Comparable Schools'
Parking Grades:
Quick Stats
Common Parking Tickets
- Handicapped zone - $200
- No parking zone - $90
- Parking without a permit or valid permit - $25
Freshmen Allowed to Park
Yes
Approximate Parking Permit Cost
Parking Permits
Permits at Pitt are assigned by area—your permit will be for a specific garage or lot; rates listed describe different types of lots that are available. In the event that you can’t park in your assigned lot or garage (i.e.: the lot is full, blocked by snow), your permit will be temporarily validated in the Soldiers and Sailors or O’Hara garages. You can purchase a neighborhood zone street parking pass from the city for $20 a year. You have to fight for a parking spot and may have to drive around for a bit, but this is the cheapest option.
College Prowler Take
The University of Pittsburgh is one of the few schools that allows freshmen to bring cars. Most students who do bring cars are given parking passes for the OC lot—the area on upper campus near the athletic facilities. While this is a low-traffic area that avoids the congestion of central Oakland, the OC can be quite a hike. Unless you’re living in Sutherland Hall, Pennsylvania Hall, Panther Hall, or one of the frat houses, you’re going to have to climb “Cardiac Hill” whenever you want to get to your car. The cost of permits doesn’t justify this walk for many students, and it definitely detracts from the convenience of having a car. By 5 p.m. weeknights, and all day on weekends, most of the lots on campus open up to anyone with a permit. Without a permit, you’re stuck with street parking or public garages. Metered parking is free after 6 p.m., but this is too late to matter for most students who try to drive to campus. Parking in Pittsburgh isn’t convenient at all—the streets tend to be small and crowded, and it’s difficult to be sure where you can safely leave your car. If you have an off-campus house or apartment, it’s a good idea to make sure there will be adequate parking before you sign your lease.
Overall, the cost and inconvenience of parking at Pitt makes it too much to bother with for most students. Public transportation is free for Pitt students, and buses will take you almost everywhere you’ll need to go. While a car can be a great boon for escaping city limits on weekends, you have to weigh how much you’re actually going to do this against the effort of keeping a vehicle around. You’ll probably find that, for daily activities, a car is more trouble than it’s worth.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
I wouldn’t suggest bringing a car...
I wouldn’t suggest bringing a car to campus if you are living on campus. The parking can be a little expensive and inconvenient, and is generally not needed due to the bus system. |
Anonymous says: |
Don’t bring a car until you move...
Don’t bring a car until you move off campus. You don’t need it. Everything you need is either in walking distance or a short bus ride away. It’s insanely expensive to park on campus, and there’s not really anywhere you can leave your car off campus. |
Anonymous says: |
If you have a car here, good luck...
If you have a car here, good luck finding parking. There is no way you will be able to find a spot consistently if you commute to campus with a car. If you get a garage space, then you will be fine. I do suggest having a car, though, after your freshman year. It’s useful when you want to go to the mall, the movies, or just leave town for a road trip. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking sucks. It costs a fortune...
Parking sucks. It costs a fortune to park on campus, and parking off campus is just as terrible. It’s so bad because of the UPMC hospital employees—they take all the spaces and fill the garages. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking is one of the bad things...
Parking is one of the bad things at Pitt; there is not much because it’s in the city. |
Did You Know?
Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
• Metered lots
• Soldiers and Sailors garage
Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
• Forbes Avenue or Fifth Avenue
• Schenley Quad
If you need to make a quick stop at a campus building but don’t have the permit for its lot, just leave your flashers on! With a valid parking permit displayed and your four-way flashers activated, you’re allowed to park for up to 15 minutes in any lot.
Need a jump start? Locked your keys in your car? Call MAP, Pitt’s Motorist Assistant Program, at (412) 624-4034.
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