Parking & PayByPhone App

Parking at OLLI at AU and AU's Good Neighbor Policy
Where Should I Park?
How Do I Pay?
Are There Handicapped-Designated Parking Spaces?
Parking for Study Group Leaders
PayByPhone Parking App
PayByPhone Telephone System

Parking general information

As an affiliate of American University, all OLLI members must follow American University's Good Neighbor Policy:
In accordance with Washington DC regulations and the University’s “Good Neighbor Policy,” all members of the University community – including students, faculty, staff, visitors and guests – are required to do one of the following while attending class, working, or visiting AU owned property .
A.     Park on campus and obtain a parking permit (this option is not currently available to OLLI members),
B.     Purchase hourly/daily parking using the pay-as-you-go parking kiosks, or
C.     Use public transportation.
This policy applies to ALL members, including those who have DC Zone 3 parking permits.

What are the consequences of not following the “GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY?”
Members who do not follow AU’s “Good Neighbor Policy” risk getting a $200 parking ticket from American University.

Where should I park?

Use the AU garage at 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW
See the map below indicating the entrance to the parking garage at 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW.


May I park in the residential area surrounding the school?
No. Please see AU's Good Neighbor Policy above.

May I park at parking meters in the area?
We have been advised by the University that “Parking at the meters does not comport to the spirit and intent of the DC Zoning Order nor the Good Neighbor Policy and will result in complaints from neighbors and business owners." AU cannot impose parking tickets on vehicles parked at meters.  Only DC Parking Enforcement can ticket at meters.

May I park at surrounding lots in the area?
There are parking lots on the other side of Massachusetts Ave. for which you can pay to park.

May I park in the (old SuperFresh) parking lot behind 4801?
No. This parking lot is designated for AU faculty, staff, and contractors only.

How Do I Pay?

  • There are no parking attendants in the garage.
  • Parking spaces are shared by other visitors to the building. 
  • Payment must be made at kiosks or through the PayByPhone app BEFORE a class or lecture.
  • Kiosks are located in the lobby of each of the three levels of the garage. You must enter your license plate number in the kiosk. The kiosks accept cash ($1 or $5 bills) or credit cards. Kiosks do not give change. You do not need to put the receipt into your car after paying. Do keep it just in case you are issued a ticket incorrectly.
  • View the video below for information on how to download and use the app. If you need assistance, stop by the OLLI office and a staff person will assist you.

Are there handicapped-designated parking spaces?

There are a number of handicapped-designated parking spaces available on a first come, first-served basis on each level of the garage.

parking for study group leaders

OLLI subsidizes the cost of parking for SGLs.

PayByPhone App

Click on the image below to begin the video or follow the instructions below.

You can download the free "PayByPhone" app from the App Store or Google Play Store to pay for parking via your smartphone (instead of at the kiosk).

The first time you need to enter:

  • your cell phone number
  • create a 4-digit pin number
  • your 16-digit credit card number
  • your 4-digit expiration date
  • the 4-digit location code for Spring Valley Garage: 4889 or
    the 4-digit location code for Katzen: 4882
    AND
  • your license plate number.

Thereafter, when you call from your cell phone, you only need to enter:

  • your pin number or the last 4 digits of your credit card
  • the 4-digit location code for Spring Valley Garage: 4889 or
    the 4-digit location code for Katzen: 4882
  • the number of hours you want to  park.

PayByPhone Telephone System

Dial 888-450-7275. The first time,  you will be prompted to enter:

  • your cell phone number
  • create a 4-digit pin number
  • your 16-digit credit card number
  • your 4-digit expiration date
  • the 4-digit location code for Spring Valley Garage: 4889 or
    the 4-digit location code for Katzen: 4882
  • your license plate number

Thereafter, when you call 888-450-7275 from your cell phone, you only need to enter:

  • your pin number or the last 4 digits of your credit card
  • the 4-digit location code for Spring Valley Garage: 4889 or
    the 4-digit location code for Katzen: 4882
  • the number of hours you want to  park.