Policies & Procedures

The purchase, acceptance, and use of any permit on George Mason University property conveys authorization to appropriate and authorized departments of the University to relocate any vehicle, by means of towing, to another parking space or lot when deemed necessary. The relocated vehicle is to be moved to space as near to the original space, if not the original space, as possible. When or if this cannot be accommodated, the vehicle is to be relocated to Lot C or West Campus parking lot. Notification to the University Police Department must be made when any vehicle is relocated. No fine or towing fee will be applied, unless the relocated vehicle was parked in violation of the Motor Vehicle Parking Procedures.

The registered owner of a motor vehicle is responsible for all violations issued to the vehicle regardless of who is operating the vehicle. If the vehicle’s license plate is attached to a valid permit and incurs a citation for violation of these rules and regulations, the permit holder will be primarily responsible for all citations and/or fines issued to any vehicle.

George Mason University, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and agents of GMU or the Commonwealth do not assume responsibility for any vehicle or its contents when parked on University property. The University and the State do not assume responsibility for damage to vehicles that are booted, immobilized, or towed due to violations incurred or as a result of other Policy violations.

To purchase a parking permit, individuals must comply with George Mason University and associated state regulations and not have any outstanding citations or fines. Individuals must provide a valid George Mason University identification. Individuals wishing to purchase an Arlington Campus permit must provide a copy of their schedule or proof of employment showing class registration or employment at either campus location.

Parking Space Availability
The purchase of a George Mason University parking permit gives the permit holder the right to park in a designated campus location only when there is space available in that location. The purchase of a parking permit does not guarantee the purchaser access to a parking space at all times.

Permit Transferability
George Mason University Parking Services is the only agent authorized to sell or in any way disburse parking permits. Permits may not be sold or transferred from one individual to another. Permits may be transferred from one vehicle to another but are not to be “shared” or used together by two or more individuals; each individual is required to purchase their own permit. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in a “no permit”, “improper display” or “fraudulent display” citation.

All faculty, staff, and student permits are sold online at My Parking Account.

Certain types of special permits must be purchased in person at the appropriate campus office:

• Fairfax Campus: Sandy Creek Parking Office
• Mason Square (Arlington Campus): Van Metre Hall Room 219
• Science & Technology Campus: Colgan Hall Room 112

Parking Services accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Mason Money, and pre-tax payroll deduction as payment options for permits. Pre-tax payroll deduction is limited to full-time faculty and staff only. Payment by coin, in entirety, will not be accepted unless the item is paid for requires coin payment.

When purchasing permits online, payments can be made with Visa, Mastercard, or electronic check. When paying with an electronic check, please ensure there are sufficient funds in the account and that the routing and account numbers are entered properly. A $50 administrative fee will be applied to accounts with insufficient funds or if the account number or routing number is entered incorrectly.

Permit rates are subject to change. Please visit the Parking Permits and Fees tab for current information.

Qualifications for Complimentary Senior Citizen Parking Waiver
Senior citizen students who qualify for free tuition and/or course audits as outlined in the George Mason University catalog and presented in University Administrative Policy Number 21, Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, shall be entitled to a complimentary parking permit for the duration of their enrollment under said status. Only one complimentary permit will be issued per wavier period. Valid proof of age and tuition waiver from the Registrar’s Office is required to qualify.

University Volunteers and Temporary Employees
University volunteers and temporary employees must observe all permit and/or pass requirements and parking regulations when using University operated facilities. Permits will be sold and issued only upon written request to the Parking Services office by a sponsoring department. Departments may underwrite the cost of parking for volunteers and temporary employees, in accordance with University and State guidelines. Valid proof of age such as a driver’s license is required to qualify for senior citizen rates.

Employees and Volunteers of Contractors and/or Vendors
Employees and volunteers of contractors and vendors must observe all permit requirements and parking regulations when using University operated facilities. Contractors and vendors must submit written verification of an individual’s employment and/or volunteer status to the Parking Services Office. Said contractors and vendors may underwrite parking costs for their employees and/or volunteers. Valid proof of age such as a driver’s license is required to qualify for senior citizen rates.

Emeritus Faculty
Faculty members duly appointed to emeritus status by the George Mason University Board of Visitors are eligible to receive one complimentary general permit upon proof of status.

Permit Refunds
If a parking permit holder wishes to return their permit for a refund, an emailed refund request must be submitted to parking@gmu.edu. In the request, the permit holder must provide their G# and the permit number for the permit being returned. If returning your permit because your classes have changed to online, please let us know. Refund requests made within 48 business hours of purchasing the permit may receive a full refund minus a $15 administrative fee to process the refund. Refund requests after 48 business hours will receive a refund based on a pro-rated schedule minus a $15 administrative fee. Once a refund for a permit has been processed, the permit is no longer valid and may not be used.

Parking Permit Exchanges
If a parking permit holder wishes to exchange their parking permit or replace a damaged parking permit, they will need to turn in their original parking permit (if hangtag) or submit a request form (if virtual permit). They will be charged a $15 administrative fee to process the exchange of any permit. Parking will notify the customer if the request can be processed and will provide further instructions. Payment is made at the Parking Services office.

Reserved Parking Access Devices
If the parking permit holder needs to replace a non-working access device to a reserved parking area, or they will be transferring to a new reserved parking area that uses a different type of access device, they may do so at no additional charge. Any lost or stolen access devices will incur a new $25 refundable deposit.

Parking Permit Upgrades
If a parking permit holder wishes to upgrade their current parking permit to a higher-priced permit, they will submit a request form to the Parking Services Office. Parking will notify the customer if the request can be processed and will provide further instructions. The full value of the current parking permit will be applied towards the price of the new parking permit. Payment is made at the Parking Services office.

Parking Permit Downgrades
If a parking permit holder wishes to downgrade their current parking permit to a lower-priced permit, they will submit a request form to the Parking Services Office. Parking will notify the customer if the request can be processed and will provide further instructions. The posted refundable value of the current parking permit will be applied towards the price of the new parking permit.

Lost Permit Regulations
Any replacement permits issued will be issued at the discretion of Parking Services. Lost permit regulations are listed below.

Lost Permit Acknowledgement
Before a replacement permit is issued, the purchaser must acknowledge in writing that the permit is lost and that they understand that the registered owner(s) of any vehicle displaying or using a permit verified as lost by the purchaser will be cited for fraudulent display and subject to any and all fines and legal ramifications imposed by the University and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Lost Permit Replacement Policy
Replacements for lost permits will be issued only to the original purchaser. All outstanding citations and accrued late fees must be paid or the purchaser must enter into a contractual agreement to pay said fines before a replacement permit is issued. Use or participation in the use of a reported “lost permit” by the original purchaser can/will result in the forwarding of information to the appropriate University and legal authorities for further action.

Replacement Fee 
A replacement fee may be charged for the replacement of a lost or stolen parking permit. Whether or not a replacement fee is required will be at the discretion of Parking Services. See the Parking Refund Rate Schedule tab for the current replacement rate. Refunds for replacement fees minus a $15 administrative fee will be processed in cases where the lost or stolen permit is found and returned to Parking Services within 30 days.

Stolen Permit Regulations
Any replacement permits will be issued at the discretion of Parking Services. Stolen permit regulations are listed below.

Law Enforcement Report Requirement
All stolen permits must be reported to a law enforcement agency/official in the jurisdiction in which the theft occurred.

Police Report Submittal
A copy of the police report and/or case number must be submitted with the request for a replacement of a stolen permit. Parking Services shall base any determination upon receipt of an official police report.

Stolen Permit Acknowledgment
The purchaser must sign an acknowledgment indicating that the permit was stolen and that they understand that the registered owner(s) of any vehicle displaying or using a permit verified as stolen by the purchaser will be cited for fraudulent display and subject to any and all fines and legal ramifications imposed by the University and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia. Use or participation in the use of a stolen, or counterfeit permit will/ may result in the forwarding of information to University Police and Administration for judicial review for appropriate criminal or University action, where deemed appropriate.

Stolen Permit Replacement Policy
Replacements for stolen permits shall be issued only to the original purchaser upon presentation of George Mason University identification. In addition, all outstanding citations and accrued late fees must be paid or the purchaser must enter into a contractual agreement to pay said fines before a replacement permit is issued.

Only the original purchaser of a permit may receive a refund of the purchase price of a permit in accordance with the refund schedule and conditions. Refund and replacement fees are described as follows.

Permit Refund Regulations
A refund can be issued only to the original purchaser. Said purchaser must present a valid George Mason University identification and surrender the permit before a refund can be processed. Refunds are issued from the Commonwealth of Virginia and may take up to six weeks to process, with the exception of credit card refunds, which are refunded in accordance with the specific credit card company policy.

Payment of Citations and Accrued Fees
All outstanding citations and accrued fees must be paid before a refund can be processed.

Student Proof of Class Withdrawal
Students may be required to provide official proof of class withdrawal before a refund can be processed.

Faculty/Staff Proof of Employment Termination
Faculty/staff may be required to provide official proof of employment termination obtained from Human Resources before a refund can be processed.

Full Refund
A full refund on semester permits will be given within two calendar days from the date of permit issue.

Partial Refund 
Partial refunds are pro-rated according to the Parking Refund Rate Schedule.

Summer Refunds 
If you are returning a permit to Parking Services there is a $15 administrative fee assessed against the refund. Summer students will receive a full refund minus the administrative fee up to and including the last add/drop day of the session in which they registered upon proof of withdrawal. No other pro-rated refund will be given.

Summer Portion Refunds
No refund will be given for what might be considered the “unused” summer portion of a spring semester permit.

Permit Refund Schedule
Parking permits are sold and prorated according to the schedule found in the Parking Refund Rate Schedule tab.

If using a hang tag, either alone or in conjunction with a virtual permit, physical permits must be displayed in one of the following manners. Failure to display a permit properly may result in a citation. Purchase of a permit does not alleviate the responsibility for proper display of a physical permit at all times.

Virtual Permits
When parking at Mason, your vehicle must always be parked with the license plate facing the drive aisle.

Hang Tags
Hang Tags must be placed in a hanging manner from the rear-view mirror of the vehicle with the front of the permit facing the outside of the vehicle. The permit numbers must be clearly visible through the windshield. (Vehicles without a rear-view mirror must prominently display the permit in the center of the front dashboard.

University faculty, staff, and students with special parking needs must make prior arrangements to obtain the necessary permit through the Parking Services office during normal hours of operation.

External Vendors – Service and Repair Restrictions
External vendors doing business with Mason on a regular basis may purchase a service and repair permit that allows short-term access to service and repair spaces on campus. Service and Repair vehicles may not park in prohibited zones, restricted areas, ADA-accessible spaces, fire lanes, time-limited areas, grassy landscaped areas, or sidewalk areas. The use of Service and Repair spaces is limited to 4 hours unless otherwise designated. These areas are strictly enforced, and vehicles are subject to citations and fines. Any deviations must be approved by Parking Services and be on a short-term basis only.

University Departments – Service and Repair/Administrative Restrictions
University departments may request supplemental service and repair/administrative permits for use by employees while conducting University business and needing short-term access to service and repair/administrative spaces. University employees may only use the supplemental service and repair permit or administrative permit in conjunction with a valid faculty/staff parking permit. Service and Repair vehicles may not park in prohibited zones, restricted areas, ADA-accessible spaces, fire lanes, time-limited areas, grassy landscaped areas, or sidewalk areas. These areas are strictly enforced, and vehicles are subject to citations and fines. Any deviations must be approved by Parking Services and be on a short-term basis only. Service and Repair Permit or Administrative Permit must be used in conjunction with a valid Mason parking permit and are valid for 4 hours unless otherwise designated, while loading or unloading equipment; otherwise, they are valid in all faculty/staff and general parking areas. Administrative permits are intended only for those individuals who have a demonstrated need to access administrative spaces. A statement of need from an appropriate supervisory individual will be required. Administrative permits will be issued to all faculty and staff deemed eligible by the Director of Parking & Transportation or designee.

Refer above for surface reserved parking regulations.

Individual Reserved
Individual reserved permits are valid in their assigned space as well as in all general lots. Permit is not transferable.

Permits may also be issued or purchased for periods of time less than a semester. Permits may be issued on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, or for a combination of these for a fee. Temporary permits are obtainable from Parking Services.