Navigating Parking at Cornell University: A Comprehensive Guide

Cornell University welcomes visitors, faculty, staff, and students to its Ithaca, New York campus. Understanding the parking options and regulations is crucial for a smooth and stress-free experience. This guide provides detailed information on parking permits, short-term parking, alternative commuting methods, and tailgating policies.

Visitor Parking

Visitors to Cornell University have several parking options, especially near the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center.

Toboggan Lodge: Conveniently located (GPS address: 38 Forest Home Dr, Ithaca, NY).
Forest Home Drive Parking Garage: Another option within walking distance of the Welcome Center.

Complimentary weekend parking is available at Toboggan Lodge and the Forest Home Drive Parking Garage, as well as the Hoy Road Parking Garage on central campus.

It is possible to purchase parking in advance. When purchasing a pass in advance, vehicle information is optional, but ensure you bring your printed parking permit to display on your dashboard while parked.

For additional visitor information, contact the Office of Visitor Relations at (607) 254-4636 (INFO) or the Office of Transportation at (607) 255-4600, Monday through Friday.

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On-Campus Parking Regulations

On-campus parking is restricted at all times to permit or payment unless otherwise signed. It is essential to comply with all posted restrictions and time limits. Short-term options include metered, mobile payment, and permit parking.

Vehicle Registration

Cornell faculty, staff, and students must register their license plate with Transportation Services, whether or not they buy a parking permit or only use short-term parking options. License plate and vehicle information must be kept current.

Short-Term Parking Options

Several options are available for those needing parking for a limited time.

ParkMobile Pay-by-Cell Parking: Contactless payments can be made by the hour, day, or multiple days in some lots. Payment extensions are allowed in most locations. Rates range from \$0.75 to \$24, plus a \$0.45 convenience fee. Payment can be made via the mobile app, by creating an account, or by texting PARK to 77223. Daily Decision parking option is also available through ParkMobile, offering low-cost, virtual parking permits for as little as \$1 a day in select zones. Rates range from \$0.25-\$24.
Pay Station and Metered Parking: Pay-by-License Plate pay stations are located throughout campus. Just enter your license plate at the pay station. Customers can add their phone number to receive a reminder to extend payment when paying by credit card. Rates range from \$0.75 to \$24, and payment methods vary depending on the meter (cash and credit cards accepted). Metered and ParkMobile parking at the Johnson Museum of Art is restricted to museum guests during their hours of operation. Guests must register their vehicle information at the reception desk upon arrival.
Time-Limited, No Permit Required: Specially signed spaces are located in various areas on campus, allowing quick access to adjacent facilities.

Student Parking Permits

Cornell offers various parking permit options for students, each with specific eligibility requirements and parking locations.

On-Campus Resident Permits

These permits have limited availability and require meeting specific resident eligibility requirements. Resident permits are valid only in their assigned parking area and the North Campus A lot after 2:30 pm.

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FH - Hasbrouck Apartments: Annual Rate: \$752.86. Parking locations: Hasbrouck Apt. Receive OmniRide privileges.
ND - North Campus Residence Halls, Program Houses, and Cooperative Housing; 508 Thurston Ave.: Parking locations: Outer Circle of Hasbrouck Apartments; Program House Drive; Anna Comstock; Hurlburt House; A Lot.
SW - South Campus Cascadilla Hall; Sheldon Court; Eddygate; 109 Sage Place; Schuyler House: Parking locations: Stewart & Williams St; Schuyler House.
WD - West Campus House System, Program Houses, and Cooperative Housing; 112 Edgemoor Lane; 109 McGraw Place: Parking locations: Edgemoor Lane; University Ave Lot.

Permit prices prorate on a daily basis beginning September 1.

Student Commuter Permit

These permits also have limited availability and require meeting commuter eligibility requirements.

B Commuter Permit: Annual Rate: \$359.85. Valid at all times in the B Lot near the Vet College, TRB Lot, BTI Lot, and the North and South Morrison Lots on Judd Falls Rd; valid in the north campus A Lot after 2:30 pm.

Permit prices prorate on a daily basis beginning September 1.

Motorcycle Permits

Motorcycles, motor scooters, and mopeds parked in designated M permit spaces must have an annual Cornell University M permit sticker. Motorcyclists who have a parking permit for their car can display their annual permit on a motorcycle and park in spaces covered by that permit.

M Permit Sticker: Annual Rate \$119.94; valid in spaces signed for motorcycle (M Permit) parking. Can display student permit and park in vehicle spaces.

The permit price prorates on a monthly basis. There are no refunds or exchanges for returned M permits.

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Graduate Students on Assistantships

Graduate students funded by assistantships (teaching assistant (TA), research assistant (RA), graduate assistant (GA), and graduate research assistant (GRA)) are eligible to purchase the same permits as faculty and staff, offering new options for students who carry out research and teaching on campus. Employment status and eligibility for faculty/staff permits will be verified using Workday. Students must be on a Full Assistantship as defined by University Policy and must work on the Ithaca main campus. Student employees must meet the same work-in-zone and permit eligibility requirements as faculty and staff. Accepted payment methods for fee permits are credit card, check, and bursar; student employees are not eligible for payroll installments. Commuter program benefits (unlimited TCAT transit and RideShare discounts) are restricted to faculty and staff with regular appointments. Resident students may purchase a faculty/staff R (North Campus) or WE (West Campus) permit but are not eligible for the free A or E permit.

Permit Refund Policy

A pre-paid, annual permit is eligible for a refund if it is returned by March 31.
There are no refunds on M permits.
There are no refunds on annual permits after March 31.
There are no refunds on temporary permits.
There are no cash refunds.
Refunds are based on a prorated schedule.

Accessibility Parking

ADA compliant parking is available in all lots and in the Thomas Commons circle for vehicles with appropriate permits. Bartels Metered Lot offers accessibility parking.

Parking for Cornell Athletics Events

For Cornell Athletics events, parking and tailgating policies are in place to ensure safety and comfort.

Parking lots are strictly enforced until 5pm on weekdays.
Responsible tailgating is permitted for Cornell Athletics events in specified areas (which vary based on sport and location), which are assigned and approved on a case-by-case basis. Tailgating is at the sole discretion of Cornell Athletics and/or Cornell Police.
Guests are encouraged to access from Hoy Rd.
Fans that wish to park together must enter lots with their vehicles at the same time. All fans parking vehicles are subject to the parking regulations, and if fans would like to tailgate, they are also subject to the tailgating regulations.
Motor Homes/Campers (RVs) and large trucks (U-Haul-type, over 2-1/2 tons) are not permitted in the tailgating area without Athletic Department approval. Such vehicles will need to purchase parking passes for as many spaces as the vehicle occupies.
Each permit is valid for one (1) parking spot. Do not set up chairs and tables in an adjacent parking spot without purchase of an additional permit.
Tailgating spaces are limited. Chairs, tables, tents, etc. must be confined to a small area behind your vehicle (tailgate).
Tailgating is permitted beginning three (3) hours prior to the start of the game unless otherwise communicated by Cornell Athletics (including, but not limited to, Friday night games).
Tailgating is NOT permitted during the game.
University regulations and state statutes on drug and alcohol consumption will be strictly enforced. University policy and state law precludes the serving of alcoholic beverages to anyone less than 21 years of age. Hosts who furnish alcohol to underage students may incur criminal risks and personal civil liability exposure. In addition, your permit will be revoked and you will be required to leave University property. Alcohol is not permitted beyond the tailgating perimeter and is restricted to the parking lots denoted on the issued tailgating permit.
Kegs, party balls, drinking games and/or mass consumption purchases of alcohol are prohibited.
All pop-up canopies and tents must be properly anchored to the ground with supporting weight or stakes. A 10x10 canopy should be anchored with approximately 100lbs of weight on paved areas where staking is not an option. Pop-up tents not properly secured or posing risks and/or injury as a result of inclement weather will be asked to be taken down and removed from the tailgating area.
Use of propane grills is required to be accompanied with an approved in-service ABC Fire Extinguisher. Propane grills should not be within 10 feet of a vehicles gas cap and must at least two feet above the parking surface so heat does not cause damage to the asphalt. Please do not leave hot grills unattended.

Alternative Commuting Methods

Having a personal vehicle on campus can be convenient, but parking at Cornell can be difficult, with limited spots and sometimes high costs. Below are some suggested alternative ways to get around campus. Students can purchase an annual OmniRide student bus pass or choose to share the ride with other community members.

University Holiday Parking

Permit and payment regulations are relaxed during official university holidays. If the university is open for business, permit and payment rules are in effect and will be enforced. An example of a university holiday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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