Learn where to park on campus, how to get parking permits, rules for our various lots & garages, and what to do in case of a campuswide parking ban.
Parking Permits
How to Apply
You must have a JWU-issued parking permit for all JWU lots. Permits do not waive JWU Garage hourly fees.
Resident and commuter students who plan to bring a vehicle on university property (including the JWU garage) must register their vehicle. Make sure you know your license plate number when you apply.
These parking permits are handled solely by Student Academic & Financial Services, online or in person.
Fees
The fees for Harborside and Harbor View are pro-rated after the first semester:
- Per year: $240
- Semester: $120
Buying a Permit
Fall 2026 permits will be available to buy starting on August 10, 2026.
Pickup & Placement:
- Available for pickup 24 hours after purchase at the Downcity Financial Services Office or the Harborside Safety & Security Substation (Harborside Academic Center).
- Place the permit on the inside of your windshield at the bottom of the driver’s side.
Transferring Permits
Parking permits are non-refundable and are only transferable to an alternate vehicle of the original owner with our prior approval.
Temporary Permits
Safety & Security issues temporary parking permits, free of charge.
A temporary permit can be used for up to five days of use. (After five days, a university permit must be purchased.)
Temporary permits are valid only in designated parking areas and must be clearly visible.
Guests
When applying for a temporary permit, guests must be accompanied by a host student; while on campus, they will be expected to observe the university’s parking rules and regulations.
Violations
Permits are issued to guests in the host student’s name. Violations issued to guest vehicles will be charged to the host student.
Returning Permits
Temporary permits must be returned to Safety & Security upon expiration.
Parking Lots & Garages
Refer to the Providence Campus map for Downcity and Harborside garage locations and directions.
Resident Students
Parking space on campus is limited, so please evaluate available JWU transportation options before bringing a car.
Residence Halls
Parking space is on a first-come, first-serve basis at:
- Harbor View
- Harborside Village
Restrictions apply. If your residence hall doesn’t offer on-site parking, you can obtain a parking permit for E or F Lots.
Commuter Students
Downcity Campus
Day school students on the Downcity Campus can park for a fee in the JWU Garage. You must obtain a permit from the garage office. There is no overnight parking in the garage.
Harborside Campus
You are encouraged to park in A, B, D, E & F Lots on the Harborside Campus and take Wildcat Wheels to Downcity Campus facilities. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Graduate/Doctoral Students
Graduate commuters can park in the A, B, D, E & F Lots at the Harborside Campus and in the JWU garage on the Downcity Campus. You must display a parking permit visibly on your vehicle’s dashboard.
Faculty
These lots are reserved for faculty and staff:
- C Lot
- G Lot
- Met Lot
- Johnson Lot
Students who park in one of these lots may be towed at their expense.
Downcity Parking Garage
Rates
- First 30 minutes: Free
- 1 hour: $1
- 2 hours: $2
- 3 hours: $3
- 4 hours: $4
- 5 hours: $6
- 6 hours: $8
- 7 hours: $10
- 8 hours (maximum rate): $11
Fees are not refundable.
The garage is FREE for:
- Graduate and doctoral students
- Physician Assistant students
- Nursing students
Buy a Garage Pass
Undergraduate students may pay for the full academic year. There are a limited number available for purchase starting August 10, 2026.
- Per Semester: $345
- Per year: $660
See the garage attendant to pick up a permit sticker.
- The garage is available for pay as you go.
- Evaluate the amount of time you expect to be on campus daily before purchasing a term garage pass. See the garage attendant to pick up a permit sticker.
Can I leave my car overnight?
No, overnight parking is not allowed. The garage is intended for daily parking only. Cars left in the garage past 11pm will pay the daily maximum rate ($11) plus an additional $50 fee.
Who can park in the garage?
All JWU students are welcome to park in the garage.
You must have a valid JWU ID card to enter, and either a regular JWU Student permit or Parking Garage Only permit.
While the Parking Garage Only permit is free of charge, you must pay the posted hourly rate or purchase a term parking permit.
Commuting students using the garage only are required to pick up a Parking Garage Only permit from the garage office.
Do I need my JWU ID?
Yes. You will be instructed to swipe your JWU ID card for access. Once validated, take the ticket from the machine and proceed into the garage to park. You will need this ticket when paying and exiting the garage. You will also need your JWU ID to access the entrance doors when entering the garage.
How do hourly ticket holders pay?
Hourly parkers receive a validation ticket upon entry from the validation kiosk.
You must pay prior to exiting the garage. Payments can be made at one of the kiosks located throughout the garage. All kiosks accept credit cards. At the exit, insert your paid, validated ticket and the gate will open for you to exit.
Parking Conduct & Rules
Vehicles parked on university property are subject to the following regulations:
- Purchase of a Harborside permit does not waive fees for the JWU Garage — you must pay hourly fees.
- Purchase of a garage term pass does not allow overnight parking at the Harborside Campus.
- All vehicles parked on campus must have a valid permit.
- Failure to have a valid permit can and will subject you to tagging or towing of your vehicle at your expense.
- It is the responsibility of the permit applicant to have and maintain a valid driver’s license, registration and insurance.
- Permits are valid for the specific vehicle, parking areas and time period indicated on the permit.
- Vehicles must be parked properly within a designated space so as not to interfere with another parking space or to obstruct a lane of travel or pedestrian walkway.
- Vehicles parked in flagrant violations such as parking in a fire lane, parking in a travel lane, blocking another person, et cetera will be towed at the owner’s expense.
- Maximum speed limit on university property is 15 mph. It may be lower in other areas.
- Vehicles are subject to search for cause upon request.
- The decision to tag and/or tow any vehicle in violation is made by the officer on the scene. Failure to comply with these rules, traffic signs, or operating your vehicle without a reasonable amount of care may result in fines, suspension / revocation of parking privileges and / or additional disciplinary action.
- Moving or defacing any university traffic sign may result in disciplinary action.
- In the event of snow, a university parking ban may be announced through normal campus communications (ie. jwuLink, email, posted notices in residence halls). Any vehicle found parked in an area prohibited by such ban will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Campuswide Parking Bans
During periods of inclement weather, the university may institute a campuswide parking ban:
Harborside Campus
In the event of a ban, resident students parked on the Harborside Campus must move their vehicles to the E or F Lot designated by Campus Safety & Security. This includes removing vehicles from Harborside Boulevard.
Harbor View Residents
Harbor View students will also be required to move their vehicles into a designated area. Notices will be posted on jwuLink about alternative parking locations.
Holiday & Semester Breaks
During the holiday shutdown or semester break periods, all students leaving vehicles on campus should park in the E or F Lot, as designated by Campus Safety & Security.
City Bans
Be advised that the cities of Providence and Cranston may issue parking bans independently and at different times than each other or the university. Pay close attention to local news announcements to prevent towing and/or ticketing.