number or routing number is entered incorrectly.
Parking at the Mason Square is restricted to those either working or attending class at the campus. Parking is very limited. Please use alternative transportation to get to campus, including using Metro, walking, and bicycling. There is metered parking on surrounding streets; however, even on-street parking may be limited at times
New Garage Access — George Mason University Parking Services has upgraded to the Metropolis parking system, which uses license plate recognition (LPR) technology for all garage access at the Mason Square Campus only. Access to the Fairfax parking decks have not changed.
Physical hangtags, QR codes, and proximity cards are no longer required or issued. Your license plate is now your permit. See “Garage Access” for instructions.
Vernon Smith General and Van Metre Reserved permit holders have guaranteed parking availability in the designated parking garage and are eligible to park in the general lots on Fairfax and SciTech campuses.
Short-Term Parking: For more information on short-term and hourly parking rates, go to the Visitors and Event Parking Page.
George Mason students attending a class at Mason Square and holding a valid Fairfax/SciTech General parking permit or higher (exclusions apply*) may obtain a complimentary supplemental parking permit for the semester to park in the Vernon Smith garage at Mason Square. Follow the instructions below to complete your request:
* Students with the following permits must upgrade to the Vernon Smith garage or Van Metre Hall garage permit with an additional fee. To upgrade a permit, submit a Permit Exchange/Deactivation Request Form:
If you experience any issues entering or exiting a garage or if your plate isn’t recognized please contact Parking Services at [email protected] or visit the Mason Square Parking Services Office in Van Metre Hall, Room 219.
Fall Permit: Valid until January 15, 2026
Spring Permit: Valid until August 15, 2026
| Vernon Smith General Permit | Van Metre Reserved Permit | Van Metre Reserved Daytime Permit | Van Metre Reserved Evening Permit |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Permit Rates | $290 | $440 | $320 | $320 |
| Fall Prorated Rates | $115 | $175 | $125 | $125 |
| Where Can You Park | ||||
| Vernon Smith Garage | Plaza Level, P1, B1, B2, B3 All Day Level B4 Monday – Friday 6:00 pm – Midnight | Not Valid | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| Van Metre Garage | Not Valid | All Day | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday – Sunday All Day | Monday – Friday 2:00 pm – 2:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus Rappahannock Parking Deck (Except Visitor Section) | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus West Campus Lot and General Lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, and PV | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
| SciTech Campus (Tower, Discovery, Occoquan, King, Hylton Lots) | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
Note: Rates are subject to change.
Valid Until August 15, 2025
| Vernon Smith General Permit | Van Metre Reserved Permit | Van Metre Reserved Daytime Permit | Van Metre Reserved Evening Permit |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit Rates | $115 | $170 | $125 | $125 |
| Where Can You Park | ||||
| Vernon Smith Garage | Plaza Level, P1, B1, B2, B3 All Day Level B4 Monday – Friday 6:00 pm – Midnight | Not Valid | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| Van Metre Garage | Not Valid | All Day | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday – Sunday All Day | Monday – Friday 2:00 pm – 2:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus Rappahannock Parking Deck (Except Visitor Section) | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus West Campus Lot and General Lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, and PV | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
| SciTech Campus (Tower, Discovery, Occoquan, King, Hylton Lots) | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
Note: Rates are subject to change.
Vernon Smith General and Van Meter Reserved permit holders have guaranteed parking availability in the designated parking garage and are eligible to park in the general lots on Fairfax and SciTech campuses.
Short-Term Parking: For more information on short-term and hourly parking rates, go to the Visitors and Event Parking Page.
The Payroll Deduction Program allows full-time, benefited faculty and staff to payroll deduct their parking fees on a pre-tax basis, which reduces their taxable income. Faculty/Staff based at Mason Square can obtain a non-expiring Van Metre Hall Reserved or Vernon Smith General parking permit. Contact [email protected] to check for eligibility.
George Mason faculty members who are teaching at Mason Square and holding a valid Fairfax/SciTech General parking permit or higher (exclusions apply*) may obtain a complimentary supplemental parking permit for the semester to park in the Vernon Smith garage at Mason Square. Follow the instructions below to complete your request:
* Faculty members with the following permits must upgrade to the Vernon Smith garage or Van Metre Hall garage permit with an additional fee. To upgrade a permit, submit a Permit Exchange/Deactivation Request Form:
For employees desiring one time or infrequent access to park at Mason Square that own a qualifying Fairfax/SciTech Campus permit, a one-time validation may be requested for specific days on the Mason Square Supplemental Permit/Access Request Form. Please make requests at least two business days in advance.
If you experience any issues entering or exiting a garage or if your plate isn’t recognized please contact Parking Services at [email protected] or visit the Mason Square Parking Services Office in Van Metre Hall, Room 219.
Faculty/Staff:
Fall Permit: Valid until January 31, 2026
Spring Permit: Valid until August 31, 2026
Adjunct/Non-Student Wage Employees:
Fall Permit: Valid until January 22, 2026
Spring Permit: Valid until August 22, 2026
| Vernon Smith General Permit | Van Metre Reserved Permit | Van Metre Reserved Daytime Permit | Van Metre Reserved Evening Permit |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit Rates | $290 | $440 | $320 | $320 |
| Prorated Rates | $115 | $175 | $125 | $125 |
| Payroll Deduction Rate (Per Pay Period) | $24.17 | $36.67 | $26.67 | $26.67 |
| Where Can You Park | ||||
| Vernon Smith Garage | Plaza Level, P1, B1, B2, B3 All Day Level B4 6:00 pm – Midnight | Not Valid | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| Van Metre Garage | Not Valid | All Day | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday – Sunday All Day | Monday – Friday 2:00 pm – 2:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus Rappahannock Parking Deck (Except: Visitor Section) | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus West Campus Lot and General Lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, and PV | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
| SciTech Campus (Tower, Discovery, Occoquan, King, Hylton Lots) | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
Note: Rates are subject to change.
| Parking Location | Mason Square Vernon Smith Garage Permit | Validation Block/Code |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Rates | $65 | $150 (Quantity: 15) |
| Where Can You Park | ||
| Vernon Smith Garage | B4 Level Only All Day | Not Valid |
| Van Metre Garage | Not Valid | Visitor Section All Day Submit Validation Request Form Here |
| Fairfax Campus Rappahannock Parking Deck (Except: Visitor Section) | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| Fairfax Campus West Campus Lot and General Lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, and PV | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| SciTech Campus (Tower, Discovery, Occoquan, King, Hylton Lots) | Not Valid | Not Valid |
Note: Rates are subject to change.
Valid Until August 31, 2025
| Vernon Smith General Permit | Van Metre Reserved Permit | Van Metre Reserved Daytime Permit | Van Metre Reserved Evening Permit |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit Rates | $115 | $170 | $125 | $125 |
| Payroll Deduction Rate (Per Pay Period) | $23.33 | $35.42 | $25.83 | $25.83 |
| Where Can You Park | ||||
| Vernon Smith Garage | Plaza Level, P1, B1, B2, B3 All Day Level B4 6:00 pm – Midnight | Not Valid | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| Van Metre Garage | Not Valid | All Day | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday – Sunday All Day | Monday – Friday 2:00 pm – 2:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus Rappahannock Parking Deck (Except: Visitor Section) | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day | Levels 1 & 2 Monday – Friday Except 2:00 am – 5:00 am Saturday – Sunday All Day |
| Fairfax Campus West Campus Lot and General Lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, and PV | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
| SciTech Campus (Tower, Discovery, Occoquan, King, Hylton Lots) | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
Note: Rates are subject to change.
| Parking Location | Mason Square Vernon Smith Garage Permit | Validation Block/Code |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Rates | $65 | $150 (Quantity: 15) |
| Where Can You Park | ||
| Vernon Smith Garage | B4 Level Only All Day | Not Valid |
| Van Metre Garage | Not Valid | Visitor Section All Day Submit Validation Request Form Here |
| Fairfax Campus Rappahannock Parking Deck (Except: Visitor Section) | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| Fairfax Campus West Campus Lot and General Lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, and PV | Not Valid | Not Valid |
| SciTech Campus (Tower, Discovery, Occoquan, King, Hylton Lots) | Not Valid | Not Valid |
Note: Rates are subject to change.
Departments from the Fairfax and SciTech campuses no longer require an access device to park in the Van Metre Garage while conducting business at Mason Square. For employees in departments requiring regular access with Fairfax and SciTech Campus permits, please have your department administrator contact [email protected]u.
Carpool spaces are available for Faculty/Staff Carpool Preferred Program, Premium Program, and Student Carpool Formal Program permit holders.
For information on carpooling and ride sharing, visit Mason Commutes, exclusively designed for the George Mason community to post, request, and share rides.
The Van Metre Garage, located at 3351 Fairfax Drive, is a reserved parking garage that guarantees all Van Metre Garage permit holders a parking space.
Directions
The entrance is located on Founders Way North, located behind Van Metre Hall off Kirkwood Road. To access the Van Metre Hall garage, use the alley behind Van Metre Hall, turning off either Kirkwood Drive (behind Hazel Hall) or on Washington Boulevard at the traffic signal between Giant and the Vernon Smith Building.
The Vernon Smith Garage, located at 3434 Washington Boulevard, is a first-come, first-served parking garage. There is no overnight parking allowed in Vernon Smith Garage without permission from Parking Services, and arrangements must be made in advance.
Directions: Approach the garage from Washington Boulevard only.
Overnight Parking
Parking Services must be notified each time overnight parking occurs.
Limited monthly parking available for non-Mason community in Van Metre Garage; please email [email protected] for information.
Visitor parking is available in the Vernon Smith Garage and Van Metre Garage. The rates are set at the prevailing rates for all University visitor garages.
New Garage Access — George Mason University Parking Services has upgraded to the Metropolis parking system, which uses license plate recognition (LPR) technology for all garage access at the Mason Square Campus only. Access to the Fairfax parking decks has not changed. Check the video below for how it works.
| Hours | Fall Rates |
|---|---|
Weekday Rates | |
| 1 Hour | $5.00 |
| 2 Hours | $9.00 |
| 3 Hours | $12.00 |
| 4 Hours | $16.00 |
| 5 Hours | $17.00 |
| All Day | $19.00 |
Weekend Rates | |
| 1 Hour | $5.00 |
| 2 Hours | $9.00 |
| All Day | $10.00 |
Please Note: Visitor validations for Van Metre Garage will need to be exchanged for new ones that utilize QR codes. New visitor rates for all garages took effect on August 8. There is no extra cost for replacing your current validations with the new QR code. Please email [email protected] and let us know how many validations you have and for which deck, and we’ll work with you to have them replaced.
| Permit Type | Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Garage Validations | 1 Hour | $5.00 |
| 2 Hours | $9.00 | |
| 3 Hours | $12.00 | |
| 4 Hours | $16.00 | |
| 5 Hours | $17.00 | |
| Weekday Daily | $19.00 | |
| Weekend Daily | $10.00 | |
| Orders with 100+ validations* *25Live reference number required. | $10.00 | |
| Reserved Parking Space Reserve specific spaces in a particular parking area | Daily | $35 / Space |
Event coordinators may purchase validations or reserve parking spaces for Van Metre Parking Garage by completing the Mason Square Validation Form. Event parking is arranged with the Events Management office in conjunction with Parking Services. Please contact Events Management (3-8140) or Parking Services (3-8146 or [email protected]) for information.
Available in each parking garage. The vehicle must display a valid DMV-issued ADA-accessible parking permit (tag or placard) and own a valid Mason parking permit or payment required. visitors with disabilities must purchase a temporary parking permit from Parking Services to park in an ADA-accessible space or pay the prevailing rates at visitor parking locations such as parking decks or areas that accept mobile payment. For short-term and hourly parking rates, go to the visitor parking section for more information.
Fuel-efficient vehicles may park at designated parking spaces with a valid supplemental permit along with a Mason parking permit. These parking spaces are located at the Van Metre Hall Parking Garage and the Vernon Smith Garage. To request a free supplemental fuel-efficient parking permit, please bring your vehicle registration to Mason Square Parking Services Office, Van Metre Hall, Room 219.
Motorcycle parking must be arranged through the Mason Square Parking Services office. All motorcycles and mopeds must have license plate information attached to a valid Mason virtual permit. There are no dedicated motorcycle parking spaces on Mason Square. Motorcycles should use car parking spaces for their motorcycles. Motorcycles and mopeds are not allowed to park at bike racks/shelters.
Summer Permit Valid Until August 15, 2025
Fall Permit Valid Until January 15, 2026
| Motorcycle General Permit Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Van Metre Garage Permit | $140 |
Note: Rates are subject to change.
Electric personal and shared mobility scooters do not require a permit. They must be parked at or adjacent to a bike rack and cannot impede ADA access. They are only allowed to be ridden on roadways and in bike lanes. They are not permitted on sidewalks or in any Mason buildings, including parking decks or garages, and must not be charged at any University source of electricity.
Patriots Thanksgiving Break
Check out travel options, directions to area airports and transit centers, and updates on George Mason shuttles. Choose the one that’s right for you!