Author: Zi Wang

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Parking

Additional Mason Pond and Shenandoah Permits Available for Purchase

We are now offering a limited number of reserved parking permits for the Mason Pond and Shenandoah Parking Decks. If you would like to have guaranteed parking availability in the same parking deck every day when you come to the Fairfax campus, you can purchase it on the parking portal.

If you wish to exchange your current parking permit for one of these options, please submit a Permit Exchange/Deactivation Request Form.

If you are upgrading your parking permit, you will be charged the difference between the current value of your parking permit and the current value of the permit you are upgrading to.

Requests to upgrade a parking permit will require one to visit the Parking Services Office and pay the difference as outlined above. Parking Services will approve the request based on eligibility and availability and notify you when to come to the office.

Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

 

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Archive

Fairfax Campus Notice: Parking and Traffic Advisory, September 5 & 13

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

On the evening of Thursday, Sept. 5, increased traffic is expected on and around the Fairfax Campus, as well as an increase in on-campus parking, due to a concert at EagleBank Arena. The concert starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Levels 4 and 5 of Shenandoah Parking Deck will be open to General area parking permits and event parking starting at 4 p.m. Vehicles should enter Shenandoah Deck at the Level 3 permit entrance. The concert is scheduled to end by 11 p.m. All General area permit parkers, as well as event parkers, should exit the Shenandoah Deck by 11:30 p.m.

Drivers should allow additional travel time to and from campus and avoid the southern end of campus near EagleBank Arena and Braddock Road. Extra time should be allowed if using Mason Shuttles.

To avoid arena parking and traffic impacts, drivers may park in the Rappahannock Parking Deck on the north end of campus and use University Drive and Roberts Road to enter/exit campus.

For more information about events at EagleBank Arena, go to eaglebankarena.com

On Friday, Sept. 13, alternating one lane closures will be in effect on Patriot Circle between Campus Drive and Lot I for road repairs. Avoid this area if possible, and be prepared for traffic delays.

For parking and traffic updates, follow @MasonParking on X. For questions, contact parking@gmu.edu.

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Bicycles Mason Square Parking SciTech Shuttles Transportation

Parking and Transportation Guidance for the Fall Semester

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

As the fall 2024 semester starts next week, George Mason students, faculty, and staff are reminded that traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus greatly increases during the first few weeks of the semester. The following campus parking and transportation guide will help minimize potential parking and traffic delays.

During the first few weeks of the semester, we suggest allowing an extra 30 minutes to arrive on campus. Though some parking spaces are more convenient to your destination than others, the Fairfax Campus has more than enough spaces to accommodate all vehicles. However, many general parking permit areas fill at peak class times.

Parking Permit & Visitor Parking

A valid parking permit (virtual or hangtag) is required to park outside visitor areas. Those without permits should use visitor parking in the garages or in various lots with daily parking options. Virtual parking permits are sold online only at parking.gmu.edu. Permits are sold with daily, weekly, monthly, and semester options.

Traffic Supervision

At times during the morning, late afternoon, and early evenings, campus police cadets will direct traffic around campus. Please be alert and follow the cadets’ directions.

Share the Road

Please be mindful of sharing the road safely with an increased number of pedestrians and vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, bikes, cars and trucks. Get more tips on safely sharing the road on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

Please never park or leave a scooter or bike on any sidewalk or blocking any pathway.

Event Parking Impacts, August 29

Campus Drive between Global Lane and Patriot Circle will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 6–11 p.m. for the IVth Night event at the RAC Field. Follow detour signs. Get more information on IVth Night and other student events.

 

Announcement Topics

Shuttle Service

Check the Mason Shuttles webpage for fall semester schedules. Especially early in the semester, allow extra time to catch your shuttle, as buses may be full at peak times.

  • Mason IDs are required; no guest riders are permitted until further notice.
  • Every bus is outfitted with a bike rack, ADA accommodations, and Wi-Fi.
  • Shuttle Tracker—Get real-time arrival info for Mason Shuttles and local public transportation. Download the RideSystems app from Google Play or the App Store.

Sandy Creek – Vienna Metro Shuttle—Runs between Fairfax Campus and Vienna Metro Station with buses every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Friday, increasing to every 20 minutes from 4–11 p.m., and limited service on weekends from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Fairfax-Science and Technology Campus Shuttle—Connects Fairfax Campus with the SciTech Campus, operating Monday–Thursday from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with departures every 30–40 minutes and Fridays with departures every 70 minutes. Weekend service is every two hours between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Gunston Go-Bus—Provides service between various locations, including the RAC, Sandy Creek Transit Center, and Fair Oaks Mall, among others.

Fairfax/Mason Square (Arlington) Shuttle—Operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center and Van Metre/Hazel Hall with hourly service Monday-Thursday from 7:15 a.m. to 11:05 p.m. and limited Friday service; no weekend service.

West Campus Shuttle—Operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center and Van Metre/Hazel Hall, with hourly service Monday–Thursday from 7:15 a.m. to 11:05 p.m. and limited Friday service; no weekend service.

On-Demand Shuttles (weekends only)—Offers shared-ride service with designated pick-up and drop-off points focused around the Fairfax Campus; does not serve Mason Square or the SciTech Campus.

Fairfax City CUE Bus—Students and employees can ride any of the four Fairfax City CUE routes to and from the Rappahannock River Lane stop. The CUE bus travels throughout Fairfax City and to the Vienna Metro stop for free.

Contact Us: shuttle@gmu.edu  |  703-993-2828
Follow Us on X (@MasonShuttles)

 

Virtual Permits

Your license plate will serve as your parking permit. No more hangtags. It is important that your vehicle is associated with your permit, not just your parking account. Read step-by-step instructions on how to assign your license plate to your permit here. 

To remove vehicles that you no longer use, own, or possess, complete the Vehicle Deactivation Request form to remove the vehicles from your parking portal.

Short-Term Parking

Students, faculty, and staff who do not require parking on campus regularly may want to consider daily, weekly, and monthly options:

  • Parking garage visitor parking: $5-$19 daily
  • Lots L/K: $11.50/day
  • Lot P (Field House): $8.50/day
  • West Campus Lot/Rapidan River Road: $5.50/day
  • General Lot Evening (valid after 4 pm): $8.50/day
  • SciTech Campus Daily: $8.50/day
  • Lots L/K Weekly: $35
  • Lots L/K Monthly: $85

Daily permits are available online at parking.gmu.edu. You can purchase them in advance on the parking portal or via ParkMobile when you arrive. Pay stations are available near the exits of parking garages and decks and in Lot P only. They accept Mason Money, MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validations, and cash.

Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus Parking

  • Fairfax–SciTech General, Lot I, Lot J, Lot R, and reserved parking deck permits are valid in the Occoquan, King, Discovery, Hylton, and Tower parking lots at the SciTech Campus.
    • Please follow signage in these lots, as parking spaces may be designated for various uses or permits.
  • The Shops parking lot in front of Beacon Hall has faculty/staff, event permit, and 30-minute parking on the northwest side. The southeast side of the lot (left side facing the building) is for retail parking only.

At the SciTech Campus, daily parking permits are available online for $8.50/day, or via ParkMobile at $2 for the first hour and an additional $1 per hour, to the $8.50 daily maximum.

Mason Square Parking (Arlington)

You must work or be attending class at Mason Square to be eligible to purchase a Mason Square parking permit. Access cards are needed for both the Van Metre and Vernon Smith garages. Hourly visitor parking is only available in the Van Metre Garage. For more information, go to the Mason Square parking webpage.

Please use caution when approaching both garages with the ongoing construction of the new Fuse building.

  • Fairfax–SciTech Campus permits are not valid at Mason Square without authorization from Parking Services.
  • In Vernon Smith Garage, Mason Square general permit faculty/staff and student parking is available on levels B3–P1 and on level B4 after 6 p.m.
    • There is no guarantee of space in the general permit parking area.
    • Please pay careful attention to signage, as some spaces are designated for retail use only.

Alternative Transportation Options

Bicycling

As a recognized bicycle-friendly university, Mason has more than 1,400 bicycle parking spaces around the Fairfax campus as well as plenty of bike racks at the regional campuses. Go to bike.gmu.edu for more information.

  • Covered bike parking is available under shelters around campus and on Levels 1 and 2 of Rappahannock River Deck.
  • George Mason’s bicycle registration program offers registrants free bike locks and bike lights.
  • The Patriot Bikes check-out program is available at the RAC and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.

There is a dismount zone from the East Building south to Enterprise Hall. Golf carts are not permitted in the dismount zone, and those using bikes, scooters, skateboards, or skates must dismount and walk. This is for everyone’s safety.

Carpooling Options

Students and employees may qualify for a 20–40% rebate on their reserved parking permits by carpooling. Go to the carpool/vanpool page for more information.

The Carpool Zones provide designated locations for share riders to drop off between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., Monday–Friday. To park in a carpool zone, you must have at least two people in the car, including the driver, and a general student or faculty/staff parking permit.

  • Lot A Carpool Zone: Accessed off of Mattaponi River Lane
  • Rappahannock River Deck Carpool Zone: The first level of the Rappahannock River Deck General permit area

MasonCommutes: Find carpool partners or a bike or transit buddy within the Mason community. Propose a trip or request rides on Mason Commutes, the go-to place for Mason ridesharing.

  • Sign up with your Mason Net ID and password on MasonCommutes.
  • Carpooling can be a great way to save money and to reduce Mason’s carbon footprint.

Electric Scooter Parking

  • Electric personal scooters and shared mobility scooters do not require a permit. They must be parked at a designated scooter corral parking area located around campus or at or adjacent to a bike rack. Get more information.
  • Please remember that electric bikes, scooters, and other electric personal transportation devices cannot be brought indoors at George Mason.

Zipcar

 

Contact Us

Website: Transportation website  |  Office Hours and Locations

Email
Parking: transpo@gmu.edu or parking@gmu.edu
Shuttle: shuttle@gmu.edu

Follow Us on Facebook, X (@MasonParking and @MasonShuttles), and Instagram

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Policies

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 (MGC), the surface parking lot immediately outside of the MGC Garage, and in non-restricted parking spaces of the General parking areas on the Fairfax and Science and Technology campuses. General permit areas at Fairfax include A, C, K, L, M, O, P, PV Lot, Rapidan River Road, and West Campus. General permit areas at SciTech include Occoquan, Discovery, King, Hylton, and Tower parking lots. The permit is also valid in the Townhouse Lot and the general permit parking area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck (all of level 2 and half of level 1 not designated as visitor parking).
  2. Please be aware that you cannot park in the Rappahannock Parking Deck General parking area from 2:00 am – 5:00 am, Monday-Friday.
  3. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, reserved, and faculty/staff spaces.
  4. Permit is not valid at Mason Square without approval from Parking Services.
  5. Permit holder is always responsible for their vehicle and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  6. Permit is for use by authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  7. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  8. License plate must be registered to virtual permit and clearly visible. May only register vehicles that permit owner owns or possesses.
  9. Permit does not guarantee a space in any specific lot.
Categories
Mason Square Parking SciTech

Fall 2024 Semester Permit Sale Starting on July 29

Starting July 29, 2024, fall parking permits will be available for purchase on the Parking Portal. See below for sale starting dates:

Fall Permit Sale Starting Dates

  • Monday, July 29, 8 am EST: Faculty & Staff, Graduate Students, and Senior
  • Tuesday, July 30, 8 am EST: Juniors and Sophomores
  • Wednesday, July 31, 8 am EST: Freshmen

Permit Rates

Not sure which permit to purchase? Take a short parking & transportation quiz and see our recommendations.

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.

Fall Permit Validation Period

  • Student fall semester permits are valid until January 15, 2025.
  • Faculty/staff fall semester permits are valid until January 31, 2025.

Helpful Links

Categories
Parking

Returning Faculty/Staff Currently Participating in the Payroll Deduction Parking Permit Program

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

Returning Faculty/staff currently participating in the payroll deduction program: Permits will automatically renew in September with the new rates for the 2023–24 year taking effect. You will need to access your account and ensure the correct vehicles are associated with your permit. The vehicle associated with your current permit will automatically associate with your fall 2023 permit. You may add up to three vehicles to a payroll deduction permit.

New Faculty/staff participants in the payroll deduction program may associate up to three vehicles when signing up for a new permit.

Payroll Deduction parking permits may be returned at any time to stop future deductions.

To add, exchange, or return a payroll deduction permit, complete the Payroll Deduction Permit Application form (Effective August 1).

Virtual Permits Begin August 1

You must associate your license plate with your parking permit by August 1 or when you purchase a new semester permit.

For information on how to associate vehicles with a permit, there are step-by-step instructions.

Parking Deck/Garage Access

For those with a payroll deduction permit for Mason Pond and Rappahannock Decks as well as Van Metre Garage, while we no longer will enforce by looking for one’s hangtag permit, permit holders may continue to use the barcode at the top of the deck/garage permit as an access device, besides the QR code or proximity access card. If you would like to obtain an access card, please email your request to parking@gmu.edu.

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Policies

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 areas (non-restricted interior spaces) of Lot I at all times.
  2. Permit is valid in the non-restricted and faculty/staff designated areas of these lots: A, C, D, J*, K, L, M, O, P, PV Lot, and the General Permit and General Faculty/Staff areas of the Rappahannock Deck (half of level 1 not designated for pay-by-space visitor parking, level 2, the ramp up to level 3, and the non-gated area of level 3. Please be aware that you cannot park overnight in the Rappahannock General area from 2:00 am – 5:000 am Monday through Friday.
  3. Permit is valid in West Campus lot, and the general permit lots of the Science and Technology Campus at any time (King Lot, Occoquan Lot, Discovery Lot, Hylton Lot, Tower Lot and Mason faculty/staff/even permit area in front of Beacon Hall.
  4. Permit is not valid in the Faculty/Staff designated spaces of Lot I.
  5. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, and reserved spaces.
  6. Permit is not valid at Mason Square campus without approval from Parking Services.
  7. Permit holder is always responsible for their vehicle and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  8. Permit is for use by authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  9. Your license plate is your parking permit. License plate must be associated to a virtual permit. May only register vehicles that permit owner owns or possess. 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. Lot I is a reserved parking lot for Lot I permit holders. There may be a few times over the course of the semester where we will not be able to guarantee space in Lot I due to University sponsored events. The Parking Services Office will make sure to notify all Lot I permit holders well in advance of these rare occurrences, as well as provide information for other parking options.

*Permit is only valid in signed designated faculty/staff spaces located on the perimeter of Lot I and Lot J

Categories
Policies

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. Permit is valid in the reserved areas (non-restricted interior spaces) of Lot J at all times.
  2. Permit is valid in the non-restricted and faculty/staff designated areas of these lots: A, C, D, I*, K, L, M, O, P, PV Lot, and the General Permit and General Faculty/Staff areas of the Rappahannock Deck (half of level 1 not designated for pay-by-space visitor parking, level 2, the ramp up to level 3, and the non-gated area of level 3. Please be aware that you cannot park overnight in the Rappahannock General area from 2:00 am – 5:00 am Monday through Friday.
  3. Permit is valid in West Campus lot, and the general permit lots of the Science and Technology Campus at any time (King Lot, Occoquan Lot, Discovery Lot, Hylton Lot, Tower Lot and Mason faculty/staff/even permit area in front of Beacon Hall.
  4. Permit is not valid in the Faculty/Staff designated spots of Lot J.
  5. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, and reserved spaces.
  6. Permit is not valid at Mason Square campus without approval from Parking Services.
  7. Permit holder is always responsible for their vehicle and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  8. Permit is for use by authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  9. Your license plate is your parking permit. License plate must be associated to a virtual permit. May only register vehicles that permit owner owns or possess. 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. Lot J is a reserved parking lot for Lot J permit holders. There may be a few times over the course of the semester where we will not be able to guarantee space in Lot J due to University sponsored events. The Parking Services Office will make sure to notify all Lot J permit holders well in advance of these rare occurrences, as well as provide information for other parking options.

*Permit is only valid in signed designated faculty/staff spaces located on the perimeter of Lot I and Lot J.

Categories
Policies

Student Shenandoah Parking Deck Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. Permit is valid in permit levels of Shenandoah Parking Deck at all times.
  2. Permit is valid in the non-restricted spaces of the general permit areas on the Fairfax campus 5:00 pm- 11:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and all day on weekends. Fairfax general permit areas include A, C, K, L, PV Lot, and the general permit area of Rappahannock Parking Deck (all of level 2, and the half of level 1 not designated as visitor parking).
  3. Please be aware that you cannot park in the Rappahannock Parking Deck general area from 2:00 am – 5:00 am, Monday-Friday.
  4. Permit is valid in the Field House lots (M, O & P), West Campus, Townhouse, and the general permit lots of the Science and Technology Campus at any time.
  5. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, faculty/staff, and reserved spaces, as well as the visitor level of Shenandoah Parking Deck, the reserved areas of the Rappahannock Parking Deck, or the reserved areas of the Mason Pond Deck.
  6. Permit is not valid at Mason Square (Arlington Campus) without approval from Parking Services.
  7. Permit holder is always responsible for their vehicle and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  8. Permit is for use by authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  9. 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).
  10. ID numbers need to be facing out and clearly visible from outside the vehicle.
  11. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  12. License plate must be registered to virtual permit and clearly visible. May only register vehicles that permit owner owns or possesses.
Categories
Policies

Student Rappahannock Parking Deck Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. Permit is valid in student reserved levels of the Rappahannock Parking Deck (levels 4 and 5) at all times.
  2. Permit is valid in the non-restricted spaces of the general permit areas on the Fairfax campus 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Monday through Friday and all day on weekends. Fairfax general permit areas include A, C, K, L, and PV Lot.
  3. Permit is valid in the Field House lots (M, O & P), West Campus, Townhouse, and the general permit lots of the Science and Technology Campus at any time.
  4. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, faculty/staff and reserved spaces, as well as the visitor or general levels (levels 1 and 2), the Faculty/Staff reserved area (level 3) of the Rappahannock Parking Deck, in the reserved areas of the Mason Pond Parking Deck, or the reserved area of the Shenandoah Parking Deck.
  5. Permit is not valid at Mason Square without approval from Parking Services.
  6. Permit holder is always responsible for their vehicle and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  7. Permit is for use by 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. ID numbers need to be facing out and clearly visible from outside the vehicle.
  10. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  11. License plate must be registered to virtual permit and clearly visible. May only register vehicles that permit owner owns or possesses.