Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Department, Vendor, Contractor Parking
On this page
- What is the process for requesting and purchasing department, vendor, and contractor parking permits?
- Department/Vendor/Contractor Parking Permit Pricing
- How will I get license plate information for department visitors? What if they arrive in a rental car?
- How do I request event parking?
- Can multiple vehicles be assigned to the same daily permit in a day?
- Can contractors and vendors purchase their own permits?
- How is the list of department contacts updated when there is turnover?
- If a University staff member makes an error when entering a license plate number for a visitor, and the visitor gets a parking ticket, can the Stanford staff member handle the paperwork and pay for the ticket?
- What are my Service Vehicle ‘SV’ Permit Parking options?
- What are my commuter permit options as an employee of a vendor to Stanford University?
What is the process for requesting and purchasing department, vendor, and contractor parking permits?
The type of parking permits available and the process to purchase them will vary based on your organization's affiliation and the requested parking duration. Refer to the processes below for department, vendor, or contractor accounts to purchase daily, annual, and group/reserved event permit requests.
Department
Process for purchasing a department Daily Permit (short-term) use Guest Permit Invites.
- Authorized department contacts will log into the Parking Permit Management System with your department account. Refer to How to Log in to a Department Account for step-by-step instructions.
- Then, daily permits are sent using the Parking Permit Management System. Refer to Guest Permit Invites utilizing this step-by-step process for instructions.
- Guests will use the How to Claim a Guest Permit Invite process to claim the permit. Note if the Guest has someone else claiming the invite on their behalf, they can use the How to Claim a Guest Permit Invite on Behalf of a Guest.
First-time department contacts use the Department/Vendor Contact Form to request access.
| Daily Permit (short-term) | Valid at Stanford Campus | Valid at SRWC Campus |
|---|---|---|
| 'A' | ✔ | ✔ |
| 'Event' | ✔ | N/A |
| 'C-SRWC' (only for eligible departments at SRWC) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Service Vehicle ('SV') | ✔ | ✔ |
Process for purchasing a department Annual Permit (long-term)
- Authorized department contacts will log into the Parking Permit Management System with your department account. Refer to How to Log in to a Department Account for step-by-step instructions.
- Then, purchase up to two Business ‘A’ and two Service Vehicle ‘SV’ annual virtual parking permits using the Parking Permit Management System. Refer to Purchase an Annual Department Permit Online for step-by-step instructions.
Use the Department/Vendor Parking Permit Application to request short-term (monthly) or additional annual Business 'A' or Service Vehicle 'SV' department parking permits.
First-time department contacts use the Department/Vendor Contact Form to request access.
| Annual Permit (long-term) | Valid at Stanford Campus | Valid at SRWC Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Business 'A' | ✔ | ✔ |
| Service Vehicle ('SV') | ✔ | ✔ |
Vendor
Eligible businesses for vendor permits include banking, janitorial, food service businesses, consultants, and auditors.
Process for purchasing a vendor Daily Permit (short-term)
- Authorized vendor contacts will log into the Parking Permit Management System with your company account. Refer to How to Log in to a Company Account for step-by-step instructions.
- Then, purchase an 'SV' daily virtual parking permit using the Parking Permit Management System. Refer to How to Purchase the 'SV' Daily Permit for step-by-step instructions.
New Vendors have your sponsoring department use the Vendor Sponsorship to request a new company account.
New contacts for established vendors use the Department/Vendor Contact Form to request access to your company account.
| Vendor Daily Permit (short-term) | Valid at Stanford Campus | Valid at SRWC Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Service Vehicle ('SV') | ✔ | ✔ |
Process for purchasing a vendor long-term permit
- Authorized vendor contacts will log into the Parking Permit Management System with your company account. Refer to How to Log in to a Company Account for step-by-step instructions.
- Then, purchase up to two Business ‘A’ and two Service Vehicle ‘SV’ annual virtual parking permits using the Parking Permit Management System. Refer to Purchase an Annual Company Permit Online for step-by-step instructions.
First-time vendor contacts use the Department/Vendor Contact Form to request access.
Use the Department/Vendor Permit Parking Permit Application to request short-term (monthly) or additional annual Business 'A' or Service Vehicle 'SV' vendor parking permits.
| Vendor Annual Permit (long-term) | Valid at Stanford Campus | Valid at SRWC Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Business 'A' | ✔ | ✔ |
| Service Vehicle ('SV') | ✔ | ✔ |
Contractor
Process for purchasing a contractor Daily Permit (short-term)
- Authorized contractor contacts will log into the Parking Permit Management System with your company account. Refer to How to Log in to a Company Account for step-by-step instructions.
- Then, purchase an 'SV' daily virtual parking permit using the Parking Permit Management System. Refer to How to Purchase the 'SV' Daily Permit for step-by-step instructions.
If you need access to your company account, contact us.
| Contractor Daily Permit (short-term) | Valid at Stanford Campus | Valid at SRWC Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Service Vehicle ('SV') | ✔ | ✔ |
Process for purchasing a contractor Annual Permit (long-term)
Option 1.) Purchase up to two 'SV' annual virtual parking permits.
- Authorized contractor contacts will log into the Parking Permit Management System with your company account. Refer to How to Log in to a Company Account for step-by-step instructions.
- Then, purchase up to two 'SV' annual virtual parking permits using the Parking Permit Management System. Refer to Purchase an Annual Company Permit Online for step-by-step instructions.
Use the Contractor Parking Permit Application to request short-term (monthly) or additional annual Service Vehicle 'SV' Parking Permits.
Option 2.) Purchase a parking permit/identifier
Before the start of the project, the Project Manager and general contractor will need to submit the following materials to Stanford Transportation: the proposed site logistics and parking plan for the entire work crew (including subcontractors) and a Contractor Parking Permit Application. Please note that it will take one to three business days to receive a decision from Stanford Transportation. Contact us at 650- 736-7619 or parkingoperations@stanford.edu to make parking arrangements for your projector.
| Contractor Long-term Permit | Valid at Stanford Campus | Valid at SRWC Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Service Vehicle ('SV') | ✔ | ✔ |
| Parking Permit / Identifier | ✔ | ✔ |
Parking Permit Management System Assistance
To assist users in using the parking permit management system, we have developed "How To" Guides with step-by-step tutorials for logging in, purchasing annual permits, sending daily parking to your guests, requesting event parking, and managing vehicles. Click on the corresponding link to view yours: Departments, Vendors, and Contractors.
When purchasing permits, please note the following:
- PCards are not accepted for university departments.
- University departments are required to provide a PTA.
- Hospital departments are required to give a Cost Center account.
- Contractors and vendors can purchase permits with a credit card (i.e., Visa, Mastercard, or Discover)
- Contractors and vendors who request daily permits not currently available in their online accounts should contact Stanford Transportation at 650.723.9362 or purchase visitor parking through the ParkMobile app.
If you have any questions, please contact us at transportation@stanford.edu or 650.723.9362
Department/Vendor/Contractor Parking Permit Pricing
Pricing Effective January 1, 2025
| Permit Type | Day | Month | Annual {5} | Valid In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'A' Daily | $21 | N/A | N/A | 'A', 'C', and shared residential spaces |
| Business 'A' {1} {5} | N/A | $150 | $1,800 | 'A', 'C', and shared residential spaces |
| 'C-SRWC' {2} | $6.50 | N/A | N/A | 'C-SRWC' permits can be used in 'C' spaces on the Stanford campus but not in residential spaces. |
| 'Event' {3} | $6.25 | N/A | N/A | 'E' spaces at Varsity, Track House & Searsville Lots |
| Service Vehicle 'SV' {4} {5} | $45 | $500 | $6,000 | Service Vehicle/University Vehicle spaces, 'A', 'C', 'Z', residential, and visitor spaces, must observe posted signs & time limits |
{1} - Available to Eligible Departments and Vendors
{2} - Available to Eligible SRWC Departments ONLY
{3} - Available to Eligible Departments ONLY
{4} - Available to Eligible Contractors, Departments, and Vendors ONLY
{5} - Annual permits are valid Sept 1 - Aug 31 and will be prorated based on months remaining starting Oct 1
How will I get license plate information for department visitors? What if they arrive in a rental car?
View the How to Send Guest Permit Invites to send an invite and your department guest will claim it using How to Claim a Guest Permit Invites (for guests).
Alternatively, you can provide them with Visitor Parking options on campus. Please visit our “How To” Guides - Purchase Visitor Parking w/Park Mobile instructions for more information.
We understand that there are special circumstances and needs for each department, and we are ready to work with you to identify any adjustments that may be needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at transportation@stanford.edu.
How do I request event parking?
Learn about Event Parking.
If you have any questions, contact us at eventparking@stanford.edu.
| Group/reserved permit (short-term) | Stanford Campus | SRWC Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Group/reserved event parking permits | ✔ | ✔ |
Can multiple vehicles be assigned to the same daily permit in a day?
No. Only one vehicle may be assigned to a daily permit in a day. This is to help ensure that only one vehicle is using the respective permit at a time.
Can contractors and vendors purchase their own permits?
How is the list of department contacts updated when there is turnover?
To remove a department contact, please have the department manager email transportation@stanford.edu with the name and email of the contact(s) we should remove.
To add department contacts, submit new contacts through the Department/Vendor Contact Form, which requires the department organization code, department manager, and the department manager's email.
Approval process: Our office will confirm that the department manager listed corresponds with the department. If so, we will send a message informing the department manager of changes to their authorized contact list. Stanford Transportation will send a list of department contacts to the department manager quarterly.
If a University staff member makes an error when entering a license plate number for a visitor, and the visitor gets a parking ticket, can the Stanford staff member handle the paperwork and pay for the ticket?
No. The customer/visitor must submit an appeal. Stanford Transportation recommends that the department provides the customer/visitor with documents to support their appeal, including a screenshot of the valid parking permit, a parking receipt, correspondence with the department to add license plate information, or a screenshot of the license plate information provided to the department.
Visit our Appeal a Parking Citation webpage to learn more.
What are my Service Vehicle ‘SV’ Permit Parking options?
Option 1: Purchase a Service Vehicle ('SV') Daily Permit (Vendors/Contractors)
To purchase an 'SV' Daily permit, vendors or contractors will need to log in to your department/company account and purchase an 'SV' daily. Note: if you do not already have an established account, you must create a visitor account.
Departments will Send Guest Permit Invites for 'SV' Daily Permits.
Option 2: Purchase an 'SV' Long-Term Permit
Departments/Vendors will have access to order two 'SV' annual parking permits after log in to your department/company account, to request short-term (monthly or fixed-term) or additional annual 'SV' parking permits, please fill out the Department/Vendor Permit Order Form. Refer to our "How To" Puchase An Annual Permit Online for more information.
Notes:
- The entity paying for the short-term or additional annual 'SV' parking permit should complete the Department/Vendor Permit Order Form.
- All requests will be reviewed for eligibility based on need. For the safest route to make a service call or delivery, view or download the Service and Delivery/Truck Route.
- If the company makes deliveries and has a commercial license plate, the delivery driver may park in loading and unloading zones for up to 20 minutes or as marked.
- The Parking and Circulation / Campus Map shows where each permit type is valid.
- These permits allow you to park in any 'A' or 'C' or 'Z' space, visitor parking areas, residential permit spaces, and 'Service Vehicle' spaces adjacent to the Pedestrian Zone. Must observe posted signs & time limits. They are NOT valid in spaces marked 'Special Area Permit.' If approved, you may also be granted access to the Pedestrian Zone (PZ).
- Never park at red curbs, in fire lanes, or on anything that isn't asphalt (this includes dirt, concrete sidewalks, grass, and mulch). Your vehicle may be cited and towed if you park in these areas.
- Prices for 12-month permits are prorated monthly from October.
What are my commuter permit options as an employee of a vendor to Stanford University?
To purchase a parking permit, Other Affiliates can be sponsored in two ways:
- Request to be sponsored by a department supervisor or manager for a SUNet ID (valid for one year).
- Please note: Once access has been approved, a confirmation email will be sent to the requestor. This typically occurs within 1-2 business days.
- Request Access to Purchase Permits referencing "How to Create a New Account in the Parking Permit Management System" step-by-step instructions.
- Please note: Once access has been approved, a confirmation email will be sent to the requestor. This typically occurs within 1-2 business days.
Commuters must pay for their own parking permit.
- Please note that using a company credit/debit card is prohibited unless the permit is purchased for a company vehicle.
Permit types and payment options
- Sponsored commuters affiliated with the university can purchase an 'A' or 'C' permit.
- Sponsored commuters affiliated with the hospitals can purchase a 'Z' permit.
- Payment can be made through recurring monthly deductions (from a personal debit or credit card).
Permit validity
- Monthly permits purchased through Stanford’s Parking Permit Management System are valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no additional cost.
- Daily permits are valid from 12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. for the selected date(s).