UH Parking Then and Now

With a campus as big as the University of Houston, parking can be a rare commodity. During the first few days of school, some of the lots are already full by 8:00 AM! Parking issues aren't new to UH, and as the school continues to grow they will most likely not completely disappear any time soon. However, over the past few decades much has been done to alleviate this parking congestion.

UH Parking in 1990

Prior to 2005, the landscape of UH parking was flat and limited; if a person couldn't find a parking space, then they would make their own parking in the grass or in the rocks (this still happens in the 8A parking lot). During the 90s the university's parking space accommodated for almost two vehicles per space, meaning that there was almost twice as many people needing parking than there were spaces available.



The campus erected its first parking garage in 2005 at the corner of Calhoun Road. Not only did it provide five more stories of parking space, it also accommodated for new offices, businesses, and a new campus welcome center as well. By the end of 2009, the East Parking Garage was finished as well, providing 1,500 more parking spaces.

Construction of the university's first parking garage

East Parking Garage

Site of the Stadium Parking Garage

Today the university has just completed its third parking garage, providing 2,300 more parking spaces, and has a fourth garage on the way. Still, there is no shortage of parking troubles. Here are a few resources to help you out with your parking woes:

Parking Permits: If you haven't had the chance to already, follow this link to obtain your official UH parking permit today!

Parking Availability Map: Check here when you have run out of places to look for parking. This map is updated regularly so you know which lots may have a parking spot for you!

UH Guide for iPhone: This app is an all-in-one guide to the campus which includes the parking availability map from the UHPD updated every 30-40 minutes, twitter feeds, pictures submitted by students and faculty, and the weather.


You can read more about the University of Houston's growing pains in the University of Houston Digital Library's Houstonian Yearbook Collection.