Public Safety

Transportation & Parking Services

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Parking

Commuter Permit

Commuter Permits - Summer 2026

Summer Term 2026 permits are available for open sale.

The following permits are available in Summer 2026:

  • Commuter Summer General - (Valid 6/15/2026 - 8/21/2026)
Commuter summer permit rates
Permit Type Valid Parking Locations Annual Rate Semester Rate
Commuter Summer General Grand Ave Structure, H1, H12, H14, and H16 N/A $112.67

** All Permits are valid in Staff spaces after 5PM Mon-Fri.

Commuter Permits - Academic Year 2026-2027

For Academic Year 2026, there are 3 permit types available - The Commuter Grand Annual, Commuter Annual, and Commuter R3/R4 Semester. Commuter R3 and Commuter R4 located in PCV Structure 271 (R3) and PCV Structure 371 (R4) respectively.

Please note that while these permits are for Resident parking lots, these are Commuter permits and vehicles should not be in the structures overnight. Additionally, these Commuter R3 and Commuter R4 permits are valid in ANY commuter or staff space after 5 p.m. Before 5 p.m., vehicles must be located in their respective structures.

Permit awards will be randomized and awarded through a lottery system. The waitlist will open Monday, August 3, at 10 a.m and close on Tuesday, August 11, at 9 a.m. The first round of awards will begin Tuesday, August 11, at 10 a.m. Subsequent awards will occur three (3) business days after the initial award date pending availability.

Once awarded, students will have three (3) business days to complete the purchase online. The third business day will end at 8:59:59PM. No exceptions to this three-day timeframe will be granted. Waitlists may reopen for subsequent lottery awards if permits remain available.

As a reminder, Carpool permits are guaranteed awards. For more information, visit the carpool page here.

The following permits are available in Academic Year 2026:

  • Commuter Grand Annual - (Valid 8/24/2026 - 5/21/2027)
  • Commuter Annual - (Valid 8/24/2026 - 5/21/2027)
  • Commuter R3 Semester - (Valid 8/24/2026 - 1/22/2027)
  • Commuter R4 Semester - (Valid 8/24/2026 - 1/22/2027)
Commuter academic year 2026-2027 permit rates
Permit Type Valid Parking Locations Annual Rate Semester Rate
Commuter Grand Annual Grand Ave Structure, H1, H12, H14, and H16 $720.00 N/A
Commuter Annual H1, H12, H13, H14, H15, and H16 $519.00 N/A
Commuter R3 Semester Structure 271 (R3) N/A $259.50
Commuter R4 Semester Structure 371 (R4) N/A $259.50

** All Permits are valid in Staff spaces after 5PM Mon-Fri.

Motorcycle and Evening Permits will go on open sale Monday, August 24.

Commuter Parking Guides

General Commuter Permit Information

  • Your license plate is your permit. It is your responsibility to properly display your permit.
  • If you do not have a front plate, park head in so License Plate Recognition software can read your plate.
  • Only one vehicle may be on campus per permit at any given time.
  • A commuter permit can have a motorcycle attached to it, but a motorcycle permit may not have a vehicle attached to it.
  • Parking garages have 7-foot clearance.
  • No unattended vehicles are allowed in loading zones.

Limited Time Zones

  • Limited time zones require additional payment through ParkMobile or the Pay By Phone app.
  • Limited time zones are marked with green curbs and are not the same as Sponsored Guest spaces.
  • Start your paid session before leaving your vehicle to avoid citations.
  • Do not park longer than the posted time limit.

Lot Reference

  • Outlying Areas: H1, H13, H14 B/C, H15, Dairy, Poultry, and Crops.
  • Commuter Lots: H12, H14A, and H16.
  • Residential Areas: Structure 131, R3, and R4.

Compare Commuter Guides

Comparison of commuter permit guide rules
Permit Before 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. Key restriction
Grand Annual PDF guide for Grand Annual permit (opens in a new window) Grand Structure, Commuter Lots, and Outlying Areas Sponsored Guest and Staff Spaces, except Staff 24/7 Spaces Not valid in Residential Areas or overnight.
Commuter Annual PDF guide for Commuter Annual permit (opens in a new window) Commuter Lots and Outlying Areas Grand Structure, Sponsored Guest, and Staff Spaces, except Staff 24/7 Spaces Not valid in Residential Areas or overnight.
AG Commuter PDF guide for AG Commuter permit (opens in a new window) Outlying Lots Grand Structure, Commuter Lots, Sponsored Guest, and Staff Spaces, except Staff 24/7 Spaces Only available with an exception from AG Housing; not valid in AG residential areas.
R3 Semester PDF guide for Commuter R3 Semester permit (opens in a new window) R3 Structure and Outlying Areas Grand Structure, Commuter Lots, Sponsored Guest, and Staff Spaces, except Staff 24/7 Spaces Not valid in R4, Structure 131, or overnight.
R4 Semester PDF guide for Commuter R4 Semester permit (opens in a new window) R4 Structure and Outlying Areas Grand Structure, Commuter Lots, Sponsored Guest, and Staff Spaces, except Staff 24/7 Spaces Not valid in R3, Structure 131, or overnight.

Commuter Grand Annual Permit

Only valid in the Grand Structure, Commuter Lots, and Outlying Areas before 5 p.m.

Anytime

  • Grand Structure
  • Commuter Lots
  • Outlying Areas

Never

  • Residential Areas
  • 24/7 Spaces
  • Yellow State Vehicle Space
  • Red Zones, including No Parking zones
  • ADA spaces without a placard
  • Tech Park
  • Overnight parking
  • Health Center or Children's Center without a pass and a valid permit

Only After 5 p.m.

  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Staff Spaces, not including Staff 24/7 Spaces

Permit Plus ADA Placard

  • ADA spaces
  • Staff Spaces
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Residential Spaces
  • Limited Time Zones without additional payment; you must still have a valid Cal Poly permit.

Commuter Annual Permit

Only valid in the Commuter Lots and Outlying Areas before 5 p.m.

Anytime

  • Commuter Lots
  • Outlying Areas

Never

  • Residential Areas
  • 24/7 Spaces
  • Yellow State Vehicle Space
  • Red Zones, including No Parking zones
  • ADA spaces without a placard
  • Tech Park
  • Overnight parking
  • Health Center or Children's Center without a pass and a valid permit

Only After 5 p.m.

  • Grand Structure
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Staff Spaces, not including Staff 24/7 Spaces

Permit Plus ADA Placard

  • ADA spaces
  • Staff Spaces
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Residential Spaces
  • Limited Time Zones without additional payment; you must still have a valid Cal Poly permit.

AG Commuter Permit

Only available with an exception from AG Housing.

Anytime

  • Outlying Lots

Never

  • Residential Areas, including AG residential areas
  • Yellow State Vehicle Space
  • Red Zones, including No Parking zones
  • ADA spaces without a placard
  • Tech Park
  • Overnight parking
  • Health Center or Children's Center without a pass and a valid permit

Only After 5 p.m.

  • Grand Structure
  • Commuter Lots
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Staff Spaces, not including Staff 24/7 Spaces

Permit Plus ADA Placard

  • ADA spaces
  • Limited Time Zones without additional payment; you must still have a valid Cal Poly permit.

Commuter R3 Semester Permit

Only valid in the R3 Structure and Outlying Areas before 5 p.m.

Anytime

  • R3 Structure at 271 Village Drive
  • Outlying Areas

Never

  • Residential Areas other than R3, including R4 and Structure 131
  • 24/7 Spaces
  • Yellow State Vehicle Space
  • Red Zones, including No Parking zones
  • ADA spaces without a placard
  • Tech Park
  • Overnight parking
  • Health Center or Children's Center without a pass and a valid permit

Only After 5 p.m.

  • Grand Structure
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Staff Spaces, not including Staff 24/7 Spaces
  • Commuter Lots

Permit Plus ADA Placard

  • ADA spaces
  • Staff Spaces
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Residential Spaces
  • Limited Time Zones without additional payment; you must still have a valid Cal Poly permit.

Commuter R4 Semester Permit

Only valid in the R4 Structure and Outlying Areas before 5 p.m.

Anytime

  • R4 Structure at 371 Canyon Drive
  • Outlying Areas

Never

  • Residential Areas other than R4, including R3 and Structure 131
  • 24/7 Spaces
  • Yellow State Vehicle Space
  • Red Zones, including No Parking zones
  • ADA spaces without a placard
  • Tech Park
  • Overnight parking
  • Health Center or Children's Center without a pass and a valid permit

Only After 5 p.m.

  • Grand Structure
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Staff Spaces, not including Staff 24/7 Spaces
  • Commuter Lots

Permit Plus ADA Placard

  • ADA spaces
  • Staff Spaces
  • Sponsored Guest spaces
  • Residential Spaces
  • Limited Time Zones without additional payment; you must still have a valid Cal Poly permit.
  • Short Term Commuter & Visitor Parking Lots

    For short term commuter students:

    Daily and weekly parking permits are available for students who commute to campus infrequently. Short term permits are only valid in the following lots:

    For Visitors:

    Hourly parking permits or paid ParkMobile sessions are only valid in the following lots:

  • Long Term Commuter Parking Lots

    Long Term Commuter parking permits are valid in designated parking areas based on the permit type. This allows students to choose a parking lot that best fits their needs. There are three permit types, each of which allow the student to park in a dedicated lot between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All commuter permits are valid in staff parking areas after 5 p.m. Long Term Commuter parking permits do not allow for overnight parking. Please review the campus parking rules and regulations prior to parking or purchasing a permit.

    Commuter Permits are only valid in the following lots:

    Grand Permits are valid in the following lots:

  • Purchase a Permit

    Visitors

    Visitors can purchase short term parking permits at the pay station in the K1 and H1 parking lots. Visitors may also use the many campus parking meters or pay contactless using the ParkMobile app. The zone number for ParkMobile will be posted in each parking area that it is available.

  • Waitlist Instructions

    Parking Waitlist

    Commuter Students can purchase a Long-Term Commuter parking permit through the waitlist. Permit awards will be randomized and awarded through a lottery system. When a lottery number is selected, the student will automatically be awarded a permit, notified via a Cal Poly email and will have three (3) business days* to complete the purchase online. No exceptions to this three-day timeframe will be granted. Students are limited to joining one waitlist using their parking account. Waitlists may reopen for subsequent lottery awards if permits remain available.

    *Definition of three (3) business days: Business Days are Monday-Friday; Day 1-day of award, Day 2, Day 3-award is valid until 8:59:59 PM PST.

    Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

    Award Time* – 11:59:59 PM

    *Permits can be purchased anytime after awards go out.

    12:00:00 AM – 11:59:59 AM

    12:00:00 AM – 8:59:59 PM**

    **Permits can only be purchased until 8:59:59 PM on the final (3rd) business day.

  • 2025/2026 Parking Rates

    Short Term and Time Limited Parking

    Permit Type Rate
    1 Hour $4.00
    2 Hours $8.00
    Daily $8.00
    Weekly $40.00

    Long Term

    Permit Type Commuter
    (H1/H12/H14/H16)
    Grand Structure Motorcycle Evening/Weekend
    (Valid after 5 p.m.)
    Quarter Rate $169.00 $235.33 $56.33 $56.33
    Annual Rate $507.00 $706.00 $169.00 $169.00
    Student Carpool $507.00 $706.00 N/A N/A
  • 2024/2025 Parking Rates

    Short Term and Time Limited Parking

    Permit Type Rate
    1 Hour $4.00
    2 Hours $8.00
    Daily $8.00
    Weekly $40.00

    Long Term

    Permit Type Commuter
    (H1/H12/H14/H16)
    Grand Structure Motorcycle Evening
    (Valid after 5 p.m.)
    Quarter Rate $165.00 $242.00 $55.00 $55.00
    Annual Rate $495.00 $693.00 $165.00 $165.00
    Student Carpool $495.00 $693.00 N/A N/A