Student Parking

For temporary summer permits e-mail Marc Ellis to request a parking form (you will need to send this form to the Parking Office once completed). Rates for Annual and Academic parking likely won't be introduced until mid-September.

Student parking on campus is in great demand, but the number of spaces available to law students is limited. Parking is limited to commuter students, i.e., those who live beyond a 2-mile radius of the Law School. Applications will be made available on August 1st by 5:00 pm.

Must live north of North Avenue, west of Halsted Street, and south of Van Buren St. The zip codes included in the exclusion zone are 60610, 60654, 60661, 60606, 60604, 60603, 60602, 60601. Addresses on North Ave between Lake Shore Dr and Halsted St, Halsted St between Van Buren St and North Ave, or Van Buren St between Lake Shore Dr and Halsted St do not establish parking eligibility.

Because of high demand, parking is not guaranteed. A parking permit only guarantees the holder access to the campus lot; it does not guarantee a parking space. There are peak periods during the year when students may have difficulty finding a parking space.

If qualified applications exceed demand in 2023-2024 the SBA, in conjunction with Student Services, will assign parking consistent with the following priority list:

  • First Priority
    All students, including 1Ls, with non-Chicago residential addresses.
  • Second Priority
    All students who live more than 3 miles from the Law School as determined by school guidelines.
  • Third Priority
    JD-MBA students in the 3rd or 4th year of the program who are taking courses at both schools and JD-PhD students who are taking courses at both schools.
  • Fourth Priority
    2Ls and 3Ls who live 2-3 miles from campus as determined by school guidelines.
  • Fifth Priority
    1Ls who live 2-3 miles from campus will be placed in a lottery for any remaining spots.

If you have any questions, please contact Marc Ellis.

There are several types of parking permits. Following is a summary of permit terms, student eligibility, and procedures for obtaining a permit:

Temporary Parking

Temporary Summer Permits

  • Term: August 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023
  • Price: $133.00
  • Eligibility: All registered students
  • Procedure: Temporary permits will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Please fill out the parking application and specify "summer parking". Students must provide the Parking Office in Abbott Hall with a current driver's license, evidence of vehicle ownership (car registration or insurance papers), proof of address (e.g. lease, utility bill, etc.), and evidence of registration as a Northwestern Law student (ID or tuition bill). Students do not have to live within a 3-mile radius during the summer. Students with annual permits from the 2023–2024 academic year do not need temporary parking.

Annual Commuter Permits

  • Term: October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024
  • Eligibility: Only registered students who reside beyond a 2-mile radius of the Chicago campus are eligible for annual permits.
  • Price: $564.00 (This permit is not available for purchase after Friday, December 22, 2023)
  • Procedure: Student Services processes annual parking applications in conjunction with the Student Bar Association. Starting AUGUST 1st please fill out your online parking application. You will receive an e-mail from Student Services confirming your approval. The students may then obtain permits from the Parking Office according to the procedures set forth under the temporary permits. If demand for parking exceeds supply, parking will be assigned based on the criteria established by the SBA. Students applying for parking after September 30, should use the same application. These permits, if available, are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
  • Note: Students who have an annual commuter permit for the 2023-2024 academic year may use the permit until October 1, 2023. 3Ls who plan to prepare for the Bar exam at the Law School should consider the Annual Commuter Permit.

Academic Year Commuter Permits

  • Term: October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
  • Eligibility: Only registered students who reside beyond a 2-mile radius of Northwestern University's Chicago campus are eligible for academic year commuter permits.
  • Price: $513.00 (Permits are not pro-rated)
  • Procedure: See application procedure set forth under Annual Permits.

Quarterly

  • Term: "Fall" - October 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023; "Winter" - January 1, 2024- March 31, 2024; "Spring" - April 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024; "Summer" - July 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024
  • Eligibility: Only registered students who reside beyond a 2-mile radius of Northwestern University's Chicago campus are eligible for quarterly permits.
  • Price: $189.00 (Permits are not pro-rated)

Evening and Weekend Permits

  • Terms: "Annual" - October 1, 2023- September 30, 2024; "Academic Year" - October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
  • 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday; 24-hour access on weekends and University holidays
  • Eligibility: All registered students
  • Price: Annual $504.00, Academic Year $378.00, Quarterly $189.00
  • Procedure: Evening and weekend permits may be obtained from the Parking Office according to the procedures set forth under Temporary permits.

Alternatives to On-Campus Parking

Convenient non-university campus parking is expensive. Students ineligible for on-campus parking are strongly discouraged from bringing their vehicles to the Law School. Fortunately, Chicago is rich in public transportation resources.

Northwestern University provides a free, convenient shuttle service between campuses and the train station, and offers a secure bike room for Chicago campus bicycle parking.