Special Event Parking

The Special Events and Parking Team is here to help get your event off to a great start. Whether it’s a small or large event, we work with you to allocate available parking that is most convenient for your guests. We can even distribute passes at parking area entrances, provide signage to direct guests to designated parking lots and the event site, as well as arrange for traffic direction.

We recommend that Event Coordinators schedule their upcoming event with our staff as soon as possible. Once we have your details we’ll be able to provide you with parking instructions for your guests.

Event coordinators, please contact us prior to sending parking instructions to your guests.

Schedule parking for your event

Please fill out the Special Events & Arranged Parking Form so we can start processing your request. For any questions please call (206) 616-8710.

Bus parking on campus

The Special Events and Parking Team can make arrangements for parking any number of buses for your event. Please familiarize yourself with the following bus parking restrictions since failure to follow these rules could result in a citation.

1. Arrangements for bus load/unload locations must be made prior to arriving on campus.
2. The designated area for bus parking is Mason Road. Buses must park parallel to the east curb and allow for bus maneuverability. Mason Road can accommodate approximately 15 full-size buses stack parked along the east curb. Mason Road is located on main campus near the power plant. View a detailed map to Mason Road. View the UW Campus Map.
3. Standing, staging, or parking a bus is not permitted in any area other than those designated for bus parking and bus load/unloading.
4. Buses DO NOT have the authorization to access pedestrian pathways. The only exception to this is for the purpose of transporting persons with disabilities.

Please fill out the Online Bus Request Form so we can start processing your request. For any questions please call (206) 616-8710.

Athletic events and buses

1. Contact the ICA Football Parking Hotline at (206) 685-3410 for special bus parking arrangements on football game days. Note: Mason Road is not available for general bus parking on game days.
2. Follow the general bus parking rules above for all other athletic events.

Evening Event and Conference attendees

If you plan to attend an evening event at Meany Theatre or Kane Hall, the closest parking is in the Central Plaza Garage, located underground at 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St. Evening event parking after 5:00pm in the Central Plaza Garage costs $10.00. However, there is also additional parking in several west campus lots (W12, and W14) where pay stations are available. These areas are for parking after 4pm weekdays and on Saturday mornings. The pay stations accept Visa/MC, and coins, but do not give change. Parking in these lots is $5 (sales and city parking taxes included).

See directions and parking information for Meany Theatre, Henry Art Gallery and Kane Hall events.

Persons that are mobility-impaired should self-identify at any gatehouse when entering campus for assigned parking in a disability parking area close to their destination.

Conference sponsors typically send parking instructions to attendees along with registration details. If you are scheduled to attend a conference on campus and have not received parking arrangements, please review your registration materials for a contact number to call for details.

There’s more than one way to get to the University of Washington and we encourage you to join our efforts to improve traffic conditions and to protect the environment. Please consider using an alternative to driving alone to get to any campus event. See more information on taking a bus to the UW.

Special Event Fees

Football and events in excess of 24,000 in attendance

Other Events

Event rates apply to all vehicles parking in the affected lot.

Arranged Parking

Visitors who arrive on campus after parking arrangements have been made through the Commuter Services Special Events office should give the gate attendant their name and the reason for the visit. The attendant will assign the nearest available lot to their destination and charge the standard gatehouse rate for that time of day. If arrangements have been made to bill the cost of parking to a departmental budget number, the attendant will present the visitor with a gratis permit.

Arranging parking for your event

Departments wishing to arrange for parking for their visitors should fill out our new online request form. The Special Events Office will contact you to confirm arrangements. For any questions please call (206) 616-8710.