Main campus parking enforcement includes nights and weekends; Courtesy 'After-Hours' permits available for Stanford affiliates

To support campus health and safety and more effectively manage external visitors, as of Nov. 2, parking enforcement on Stanford’s main campus was extended to include nights and weekends. Stanford affiliates can continue to park after hours at no additional charge, either with an existing permit or by registering their vehicle for a Courtesy ‘After-Hours’ permit. Read our article to learn more.

COVID-19: Campus zones program updates


As of Sept. 1, the Academic Campus and Campus Zones is restricted to teaching and research activities, and visitor parking is being relocated as part of Stanford’s effort to create a campus zones program. Visit Visitor Parking to be Removed from Core Campus to learn more.

As of April 12, the Arts and Athletics Zones returned to weekday enforcement, with no enforcement in these zones on evenings and weekends.

If you would like updates about other Stanford Transportation programs and services, please visit our featured topics page. We have also created a Program and Service Changes: COVID-19 page to outline the current status of our operations.

For other COVID-19-related updates for the Stanford community, visit healthalerts.stanford.edu.

What is the campus zones program and how does it impact visitor parking? (April 12, 2021)

In compliance with State of California guidance, the campus zones program supports the resumption of teaching and research operations curbed by COVID-19 by establishing zones that define access to different areas of Stanford’s main campus.

In support of the gradual reopening of the main campus, parking enforcement in the Arts and Athletics Zones returned to weekday enforcement as of Monday, April 12, with no enforcement in these zones on evenings and weekends.

  • ‘A,’ ‘C,’ ‘Motorcycle,’ ‘Service Vehicle,’ and ‘E’ parking spaces in the Arts and Athletics Zones will be enforced Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • Visitor and hourly parking in the Arts and Athletics Zones will be enforced Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Parking enforcement in the Academic Campus and Campus Zones continues to be in effect 24/7, and no visitor parking is available these zones. Existing visitor parking has been converted to ‘A’ permit spaces for essential Stanford commuters.

Please note that parking in special zones, such as disabled parking, red zones, fire lanes, and special-permit-only spaces, are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Who can park in the Academic Campus Zone? (Sept. 7, 2020)

As of Sept. 1, parking in the Academic Campus Zone is restricted to Stanford departments, commuters, or residents with ‘A,’ 'C,' ‘EA,’ ‘ES,’ ‘Motorcycle,’ ‘SH,’ ‘SJ,’ ‘SO,’ ‘SV,’ or ‘WE’ permits. Those permits are not available to the general public. Stanford affiliation is required.

Why remove visitor parking from the Academic Campus Zone and where is it located? (Aug. 28, 2020)

The removal of visitor parking spaces from the Academic Campus Zone is in accordance with higher education guidance from the California Department of Public Health that calls for limiting nonessential visitors. All in-person public events in the Academic Campus Zone have been canceled through the end of 2020.

The Academic Campus Zone is generally bounded by Campus Drive and Roth Way in the center of campus and includes the Main Quad and the Oval. It is reserved for teaching, research activities, and student residences and dining as part of the campus zones program.

Will there be visitor parking in other zones? How do I purchase visitor parking? (Aug. 28, 2020)

Visitor and hourly parking will continue to be available outside the Academic Campus Zone. To pay for visitor parking, visitors must use the ParkMobile app. Pay stations and parking meters for visitor spaces have been taken offline to avoid the touching of shared surfaces that cannot be adequately disinfected throughout the day in keeping with COVID-19 safety precautions.

Customers who do not own cell phones may consider the option to purchase visitor parking in advance through a computer using the ParkMobile website. Here are instructions for creating a ParkMobile account. Please note that purchasing visitor parking in advance does not guarantee a space, so there is a risk that you are unable to find parking in the zone when you arrive. The payment is non-refundable.

How is Marguerite Shuttle service impacted by the campus zones program? (Aug. 28, 2020)

Marguerite routes and schedules are not affected by the campus zones program. Only Stanford affiliates who are approved to be in the Academic Campus Zone should continue to those stops.

For updates and safety tips about Marguerite shuttle service, please visit COVID-19: Marguerite Updates.

Are tour buses allowed on campus? (Aug. 28, 2020)

No. There is no authorized parking for tour buses. In an effort to reduce large groups coming to campus, all organized campus tours have been canceled until further notice and tour buses are not permitted to enter the campus at this time. Tour bus parking reservations have been suspended since early March and will continue to be suspended until further notice.