Guidelines for alternate parking arrangements

Our mission at University of Waterloo is to ensure adequate accessible parking, when possible, for those who are in need of accommodation.

Parking on the University of Waterloo campus is limited to approximately 100 provincially licensed accessible parking spaces.  Each year Parking Services, in collaboration with Occupational Health, accommodate approximately 350 staff/faculty beyond the Ministry-regulated spaces. This guideline has been established to assist with navigating the process of obtaining alternative campus parking arrangements for persons with disabilities or temporary medical conditions. Therefore, requests for temporary parking accommodations, will be reviewed each term.


Every vehicle parking in a marked accessibility space will require a valid accessibility permit issued from the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario (MTO) and a paid University of Waterloo parking permit. The sections below describe each requirement in more detail.


Visitor Accommodations

Persons with an MTO can utilize any accessible space on campus but must make arrangements to pay for parking as well. Visitors can either purchase a daily permit from any pay & display machine or attend parking services during office hours. Simply displaying your MTO will result in a “fail to display” ticket. Accessible spaces are always on a “first come/first served” basis and you are not guaranteed a space in one particular area.  If the area you want to park in is full you must move to the next available area.  A complete list of accessible parking locations on campus is available using the campus map.

Ministry guidelines prohibit those without an MTO to park in marked spaces. If you do not have an MTO but are looking for the closest option to your destination, please call Parking Services during business hours so they can assist you best.

Staff Accommodations

Persons with an MTO can connect with Parking Services who will take copies of both the front and back of the permit.  Once this is done  you will then purchase a university medical permit to accompany your MTO.  You must pay for parking.  Simply displaying your MTO will result in a “fail to display” ticket.  At this time Parking Services will guide you as to the closest accessible space to your work area.  Accessible spaces are always on a “first come/first served” basis and you are not guaranteed a space in one particular area.  If the area you normally park in is full you must move to the next available accessible space.  A complete list of accessible parking locations on campus is available using the campus map.

If you require a temporary accommodation without an MTO, you will be required to complete the Workplace Accommodation Request Form found on the Occupational Health website. This form must be completed by you and sent to Occupational Health at occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca. The medical information will be vetted by the Occupational Health team and a recommendation for temporary accommodations will be forwarded to Parking Services for approval. Parking Services will provide a single location without flexibility for approved accommodations. Please note that accommodations of 4 months or longer will require an MTO.

Student Accommodations

Persons with an MTO can connect with Parking Services who will take copies of both the front and back of the permit.  Once this is done  you will then purchase a university medical permit to accompany your MTO.  You must pay for parking.  Simply displaying your MTO will result in a “fail to display” ticket.  At this time Parking Services will guide you as to the closest accessible space to your classes.  Accessible spaces are always on a “first come/first served” basis and you are not guaranteed a space in one particular area.  If the area you normally park in is full you must move to the next available accessible space.  A complete list of accessible parking locations on campus is available using the campus map.

Students requiring accommodated parking without an MTO should connect with the AccessAbility Office on the first floor of Needles Hall Students: AccessAbility Services, General ext. 35082. All student requests are handled through this office.


Please note that the above process has been established to co-ordinate access to parking on campus for all users while being mindful of requests for accessible parking required on a temporary or permanent basis.

Temporary Parking Accommodation Form.pdf