Downtown campus
How do I purchase a parking permit?
You will find instructions on how to purchase a permit on this page for staff and this page for students(see How to purchase a parking permit sections)
How do I purchase day passes?
You will find instructions on how to purchase day passes on this page for staff only (see Day Passes section)
If I hold a monthly permit but suspended it during the pandemic, what do I need to do?
Users who had permits prior to the start of the pandemic will need to fill out the parking eligibility form before being issued a permit. You can visit the staff permit section here for more details. Note that returning permit holders will not necessarily be guaranteed a permit nor be assigned the same parking space they had before they suspended their permit.
I won’t be working on campus full time and do not wish to pay for a monthly permit. What are my options?
You can purchase day passes, for $20 each or 6 passes for $100. You may purchase a maximum of 30 day passes at a time. Note that if you are on campus three days or more, purchasing a monthly permit might be a better option financially.
Can I share a permit with a colleague?
No. See McGill parking regulations, article 5.2.6.3: Permits are NOT transferable, and they must not be loaned, but they may be used in more than one car owned by the permit holder providing the cars involved have been recorded at the Parking & Transportation Services Office and only one parking space will ever be used at any time.
I have been using day passes since the start of the pandemic and wish to continue to do so. Do I need to formally advise you?
There is no need to advise us if you wish to continue to use day passes, but be advised that choice of parking lot/garage will continue to be limited with day passes.
Will I still have access to the same parking lot or garage as before the pandemic?
Not necessarily. We will try as much as possible to assign you a place in your previous or preferred lot/garage, but we cannot guarantee it.
Can I get a parking space close to my office?
We will try as much as possible to assign you a place in your preferred lot/garage, but we cannot guarantee it. Proximity parking is only assigned to users with mobility issues.
If there are more people driving to campus than before the pandemic, will you have enough spaces for everyone? Do permit holders get priority over day pass users?
It is difficult to evaluate the number of people who will wish to park on campus in the fall. Users who had permits before or during the pandemic will have priority over new users, but that does not guarantee them a space as there is a limited number of spaces available. New users must meet one of the eligibility criteria listed here.
How can I cancel my parking permit permanently?
Please fill out the online cancellation request form. Users requesting to cancel their permit must return the permit and any associated device to the Parking & Transportation Services office within a week after their last day of use.
Once a permit is cancelled, there is no guarantee another one will be issued to you in the future, as the number of parking spaces on campus is limited, nor is there is a guarantee you would get a permit for the same location should one be issued.
Macdonald campus
How do I purchase a parking permit?
You will find instructions on how to purchase a permit on this page.
How do I purchase day passes?
You will find instructions on how to purchase day passes on this page.
I won’t be working on campus full time this fall and do not wish to pay for an annual or monthly permit. What are my options?
Daily passes for $8 or half day passes for $4 are available from the pay & display machine in the Horticulture parking lot.
Can I share a permit with a colleague?
No. See McGill parking regulations, article 5.2.6.3: Permits are NOT transferable, and they must not be loaned, but they may be used in more than one car owned by the permit holder providing the cars involved have been recorded at the Parking & Transportation Services Office and only one parking space will ever be used at any time.
I am a new student beginning in August, but I will have to come on campus during the summer for certain classes. If I purchase a half year permit from July until December, will I be able to park on campus as of June 1st?
Yes, both half year permits will include the summer months of June until August 31st.
I purchased an annual parking permit, but my vehicle will be going to the garage for repairs, what should I do?
Remove your hangtag from your vehicle and place it on the mirror of the vehicle you will be using in the meantime.
I am a staff member who will be working only part time on campus, which permit would be the best option?
If you are on campus 3 days or less per week, your best option would be to purchase parking daily. Users may pay for parking by the day or half day by purchasing tickets at the Horticulture Lot machine. The rates are $8.00 for the day and $4.00 for the half day. The vehicle must remain parked at the Horticulture Lot.
I am a student who normally takes public transit during the year, however for the summer I intend on driving to campus, will I have to pay for parking?
If you are a McGill student coming on campus for official McGill business, please come to Laird Hall to obtain a summer pass which will be free of charge.
I purchased a permit but forgot to display it in my vehicle, what will happen?
Each user must ensure that their permit always remains visible on their dashboard or mirror. If it is not visible, it is impossible to know that the vehicle has a valid permit, and a ticket may be issued.
Am I allowed to park in a 30-minute visitor zone with my permit?
Our visitor zones outside of Laird Hall (30 minutes) and Macdonald Stewart Building (10 minutes) are intended for visitors who are only coming to campus to drop something off or come to Laird Hall to purchase their parking passes. Permit holders are not permitted to park in those zones, to ensure these spaces are available when needed.
I did not display my permit and received a ticket, what should I do?
If your ticket is a City of Montreal ticket, please follow the instructions on the back of the ticket to either pay or contest. If you received an internal McGill ticket, please come to Laird Hall security to pay or contest your ticket.
I am not a McGill community member, but would like to park on campus during the summer, is parking free?
Parking on campus is not free, and a permit is required to park on campus. A visitor permit can be purchased allowing you to park on campus at any point during the year.
Am I allowed to park my vehicle on campus overnight?
Overnight parking is only permitted for residents who live on campus and who have a resident permit. If you are visiting an on campus resident, you may purchase an overnight visitor permit at the Laird Hall Security Office.
I have mobility issues and need to park as close to my office as possible. What do I do?
Proximity parking is only assigned to persons who have a government disability permit or authorization from Human Resources or the Office for Students with Disabilities. For more information, see this page (see Proximity Parking for Staff Members
Have the rates increased?
The rates are increased by approximately 2% each year. The new rates are 2% higher than the 2019-2020 rates, as they were not increased in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Why are you no longer offering free or reduced rate parking?
The University has been gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels of activity. The decision to resume charging regular rates at the beginning of the fall semester was aligned with the expected return to normal operations, not only at the University but in many sectors.