Parking & Transportation

Author: Zi Wang

Mason Pond Parking Deck Renovation

school break parking and transportation updates
Mason pond on the Fairfax Campus in Fall. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Levels 3-5 will be closed from May 26 through July 3. Mason Pond permit owners may park on Levels 1 & 2 during this time with access from Mason Pond Drive only.

No visitor parking will be available. Visitors should use the visitor areas of the Shenandoah Parking Deck, the Rappahannock Parking Deck or buy a daily permit for Lots K, L, M & P.

We apologize for any inconvenience to you as we invest to prolong the life of this important University asset.

Summer 2026 Shuttle Start Date & Schedules

George Mason Shuttles’ summer schedules are set to start on Monday, May 18. All shuttles are free for George Mason members when presenting a valid Mason ID. Shuttle schedule updates for the summer and the end of the semester are listed below. Please see each shuttle route for a detailed schedule.

Shuttle Tracking

TransLoc Shuttle Tracker AppDownload the TransLoc app to track public shuttles nearby in real-time and request rides from the On-Demand Shuttle within the app. Available in the Apple Store and Google Play.

Last Day of Spring Shuttle Service

Summer Shuttle Service

Service begins on Monday, May 18

No service dates:

  • Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day)
  • Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
  • Friday, July 3 (Independence Day)

Shuttles are not operated in the summer:

Summer Semester Permit Sale Starting on May 4, 2026

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University

Starting May 4, 2026, summer parking permits will be available at a prorated price. A complete list is listed below and available on the parking website. To check the permit availability and to purchase a permit, please visit the parking portal.

Virtual Permits

As a reminder, most permits are virtual permits, meaning one will not be issued or mailed a physical hangtag permit. Your license plate serves as your permit. Your permit will be valid once purchased. Instructions on how to add and change your vehicles are available online. Please note that your license plate must be attached to your permit, not just your parking account.

Summer Permit Validation Period

  • Student summer semester permits (except Summer Session General Permit) are valid until August 15, 2026.
  • Faculty/staff summer semester permits are valid until August 31, 2026.
  • Adjunct and non-student wage employee summer semester permits are valid until August 22, 2026.

To Upgrade Your Permit:

  • Submit the form online: Use the Permit Exchange/Deactivation form
  • You will be charged the difference between the current value of your existing permit and the current value of your existing permit (See the Refund Rate Table).
  • Parking Services will review eligibility and availability, and you will be notified when to visit the Parking Services Office to complete your upgrade. All upgrade requests will need to be completed in person.
  • Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

To Downgrade Your Permit:

  • Submit the form online: Use the Permit Exchange/Deactivation form
  • The refund is calculated by taking the current value of the parking permit you own (see the Refund Rate Table), subtracting the current value of the parking permit you are purchasing, and adding a $15 administrative fee.
  • Requests to downgrade a parking permit will not be finalized until you receive confirmation from Parking Services and are issued a new permit number.
  • Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

To Deactivate Your Permit:

Helpful Links

Please note that spring West Campus and Lot M&P permits will be valid in student general areas effective May 18, 2026.

Fairfax and Science & Technology Campuses

Faculty/Staff and Off-Campus Student Permit Table
Permit Type Permit Price
Fairfax/SciTech General $145
General Session A (5/18-6/26) $100
General Session B (5/26-7/25) $135
General Session C (6/28-8/5) $100
General Session D (5/18-7/25) $140
General Session E (5/18-7/14) $130
Lot I Reserved $190
Lot J Reserved $175
Shenandoah Parking Deck Evening (After 4 pm) $185
Rappahannock Parking Deck (Levels 4 & 5) $220
Shenandoah Parking Deck $235
Resident Student Permit Table
Permit Type Permit Price
Fairfax/SciTech General¹ $170
Lot J Reserved $190
Beacon Hall Reserved² $195
Lot R Reserved³ $200
Lot I Reserved $205
Rappahannock Parking Deck (Levels 4 & 5) $220
Shenandoah Parking Deck $235

¹ Fairfax/SciTech General—Only available to non-freshman resident students;
² Beacon Hall Reserved—Only available to Beacon Hall residents only;
³ Lot R Reserved—Only available to non-freshman resident students;

 

Adjunct Faculty/Non-Student Wage Employees Permit Table
Permit Type Permit Price
Rappahannock Parking Deck Adjunct/NSW $65
Mason Square Vernon Smith Garage Adjunct/NSW (Level B3 Only) $65
SciTech Campus Tower Lot Permit $65
Adjunct Lite Permit $120
Shenandoah Parking Deck Rooftop Adjunct/NSW $150
Validation Block/Code (Quantity 15) $150
Lot K Adjunct/Non-Student Wage (All Day at Lot K) $5.50/Day

Mason Square

Faculty/Staff and Student Permit Table
Permit Type Permit Price
Vernon Smith General $145
Van Metre Reserved Faculty/Staff $220
Van Metre Reserved Student $220
Van Metre Reserved Day (Until 6 pm) $160
Van Metre Reserved Evening (After 2 pm) $160

 

Spring 2026 Prorated Parking Permit Prices

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University

On Monday, March 9, 2026, spring parking permits will be available at a prorated price. A complete list is listed below and available on the parking website. To check the permit availability and to purchase a permit, please visit the parking portal.

  • Spring student permits are valid until August 15, 2026.
  • Spring faculty/staff permits are valid until August 31, 2026.
  • Spring adjunct/non-student wage employee permits are valid until May 22, 2026.

If you wish to change or deactivate your permit, please review the process below:

To Upgrade Your Permit:

  • Submit the form online: Use the Permit Exchange/Deactivation form
  • You will be charged the difference between the current value of your existing permit and the current value of your existing permit (See the Refund Rate Table).
  • Parking Services will review eligibility and availability, and you will be notified when to visit the Parking Services Office to complete your upgrade. All upgrade requests will need to be completed in person.
  • Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

To Downgrade Your Permit:

  • Submit the form online: Use the Permit Exchange/Deactivation form
  • The refund is calculated by taking the current value of the parking permit you own (see the Refund Rate Table), subtracting the current value of the parking permit you are purchasing, and adding a $15 administrative fee.
  • Requests to downgrade a parking permit will not be finalized until you receive confirmation from Parking Services and are issued a new permit number.
  • Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

To Deactivate Your Permit:

Fairfax and SciTech Campuses

Faculty/Staff and Off-Campus Student Prorated Permit Table
Permit Type Prorated Price Original Price
West Campus $75 $125
Lot M & P $120 $200
Fairfax/SciTech General $175 $290
Global Center $175 $290
Lot I Reserved $225 $375
Shenandoah Parking Deck Evening $220 $365
Rappahannock Parking Deck $265 $440
Mason Pond Deck (Faculty/Staff Only Levels 3-5) $280 $465
Shenandoah Parking Deck $280 $465
Resident Student Prorated Permit Table
Permit Type Prorated Price Original Price
West Campus $75 $125
Resident General Lite $135 $220
Townhouse ¹ $135 $220
Fairfax/SciTech General ² $205 $340
Global Center $205 $340
Beacon Hall Resident Reserved ³ $235 $390
Lot R 4 $240 $395
Lot I Reserved $245 $406
Rappahannock Parking Deck (Levels 4 & 5) $265 $440
Shenandoah Parking Deck $280 $465

¹ Townhouse—Only available to townhouse residents only;
² Fairfax/SciTech General—Only available to non-freshman resident students;
³ Beacon Hall Resident Reserved—Only available to Beacon Hall residents only;
4 Lot R—Only available to Liberty Square and Potomac Heights resident students;

 

Adjunct Faculty & Non-Student Wage Employee Prorated Permit Table
Permit Type Prorated Price Original Price
Rappahannock Parking Deck Rooftop $40 $65
SciTech Campus Tower Lot $40 $65
Mason Square Vernon Smith Level B3 $40 $65
Adjunct General Lite $75 $120
Mason Pond Parking Deck (Levels 1 & 2) $90 $150
Shenandoah Parking Deck Rooftop $90 $150

Mason Square

Faculty/Staff and Student Prorated Permit Table
Permit Type Prorated Price Original Price
Vernon Smith General $175 $290
Van Metre Reserved Faculty/Staff $265 $440
Van Metre Reserved Student $265 $440
Van Metre Reserved Day $195 $320
Van Metre Reserved Evening $195 $320

George Mason University Receives Award for Best Workplace for Commuters for All Three Campuses

Best-Workplaces-2023George Mason University has once again been recognized by Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) for its commitment to providing employees with high-quality commuter benefits and transportation options. For 2026, all three of George Mason’s campuses –  Fairfax, Mason Square, and SciTech – have earned BWC recognition, marking an important milestone for the university. 

This year is especially notable as the SciTech Campus has received BWC recognition independently for the first time, highlighting its continued growth and expanded commuter-focused programs that support faculty and staff. 

Best Workplaces for Commuters is a national program that recognizes organizations offering comprehensive commuter benefits that help reduce environmental impact, improve commuting experiences, and support employee well-being. George Mason’s continued inclusion reflects its ongoing investment in sustainable transportation, flexible commuting options, and a campus culture that prioritizes accessibility and quality of life. 

Photo featured employers that received the 2026 Best Workplace for Commuters

“This recognition reflects the intentional work happening across all of our campuses to make commuting easier, more flexible, and more sustainable for our employees,” said Josh Cantor, Director of Parking and Transportation at George Mason University. “We are especially proud to see the SciTech Campus recognized independently this year and to continue advancing innovative solutions, including new technologies at Mason Square, that improve the daily experience for our campus community.”

Auxiliary and Business Services, including Parking and Transportation, supports these efforts across all campuses through innovative commuter programs and technology-forward solutions. At Mason Square, this includes the implementation of the Metropolis parking system, which streamlines parking access and enhances the overall commuter experience. 

For more information about commuter programs and transportation options, visit the Parking and Transportation website.

 

Mason Square Campus to Launch AI-Driven Parking Access System

Mason Square Fuse

George Mason University announced a new advanced parking management system to be adopted at the Mason Square Campus, effective September 8, 2025. The system will transition to Metropolis, an advanced parking management system that leverages AI-powered license plate recognition (LPR) technology to streamline garage access at the Van Metre, Vernon Smith, and Fuse garages.

As part of this modernization effort, physical parking credentials will no longer be required. Instead, a vehicle’s license plate will serve as the parking credential, allowing for seamless and contactless entry and exit from designated garages.

“Our goal has always been to make parking on campus as efficient and user-friendly as possible,” said Josh Cantor, Director of Parking and Transportation at George Mason University. “The transition to Metropolis reflects George Mason’s commitment to innovation and technology that enhance the daily experience for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.”

This enhancement improves the overall parking process by streamlining short-term permit purchases, reducing entry and exit times, and decreasing parking citation occurrences through automated, accurate license plate verification.

In partnership with SP+, George Mason Parking has migrated existing user information to the new Metropolis system to ensure a frictionless transition for current permit holders. Upon activating their Metropolis account, drivers can drive directly in and out of the garages. The system will automatically scan the license plate and lift the gate, eliminating the need for physical devices or cards. For visitors, the AI-powered LPR technology will automatically detect the vehicle’s plate and verify access or process payments through the user’s Metropolis account.

Global Center Student Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. Permit is valid in the Mason Global Center Garage and Lot, Lots K, M, O, P, & West Campus at all times.
  2. This permit is valid in the Fairfax General permit areas from 5 pm to 11 pm, Monday – Friday, and all day on weekends. The Fairfax General parking areas include lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, PV, Townhouse, West Campus, and the back half of Lot J closest to Global Lane (new).
  3. This permit is also valid in the SciTech General permit areas, including the King, Occoquan, Discovery, Hylton, and Tower lots. It is not valid in the Freedom Center and Beacon Hall parking lots.
  4. The permit is not valid for service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, reserved, or faculty/staff spaces.
  5. The permit is not valid at Mason Square without prior approval from Parking Services.
  6. Permit holders are always responsible for their vehicles and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  7. The permit is for use by the authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  8. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  9. Your license plate is your parking permit. The license plate must be associated with a virtual permit. May only register vehicles that the permit owner owns or possesses. Vehicles without a front license plate must be parked with the rear license plate facing the drive aisle to avoid a citation.

Faculty/Staff Reserved Lot I Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. Permit is valid in the reserved area/undesignated interior parking spaces of Lot I at all times.
  2. This permit is also valid in non-restricted General and faculty/staff parking spaces at the Fairfax and Science and Technology campuses. The Fairfax General permit areas include lots A, C, D, K, L, M, O, P, PV, Townhouse, West Campus, the back half of Lot J closest to Global Lane (new), The perimeter of Lot I and the Rappahannock Parking Deck (which includes level 2, the ramp up to level 3, the half of level 1 not designated for pay-by-space visitor parking), and level 3 of the Rappahannock Parking Deck that contains designated Faculty/Staff parking spaces. Please note that parking is not allowed in the Rappahannock Parking Deck general parking areas of levels 1 and 2 and the ramp up to level 3 from 2 am to 5 am, Monday through Friday.
  3. This permit is also valid in the SciTech General permit areas which include the King, Occoquan, Discovery, Hylton and Tower lots. This permit is valid in the Beacon Hall event lot when attending an event in Beacon Hall.  It is not valid in the Freedom Center, Beacon Hall resident or retail parking lots.
  4. The permit is valid in the West Campus lot.
  5. The permit is not valid in the Faculty/Staff-designated spaces of Lot I.
  6. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, and reserved spaces.
  7. A permit is not valid at the Mason Square campus without prior approval from Parking Services.
  8. Permit holders are always responsible for their vehicles and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  9. The permit is for use by the authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  10. Your license plate serves as your parking permit. It must be associated with your virtual permit. Vehicles must be parked with a license plate facing the drive aisle to avoid a citation.
  11. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  12. Please note that on rare occasions, due to university-sponsored events, Parking Services cannot guarantee space availability in Lot I. Permit holders will be notified in advance of these events and provided with alternative parking guidance.

Faculty/Staff Reserved Lot J Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. This permit is valid in the reserved section of Lot J (front half closest to Patriot Circle).
  2. This permit is also valid in non-restricted General and faculty/staff parking spaces at the Fairfax and Science and Technology campuses. The Fairfax General permit areas include lots A, C, D, K, L, M, O, P, PV, Townhouse, West Campus, the back half of Lot J closest to Global Lane (new), The perimeter of Lot I and the Rappahannock Parking Deck (which includes level 2, the ramp up to level 3, the half of level 1 not designated for pay-by-space visitor parking), and level 3 of the Rappahannock Parking Deck that contains designated Faculty/Staff parking spaces. Please note that parking is not allowed in the Rappahannock Parking Deck general parking areas of levels 1 and 2, and the ramp up to level 3 from 2 am to 5 am, Monday through Friday.
  3. This permit is also valid in the SciTech General permit areas which include the King, Occoquan, Discovery, Hylton and Tower lots. This permit is valid in the Beacon Hall event lot when attending an event in Beacon Hall.  It is not valid in the Freedom Center, Beacon Hall resident or retail parking lots.
  4. This permit is valid in the West Campus lot.
  5. This permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, or reserved parking spaces.
  6. This permit is not valid at the Mason Square campus without prior approval from the Parking Services department.
  7. Permit holders are always responsible for their vehicle and must follow any posted signage for lot closures or temporary restrictions.
  8. This permit is for use by the authorized owner only and may not be transferred to others.
  9. Your license plate serves as your parking permit. The license plate must be linked to your virtual permit. Vehicles must be parked with a license plate facing the drive aisle to avoid a citation.
  10. Permits may not be resold, duplicated, or altered in any way.
  11. Please note that on rare occasions, due to university-sponsored events, Parking Services cannot guarantee space availability in Lot J. Permit holders will be notified in advance of these events and provided with alternative parking guidance.

Student Shenandoah Parking Deck Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. The permit is valid in the permit levels of the Shenandoah Parking Deck at all times.
  2. This permit is valid in the Fairfax General permit areas from 5 pm to 7 am of the following weekday, Monday – Friday, and all-day weekends General permit areas include lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, PV, Townhouse, West Campus, the back half of Lot J closest to Global Lane (new) and the Rappahannock Parking Deck (which includes level 2 and the half of level 1 not designated for pay-by-space visitor parking). Please note that parking is not allowed in the Rappahannock Parking Deck from 2 am to 5 am, Monday through Friday.
  3. This permit is also valid in the SciTech General permit areas, including the King, Occoquan, Discovery, Hylton, and Tower lots. It is not valid in the Freedom Center and Beacon Hall parking lots.
  4. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, faculty/staff, and reserved spaces, as well as the reserved areas of the Rappahannock Parking Deck, or the reserved areas of the Mason Pond Deck.
  5. The permit is not valid at Mason Square (Arlington Campus) without prior approval from Parking Services.
  6. Permit holders are always responsible for their vehicles and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  7. The permit is for use by the authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  8. Parking at all Mason parking facilities requires a valid parking permit or fee payment at a visitor area (parking decks, pay-by-space, or pay-and-display machines).
  9. Your license plate is your parking permit. The license plate must be associated with a virtual permit. May only register vehicles that the permit owner owns or possesses. Vehicles without a front license plate must be parked with the rear license plate facing the drive aisle to avoid a citation.
  10. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  11. The license plate must be registered to a virtual permit and clearly visible. May only register vehicles that the permit owner owns or possesses.