Frequently Asked Questions: Parking Permits (2024)

Parking permits "How to" guide

View “How To” Guides

Parking Permit Quick Reference: What am I eligible for and where can I park?

Current Stanford University affiliate permit prices

*Please note these permits are only available to eligible Stanford University faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, and sponsored affiliates.

Current Stanford Health Care/Stanford Children's Health affiliate permit prices

*Please note these permits are only available to eligible Stanford Medicine employees and sponsored affiliates

How does parking permit proration work if I buy a monthly, quarterly, or auto-renew permit toward the end of a month?

Can I purchase a calendar month permit in advance?

What is a Monthly Auto-Renew parking permit?

Monthly Auto-Renew permits become effective on the selected start date. The permit then automatically renews and invoices monthly at the beginning of each calendar month until canceled. You only need to make changes if:

• Vehicle information changes (add a new vehicle, remove a vehicle, add a rental car)
• No longer need the permit
• Change your permit type (example: change from ‘C’ to ‘A’)
• Use the "Which Permit is Right For Me" to help you decide.

How does a Quarterly permit work?

Quarterly permits coincide with the academic calendar and are typically valid for two to four calendar months. During the purchase of this permit, you will be invoiced for the first month. Subsequent months are invoiced at the beginning of each calendar month until paid in full or canceled. Quarterly permits become available for purchase approximately two weeks in advance of the first effective date. You only need to change the permit if:

• Vehicle information changes (add a new vehicle, remove a vehicle, add a rental car)
• No longer need the permit

How do I change my permit type?

If you would like to change your permit from a ‘C’ to an ‘A’ or vice-versa, follow these steps:

• Request to cancel your current parking permit.
• You will receive an email confirmation with the date your permit will expire.
• Login to permitparking.stanford.edu and purchase your new parking permit beginning the 1st of the following month. Keep in mind you can only purchase the new parking permit the day after the current one expires.

Note: You can purchase daily permits if you would like to begin parking in an ‘A’ space before the new permit becomes effective.

Parking Permit - Full Terms and Conditions

By using Stanford’s parking permit system, customers agree to the following:

Payment

• I understand that parking permits should only be purchased as needed. All parking permits, except quarterly and monthly auto-renew permits, are invoiced in full when purchased and are non-refundable.
• I authorize recurring payments for quarterly and monthly auto-renew permits to be charged once per month until the permit is paid in full or canceled.
• I understand only future recurring payments for quarterly and monthly auto-renew permits can be stopped by canceling the parking permit after the first effective month.
• I understand I am responsible for contacting Stanford Transportation about any interruptions in scheduled payments.
• If a scheduled payment is rejected for any reason, I must pay Stanford Transportation the full amount of the scheduled payment immediately upon their request.
• I understand that long-term permits that begin near the end of a month may be prorated for the first month. Recurring monthly charges will be charged at the prevailing monthly rate.
• I understand that permit rates are typically updated annually on Sept. 1. However, Stanford Transportation reserves the right to change its rates and services at its discretion. If there are changes to our terms and rates, Stanford Transportation will make the changes available on relevant pages of its website. Your continued use of the service will signify your acceptance of any adjustment to these terms and rates.

Permits

• I understand that a parking permit allows me to park only one vehicle per day in the area(s) based on the permit type.
• I understand that a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space in my desired area(s). Parking is accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• I understand that the parking permits I purchase are intended for my use only on my registered vehicles and are not eligible for transfer or sharing with any other person unless explicitly indicated on the permit.
• I will not purchase a parking permit for a vehicle registered to a first-year student. This is a violation of the Frosh Parking Policy.
• I understand that transferring, falsifying, or misusing the permit may permanently revoke my parking and transportation privileges and lead to administrative, disciplinary, and/or legal action.
• I also agree to abide by the terms set forth in the following and understand that violations of these terms may lead to a citation(s), towing at the owner’s expense, and/or revocation of parking privileges:
  • Permit Cancellation/Return Policy

Vehicles

• I understand that a vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense if it is parked in a visitor or commuter lot for more than 72 hours or in a resident student lot while the registered owner is not in residence.
• I understand that any vehicle I park in a commuter space must fit within a single parking space.
• The University is not responsible for the loss or damage to vehicles or their contents caused by but not limited to, fire, theft, or collision.
• I also agree to abide by the terms set forth in the following and understand that violations of these terms may lead to a citation(s), towing at the owner’s expense, and/or revocation of parking privileges:
  • Stanford University Traffic and Parking Code.

Departments

• By providing my PTA or Cost Center number, my department approver is authorizing Stanford Transportation to charge the amount of the permit purchased to the PTA/Cost Center. In addition, the PTA or Cost Center number I provide is a valid and active account.
• I agree to abide by the procurement policies outlined in the university’s Administrative Guide. University funds must be used exclusively for department business and for permits used by contractors, consultants, and auditors who bill their costs to the department or project. University funds may not be used to pay for permits needed as a part of any employee’s or student’s commute.

Vendors and Contractor Permits

If applicable, I agree to the following terms and information:

• Vendor permits: https://transportation.stanford.edu/departmentvendorcontractor-permit-overview#vendor

• Vendor employee permits: https://transportation.stanford.edu/departmentvendorcontractor-permit-overview#vendorEmployees

• Contractor permits: https://transportation.stanford.edu/departmentvendorcontractor-permit-overview#contractor

Permit Cancellation/Return Policy

Parking permits should only be purchased as needed. All parking permits, except quarterly and monthly auto-renew permits, are invoiced in full when purchased and are non-refundable. Only future recurring payments for quarterly and monthly auto-renew permits can be stopped by canceling the parking permit after the first effective month. Cancellation requests must be submitted by the 15th of the month to stop future recurring payments. Requests submitted after the 15th will result in one final monthly charge and remain effective until the last day of the following month.

How to return/cancel your commuter or resident permit

Return your permit using the permit management system. For step-by-step instructions, please refer to our "How To Request Cancellation of a Quarterly or Monthly Auto-Renew Parking Permit".

For years, Stanford’s parking permit system has been structured to provide the ‘C’ permit as a more affordable option for commuters who are able and willing to park in areas that may be less convenient or more distant from their destinations.

For those who want or need to park closer to their destinations and expect convenient parking throughout the day, the ‘A’ permit provides this option at a premium.

Consistent with this approach and recognizing the challenges around affordability in the Bay Area, the increase for the ‘C’ permit was minimal for the 2023-24 fiscal year (FY 24)—maintaining a lower-cost option for those who want or need it—while the ‘A’ permit increased by a higher amount to reflect increases in transportation-related expenses.

Parking pricing is vital to an efficient parking system and represents Stanford's commitment to sustainability.

As the campus population grows and services become more expensive, the costs associated with these and other sustainable commute programs, including the free Marguerite Shuttle, also increase. More details in "Why Does Stanford Charge for Parking?"

Revenue from parking permits helps fund parking maintenance and sustainable transportation programs.

Our permit system and parking fee structure ensure effective parking management and sufficient parking availability.

Research shows parking fees are critical to reducing the drive-alone rate - a top sustainability goal for Stanford that is also important for meeting campus and hospital land use regulations set by Santa Clara County and the City of Palo Alto, respectively.

Join thousands of peers and colleagues who take advantage of Stanford’s generous commute incentives – even if you choose a sustainable commute for just a day or two a month. Learn about free and discounted transportation programs.

Check your eligibility and request pass(es) for the free Caltrain Go Pass, VTA SmartPass, and AC Transit EasyPass.

Join a free Stanford vanpool. Find open seats on our current vanpool page or browse the Stanford-only ridematching site.

For help planning your sustainable commute, explore our Commute Toolkit or schedule a virtual 15-minute One-on-One Commute Consultation. Questions? Contact us attransportation@stanford.edu.