Rutgers Parking: Freshman Car Rules

Freshmen at Rutgers New Brunswick are permitted to have cars on campus, but they must purchase a parking pass. The cost of parking passes varies depending on the type of pass and the semester. For example, a full-year resident parking pass costs $230, while a half-year pass costs around $115-$130. Students can also purchase daily or hourly permits through the Passport Parking app, with prices ranging from $3 to $5. The parking situation at Rutgers New Brunswick is reportedly challenging, with students complaining about the accessibility of parking passes and limited free street parking.

Cost of parking permits

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a range of parking permits for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The cost of parking permits varies depending on the type of permit, the campus location, and the parking location. Here is a detailed breakdown of the parking permit costs for students at the New Brunswick campus:

Student Parking Permits:

• Commuter Permits: Available to students who don't live in university housing. The cost of a College Avenue or Douglass Deck Parking Permit is $200 per semester. The cost of a Busch, Cook, or Livingston Surface Lot Parking Permit is $90 per semester. The Night Commuter Permit costs $90 for the fall semester.
• Resident Permits: Available to students living in university housing. The cost of a Busch, Cook, Douglass, or Livingston Resident Permit is $150 per semester.
• Off-Campus Living Permits: These permits are for students living off-campus but require a parking space. The cost of a Busch, Cook, or Livingston Off-Campus Living Permit is $150 per semester.
• New Brunswick Night Commuter: This permit is for students who only need to park on campus at night or on weekends. The cost is $90 for the semester, including state sales tax.

The costs of parking permits may vary slightly from year to year, and it's important to note that Rutgers University uses license plate recognition (LPR) for their parking permits, so there are no physical hang tags or stickers. Students can purchase permits online through the Rutgers parking portal and can choose to add the cost to their term bill.

Types of parking permits

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a range of parking permits for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The type of parking permit required depends on the individual's status and parking needs. Here is a detailed breakdown of the types of parking permits available:

Student Parking Permits:

• Commuter Permits: These permits are for students who do not live in university housing. The cost of commuter permits varies depending on the campus and parking location. For example, the College Avenue Commuter Permit costs $200 per semester, while the Busch, Cook, and Livingston Commuter Permits cost $90 per semester.
• Resident Permits: Resident permits are available for students living in university housing. The cost of these permits also varies by campus. For instance, the Busch, Cook, Douglass, and Livingston Resident Permits cost $150 per semester.
• Night Commuter Permits: Night commuter permits are available for students who only need to park on campus during the night. These permits are available for the New Brunswick and Camden campuses. The cost for the New Brunswick Night Commuter permit is $90 per semester.
• Off-Campus Living Permits: Students living off-campus but still requiring a parking space can purchase an Off-Campus Living permit. These permits are specific to certain campuses and their costs vary. For example, the Busch, Cook, and Livingston Off-Campus Living Permits for the New Brunswick campus are $150 per semester.
• Daily/Hourly Permits: Students can also purchase daily or hourly permits through the Passport Parking app. The rates for these permits depend on the specific zone and campus. For instance, Zone 9647, which covers all New Brunswick student lots, costs $5 for visitor parking from 6 am to 2 am.

Faculty & Staff Parking Permits:

Faculty and staff members are required to have a parking permit to park in any university parking area. The registration process involves providing vehicle information, including license plate number, state, make, model, and colour. Faculty and staff permits can be purchased online, and the cost may be paid through a pre-tax payroll deduction or credit card.

Visitor Parking Permits:

Visitors to the university who are not affiliated with Rutgers University can purchase an Online Visitor Permit. Visitor parking is available in specific lots, such as Lot 48 on the Busch Campus, or in designated zones through the Passport Parking app.

Where to park on campus

Rutgers University in New Brunswick has parking available for freshmen with cars. However, the parking situation is not ideal, with students complaining about the inaccessibility of parking passes and a lack of free street parking near all five campuses.

If you are a freshman with a car, you will need to obtain a parking permit to park on campus. These permits can be purchased online and are linked to your vehicle's license plate, allowing you to park in designated lots. The type of parking permit you hold will determine the parking areas and designated times you are allowed to park there.

There are different types of parking permits available, depending on your status as a resident or commuter student and the campus you are based at.

Resident Parking Permits

Resident parking permits are available for students living in university housing. The cost for a New Brunswick Resident permit is $150 for the semester.

Commuter Parking Permits

Commuter parking permits are for students not living in university housing. The cost for a College Avenue or Douglass Deck Parking Permit is $200 for the semester, while a Busch, Cook, or Livingston Surface Lot Parking Permit is $90 for the semester.

Night Commuter Permits

Night commuter permits are also available for students who only need to park on campus at night and on weekends. The cost for a New Brunswick Night Commuter permit is $90 for the fall semester.

Off-Campus Living Permits

If you live off-campus, there are a limited number of Off-Campus Living permits that allow for 24-hour parking in specific resident lots. The cost for a Busch Off-Campus Living permit is $150 for the semester.

Daily/Hourly Permits

Daily or hourly permits can be purchased through the Passport Parking app. For New Brunswick student lots, the cost is $5 for visitor parking from 6 am to 2 am.

Visitor Parking

Visitors can park in Lot 48 on the Busch Campus between 6 am and 2 am for free. At other times and locations, visitors must purchase a permit for $5 per day, plus sales tax.

Accessible Parking

For those with state handicap accessibility, a valid parking permit, registration of your permanent or temporary disabled placard, and proper identification from Motor Vehicle Services are required to park in handicapped stalls.

Multiple Vehicles

You can add multiple vehicles to your permit, but only one vehicle can be parked on campus at a time.

Bicycle and Scooter Rentals

If you don't want to bring your car to campus, bicycle and scooter rentals are available to all Rutgers students on all five campuses. Bicycles can be rented for $10 per month or $25 per semester, and scooters are also available on the New Brunswick campus.

Public Transportation

There are also several public transportation options available in New Jersey, including New Jersey Transit, SEPTA, and Amtrak. Full-time students can save 25% on monthly, bus, or light rail passes.

How to pay for parking

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a range of parking options for its students, staff, and visitors. Here is a detailed guide on how to pay for parking at the university.

Understanding Parking Permits:

• Student Parking Permits: Rutgers offers various parking permits for students, including resident, commuter, family housing, and daily/hourly permits. The type of permit determines the designated parking areas and times. Students can purchase permits online through the parking portal or the Passport Parking app.
• Faculty & Staff Parking Permits: Faculty and staff members also require a parking permit to park in any university parking area. They can pay using pre-tax payroll deduction or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover).
• Visitor Parking Permits: Visitors who are not affiliated with the university can park in specific lots for free or purchase daily/hourly permits through the Passport Parking app.

Purchasing an E-Permit:

To purchase an E-permit, visit go.rutgers.edu/parking and log in to your parking portal account using your NetID and password. Rutgers uses license plate recognition (LPR), so there is no physical permit pass to display.

Managing Your Parking Account:

You can manage your parking account through the Rutgers parking portal. This includes registering vehicles, adding multiple vehicles to your permit, and paying parking citations.

Parking Rates:

• Parking rates vary depending on the type of permit and the campus location. For example, the cost of a Deck Parking Permit on College Avenue or Douglass is $200 per semester, while a Surface Lot Parking Permit on Busch, Cook, or Livingston is $90 per semester.
• Daily and hourly rates are also available through the Passport Parking app. For example, Zone 9647, valid for all New Brunswick student lots, has a $5 daily rate, while Zone 9645, valid for the Livingston deck, has a $3 hourly rate.

Important Considerations:

• Only one vehicle per permit can be parked on campus at a time. Parking multiple vehicles will result in a Fraudulent Use citation.
• Ensure your license plate is visible and facing the driving aisle at all times.
• Register any new or temporary vehicles, and update your parking account with new permanent plates when received.
• Accessible parking requires a valid parking permit and the display of proper identification.
• Appeals for virtual tickets can be made through the parking portal, but for specific reasons only (e.g., inability to find a legal parking space, lack of knowledge of policies).

How to dispute parking tickets

Yes, freshmen are allowed to have cars on campus at Rutgers New Brunswick. However, a parking pass is required, and these can be costly, ranging from $115 to $240.

Parking tickets can be a frustrating and expensive inconvenience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dispute them:

• Prevent tickets in the first place: Always read parking signs and check that your parking is legal. Use parking apps to help you keep track of the rules and notify you when your time is running out.
• Read the ticket: If you do get a ticket, read it carefully. You may be able to dispute it if there are errors or missing information, such as an incorrect license plate number, make/model of the car, or date/time/place of the violation.
• Identify the statute: Check the ticket for a checked box or a set of numbers that indicate the statute you violated. Look up the statute online or at City Hall/the local library to verify that you did indeed violate it and to check for any loopholes that could help your case.
• Gather evidence: Take photos of the scene, including any relevant parking signs, your parking meter, and your vehicle in relation to the parking space.
• Submit an appeal: Write a brief, clear, and respectful appeal, including the date and time of the ticket, the statute cited, and an explanation of why the ticket is invalid. Attach your appeal to the ticket and submit it within the specified timeframe.
• Prepare for a hearing: If your appeal is not successful, you may be required to attend a hearing. Bring two copies of your evidence, dress neatly, and be polite and concise when presenting your case.
• Use a dispute service: Consider using a service like DoNotPay, which can provide you with a script to use in your dispute and guide you through the process.

Remember, it is important to act quickly when disputing a parking ticket, as most cities have strict time limits for appeals.

Frequently asked questions