Visitor Parking

You may purchase a parking permit if you are a member of the general public not affiliated with Ball State.

A permit costs $5 per day.

Visitors may purchase a permit in our office during normal business hours or buy one online by setting up a guest account with a valid email address.

How to Register

Please provide the following when you register:

• license plate number and expiration date
• vehicle make, color, and year

How to Display the Permit

Your license plate is your permit and must be visible at times.  Do not back into or pull through your parking space.  

Where You May Park

Parking is permitted only in the yellow and green marked lots on campus and does not allow for parking at a meter or in the paid areas of the garages. There is no overnight parking in green commuter lots.

Disabled Driver Parking

Disabled driver parking is also available; however, you are still required to purchase a visitor permit as well as display your state-issued placard or license plate while on campus.  You may park in the disabled driver spaces in any yellow faculty/staff or green commuter lot.  

An electric vehicle permit is required to use electric vehicle charging stations on campus. Electric vehicle spaces are not meant for long-term, overnight parking. Charging stations are to only be used while the vehicle is charging (maximum 3 hour time limit). Once done charging, the vehicle should be moved to a regular space in any yellow faculty/staff or green commuter lot.  There is no parking in green commuter lots daily from 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.  Any person found to be using EV spaces for overnight or long-term parking may be subject to a citation.

Visitors to campus can purchase a special daily permit for an additional daily fee of $1/day by contacting the Office of Parking Services.

Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Locations

• C1 Arena North -1
• R6 (New York Garage) - 2 first floor, 2 second floor, 2 third floor = 6 total
• R7 (McKinley Garage) - 1 second floor, 1 third floor = 2 total
• G14 (Alumni Center) - 1
• Oakwood Building - 1

TOTAL Level 2 = 11

Level 1 (110v/no cords) Electric Vehicle Charging Station Locations

• C9 (East of Arena) - 1
• C5 (South end of campus) - 1
• R8 (Student Center Garage) - 1 second floor, 1 third floor = 2 total

TOTAL Level 1 = 4

Contractors are required to comply with all University parking rules and regulations as well as with city ordinances and state laws, including displaying a Ball State parking permit.

Contractor parking is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Costs

• per semester – $150
• per year – $300 (August to August)

How to Buy a Permit

To purchase a contractor permit, the following information must be submitted at the Office of Parking Services:

• company name, address, and phone number
• customer (person purchasing the permit) name, address, and phone number
• license plate number, make, and color

Vendors, sales, and service personnel are required to comply with all University parking rules and regulations as well as with city ordinances and state laws, including displaying a Ball State Parking Permit.

Sales and Service parking is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Costs

• per semester – $150
• per year – $300 (August to August)

How to Buy a Permit

To purchase a sales and service permit, the following information must be submitted at the Office of Parking Services:

• company name, address, and phone number
• customer (person purchasing the permit) name, address, and phone number
• license plate number, make, and color

Locations

A sales and service permit allows parking in the following areas:

• service vehicle spaces
• any yellow general faculty/staff or green surface commuter lot

The Cardinal Pride Permit is free of charge to parents of students living in a residence hall. You may not request a permit for a vehicle that is registered to a student. Only one Cardinal Pride permit will be issued per address at a time.

Locations

The Cardinal Pride Permit is valid Monday through Friday in the following areas:

• green surface commuter lots
• yellow faculty/staff lots
• Meter (24/7)
  

The Cardinal Pride Permit does not authorize parking in the following areas:

• disabled driver spaces
• service vehicle spaces or restricted areas
• red restricted or blue housing lots
• fire lanes, driveways, or "No Parking" areas

A permit is not required in most areas on Saturday and Sunday unless otherwise posted.

How to Request a Permit

In Person

To be issued a Cardinal Pride Permit in person, the parent must bring the following information to the Office of Parking Services.

• driver's license
• license plate number and expiration date
• vehicle make, color, and year

By Mail

Complete and return the Cardinal Pride Permit Application to the address listed on the application.

Download Application (PDF)

Prepaid parking garage permits allow parking in the metered areas of any parking garage (R6, R7, or R8).

Anyone (students, employees, or visitors) can purchase a prepaid permit. The cost is $10 for the day.

Overnight parking is prohibited in all parking garages.

How to Purchase a Permit

To purchase a prepaid permit, bring the following information to the Office of Parking Services:

• driver's license
• license plate number and expiration date
• vehicle make, color, and year
• payment (cash, check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard)

University departments purchasing permits for their visitors may also pay using a journal voucher.