Navigating Parking at Towson University: A Comprehensive Guide

Finding convenient and compliant parking at Towson University (TU) requires understanding the available options, regulations, and resources. This guide provides detailed information on parking permits, visitor parking, transportation, and how to avoid violations.

Directions to Towson University

Towson University's campus is located just outside Baltimore's city limits. It's approximately 15 minutes from the Inner Harbor and serves as the county seat for Baltimore County. Major interstates intersecting the Baltimore Beltway I-695 have signs indicating directions to "Towson."

Driving Directions from Various Locations:

From I-95 (Northbound): Proceed on I-95 North to the Baltimore Beltway, I-695. Exit left onto I-695 towards Towson and take exit 25 for Charles Street. Bear right onto Charles Street after exiting the ramp. Continue on Charles Street south for 1.5 miles to Towsontown Boulevard. Turn left at the traffic signal onto Towsontown Boulevard and proceed seven-tenths of a mile to the second traffic light. Turn right onto Osler Drive and proceed one-half mile to Auburn Drive.
From I-95 (Southbound): Follow I-95 South to the Baltimore Beltway, I-695 West. Follow I-695 towards Towson and take exit 25 for Charles Street. At the end of the ramp at the light, turn left and then make another left onto Charles Street. Follow Charles Street south for 1.7 miles to Towsontown Boulevard. Turn left at the traffic signal and proceed on Towsontown Boulevard seven-tenths of a mile to the second traffic light. Turn right onto Osler Drive and proceed one-half mile to Auburn Drive.
From I-95 (Northbound and Southbound): Take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 west (toward Towson).
From I-81 (Southbound): Follow I-81 South until it intersects with I-83 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Follow I-83 South until you see signs for the Baltimore Beltway, I-695. Take the I-695 Towson ramp, staying in the right lane to exit immediately onto Charles Street. Bearing right off the ramp, follow Charles Street south for 1.5 miles (from first traffic light) to Towsontown Boulevard. Turn left at the traffic signal and proceed on Towsontown Boulevard seven-tenths of a mile to the second traffic light. Turn right on to Osler Drive and proceed one-half mile to Auburn Drive.
From I-70 (Eastbound): Follow I-70 East past Hagerstown and Frederick. I-70 deadends at the Baltimore Beltway I-695 and bear left towards Towson as you approach I-695. Proceed on I-695 to exit 25, Charles Street. Bear right off the ramp on to Charles Street. Follow Charles Street south for 1.5 miles to Towsontown Boulevard. Turn left at the traffic signal and proceed on Towsontown Boulevard seven-tenths of a mile to the second traffic light. Turn right on to Osler Drive and proceed one-half mile to Auburn Drive.
From Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport: Exit the airport via I-195. Follow the signs for the Baltimore Beltway, I-695 to Towson. Proceed on I-695 to exit 25, Charles Street. Bear right off the ramp on to Charles Street. Follow Charles St. south for 1.5 miles to Towsontown Boulevard. Turn left at the traffic signal and proceed on Towsontown Boulevard seven-tenths of a mile to the second traffic light. Turn right on to Osler Drive and proceed one-half mile to Auburn Drive.

Public Transportation

Most athletic facilities are accessible by public bus transportation, including MTA Route 53 and the Towson Purple Loop bus, which stops on Osler Drive by the South Campus Athletics facilities.

Campus Parking Overview

Navigating parking on Towson University's evolving campus requires attention to detail and adherence to regulations. Start by consulting the campus map to locate parking lots and garages. Always be aware of your permit type and aim to park in the designated areas.

Parking Permits

Purchasing Permits

Permits can be purchased through the eParking Portal. Select "Student Parking" or "Faculty & Staff Parking" and follow the steps to buy a permit. Students can register up to two vehicles online through their eParking Portal account.

Read also: Parking at Towson University

Students can purchase permits by selecting the “Billing Account Student Permit” option.

Permit Types and Designated Parking Areas:

Different permit types are designated for specific parking areas. Overflow permits should park in the gray areas. Faculty/staff can consider parking in lot 10 behind the Administration Building. There's also parking available in the stadium lots 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Freshman Parking

Any student with less than 30 units is considered a freshman. Freshman commuter students may purchase Overflow or Evening parking permits.

Visitor Parking

Visitors are required to purchase a parking permit to park in Visitor or Overflow spaces Monday through Friday. Parking is free on weekends.

Union Garage

To access visitor parking, from Towsontown Boulevard, turn onto Osler Drive. At the first light, make a left into the Union Garage and continue straight to visitor parking.

Read also: A Look at Towson Football

ParkMobile App

Use the ParkMobile app to purchase a permit. ParkMobile is the only payment option in this area. While your payment will not show on any meter, enforcement will use your license plate number and zone number to view your ParkMobile payment on a handheld device. Zone numbers are a critical part of your transaction and must be recorded correctly in order for your parking session to be identified correctly by the parking enforcement officers. Zone numbers may vary by street or area.

ParkMobile is a pay by phone parking solution and certain information varies depending on your location. There is no cost to register with us or to download one of our mobile apps. The transaction fees charged when you initiate a parking session are in addition to the regularly charged parking fees for your area. Transaction fees vary based on which level of membership you choose and which payment method you choose to use.

ParkMobile Functionality

The Parkmobile toll-free phone number to reach the automated system to register and/or start or extend your parking sessions is: 877-727-5758 (877 PARK 758). You can not stop a session once started. You must select the amount of time you want in advance and pay for that time with your credit card. You are able to extend your parking time, if you see that you need more than the amount you initially paid for, as long as you haven't already chosen the maximum allowed. In order to extend a transaction it must still be active and not yet expired.

Athletics Event Parking

Towson Athletics provides parking options for fans near each facility on gamedays.

Permit Parking for Athletics

Permits are available for portions of lot 8 and require a Tiger Athletic Fund donation per permit. Free parking is available in lots 4, 5 and 8 are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additional free parking can be found at the Union Garage.

Read also: A Look at Towson's Athletic Legacy

Lot 8 requires a Tiger Athletic Fund donation per permit, with each permit costing \$60.
Lot 7 is sold in advance only and spaces are limited at \$20 per permit.
Free parking is available in lots 4 and 5 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Tiger Athletic Fund (TAF) Donors

Tiger Athletic Fund donors who give \$750 unrestricted to TAF will receive one free lot 8 reserved parking pass, with the \$60 fee waived (season tickets required).
Donors who give \$1,500 unrestricted to TAF will receive one free lot 7 reserved parking pass, with the \$60 fee waived.

Important Parking Regulations

License Plate Recognition (LPR)

Towson University utilizes a License Plate Recognition (LPR) system for parking enforcement. The system depends on visible plates to scan and verify permits.

Parking Direction

To ensure efficient and accurate parking enforcement, drivers with only a rear plate should park facing forward.

One Card Access

One Card access with an active parking permit is required for entry.

Avoiding Citations

Parking tickets come with a state-mandated \$100 fine, with the amount increasing for repeat offenses.

Parking Appeals

If you believe you received a ticket in error, submit an appeal through the e-Parking portal.

Consequences of Unpaid Tickets

Failure to pay parking tickets can prevent you from registering for classes or receiving your transcripts or diploma.

Sustainable Transportation

TU offers a free and convenient shuttle service to all members of the campus community.

Sustainable Transportation Program

For more information, consider the Sustainable Transportation Program.

Additional Considerations

Parking Signage

Always read parking signs carefully and park only in authorized areas.

Restrictions

Avoid parking in commercial parking lots or residential communities while on campus.

Towing

Towson University reserves the right to tow and/or impound vehicles for serious infractions or violations. Vehicles towed from the campus will be towed at the owner’s expense to: Pollards Towing, 3 Ensor Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.

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