First-Year On-Campus Resident Parking Policy
San Diego State University considers the on-campus living experience an integral and necessary part of a student's total education. As a community, we also believe in reducing our carbon footprint and supporting overall sustainability in alignment with the university's climate action goals.
In support of sustainability initiatives, incoming first-year students who live on campus will not be permitted to bring a car the first year of study at SDSU.
As with other campus policies, to assist students who may have unique needs, first-year students with documented hardships are able and encouraged to apply for a waiver. The waiver for the 2022/23 academic year must be completed and submitted by May 31, 2022, prior to the student’s first semester of enrollment. Hardships may include a medical or disability related need, a military need, employment needs and other compelling circumstances. All waiver requests must be approved prior to bringing the vehicle to campus.
Other Transportation Options
SDSU encourages students -- as well as faculty and staff -- to both consider and utilize the many alternatives to having a vehicle on campus, including use of the bus and trolley systems and also ride sharing. SDSU has partnered with Zipcar, a car sharing service available to students 18 years and older and Waze which allows students to post rides or request rides through the Waze phone app. More information can be found SDSU's Commuting & Transportation web page.
Interpretation and Enforcement of this Policy
First-year students should comply with this policy and not bring vehicles to San Diego State University. SDSU works with the surrounding community to reduce traffic flow and students are expected to help SDSU be a good neighbor. Most surrounding streets and neighborhoods require a City of San Diego “Area B” parking permit that is limited to the property owner or authorized recipient currently residing within the residential district boundaries.
Students must provide only accurate information regarding their request for waiver and supporting documentation. Students’ signatures on the waiver request form indicates that all information presented to the First-Year Parking Waiver Committee is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge. Those who submit falsified information will be referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Upperclassmen who attempt to purchase a parking permit for first-year students will have future parking privileges revoked, and will be referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for potential disciplinary action.
Waiver Request Process
For students requesting a waiver for the 2022-23 academic year, please complete the First-Year Parking Waiver Request Form with required supporting documentation. You will need your SDSUid login credentials in order to access the form.
Decisions will be sent to each applicant via email. Note: If the request is approved, approval is valid for the academic year. However, permits are valid by semester. You will need to purchase a fall semester permit and a spring semester permit if you plan on parking your car on campus for the academic year. Please review Permits & Parking On Campus for more information.
Waivers for the 2022/23 academic year should be submitted by May 31, 2022 unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Appeal
If the waiver request is denied, students may request an appeal to the Dean of Students and the Director of Parking & Transportation Services.
Waivers will not be granted for:
- Transportation to and from home due to family or students' conveniences
- Those whose friends or family members are experiencing temporary illnesses
- Wellness checks on relatives/friends
- Volunteer work
- Extracurricular activities (i.e., Mission Bay Aqautic classes, off campus clubs, etc.)
Criteria To Request A Waiver
Students requesting release based on a medical or disability related need must register and meet with Student Ability Success Center (SASC).
The applicant must be able to demonstrate an ongoing extenuating circumstance.
The reviewing committee will request documentation that is pertinent to the extenuating circumstance. Waivers will not be granted for circumstances that are not ongoing
Applicant must provide original documentation of work study or internship required as part of a curriculum.
Must provide the following:
- Proof of enrollment in work study/employment verification
- Program/internship verification
- Explanation why local transit options cannot be used
Applicant must have a local, verifiable, current, continuous, and off-campus paid job or paid internship.
Must provide the following:
- Letter from employer on company letterhead verifying employment status, date of hire, and pay duration
- Bank statement verifying paycheck deposits
Employment Waivers will not be granted:
- for employment less than ten hours per week
- for jobs of "on-call" status (low and inconsistent hours)
- for cash payments or non-taxed income (under the table)
- for self-employment, unless applicant can provide a copy of the most recent year's income tax return unless employment has been for less than one year
Applicant must supply documentation of active duty status and requirements.
Must provide the following:
- A letter from the applicant’s commanding officer
on unit stationary of applicant’s status - A drill schedule that reflects required attendance
Frequently Asked Questions
San Diego State University policy restricts parking for first-year students living on campus.
Yes. The SDSU policy follows similar adaptations implemented at other California universities, including the University of California, San Diego, California State University, Long Beach and California Polytechnic State University.
The policy is implemented to help create more parking resources for our commuting students and events, including those that require the use of P12.
San Diego State University has partnered with Zipcar and other alternative transportation options to assist students in commuting around San Diego.
Yes. The deadline to submit the waiver for the 2022/23 academic year is by May 31, 2022.
We understand circumstances can change. The deadline for applying for a spring semester waiver will be November 30, 2022.
No. You may commute to campus and park on campus.
Yes. This policy does apply to you.
Yes. The policy applies to all first-year students who graduate from a high school during spring 2022 and who live in SDSU on-campus residences during the 2022-23 academic year.
Yes. If your situation changes during the semester, you will be able to submit a waiver request after the start of the academic year.