Frequently Asked Questions
Western Michigan University Parking Services FAQ
What are the address, hours and telephone number for parking services?
Parking Services is located at 2507 W. Michigan Avenue and is one block east of the intersection of Howard Street and West Michigan Avenue. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. The telephone number is (269) 387-4609.
Do I have to register my car if I want to park on campus?
Yes, if parked during enforcement hours, all vehicles operated by guests, students, faculty and staff must be registered and purchase parking rights with Parking Services. These rights are for you only and can not be shared. Upon purchasing parking rights, the registered vehicles plate becomes the permit and as such must be parked with the plate facing the aisle for enforcement purposes.
What are the hours of enforcement?
A permit to park is required between 2 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and between 2 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday. Accessibility, 30 minute spaces, 15 minute spaces, designated reserved spaces, tow zone and “not parked in a marked space” infractions are enforced 24 hours a day.
What do I do if the car I registered is not available or broken down?
Every vehicle parked on WMU’s campus during the hours of enforcement is required to be registered for a permit. If your registered vehicle is unavailable and you plan to drive a family owned, rental or dealership vehicle it must be added to your account and selected for parking rights. Upon discontinuing the use of a temporary vehicle it should be removed from your account, this can be done by contacting Parking Services. This is especially important for rental or dealership vehicles. The temporary vehicle is not for guests or other students and con not be shared. Never park both cars at the same time on campus parking lots or with in a three hour period. If a second vehicle needs to be on campus and second permit is required.
Temporary permits can be purchased online or at the Parking Services kiosk at a cost of $5.00 per day or $15.00 per week.
Am I a student even though I am not enrolled?
Yes, you are considered a student until you either graduate or leave the University.
Are citations issued between semesters, holidays, weekends, and nights?
Citations are written on campus throughout the entire year during the hours of enforcement posted above. However, between semesters a permit is not required in student lots only. All accessibility, 15 minute spaces, 30 minute spaces, “not parked in a marked space infractions”, tow zone infractions, and reserved spaces are enforced at all times. Permits are no longer required after 5 p.m. in commuter and employee lots. Permits are not required on any holiday the university is closed.
What if I park for just a minute or I am given permission to park by a friend or a professor?
Even if you only park for a minute or two, the vehicle is still illegally parked. You would be responsible for the citation. ONLY Parking Services may grant permission to park. Call Parking Services prior to determine your options.
What do I do if I sell my car?
If you have registered your vehicle and purchased parking rights, then your license plate is your permit. If there is any change to your vehicle information (make, model, year, etc.) or your vehicle’s plate you will need to update the account for your permit. Some changes may only be updated by Parking Services staff.
What do I do if I just purchased a car and only have a temporary registration (paper plate) or no plate?
Any vehicle parked on campus must have a valid plate or temporary registration plate (paper plate). If a vehicle has a temporary registration plate the number assigned to the plate should be entered as the plate until the permanent plate arrives. Upon receiving the permanent plate the plate information in your account should be updated as soon as possible and prior to parking on campus to avoid receiving a citation.
If you do not have a plate, a permit can be purchased for the vehicle using the last 7 digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN). Upon receiving a temporary plate or new plate the registered vehicle information attached to the permit should be updated to reflect the change. Failure to register or update a vehicles permit could result in a citation.
What do I do if I have a visitor come to see me while I am living on campus?
Visitors are required to purchase a permit to park on campus during enforcement hours. Permits are not required between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 4 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. on Monday. Accessibility, 30 minute spaces, 15 minute spaces, designated reserved spaces, tow zone and “not parked in a marked space” infractions are enforced 24 hours a day. Daily permits may be purchased for $5 and weekly permits for $15. Temporary permits may be obtained online through the web portal or at the kiosk in front of the Parking Services building.
Do I need a permit to park if I am a student and only take classes after 5 p.m.?
No, permits are not required between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 4 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. on Mondays. Accessibility, 15 minute spaces, 30 minute spaces, “not parked in a marked space” infractions, tow zone infractions and reserved spaces are enforced at all times.
Can I purchase any permit designation I want?
The type of permit you are eligible to purchase depends on your residency. The web portal will only display the type of permit each customer is eligible to purchase. For example, commuters are eligible to purchase only commuter permits while residents may only purchase resident permits.