Seven-Day Parking

Starting February 1, 2025, Cal Poly will transition to a Seven-Day Paid Parking program that will help ensure safe, well maintained parking facilities throughout campus. As of Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, campus visitors will need to purchase a parking permit on Saturdays and Sundays. All students, faculty and staff who have a valid parking permit will not be affected by this change, nor will visitors for Performing Arts Center events, as their ticket includes campus parking.

CSU policy – under the direction of the State Legislature – requires each campus to maintain and staff their parking facilities. This policy is based on the theory that parking facilities must be paid for by the user.

Daily parking permits are very easy to purchase online, via parking apps such as ParkMobile and PayByPhone or in person at parking kiosks located in the parking structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Seven-Day Parking?

  Seven-day parking simply means that a parking permit will be required every day.

• Why change to Seven-Day Parking?

  CSU policy – under the direction of the State Legislature – requires each campus to maintain and staff their parking facilities. Cal Poly’s Transportation and Parking Services is self-supporting, meaning it does not receive any taxpayer funding.

  The funding used to fiscally support campus parking comes from parking permit revenue.

  Over the past few years, the number of parking lots and spaces throughout campus has been reduced in support of the Cal Poly Master Plan. These changes, while great for the future of Cal Poly and reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles coming to campus, has decreased funding for parking facilities maintenance.

  Seven-day parking will help manage the shortfall and make parking on campus more equitable, as everyone will do their share to ensure Cal Poly has safe, well maintained parking facilities.

• I have an annual/quarterly parking permit. Will this affect me?

  If you have a valid student, faculty or staff parking permit, this change will not affect you.

• Do my friends and family who visit on the weekends need to buy a parking permit?

  Yes, any visitors will need to purchase a parking permit no matter the day.

  Daily parking permits are very easy to purchase online, via parking apps such as ParkMobile and PayByPhone or in person at parking kiosks located in the parking structures.

• I have tickets to a performance at the PAC, do I need to buy a parking permit?

  No. Tickets to PAC shows include parking.

• I have tickets to an athletics event; do I need to buy a parking permit?

  Yes, you will need to purchase a parking permit for athletic events.

  Daily parking permits are very easy to purchase online, via parking apps such as ParkMobile and PayByPhone or in person at parking kiosks located in the parking structures.

• Why is parking not free for everyone?

  California law states that permission to park on campus is granted to those persons who have paid a parking fee. These laws stipulate that each campus must generate revenue to fund the construction, operation and maintenance of all parking structures and lots on campus without the help of state or tuition funding.

  Cal Poly’s Transportation and Parking Services is self-supporting, meaning it does not receive any taxpayer funding.

  The funding used to fiscally support campus parking comes from parking permit revenue.

• Where does the parking permit money go?

  Money from parking permit sales goes towards funding parking lot and structure maintenance and construction.

• How many other CSU’s have seven-day paid parking?

  There are 16 other CSU campuses that have seven-day parking permit requirements.

Seven-Day Parking Policy

Copies of the Seven-Day Parking policy are available upon request at Transportation & Parking Services, Building 36 or by calling 805-756-6654.

Seven-Day Parking Policy