Parking at Yale is extremely limited and can be costly. Yale encourages students to consider alternatives such as walking, biking, and other sustainable choices. By visiting the Parking and Transportation Options page, you can get a better sense about which of these options would suit your needs.
Read more below on some things to consider when bringing a car to New Haven or to learn more about transit options in the city.
Parking in Yale lots is available for a fee.
Students are able to purchase a permit to park at the Science Park Garage. The garage is about a 15-minute walk from Yale Divinity School. The route from the Garage to YDS is also on the brown and red Yale Shuttle routes!
You can see the fees here. Paying to park in a garage may lower your insurance costs, offer extra security, and prevent you having to move your car for street sweeping or snow emergencies (a regular occurrence in New Haven!) To set up and obtain your parking permit, click this link to fill out the request form online.
There is accessible parking available on the YDS campus for a fee. For information on all accessible parking and transportation, see the Student Accessibility Services website.
In addition to Yale’s visitor lots, all ungated lots and select gated lots are available and free to park in from 5:00pm to 3:00am, Mondays – Thursdays and from 5:00pm Fridays through 3:00am Mondays.
Review the advice provided on the OISS website first!
Every city has its own set of parking signs and enforcements. New to New Haven? Then consider some of the resources below. In general, before you leave your car parked, check for any parking enforcement signage!
You may want to consider getting a residential parking permit from the city of New Haven if you are living in an appropriate area.
Parking around New Haven often involves meters or pay-to-park. Download the ParkMobile app or Go New Haven app and setup your account so you can purchase parking around New Haven!
The use of steering wheel locks provided for free by Yale Public Safety can reduce the threat of vehicle theft (especially with Kia and Hyundai models!)
To ask about this program, call (203) 432-4400
If you've received a parking violation ticket, you can pay online through the city of New Haven's payment website. You should resolve violations quickly to avoid additional fees!
Zipcar is a car sharing program that makes the process of car sharing safe, easy, and convenient. Yale University has partnered with Zipcar to offer its students discounted yearly memberships!
If you're coming from a different state or country, Connecticut's parking signs may look completely alien! Review the most common signs you'll find around YDS and the city below!
These signs usually indicate you can park here except for twice monthly street sweeping days, which are different from block to block. You are not allowed to park on the streets with these signs during that time frame.
Absolutely no parking is allowed at these locations, violators will be towed if they do not follow these signs.
~ No arrow(s) means the sign only applies to the single space where the sign is posted.
~ Double arrow is in effect in both directions until the next sign or intersection.
~ A single arrow is in effect from the sign in the direction of the arrow.
You are allowed to park around these signs by paying a meter from 8 am – 9 am. After 9 pm, all day Sunday, and Holidays, parking is usually free at these locations. You can usually use the ParkMobile or Go New Haven parking apps for these meters!
Pay at station and display receipt on dashboard at curbside window.
You will see these signs around metered parking areas with one single meter for the block. You can usually use the ParkMobile or GoNew Haven parking apps for these meters!
7 AM – 7 PM | Except Sunday and Holidays
You may park at these locations for a maximum of 12 hours. After the 12-hour time frame you must move your car.
You must display validated voucher per posted time limits.
A New Haven parking voucher is required to park at this sign location. These vouchers are provided by the City of New Haven. Click here.
Absolutely no parking is allowed from the point of this sign to the end of the block. Violators will be towed.
~ No arrow(s) means the sign only applies to the single space where the sign is posted.
~ Double arrow is in effect in both directions until the next sign or intersection.
~ A single arrow is in effect from the sign in the direction of the arrow.
Zoned parking is for residents of that block. Do not park in zoned spots without a permit for that zone. You can apply to the city for a zoned permit for your own residential block. Some residential zones will allow anyone to park, but only up to a specific time limit (see example image). Residential permits are exempt from this time limit. See the residential zone map here.
