Parking FAQ
If you have questions about other SRWC transportation programs, please visit our SRWC FAQ main page for links to additional topics, such as shuttles and biking.
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I’ve received a parking citation. How do I pay or appeal? (Added 8/23/19)
Pay your citation
If you have received a parking citation please make sure to pay your citation within 21 days of its issuance to avoid late charges. You can pay your citation online at pticket.com/Stanford. Visit our Pay a Parking Ticket webpage to learn more.
Citations are issued at Stanford Redwood City to help manage parking demand and ensure that only Stanford affiliates and visitors are parking at SRWC, while also preventing long-term storage of vehicles on Stanford property. If parking is free or unenforced, parking demand could exceed supply, making it inconvenient for Stanford commuters to find parking on site.
Research also shows that free parking increases parking demand, and our priority is to encourage and provide incentives for using sustainable transportation instead of driving alone.
Appeal your citation
If you would like to appeal a parking citation, you must request an administrative review from SP+ within 21 days of the citation’s date of issuance. Please note that appeals must be postmarked by the 21st day of its issuance, or the appeal will not be accepted. In addition, all customers must appeal through the SP+ process, not by contacting Stanford Transportation.
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Why doesn't the garage have a parking kiosk? Will one be installed? (Added 6/21/19)
After considering and evaluating whether to install a parking kiosk, SRWC Operations decided not to install one for several reasons.
- High cost of installation
- High cost of maintenance
- Parking is now virtual
While there are no plans to install a parking kiosk at SRWC, there are steps departments and visitors can take to make visitor parking more convenient. Please refer to our article/webpage about virtual parking options.
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Will I be able to use the visitor parking app in the Barron Garage? (Added 6/21/19)
Yes! Our staff have tested connectivity on separate occasions and in different locations within the garage. There is good to strong connectivity for purchasing and downloading. However, for greater convenience, we recommend that visitors download the app and set up a ParkMobile account in advance.
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What should we tell visitors? (Added 6/21/19)
The Parkmobile Zone number:
- Barron Garage: 7200
- Near Broadway Lot: 7203
- Near Bay Lot: 7204
Encourage them to download the Parkmobile app and set up a Parkmobile account in advance.
The first place to look for visitor and disabled-access parking in the Barron Garage is on the first floor. Visitor and disabled-access parking are also available in both SRWC surface lots [map].
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If our department has a service vehicle with a Stanford logo, can we park in "service vehicle" spaces at SRWC? (Added 6/21/19)
Yes.
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Can departments reserve and pay for parking for our visitors? (Added 6/21/19)
If Stanford staff need to purchase parking for visitors in advance, the two types of parking available are an "A" business permit or reserve spaces. Please contact transportation@stanford.edu for more information.
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What is the process for purchasing department permits? (Added 6/14/19)
As of June 20, there is a new process for purchasing department (long-term and daily), vendor, contractor, and group/reserved event parking permits.
Three key points for you to know:
- If you are responsible for purchasing department parking permits, please complete our Department Contact Form. Once you complete and submit this form, our office will set up access for you to purchase department permits. If you already provided your department contact(s) to Stanford Transportation in 2019, you do not need to complete the Department Contact Form.
- If you have physical department permits, they will remain valid through their expiration dates. You may continue to use your physical permits until they expire.
- As of June 20, the following payment options will be accepted (PCards will no longer be accepted):
- University departments: PTA
- Hospital departments: Cost Center account
- Contractors and vendors: Credit card (i.e., Visa, Mastercard, or Discover).
To learn more, visit our Steps to Take page.
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Bridge tolls are up to $6. Why doesn't the university cover that cost? (Added 5/24/19)
Stanford encourages sustainable commuting, and the university prioritizes incentives and subsidies around alternative transportation options. Stanford is not alone in this approach. For those interested in saving on bridge tolls, the regional FasTrak program provides discounts on Bay Area bridges for carpools and vanpools.
For those who can’t carpool full-time, Stanford offers subsidies for day-to-day carpooling using Scoop, which pays drivers up to $12 per trip--or more with each additional rider, with riders paying as little as $1 a ride. These subsidies can help offset the cost of bridge tolls, even on a part-time basis. In addition, Stanford offers a 100 percent vanpool subsidy (vehicle lease) plus up to $300 a year in Clean Air Cash for vanpool members, which can offset commuting costs, such as bridge tolls. That’s not all. Stanford offers carpools and vanpools a free carpool permit, so they enjoy further savings on the cost of parking.
Please contact our office if you would like help identifying sustainable transportation options to save on the cost of your commute. We offer free commute planning assistance, free ridematching services, and we have a Commute Cost and Carbon Emissions Calculator online as a convenient way to see how much you could save by choosing an alternative commute instead of driving alone. We can be reached at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923.
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How can I reduce the cost of my parking permit? (Added 4/26/19)
- Save with pre-tax payroll deduction. You may be eligible to save up to 40% by purchasing your parking permit withpre-tax payroll deduction.
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Where should I park at SRWC? How do I get there? (Updated on 7/9/19)
SRWC commuter parking is available at:
- Barron Garage (2855 Bay Road)
- Broadway Lot (Broadway and Douglas Avenue)
- Bay Lot (Bay Road and Warrington Avenue)
Entering and exiting Barron Garage
There are entrances on Bay Road and Barron Avenue.
Please note: Do not turn left from Bay Road to enter the garage. If you are approaching the garage from the west on Bay Road, please turn left on Barron Avenue and use the Barron entrance. When exiting the garage, if you need to turn left (east), please exit on Barron Avenue, since left turns should not be made from the Bay Road exit. For more information, please refer to our parking entrances and exits map.
It's important for Stanford to be a good neighbor to surrounding communities, hospital colleagues, and patients. Because of this, the University does not support or condone parking off-campus in nearby neighborhoods or the Stanford Health Care clinic parking, as it negatively impacts these communities and individuals.
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Where are the entrances and exits to the Barron Garage and SRWC parking lots (Updated on 4/16/19)?
Barron Garage:
Safety first! There are no left turns into or out of the Barron Garage from Bay Road. The entrances and exits are accessible on Bay Road and Barron Avenue. The address of Barron Garage is 2855 Bay Road, Redwood City.
Broadway parking lot:
The entrances and exits are accessible on Douglas Avenue and Broadway.
Bay parking lot:
The entrances and exits will be accessible on Bay Road and Warrington Avenue. Parking is expected to be available in late June.
Please refer to our map on the locations of the entrances and exits.
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Can I use my 'C-SRWC' permit on the main campus or my 'C' or 'A' permit at SRWC? (Updated on 4/3/19)
Yes. 'C-SRWC' permits are also valid at the main campus. Main campus 'C' and 'A' permits are also valid at SRWC.
If you are moving to SRWC, for up to two weeks after your move, we have set up the system to allow you to purchase a main campus or SRWC parking permit to facilitate your transition to the new campus. After these two weeks have passed, you will have the ability to purchase ‘A’ and ‘C-SRWC’ daily permits for days when you would like to park on the main campus.
To learn more, visit our Purchase a Drive-Alone Parking Permit webpage.
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What are access hours for the Barron Garage? (Updated on 3/27/19)
The gates to the Barron Garage are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. SRWC employees can access the garage at all times using their Stanford ID.
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Do I need a permit to park on the first day? (Updated on 3/27/19)
Yes. If you do not have a current Stanford parking permit, you will need to purchase a ‘C-SRWC’ permit to park at SRWC. If you have a current main campus parking permit, you may use your permit through the end of your move-in month and purchase a ‘C-SRWC’ permit for subsequent months or years, as needed.
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By what time will I have to get there in the mornings to get a parking spot? (Added on 1/29/19)
Similar to the main campus, we expect it to be a question of where you will find parking rather than whether you will find a space when you arrive. Arriving later may mean more distant parking (upper levels in the garage or furthest spaces in surface lots). Until commuters start commuting to SRWC, we do not have an effective way to accurately predict the time of arrival or modes they will choose. Even if commuters estimate a certain arrival time today, traffic and other circumstances could change their actual arrival times, as could days of the week. As such, we cannot predict when you should arrive to find the most convenient parking space.
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Where is motorcycle parking? (Updated on 10/22/19)
SRWC motorcycle parking is located in Levels B1, 1, 2 and, 3 of the Barron Garage.
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Can I use pre-tax payroll deduction to purchase long-term and daily parking permits ahead of time? (Added on 1/29/19)
Yes, employees may purchase up to $70 per month in parking expenses using pre-tax dollars, which has been estimated to save up to 40 percent on the cost of the permit. Please refer to our pre-tax payroll deduction eligibility web page to learn more.
Both daily and long-term permits can be purchased in advance and with pre-tax dollars. However, please note that you must assign a permit date when purchasing daily permits. Because of this, we recommend purchasing daily permits the day you plan to use them unless you know the date(s) ahead of time.
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Why should I take the train when Caltrain parking will cost more than a SRWC parking permit? (Added on 1/29/19)
Parking fees are not the only costs that a commuter incurs when driving alone to work. For a more complete cost of comparison, you may want to factor in related costs, such as gas, applicable bridge tolls, vehicle maintenance, and insurance rates. To help commuters make this comparison, Stanford Transportation has a handy Commute Cost & Carbon Emissions Calculator on our site.
In addition, eligible commuters who take the train are eligible for Clean Air Cash. They also mention enjoying the break from the stress of driving and the health benefits of active commuting.
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Is there service vehicle parking? (Updated on 1/29/19)
Yes, each department may still purchase service vehicle parking permits, which can be used to park in ‘A,’ ‘C,’ residential, pay-by-space, and ‘SV/Service Vehicle’ spaces on the main campus and at the Stanford Redwood City campus.
We also plan to offer a service vehicle permit that will be valid at SRWC only. Departments will continue to have the option to purchase service vehicle permits for the main campus at the campus permit rate. The main campus SV permit will be valid at both campuses.
We expect to have more details about parking designations in March. We do not yet have information about the number of service vehicles departments plan to bring to SRWC. Once we receive this information, we will be able to plan how many service vehicle spaces will be provided.
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Since I work remotely two days a week, can I purchase a reduced-rate parking permit? (Updated on 6/14/19)
New options or features, such as prorated, part-time permits or other changes in permit types, are unlikely to be available in the near future, if at all.
We ask that everyone be patient and understanding. Our department initially thought that phase two of the virtual permit system might happen within a relatively short time and might allow for changes in the way the parking system is set up, but phase two requires significant system integration. We have focused on the phase one implementation and major system and process changes to support our move to Stanford Redwood City and the closing of our Retail counter.
To mitigate the cost of a permit, commuters could consider using Scoop to carpool. One commuter found that she recovers as much as $100 per week by using Scoop as a driver due to Stanford’s subsidy. Drivers receive as much as $12 per trip, and riders can ride for as low as $1 per trip. And it doesn’t need to be a full-time commitment. Read our Carpooling with Scoop webpage to learn more.
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I plan to use Caltrain to get to SRWC, but daily Caltrain parking is expensive. Is there a monthly Caltrain parking pass I can purchase at a subsidized rate?
Eligible employees have the option to enroll in pre-tax payroll deduction program to purchase monthly Caltrain parking. This program allows employees to save up to 40% on expenses for their sustainable commute.
In addition to parking fees, you may also want to factor in the cost of gas, bridge tolls if applicable, vehicle maintenance, and insurance rates for a more complete cost comparison between Caltrain and driving alone. To help commuters make the comparison, Stanford Transportation has a handy Commute Cost & Carbon Emissions Calculator on our site.
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Will parking be free on the Stanford Redwood City (SRWC) campus?
No, employees must purchase a permit to park at the Stanford Redwood City campus. The cost to purchase a SRWC permit will be equivalent to the price of a 'C' permit on the main campus. Eligible carpool and vanpool permit holders will be able to access free, preferred parking spaces at SRWC.
When parked in commuter or visitor spaces, electric vehicles (EVs) must also pay for a parking permit to park at the Barron Garage or surface lots. EVs will have access to charging stations, which do not require a permit but are intended to be used for short-term parking while vehicles are plugged in and charging. These EV charging spaces are available to all EV commuters and visitors and must be plugged in and paying for charging to avoid citation.
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Can I park on nearby streets as an alternative to parking at SRWC?
It's important for Stanford to be a good neighbor to surrounding communities. Because of this, the University does not support or condone parking off-campus in nearby neighborhoods, as it negatively impacts these communities.
Please also note that the City of Redwood City has approved a new residential parking permit program (agenda item 6.3.D) for neighborhoods adjacent to SRWC to discourage long-term parking by people who do not live in the residential neighborhood. This program will prohibit vehicles without a valid permit from parking for longer than two hours on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Will there be adequate parking for 2,700 staff and visitors?
With some employees using sustainable commuting, along with increased telecommuting and alternative worksites, we believe there will be sufficient parking to accommodate our needs. Out of respect for our surrounding neighborhoods, the university asks that Stanford affiliates avoid parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.
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How is parking enforced?
Stanford Transportation announced the rollout of a new virtual parking permit system as of June 25, 2018. Parking at Stanford Redwood City will operate in the same way. You will purchase your parking permit online and your vehicle license plate acts as your virtual permit.
At Stanford Redwood City, vehicles parked without a valid Stanford permit or those parked in visitor spaces who have not paid during enforcement hours (6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for commuter spaces and 8 a.m to 4 p.m. for visitor spaces) will be subject to citation and/or towing. There will be gated badge-access after hours. Vehicles parked overnight without a valid Stanford permit will be subject to towing. Learn more about the new virtual parking permit system on the Stanford Transportation website.
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Will there be visitor parking on the SRWC campus?
Yes, there will be designated visitor parking similar to spaces available on the main campus. Daily or hourly visitor parking may be purchased using the ParkMobile app. There are three ParkMobile zone numbers, visit our Parking at SRWC map for more information. To learn more visit What to Know About Visitor Parking at SRWC.
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Do electric vehicles (EVs) have to pay for a parking permit and will there be charging stations?
Yes, similar to other commuters, EVs must still pay for a parking permit to park at the Barron Garage and surface lots. EVs will have access to charging stations, which do not require a permit but are intended to be used for short-term parking while vehicles are plugged in and charging. These EV charging spaces are available to all EV commuters and visitors and must be plugged in and paying for charging to avoid citation. Electric vehicle charging stations will be available through a third party called ChargePoint. Users will be required to sign-up to use the chargers and pay ChargePoint for charging sessions. Electric vehicle charging stations will be located in the parking garage, and rates will be comparable to the main campus. The EV parking spots are for short-term parking.
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Is there parking for carpools and vanpools?
Yes, those who have Stanford vanpool permits issued by Stanford Transportation are able to access free, preferred parking spaces at Stanford Redwood City. Learn more about Stanford’s ridesharing programs.
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Is there be disabled-access parking?
Yes, disabled-access parking is available for commuter, visitor, and electric-vehicle charging spaces.
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Can departments purchase parking permits to use on the main campus or SRWC?
Yes, to support business-required trips between campuses, departments can choose to purchase parking permits, including service vehicle or short-term or long-term business permits, or reimburse employees for visitor parking.
Stanford's goal is to limit the number of single occupancy trips between campuses. Therefore, the University is asking departments to ensure that their employees minimize or avoid vehicle trips to campus whenever possible. Expanded audiovisual (AV) and telecommunications technology should enable employees to conduct business more efficiently, saving time and resources.
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Is there parking without permits for child-care drop off?
Yes, there are spaces in front of the Pine Cone child-care center that do not require a permit to drop off children. These spots have a time limit of 20 minutes, similar to other drop-off spaces on the main campus.
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Is there parking service for events?
Departments hosting an event with more than 10 attendees must reserve parking spaces for their event attendees through Stanford Transportation. If you have any questions, please contact eventparking@stanford.edu or at 650.723.9362.
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How many access points are there in the Barron Garage?
The Barron Garage, which is the parking garage for Stanford Redwood City, has two entrance and exit points. The first is off of Bay Road and the other on Barron Avenue.
- Safety first! There are no left turns into or out of the Barron Garage from Bay Road. Instead, use the Barron Avenue entrance and exit.
- Drive slowly and attentively. Anticipate the presence of other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- Remain on the right side as you drive around the garage.
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Who has access to park in the Barron Garage?
Stanford University employees who work at SRWC with a valid permit, their guests who have paid to park (via ParkMobile), Stanford service vehicles, and authorized Zipcars are be allowed to park at SRWC. Stanford Hospital Clinic staff are not allowed to park at SRWC. They have parking available at their own worksite. Stanford Medicine Outpatient Center (SMOC) parking is for patients or Stanford Health Care employees only. SRWC employees may park at SMOC only if they are a patient at the clinic.
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What factors were considered when designing the SRWC parking and transportation program?
Several factors were considered when designing the parking and transportation program for SRWC, including these:
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Providing an equitable experience with employees at the main campus who purchase parking permits.
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Offering fiscally responsible solutions while meeting the university’s commitment to sustainability.
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Incentivizing alternative commutes.
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Leveraging the opportunities of being located so close to Caltrain, which is free to eligible employees with the Stanford-funded Go Pass.
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Meeting local regulatory standards and minimizing our impact on the neighborhoods surrounding our new campus.
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