Parking & Transportation
Why We do What We Do
Parking & Transportation supports the campus community in being responsible caretakers of Creation by providing transportation programs to reduce single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) traffic, enhance the campus sustainability efforts, and improve the commuter parking experience on campus. To that end, Saint Mary's requires all motorized vehicles parking on Saint Mary’s campus to have a paid permit. All revenue generated from parking permits fund these transportation programs.
Alternative Transportation
RideShare for Creation Care
Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOVs) are the top producer of greenhouse gas emissions at Saint Mary's. You can help reduce these emissions by using alternative transportation methods.
Alternative TransportationImportant Information
1. An SMC parking permit is required on any vehicle parked on any part of the SMC campus or Rheem campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2. Permits are issued for specific lots.
3. Permits are only issued by the Department of Public Safety and are property of Saint Mary’s College.
4. Permits are non-transferable, non-refundable, and are not pro-rated.
5. Permits may be revoked at any time, and must be surrendered upon request.
6. Vehicles parked without a permit and/or in the incorrect lot will be subject to citation and towing.
7. Lost permits are not replaced. Damaged or stolen permits should be reported to the SMC Public Safety Department at 925-631-4282.
8. Issuance of a permit does not guarantee availability of a parking space.
9. Spaces are on a first come, first serve basis.
Purchasing Your Permit
Permits for the 2022-2023 academic year are now available for purchase on the Permit Portal. Here are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing your permit:
1. All permits will be mailed out and cannot be picked up on campus.
2. When you complete the purchase of your parking permit, you will receive an email confirming your purchase. This email can be used as a temporary parking permit for three weeks or until your parking permit arrives.
3. When registering for a parking permit, please indicate the address you want the permit mailed to. Please keep in mind that it can take two weeks to receive your permit in the mail.
4. If you plan to live on campus, we encourage you to wait until after you move into your campus residence to purchase your permit so you can have it mailed to your campus mailbox.
5. Vendors click here for instructions on how to purchase your permit.
Parking Information
Student Rates
All students, whether living on or off-campus, will need a Student Permit to park on campus. Student Permits only permit parking in Student Parking Lots Monday through Friday, 5am – 10pm. Outside of those hours, any vehicle with a valid SMC parking permit can park in any lot on campus unless the lot is otherwise reserved.
Student Parking Permits are only available by term. A new permit must be purchased each term. The term dates are as follows:
FALL Term Student Permit (August 1 - January 31)
SPRING Term Student Permit (February 1 - July 31)
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NOTE: Resident student classifications are not updated until students move into their on-campus residences.
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NOTE: There are no longer different permits for Resident Students and Commuter Students. All students purchase a Student Permit, regardless of classification.
Student Permits cost $59.50 per term.
Low Income Family Permits
Undergraduate students with an estimated family contribution (EFC) of less than $11,158 will not be charged for a parking permit.
Veterans Permits
Veterans will not be charged for a parking permit. Veterans will need to confirm their veteran status should confirm their veteran status with the Registrar's office.
Parking Alternatives
Students who park infrequently on campus should consider using Visitor Parking in lieu of purchasing a Student Permit. Visitor Parking is limited to the Filippi Lot Extension, Recreation Center lot, and Upper Soda lot (visitor parking & pay station map). Parking restrictions will be enforced every day, from 5 am to 10 pm. Vehicles parked without a permit and/or in the incorrect lot will be subject to citation and towing. Daily parking is available from the Parking Pay stations in the Filippi Lot Extension, the Recreation Center Lot, and the Upper Soda Lot. The fee is $.50/per hour, with a $5 maximum for the day. These machines accept credit and debit cards only.
There are no refunds and no pro-rated permits. Permits are non-transferable. Lost permits are not replaced. Damaged or stolen permits should be reported to the SMC Public Safety Department at 925-631-4282.
Faculty and Staff Rates
All employees, whether faculty or staff, will need an Employee Permit to park on campus. Employee Permits only permit parking in Employee Parking Lots Monday through Friday, 5am – 10am. Outside of those hours, any vehicle with a valid SMC parking permit can park in any lot on campus unless the lot is otherwise reserved.
Tier 1 employees and adjunct faculty will not be charged for a parking permit.
Employees who park infrequently on campus should consider using Visitor Parking in lieu of purchasing a Employee Permit. Visitor Parking is limited to the Filippi Lot Extension, Recreation Center lot, and Upper Soda lot (visitor parking & pay station map). Parking restrictions will be enforced every day, from 5 am to 10 pm. Vehicles parked without a permit and/or in the incorrect lot will be subject to citation and towing. Daily parking is available from the Parking Pay stations in the Filippi Lot Extension, the Recreation Center Lot, and the Upper Soda Lot. The fee is $.50/per hour, with a $5 maximum for the day. These machines accept credit and debit cards only.
Annual Employee Parking Permits
Annual permits are only available if paying through payroll deduction and are valid for the current academic year (August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023). Permit prices are tiered based on employee salary. There are no refunds and no-prorated permits.
- Tier 2 - Annual salary less than $40,000: $119 per year
- Tier 3 - Annual salary $40,000-$60,000: $142 per year
- Tier 4 - Annual salary $60,001-$80,000: $178 per year
- Tier 5 - Annual salary $80,001-$100,000: $214 per year
- Tier 6 - Annual salary more than $100,000: $249 per year
Term Employee Parking Permits
Employees not purchasing their permit through payroll deduction must purchase a new permit each term. Permit prices are tiered based on employee salary. There are no refunds and no pro-rated permits.
- Tier 2 - Annual salary less than $40,000: $59.50 per term
- Tier 3 - Annual salary $40,000-$60,000: $71.00 per term
- Tier 4 - Annual salary $60,001-$80,000: $89.00 per term
- Tier 5 - Annual salary $80,001-$100,000: $107.00 per term
- Tier 6 - Annual salary more than $100,000: $124.50 per term
The term dates are as follows:
FALL Term Employee Permit (August 1 - January 31)
SPRING Term Employee Permit (February 1 - July 31)
There are no refunds and no pro-rated permits. Permits are non-transferable. Lost permits are not replaced. Damaged or stolen permits should be reported to the SMC Public Safety Department at 925-631-4282.
Vendor Parking
An SMC parking permit is required on any vehicle parked on any part of the SMC campus or Rheem campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including vendors.
Vendor Permits
Vendor Permits allow parking in any lot on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are good for the entire academic year (August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023).
Vendor Permits can be purchased through the parking portal and cost $119 per year.
There are no refunds and no pro-rated permits. Permits are non-transferable. Lost permits are not replaced. Damaged or stolen permits should be reported to the SMC Public Safety Department at 925-631-4282.
Vendors who park infrequently on campus should consider using Visitor Parking in lieu of purchasing a Vendor Permit. Visitor Parking is limited to the Filippi Lot Extension, Recreation Center lot, and Upper Soda lot (visitor parking & pay station map). Parking restrictions will be enforced every day, from 5 am to 10 pm. Vehicles parked without a permit and/or in the incorrect lot will be subject to citation and towing. Daily parking is available from the Parking Pay stations in the Filippi Lot Extension, the Recreation Center Lot, and the Upper Soda Lot. The fee is $.50/per hour, with a $5 maximum for the day. These machines accept credit and debit cards only.
Visitor Parking
Visitor Parking is limited to the Filippi Lot Extension, Recreation Center lot, and Upper Soda lot. Parking restrictions will be enforced every day, from 5 am to 10 pm. Vehicles parked without a permit and/or in the incorrect lot will be subject to citation and towing.
How to buy a Visitor Parking Pass
Daily parking is available from the Parking Pay stations in the Filippi Lot Extension, the Recreation Center Lot, and the Upper Soda Lot. The fee is $.50/per hour, with a $5 maximum for the day. These machines accept credit and debit cards only.
Visitor parking can be reserved by staff or faculty here.
Disabled Placard/License
If you have a state-issued disabled placard/license plate, you do not need to apply for a parking permit. However, please contact psadmin@stmarys-ca.edu to register your vehicle with Saint Mary's.
Citations
Citation Information
All parking citation fees must be paid online within 14 days of the date of issuance. Citations not paid will be doubled and added to your account. Unpaid citations will result in an inability to register for classes, withholding transcripts, grades, and/or academic degrees.
You may appeal a citation within 14 days of issuance by completing an appeal form online. No other forms of appeal will be accepted.
Vehicles in violation of Saint Mary's College's traffic and parking regulations are subject to citations by Public Safety.
Please read and obey posted signs. Parking citations and fines are as follows:
| VIOLATION | FEE |
|---|---|
| Prohibited by signs or markings | $45 |
| Red Zone | $55 |
| Fire Lane | $55 |
| Fire Hydrant | $80 |
| Blocking Traffic or Walkway | $55 |
| Reserved Spaces | $55 |
| Inappropriate Lot | $45 |
| Handicapped Zone | $275 |
| No Current SMC Permit | $45 |
| Loading Zones | $45 |
| Bus Zones | $105 |
| Speeding | $85 |
| Stop Sign | $85 |
| Other | $45 |