University of Michigan employees who utilize the many parking structures and surface lots on and around campus are reminded of important changes regarding parking permits and costs.

Logistics, Transportation & Parking is shifting its traditional parking permit system to a virtual permit system whereby an individual’s license plate serves as a permit. Enforcement of using license plates as the parking credential begins July 1, so employees are urged to select their level of virtual parking permit and register their vehicles’ license plates.

Faculty and staff may add up to three license plates to their parking account at umich.aimsparking.com. Any plate registered on the account will work, but once a plate is read on campus, no other plates on the account will be valid for the day.

Starting July 1, physical parking permits will no longer be valid. LTP has published a lengthy license plate recognition FAQ and an informational video that walks employees through the process of accessing their parking account, reserving a permit level and registering a license plate.

Virtual parking permits are valid from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with payment made through payroll deduction. As announced in April, parking permit rates have increased by 4% for the fiscal year 2026 for all annual permit categories to help support the campus parking and transportation system including operations, maintenance and debt service. It also supports alternative transportation options including the MRide and vanpool programs.

The move to virtual permits is a response to feedback to LTP from the campus community seeking more flexibility in parking options. This change also aligns with the university’s commitment to sustainability by eliminating the need to generate physical parking permits.

The parking gate access system is also transitioning over the next year to use license plate recognition technology as the gate credential. In the meantime, employees should retain their AVI window parking pass device to access gates if they were issued one. Those without a device will be able to use their Mcard to open gates.

LTP is offering new permit options to coincide with the flexibility of the virtual permit system. Staff can purchase daily yellow and daily orange, in addition to the daily blue currently available. Graduate students will be able to purchase student orange w/after hours and a student yellow that were not available in previous years.

For specific questions, connect with LTP through this form.