Parking FAQs

The changes are designed to accomplish four key goals: (1) to provide a more predictable parking experience; (2) to ensure adequate parking, evenly distributed across campus; (3) to advance the pedestrian friendly nature of campus; and (4) to enhance the visitor parking experience.

The primary change is that when purchasing a parking tag, commuters will have the option to select a designated zone, based on their parking and fee preferences. A commuter hang tag will be issued for each zone, based on a pre-designated color. Parkers must park in their designated zone.

If you have a State issued Accessible Permit you must still purchase a Drake Permit to park in Drake owned lots. We reccomend that you purchase a permit for the lot you primarily park in, but if you need to park in another lot and there is an accessible space available in that lot you can park in that accessible space as long as you have both a State Permit and a Drake permit dispalyed. Please note that you may not park anywhere else in a lot not designated for your permit between 6 am - 4:30 pm Monday- Friday, only in available accessible spaces.

As in the past, residential parkers will be assigned to residential lots. Residential students are encouraged not to bring a car to campus. First Year residential students who elect not to bring a car to campus and purchase a residential permit will be provided $40 toward use of the enterprise rental cars on campus.

The cost of parking is linked to which type of permit and for commuters, to the zone selected. Commuters will have the option to pay less, if they elect one of the low-demand lots. For those who select a permit within a high-demand lot, pricing will be more. The pricing of all zones is based on demand, as measured in a comprehensive parking study in 2018.

Yes. A comprehensive parking study conducted in 2018, reports that even after the removal of the three lots for construction, there remain almost 500 more spots than registered users. The study also revealed that there are lots that have a higher level of demand, which contributed to frustration and perceptions of limited parking. The zone system will provide a more predictable parking experience and ensure adequate parking, evenly distributed across campus.

Drake provides free bus passes on the DART system. Anyone with a Drake ID can simply show their ID upon boarding a DART bus. (With the exception of special DART services, like the State Fair shuttle). Members of the campus community can also access rental cars using the WeCar system on campus. (link). Bicycle friendly resources are also available, including the BCycle stations and Bike Library. The City of Des Moines is also working to improve bike access to campus, including a new bike lane feature which will be added along University Avenue between 25th and 31st street as part of the University Avenue Streetscape project. Drake students can also utilize the Safe Ride buses Sunday – Wednesday from the hours of 8 pm to 1:15 am and Thursday – Saturday from 8 pm – 2:45 am.

If you use alternative means to get to campus, such as the DART bus system, biking or ride share, but need to occasionally park on campus, single day passes are available or you can use the ParkDSM app in Lot 4 (Tennis Center) Orange Zone and in lot 1A White Zone - Visitor parking.

ParkDSM spots will be available in White Zones, lots 1A and lot 20. If you are dropping something off in another building and have questions about the options available to you, contact Public Safety at 271-2222.

Public Safety is currently working on a plan for enhanced enforcement. A lot enforcement team comprised of student workers and public safety staff is being assembled. It is critically important that enforcement efforts are maintained so that the integrity of the new zone-based system can be preserved. Community members should expect increased enforcement efforts.

Tickets can be paid at the Student Services Center during business hours. Any vehicle parked outside of the Central Parking Zones with 3 or more tickets is subject to being booted or towed at the owner’s expense.

All parking regulations are in effect during the Drake Relays until 9 am to allow for faculty, students, and staff with valid permits to park. After 9 am lots are open to visitors. For the two large University Admissions events in the Fall and Spring as well as the University Job Fair in the Spring, Zone 1 may be closed. If Zone 1 is closed permit holders are allowed to park in any other Zone except for Zone 2 and 3. Announcements about this will be made in OnCampus.

Zone 3 will close at 8 pm on the Friday before home football games for the Fan Experience. Valid University permits will be allowed in University lots during sporting events.