LEXINGTON, Ky. — Student parking permits for the 2026-27 academic year will be available for all eligible University of Kentucky students beginning next week, with sales staggered by housing status.

UK Transportation Services will begin selling residential permits at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, for students with confirmed on-campus housing assignments. Commuter student permit sales start at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, and are limited to students with 60 or more credit hours.

Students can purchase permits online through their customer accounts, in person at the transportation office at 721 Press Ave., or by phone at 859-257-5757. The office is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The university warns that some permit types may sell out quickly and encourages students not to log in early, as early arrivals do not receive priority. During heavy online traffic, students may be placed in a virtual queue and should avoid refreshing their browser or opening multiple windows.

Standard residential permits cost $504 for the academic year, unchanged from the previous year. Residential permits for the Shively surface lot are $336, while graduate students in the Shawneetown/Greg Page area pay $252 annually. Residential periphery permits cost $272 per year or $136 per semester.

Commuter permits cost $336 for the academic year. Commuter periphery permits, available to all commuters regardless of credit hours, are $272 annually or $136 per semester.

Before purchasing, students must have their vehicle's make, model, color, and license plate information available. All outstanding parking citations must also be paid before a permit can be purchased. The new permits become valid on Saturday, Aug. 22, and must be displayed upon arrival at campus.

All students are eligible for residential or commuter periphery permits, which offer lower-cost alternatives. Students may also explore alternative transportation options such as biking, busing, walking, or ride-hailing services.

Permits can be returned to Transportation Services for a prorated refund before the expiration date if no longer needed.