License Plate Recognition (LPR) is Here! Link your permit to your vehicle.

Learn more   

Residential Permits

Fall 2024 Residential Permits

Academic Year 2024-25 Resident Permit waitlists will open Monday, August 19, 2024 through Monday, August 26, 2024 at 9:00AM.

Permits are not awarded based on first-come, first-served. You may place yourself on the waitlist at any point during this time frame.

For Academic Year 2024-25, eligible students can select between the R3 (Village Drive) Parking Structure and the R4 (Canyon Circle) Parking Structure. Once a permit is selected or purchased, the vehicle MUST be parked in the designated lot.

The following permits are available in Academic Year 2024-2025:

  • R3 (Village Drive) - (Valid 9/13/2024 - 6/15/2025)
  • R4 (Canyon Circle) - (Valid 9/13/2024 - 6/15/2025)

Permit Type Valid Parking Locations Annual Rate Quarterly Rate
R3 R3 Village Drive Structure $726 NA
R4 R4 Canyon Circle Structure $726 NA

For more information, please email us at parking@calpoly.edu.

Ag Residents in need of permits should email us at parking@calpoly.edu.

  • Purchase a permit

    Resident Students

    Use your parking account to add/edit waitlist, to update your vehicle information, purchase permits once awarded or appeal/pay citations.

    PARKING ACCOUNT

    Waitlists close August 28th, 2023 at 9 a.m,

    Remaining permits will be put online for sale first-come, first serve on August 25th, 2023 at 10 a.m. First-year freshman are not eligible to purchase.

    All resident permits are sold for the academic year and cost $710.

    Parking facilities are limited on campus and are not guaranteed. No exchanges will be granted. All dates are tentative and subject to change.

  • Waitlist Instructions

    Parking Waitlist

    Academic Year 2023-2024 waitlists close August 28th, 2023 at 9 a.m.

    The waitlists will be moved at a regular interval. Students will be notified by Cal Poly e-mail and offered the opportunity to purchase a permit within a specific timeframe.

    View the steps or follow directions below to be added to the waitlist.


    1. Login to your Parking Account
    2. Scroll to bottom and select, “Add/Edit Waitlists”
    3. Use the “My.Calpoly.Edu Login” to sign into your account
    4. Select Next >> from the Add/Edit Waitlist screen and follow the prompts to make your selection.
    5. You can only be on one waitlist.

    You will be notified by email when you can purchase your permit.

  • Parking Rates
    Permit Type 2023/2024 2024/2025
    Resident Annual- All Locations $710 $726
  • First-Year Resident Parking Policy

    Cal Poly first-year resident students are prohibited from bringing vehicles to campus for the entire duration of their first year (fall through spring quarters). This includes students who have enough credits to be considered sophomores. First-year resident students are not eligible to purchase any campus parking permits including daily, weekly and quarterly permits.

    We realize that first-year students will want to take advantage of the many activities available off-campus as part of their college experience. A number of sustainable transportation options are available for all Cal Poly students include: Zipcar, PolyRides, bike racks and bike lockers, taxi/Uber/Lyft, SLO transit (free with Cal Poly ID!), RTA bus and Amtrak bus.

    Students who can demonstrate a compelling need or who would suffer undue hardship under the Freshman Parking Policy can apply for an exception.

    Guidelines for restricting first-year students from bringing vehicles to campus have been established at a large majority of California Universities including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego, Stanford and Santa Clara University.

    Interpretation and Enforcement of this Policy

    We ask that students comply with the spirit of this policy by not bringing vehicles to San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly works with its neighbors to reduce traffic flow and students are expected to help Cal Poly be a good neighbor. Most surrounding streets and neighborhoods require a City parking permit that are limited to the property owner or authorized recipient who currently reside within the residential district boundaries.

    Exception Process

    A limited number of spaces have been allocated to accommodate first-year residents who demonstrate a compelling need or who would suffer undue hardship under the First-Year Resident Parking Policy. Exception requests require appropriate justification for approval. PLEASE DO NOT UPLOAD MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION. The link to the exception application will be posted below beginning August 1, 2024.

    Exceptions will be reviewed by a committee consisting of a diverse group of staff and student representatives. Granted exceptions will be kept to a minimum. Committee decisions are considered final. Exception requests must be approved prior to bringing a vehicle to campus.

    To submit a request for an exception, complete the application and submit during the application window. Applications will only be accepted during the application window. Applications submitted with an email other than a Cal Poly email will not be reviewed.

    2024/2025 Academic Year Application Process timeline
    Application Open August 1, 2024
    Application Due August 14, 2024 at 11:59 pm
    Committee Review August 15-31, 2024
    Decisions Emailed September 2, 2024

    If the deadline has passed and you still need to be considered for an exemption, please email parking@calpoly.edu.

    There are few reasons that students would receive an exception automatically. Exceptions will be granted for active military status and an approved accommodation for personal medical needs.

    All other reasons require justification, will be reviewed by committee and considered on a case by case basis:

    • Care of a family member
    • Employment or Internship
    • Other special considerations