Frequently Asked Questions

Covid-19 Parking Questions

Is parking being enforced?

I lived on campus but am going home. Can I leave my vehicles on campus?

If I return home but can’t bring my vehicle, can I leave it on campus?

Why do I need to purchase a permit to leave my vehicle?

If I’m not returning to campus, can I get my spring permit refunded?

If I purchased an annual permit at the start of the school year, am I eligible for a refund for spring quarter if I’m not on campus?

How do I cancel my permit if I’m on payroll deduction?

Is parking being enforced?

Yes. Campus is not closed at this time. Our Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) staff will continue to enforce parking throughout campus. This helps ensure the safety of campus by making sure vehicles on campus are accounted for, permitted to be there, and to protect from damage.

I lived on campus but am going home. Can I leave my vehicles on campus?

Yes. Residents who brought their vehicles to campus and purchased a permit may leave their vehicle in the permitted location.

If I return home but can’t bring my vehicle, can I leave it on campus?

Yes. If you plan to return home with another means of transportation, any resident, including first-year, or commuter students may purchase a parking permit through your online parking account. As of right now, the permit will be valid for the duration of spring quarter.

Why do I need to purchase a permit to leave my vehicle?

Campus is not closed at this time. Our Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) staff will continue to enforce parking throughout campus. This helps ensure the safety of campus by making sure vehicles on campus are accounted for, permitted to be there, and to protect from damage.

If I’m not returning to campus, can I get my spring permit refunded?

Yes. Students that purchased spring Orange Lot permits will automatically be refunded the cost of the parking permit in full. Refunds are available to students, faculty and staff who purchased other spring quarter permits, if they will not be returning to campus. To request a refund please email us at parking@calpoly.edu.

If I purchased an annual permit at the start of the school year, am I eligible for a refund for spring quarter if I’m not on campus?

Yes. Refunds are available to resident students, commuter students, faculty and staff who purchased annual permits, if they will not be returning to campus. To request a refund please email us at parking@calpoly.edu.

How do I cancel my permit if I’m on payroll deduction?

State Staff and Faculty: For state faculty and staff who want to cancel their permit paid for by payroll deduction, please complete the form in the “My Job Tasks” in the Cal Poly portal to cancel your payroll deduction and deactivate your parking permit.

CPC and ASI staff: CPC and ASI staff should contact their respective Human Resources departments to cancel payroll deduction and deactivate their parking permits.

General Questions

When do permits go on sale?

Commuter sales information can be found here. Resident sales informtion can be found here.

How to add to a parking permit waitlist.

Follow the directions on the document provided to add yourself to the parking permit waitlist.

License Plate Recognition(LPR)?

Information regarding LPR can be found on the LPR main page.

Current Changes

In response to the continuing demand for parking on campus, Transportation and Parking Services is launching new initiatives and making changes to current policies for the 2019/20 academic year.

The G2 parking lot is only available for short term and staff parking. Short Term parking is available with a paid limited time permit or active ParkMobile session for a maximum of 2 hours. No other commuter permit is authorized in this lot.

To view all available parking lots visit our lot page for more information.

How can I get to Cal Poly without using my car?

Students, faculty and staff can take SLO Transit for free. They can take advantage of Cal Poly’s rideshare program, ride RTA or hop on a bike. These alternative options reduce the stress of finding parking and are better for the environment. Commuting information will help you find your way to campus.

Are First-Year residents allowed to bring cars to campus?

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate parking for first-year residents. Please visit our Commuter Services page for alternate transportation options.

What are my commuter student parking designations?

Commuter students may obtain long and short term parking permit.

Use the designated parking map for reference to your parking location.

Short Term Parking permits (Daily & Weekly):

• Short term daily and weekly permits are available for purchase at the Visitor Information Center, Cal Poly Police Department Reception Center (Bldg. 36) and in lots H1 & K1. Daily and weekly permits are only authorized in H1 & K1 lots between 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Daily and weekly permits are valid in all other Commuter and Staff lots after 5:00 pm.
• The G2 lot off Slack St. and Longview is now a short term hourly designated area. Short Term parking is available with a paid limited time permit or active ParkMobile session for a maximum of 2 hours. No other commuter permit is authorized in this lot.

Long Term Parking permits (Annual & Quarterly):

• Rover Permit– Valid in the following commuter locations:

  Grand Ave. Structure, Orange Lot, H1, K1 and outlying areas of campus.

• Orange Permit – Valid in the following commuter locations:

  Orange Lot and outlying areas of campus.

• K-1- Valid in the following commuter locations:

  K-1 Lot and outlying areas of campus.

What is a K-1 permit?

Transportation and Parking Services allows commuters to purchase a permit for use in the K-1 Lot.

What hours can I park with my permit (staff, orange, daily, or weekly)?

All designated campus lots and spaces are enforced from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Permits are valid in sponsored guest and staff spaces after 5 p.m., unless otherwise marked. No additional evening or weekend permit is needed when you have a valid permit.

How were these new parking policies developed?

The new parking policies were developed over several months to respond to concerns voiced by students during the 2016/17 academic year. This process included research into parking patterns and demands, as well as the anticipated needs of the campus community. A primary goal of the changes was to reduce the permit/parking space ratios to improve the likelihood that permit holders will find a parking space in their designated lot. Transportation and Parking Services worked collaboratively across campus with university stakeholders.

Why did Parking and Commuter Services change its name?

The department changed its name to Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) to better reflect all of the services the department provides. The name change aligns with the department’s strategic goals to grow services into more sustainable transportation options than single occupancy vehicles and with the university’s larger sustainability initiative.