Disabled and Medical Parking
UC Santa Cruz has two types of parking for those with disability-related needs:
Standard and van-accessible disabled (ADA) parking spaces
These spaces are outlined in blue stripes, designated by pavement markings and posted signage with the international symbol of accessibility, and may have a loading zone next to them (van-accessible spaces only).
Medical spaces
Standard-sized parking spaces intended for those who need close-in parking due to a temporary medical condition but who don’t require the extra space provided by ADA parking spaces.
If you have a valid ADA placard or license plate
UCSC Affiliates
Faculty, staff, students, volunteers, those receiving remuneration for services, and those participating in University programs must possess a valid virtual permit or pay via Park Mobile in designated spaces. Vehicles parked without valid payment in an ADA space – even with a valid ADA placard – will be subject to citation.
UCSC Visitors
Visitors with valid ADA placards or plates may park for free in ADA spaces, Medical spaces, and ParkMobile spaces without additional payment
Anyone with an ADA placard or license plate may park in the following spaces:
- ADA (a.k.a. Accessible) parking spaces
- A spaces
- Medical spaces
- In time zones (e.g., 10-minute spaces) for longer than the time specified
- In Park Mobile spaces longer than the designated time limit
- Out of a marked parking space, as long as you don’t park in fire lanes, tow-away zones, or next to red curbs. You also can’t block other vehicles, access to dumpsters or loading docks, buildings, sidewalks, pathways, or traffic.
ADA placard or license plate holders with a valid permit may park in any spaces except mobile pay spaces and reserved spaces (including, but not limited to, university vehicle, carpool, and vanpool spaces).
If You Don't Have an ADA placard or license plate:
You may apply for a temporary Medical parking permit. This requires submitting medical documentation to Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS). The documentation must be from a healthcare provider (e.g. physician, surgeon, chiropractor, etc.) and must include the duration of the temporary parking need and the type of accommodation: Close-in, or Medical (difficulty walking more than 50 yards). Students can submit documentation for up to one month in duration directly to the TAPS Sales Office (tapssales@ucsc.edu), or call the Sales Office at (831) 459-4543 for other arrangements. Documentation for longer than one month of Medical parking must come directly from either the Student Health Center or the Disability Resource Center.
If You have a Medical permit, you may park in:
- Medical spaces
- A spaces
The second page of the campus parking map includes a list of each parking lot and the types of parking available in each, including Medical spaces. Need additional information? Send us an email inquiry or call (831) 502-7942.