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 their 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. Please review the criteria for requesting a waiver, provided below. All waiver requests must be approved prior to bringing the vehicle to campus.

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 ride sharing. SDSU has partnered with Zipcar, a car sharing service available to students 18 years and older. More information can be found at SDSU's Commuting & Transportation webpage.

First-year on-campus residents should comply with this policy and not bring vehicles to SDSU. 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 propery 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 stuents will have future parking privileges revoked and will be referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for potential disciplinary action.

  1. Complete the waiver request form and submit any required supporting documentation. You will need your SDSUid login credentials in order to access the form.
  2. Decisions will be sent to each applicant via email.
  3. If approved, approval is valid for the academic year unless otherwise stated. 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. 

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 student's conveniences
  • Those whose friends or family members are experiencing temporary illnesses
  • Wellness checks on relatives/friends
  • Volunteer work
  • Extracurricular activities (i.e., Mission Bay Aquatic classes, off campus clubs, etc.)
  • Independent contractor jobs such as DoorDash, GrubHub, Instacart, etc.

Waivers for the 2023/24 academic year must be submitted by August 4, 2023 unless there are extenuating circumstances. Waivers are reviewed in the order in which they are received, and it can take up to four (4) weeks to receive a decision.

Criteria to Request a Waiver

Students requesting a waiver 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.

The following are required:

  • 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.

The following are required:

  • 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
  • Jobs of "on-call" status (low and inconsistent hours)
  • Cash payments or non-taxed income (under the table)
  • 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
  • Employment such as DoorDash, GrubHub, Instacart, etc. 

Applicant must supply documentation of active duty status and requirements.

The following are required:

  • A letter from the applicant's commanding officer on unit stationary of applicant's stats
  • A drill schedule that reflects required attendance