Assigning and managing parking spaces

Parking policy differs depending on whether we own or lease the location.

Leased space

In leased locations, we acquire official parking spaces through the lease contract as part of the rental consideration. 41 C.F.R § 102-74.265 of the FMR designates the priority of parking spaces.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has determined that employee parking is generally considered an employee’s personal expense, and your agency cannot pay for these with appropriated government funds, unless specific statutory authority has been granted.

Sometimes you request parking outside of a lease procurement or not associated with your existing lease contract. We may then acquire parking through contracting with a standard lease form or region-specific document. According to 41 C.F.R. § 102–73.240 of the FMR, your agency may use your procurement authority to acquire parking by service contract.

To learn more about parking policy, see section 2.14 of the Pricing Desk Guide [PDF - 1 MB], Appendix H of the Leasing Desk Guide, or contact your regional customer lead/planning manager.

Federally owned space

We assigns parking spaces for GSA-controlled buildings. Where parking is limited, we assign parking spaces according to these guidelines:

• Your region authorizes official parking for official purposes before assigning it for other uses.
• Your agency may release parking spaces back to us, and then we will reallocate them.
• Child care facilities receive parking for vehicles that service the facility, such as the child care director and caterers.
• Parking allocations for disabled people must comply with the requirements in the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard.

Parking allotments may increase under certain conditions:

• When an agency moves out of a building their spaces automatically go to us to reallocate.
• New legislation may change our authority.
• The administrator or regional administrator may authorize exemptions.

Additional parking may also become available through:

• Restriping
• New construction
• Excess parking at other buildings we own
• Designation of street parking for government official vehicles
• Leasing parking from commercial vendors

To learn more about parking policy in federally owned locations, see section 3.15 of the Pricing Desk Guide [PDF - 1 MB] or contact your regional customer lead/planning manager.

Order of priority for parking spaces

In both leased and federally owned locations, we assign parking in the order of priority at 41 C.F.R § 102-74.285 of the FMR which is:

1. Official postal vehicles at buildings containing the U.S. Postal Service’s mailing operations.
2. Federally owned vehicles used to apprehend criminals, fight fires, and handle other emergencies.
3. Private vehicles owned by members of Congress (but not their staff members).
4. Private vehicles owned by federal judges (appointed under Article III of the Constitution), which may be parked in those spaces assigned for the use of the Court, with priority for them set by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
5. Other Federally-owned and leased vehicles, including those in motor pools or assigned for general use.
6. Service vehicles, vehicles used in childcare center operations, and vehicles of patrons and visitors (Federal agencies must allocate parking for disabled visitors whenever an agency’s mission requires visitor parking).
7. Private vehicles owned by employees, using spaces not needed for official business.