<p>You can park at your residence's parking lot without a permit until a select date. Usually, you can get a permit as early as Move-In Weekend.</p>
<p>I just want to know why the darn Parking/Transp. Services office told me "they don't know how it works" when i asked about how to obtain either a Lambeth/residence parking lot or a garage spot. Idiots!</p>
<p>You can buy a permit pretty much anytime after the initial sale (they do a day long event at the student activities building in the end of august). Be aware permits do sell out, so depending upon what permit you want, you will want to get there on that date, and early. Don't know how the details for lambeth are, but I imagine it's just first come first serve on that day just like others. The garage parking is just a generic "storage" (orange S) spot.</p>
<p>Finally, regarding some other comments in the thread - yes, you can get a parking permit as a first year, assuming you have a good reason for needing one. See the dean of students, residence life office (ground floor of the 1st year old dorm closest to the curry school building, the one behind physics and art). If you qualify you'll get a letter from them which you can redeem at the parking office on millmont for a permit (be aware it will only let you get a generic S, nothing close).</p>