Parking permits at NIH is managed by the Division of Amenities and Transportation Services (DATS).

Eligible employees may apply for a parking permit through the Commuting and Parking System (CAPS)  or by emailing nihparkingoffice@nih.gov. The Employee Transportation Services Office (ETSO) is located in Building 31, Room 1A11. Office hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, closed daily 11:00 am - 12:00 pm.

To obtain a permit, employees must provide a valid NIH ID and a copy of the vehicle registration for each registered vehicle. Up to three (3) vehicles may be registered, but only one parking permit is issued per employee.

Permits are mailed via USPS to the home address listed in CAPS request. Please allow 5–10 business days for delivery. A two-week temporary parking permit will be emailed for immediate use while the permanent permit is in transit.

All non-visitor vehicles must display a valid NIH parking permit. Employees approved for temporary parking must display the temporary placard on the driver's side dashboard.

Campus Parking

The NIH campus offers multiple parking garages and lots for employees, contractors, and visitors. Most are within walking distance of campus buildings, with shuttle service available from many parking areas.

Visitor parking is limited. Public transportation, carpooling, and rideshare services are encouraged.

Types of Employee Permits

General Permits

Permits are valid in areas marked for "Permit Holders." 

Permit holders may park in Carpool Areas after 11:00 am and valid in RED parking areas after 3:30 pm M-F. Permits are issued for two years based on the first letter of the employee's last name.

Contractor Permits

Contractor permits are valid in areas marked for "Permit Holders." 

Permits are issued to Contractors and Tenants.  Must be authorized in the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED) by the Administrative Officer (AO), and duty location must be at the NIH campus. Permits are issued for a one year period based on the first letter of the employee's last name.

Off-Campus Permits

 

Effective March 31, 2025, off-campus permits will no longer be valid and cannot be used at Rockledge or the NIH Bethesda Campus.

Executive (Red) Permits

Red permits are valid in areas designated for "RED Permit Holders Only" or "Permit Holders," if Red spaces are full. 

Permits are issued to individuals at the executive level (GS-15, CO-6 and above, and equivalent grade-level employees). Red Permits are not valid in Carpool Spaces before 11:00 am.  Red spaces are reserved until 3:30 pm.  Authorization for Red Parking must be approved by ICs Administrative Officer in NED.

Carpool Permits

Carpool permits are valid in areas with "CP Spaces reserved until 11:00 a.m." or "Permit Holders." 

Permits are issued to two or more employees possessing a valid NIH ID, each of whom is eligible to obtain individual General, Contractor, or Red permits; i.e., each person must be present at the time of enrollment,  registered owner of the vehicles, and have a valid driver's license. Carpool parking permits are valid in RED areas after 3:30 p.m.

 

Vanpool Permits

Vanpool permits are valid in areas designated for "Van Pool Parking".

Permits are issued to registered NIH vanpool coordinators.  All vanpool parking spaces are designated for vans and are reserved 24 hours.  

Red Reserved/SE Permits

Candy-stripe Red permits are issued to Senior Executive staff. 

A pool of 16 reserved spaces is located throughout the campus for their restricted use. Permit holders must meet eligibility requirements. Detailed information is available here.

These permits are available for the top five IC Directors with worksites located off-campus.

 Blue (F/V/G) Permits

Blue (Fellow/Volunteer/Guest) Permits are valid in areas marked for "Permit Holders."

Permits are issued to Fellows and volunteers authorized in NED by the Administrative Officer.  Permits are issued for one year based on the first letter of the employee's last name.

 Gold (Disability) Permits

Gold permits are valid in spaces marked "Gold Permit Holders" or "Red Permit Holders" if Gold spaces are full. 

Permits are issued to NIH employees ONLY.  Employee must provide a valid state-issued disability registration card in their name, this is the only authorized item that will be accepted to verify eligibility.  Gold permits are not valid in Carpool Spaces before 11:00 am.  

 Clinical Center Employees **MLP-9 and ACRF B10 Garages - Sticker Requirement**

Parking in the MLP-9 and ACRF garages is reserved Monday-Friday for those persons who work in Building 10 & Building 82.

To qualify for a B10 sticker, your NED record must identify your duty station as Building 10 or 82.  A sticker will be issued for your parking hanger. Once placed on your parking permit as shown above, it authorizes you to park in the MLP-9 and the ACRF garages.

Please be aware that you will need your NIH Parking Hanger (all designations), with the sticker, to park in these two areas and avoid possible enforcement actions. Signage of the entrance of both the ACRF and MLP-9 garages has been placed detailing this new special permit requirement.

In addition to the reserved parking in the ACRF garage and MLP-9 garages, to offset the loss of these parking spaces and to assist in reducing the pressure at the P-3 entrance, the ORS, ORF, and the CC are implementing some additional changes to assist staff in determining where to park:

• Implement stack parking in Lot 10H.
• Instituting a Building 10 Express Shuttle circulating between lots 41 directly to the Building 10 South entrance at peak times.

To request a B10 sticker, email nihparkingoffice@nih.gov. 

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Applying for a Parking Hanger (Join Parking)

1. Applying online through CAPS. 
   
   
2. Email parking permit request to nihparkingoffice@nih.gov. Include the NIH ID number, local home address, and a copy of a valid vehicle registration with the employee's name. Additionally, the contractor or tenant must be authorized to park by an Administrative Officer in the NED system.

Contractors without NIH computer access should submit a completed and signed NIH Bethesda Campus Contractor Parking Application via email.

*If you are unable to apply for a permit online, please email nihparkingoffice@nih.gov or call 301-496-5050.