Texas State University Police Department is implementing a new parking permit system for the 2026-27 academic year, allowing students living on campus to purchase a permit to an assigned parking lot near their hall with guaranteed parking availability.
According to UPD, the permit changes follow recommendations from a recent parking study that gathered feedback from students, faculty and staff. Now, permits will be priced by semester rather than a full year, billed through student accounts and provide students with guaranteed parking availability within their assigned lot.
The change in parking permits is designed to simplify and improve the campus parking experience, according to Cat Hoyt, alternative program coordinator for UPD.
“By eliminating the confusing multi-colored permit system, we are reducing the time students spend on searching for open spaces,” Hoyt wrote in an email to The Star. The changes apply to residential student permits, while employee and commuter permit options will remain unchanged.
Hoyt wrote that residential students will now have guaranteed parking. Students will be able to choose an assigned lot when they purchase a permit, and those spaces will be reserved for them 24/7.
“To ensure a spot is always available, we cap permit sales strictly at each lot’s physical capacity. For example, if a lot has 100 spaces, only 100 permits will be sold for that specific lot,” Hoyt wrote.
If a resident returns to campus and finds their assigned lot full, Hoyt advises students to contact UPD to scan the lot using License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology.
“Any unauthorized vehicles will be ticketed and towed. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for parking violations in assigned residential spaces to protect your parking privileges,” Hoyt wrote.
Texas State enrolled 44,596 students in fall 2025, with nearly 10,000 students living on the San Marcos campus, according to university enrollment data.
“The parking study is presently in the editing and review phase; one of its early recommendations is to implement assigned residential parking,” Hoyt wrote.
The new permit system also introduces financial changes.
“This is especially beneficial for students who may be graduating early, studying abroad, or changing their housing arrangements mid-year. Furthermore, by routing payments directly through the student bill, it eliminates immediate out-of-pocket expenses during registration,” Hoyt wrote.
The parking permits were updated to accommodate the growing campus, focusing on on-campus residents having access to efficient and reliable parking, Hoyt wrote.
Aubrie Smith, elementary education sophomore, said finding parking can be difficult during weekdays when classes are in session and believes the new system could improve parking access for residential students.
“I think it’s beneficial for Texas State,” Smith said. “A lot of [parking] is closer to your dorm, easier to carry things, and you don’t have to fight for a spot with somebody or park 20 minutes down the road.”
Hoyt wrote that employee and commuter options are unchanged with UPD streamlining residential parking and protecting student spaces.
All previous colored residential permits have been condensed into two options: Residential Assigned Permits and Residential General Permits.
To make sure students are purchasing the correct permits, sales will occur in phases due to limited availability and lot capacity restrictions. Phase 1, which opened June 30, allows permits in assigned residential neighborhoods or in remote lots on Thorpe Lane and Mill Street. Phase 2 allows students to purchase permits outside their neighborhood based on availability, lastly Phase 3 opens all remaining permits to all students.
With Residential Assigned Permits, priced at $350 a semester, or $700 for the academic year, students can select one specific designated lot within their residential zone, with a guaranteed spot within the specific lot. This permit costs $215 more than the previous residence hall permit, which was priced at $485 annually.
Residential General Permits, priced at $85 a semester, grant students access to the remote lots on Thorpe Lane or Mill Street, with shuttle access and Safe Rides to get on campus. Commuter permits are priced at $85 per semester and motorcycle permits at $118 annually.
UPD is currently finalizing the new parking sign designs.
Students can purchase permits through the Texas State Parking Services website or through student billing in their MyParking account.
