Parking is a critical component of any on-campus event. Planning ahead will help ensure that guests have adequate space and avoid parking citations.

1. Determine your needs. Do you need parking for a small number of visitors, or are you hosting a large-scale event that will be open to the public? Are the attendees mostly visitors, or JMU faculty, staff and students? These factors will affect parking availability, and whether parking permits will be needed.
2. Consider time, day and location. Based on times of peak demand, parking space for events is most limited Monday-Thursday from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM. Parking is most plentiful on evenings and weekends, but it is important to remember that other large events, such as football or open houses, may affect availability.
3. Submit a request form. Go to the Parking and Transit Services website at jmu.edu/parking. Click on the “Event Parking” tab, then choose the form that best describes your needs. Requests should be submitted at least 10 business days in advance whenever possible.
4. Receive a confirmation. Requests for 5 or fewer permits will typically be fulfilled in less than an hour and will not generate a confirmation. For larger events, you will receive an email confirmation with parking allocations and, if needed, instructions for visitors to redeem their virtual parking permits online.
5. Communicate with your guests. Please wait to publicize event parking arrangements until you have received a confirmation, as first-choice lots may not always be available. Instructions may be shared directly with your guests, or included in publicity materials for events open to the general public.