Citations
Parking Citations & Appeals
The mission of Transportation and Parking Services is to facilitate responsible stewardship of transportation and parking resources for the enhancement and success of the community. To support this mission, parking on campus requires a valid Cal Poly permit, paid limited timed zone, or metered parking.
Parking permits must be properly displayed, the entire permit must be visible including serial number and security features. Please review our Rules & Regulations to avoid citations.
You have options when you receive a citation.
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Pay a Citation
Pay Fee Online
PAY ONLINEPay a citation using your parking account. You will need to input your citation number or license plate number, and will then be guided through the next steps to pay your citation.
Citation payments are posted on the date received. It is the citation recipient’s responsibility to ensure that payment is received by the due date.
Pay Fees By Mail
Make check or money order payable to Cal Poly. Use the citation envelope or mail payment to:
Cal Poly State University
Cashier
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0505To Ensure Proper Credit
- Include the citation number and the vehicle license plate number on the front of the payment.
- Ensure that the return address is legible, in case we need to contact the citation holder concerning any questions regarding the payment.
- Allow time for delivery of all mailed payments.
- Do not send cash.
Pay In-Person
Citation payments can be deposited in the drop box just to the right of Cashiers Office in Administration, Building 1, Room 131E.
Citations can be paid in person at the Public Safety Reception Center located in Building 36 during business hours. You will need your citation number or license plate number to make a payment in person.
Scan and Pay (New!)
Starting in Academic Year 2024-2025, Cal Poly parking citations will be printed with a QR code on the bottom that allows you to "scan and pay" directly from the citation.
Utilizing this Scan and Pay tool, upon completing a transaction, you will be able to view any outstanding citations associated with the vehicle. Please note higher transaction and processing fees are associated with this payment method.
Failure To Pay
Failure to pay or appeal the citation by the 14th calendar day after the date of the reminder notice may result in the following actions:
- Forfeit of all rights to an appeal of the citation
- A late fee may be added to the cost (penalty) of the citation
- A hold may be placed on the registered owner's vehicle registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles preventing registration renewal until all outstanding citation and late fees are paid in full
- A hold may be placed on your Cal Poly student academic records and class registration
- Multiple unpaid citations may result in the immobilization or towing and impounding of the vehicle at owners expense
Payment Plan
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code and CSU Systemwide policy, payment plans are available for those with multiple unpaid parking citations or at least $200 owed. For more information please contact us at parking@calpoly.edu.
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Payment Plan
The CSU Policy regarding payment plans is available online.
Any questions about this process should be directed to Transportation & Parking Services office at parking@calpoly.edu.
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Appeal a Citation
Level 1 - Parking Citation Appeal
For a period of 21 calendar days from the issuance of a notice of parking violation or 14 calendar days from the mailing of a notice of delinquent parking violation, a person may request an initial review/parking citation appeal.
A written explanation stating why the parking violation should be reversed shall be reviewed and evaluated by the issuing agency. Once a decision has been rendered, notification will be sent by US mail to the mailing address submitted on the appeal. It is the appellant's responsibility to call the University Police Department if a disposition is not received within 30 days of your appeal date.
An appeal form may also be requested by contacting Public Safety Reception Center at parking@calpoly.edu.
Note: Payment for appealed citations is not required until an appeal decisions has been rendered.
Level 2 - Administrative Hearing
In accordance with Governor Newsome’s Executive Order (N-29-20) dated March 4, 2020 all in person hearings will be held virtually until further notice
If dissatisfied with the results of the initial review/parking citation appeal, the matter may be pursued by requesting an Administrative Hearing. The request for the Administrative Hearing must be made no more than 21 calendar days following the mailing of the results of the initial review/parking citation appeal. The person requesting an Administrative Hearing has the choice of a hearing by mail or virtually. Requests for an Administrative Hearing are required to be submitted in writing by completing an Administrative Hearing Request Form which can be obtained by contacting Public Safety Reception Center at parking@calpoly.edu or by phone Monday - Friday 8am-5pm at 805-756-6654. The request for an Administrative Hearing must be accompanied by payment in full for the amount due on the citation. (Reference CVC 40215(b) for complete details).
An Administrative Hearing conducted by mail will be conducted once all of the paperwork and payment is received. The hearing examiner shall review the written declaration, and any evidence provided which is relevant to the case, and render a decision based on the information submitted.
A virtual hearing will be scheduled only when specifically requested. A hearing examiner will review the written information provided, testimony of the appellant and that of any witnesses and evidence provided which is relevant to the case.
Level 3 - Judicial Appeal
If dissatisfied with the Administrative Hearing decision, the violation may be further appealed to the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, 805-781-5696 within 30 calendar days from the mailing of the Administrative Hearing liable notice. The court filing fee is $25.00. If the court rules in the appellant's favor, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo will be required to refund the filing fee plus any parking penalties that the court may dismiss.
If a notice of appeal is not filed with the court within the 30 calendar day limit the decision rendered by Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo shall become final.
If you have questions regarding the appeals process, please email or call the Public Safety Reception Center at parking@calpoly.edu or 805-756-6654.
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Violation Rates
The citation fee includes the base fee and those additional surcharges required by California Government Code 76000.
As required, by California Education Code 89701.5, parking citation fees shall be used exclusively for the development, enhancement and operation of alternate methods of transportation programs for students and employees, for the mitigation of the impact of off-campus student and employee parking in university communities and for the administration of the parking fines and forfeitures programs.
Parking Citation Violation Fines
Description Fine CPSU Section NO ACTIVE/PAID SESSION FOUND $61.00 CPSU 13.11.1 NO EVENT PERMIT $61.00 CPSU 10.4 VEHICLE FACING WRONG WAY $61.00 CPSU 13.6 NOT WITHIN DESIGNATED SPACE $61.00 CPSU 13.8 NO DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATE $44.00 CPSU 1.3 NO VALID PERMIT $44.00 CPSU 1.3 UNAUTHORIZED $44.00 CPSU 15.1 NO VALID PERMIT/UNAUTHORIZED $88.00 CPSU 1.3/CPSU 15.1 OVERTIME IN TIMED ZONE $44.00 CPSU 13.9 NO VALID PERMIT/OVERTIME $88.00 CPSU 1.3/CPSU 13.9 MOTORCYCLE NOT IN MOTORCYCLE SPACE $44.00 CPSU 11.1.1 NO VALID PERMIT IN VIEW/MC IN VEH SPACE $88.00 CPSU 1.3/CPSU 11.1.1 BIKE LANE $88.00 CPSU 14.6 OBSTRUCTING ROADWAY $88.00 CPSU 13.4 NO PARKING $88.00 CPSU 13.2.9 YELLOW ZONE $120.00 CPSU 13.3.1 WHITE ZONE $120.00 CPSU 13.3.2 TRANSIT ZONE $120.00 CPSU 13.12 RED ZONE $120.00 CPSU 13.2.10 FIRE LANE/TOW AWAY ZONE $120.00 CPSU 13.2.8 FIRE HYDRANT $120.00 CPSU 13.5 MISUSE OF PERMIT $501.00 CPSU 15.4 DISABLED ZONE/RAMP/CURB $402.00 CPSU 13.2.4 Effective 9/1/2024