On-Campus Parking Restrictions

Policy Summary

The George Washington University ("GW" or "university") discourages all students from bringing vehicles to the Foggy Bottom or Mount Vernon campuses. Freshmen and sophomores in particular are prohibited from bringing vehicles and parking them in the Foggy Bottom/West End area other than in exceptional circumstances where an exception is documented and granted by the university. For those few granted exceptions, the vehicle must be parked in a university parking facility. 

This policy is needed because of the limited number of parking spaces on the streets around the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, the availability of public transportation, and the need to limit the impact of parked vehicles on the surrounding residential neighborhoods. This policy is also needed to effectuate campus plan zoning requirements and other obligations of the university. 

Who is Governed by this Policy

• Faculty
• Staff
• Students

Policy

Foggy Bottom Campus Parking Restrictions  

Due to the limited number of parking spaces on the streets in and around the Foggy Bottom Campus and the availability of public transportation, the D.C. Zoning Commission imposed a condition in the 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan restricting student parking. 

Pursuant to this condition, the university discourages all students from bringing vehicles to the Foggy Bottom Campus. Freshmen and sophomores are prohibited from bringing vehicles and parking them in the Foggy Bottom/West End area, except in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances may include, for example, transportation needs related to a disability or health condition of the student or member of his/her family. Requests by freshmen and sophomores for a policy exception due to exceptional circumstances must be submitted via the Parking Requirement Exemption Request Form (PDF). Students seeking an exception due to disability or health condition should visit Disability Support Services for further assistance. Any exemptions will be granted in consultation with Business and Auxiliary Services and Disability Support Services. If an exception is granted, the vehicle must be parked in a university parking facility. 

Mount Vernon Campus Parking Restrictions 

Pursuant to the 1999 Mount Vernon Campus Plan zoning order, faculty, staff, and students who bring vehicles to the Mount Vernon campus are required to park on the campus itself. Parking is prohibited on the streets adjacent to and surrounding the Mount Vernon campus. 

All freshmen and sophomores living in GW housing must confirm by their signature of a Housing Liscene and Dining Plan Agreement that they have read and understood this parking policy, regardless of whether the student drives to the university or is eligible to have a car on campus. Student violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the university's Code of Student Conduct. 

Definitions

Foggy Bottom/West End area: The area bounded by 19th Street on the east, E Street on the south, Rock Creek Park on the west, and N Street on the north.

Procedures

Students seeking an exception due to disability or health condition should visit Disability Support Services for further assistance.

Forms

• Parking Requirement Exemption Request Form (PDF)

Related Information

• Housing License and Dining Plan Agreement
• Code of Student Conduct 
• Metrobus 
• Metrorail 
• SmarTrip Card 

Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia, Zoning Commission Order No. 06-11/06-12:  Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 regarding the Foggy Bottom Campus Plan, dated March 12, 2007, effective October 26, 2007. 

Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia, Zoning Commission Order No. 09-19, regarding the Mount Vernon Campus Plan, dated April 26, 2010. 

Contacts