Parking Regulations
This page provides most information needed to understand the parking regulations at Sonoma State University. The entire policy may be found at the University Policies web site. Additional information about parking fees may be found on the Parking Permits page.
Enforcement Hours
Other Regulations
All other parking regulations, including timed zones, are enforced 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Reserve and Non-Reserve Lots
Parking decals/permits are required at the following times except holidays when the campus is closed:
- Monday through Thursday from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.
- Fridays from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Please refer to the Non-Reserved Parking Map or the Reserved Parking Map for areas designated as Reserved or Non-Reserved.
Resident Hall Lots
Parking regulations are enforced 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Visitor parking is not available in Resident Hall lots.
Please refer to the Residence Hall Parking Map for areas designated as Residence Hall parking lots.
Reserved Parking
Reserved parking is located primarily in A and D lots and on Juniper Lane (refer to the Reserved Parking Map). Reserved parking is on a first-come first basis. A reserved decal or daily reserved permit is required to park in a reserved area for any period of time. Evening reserved decals are valid in reserved spaces after 5:00 P.M. All reserved decals are also valid in non-reserved spaces. Reserved decals are not valid in residence hall lots.
Visitor and Short-Term Parking
Official University Guests
Official guests of the University may obtain a visitor parking permit at one of the Parking Information Centers or at Police & Parking Services. After obtaining the visitor parking permit, visitors may park in any non-reserved parking space or in areas specially designated for visitors. Employees on campus who are hosting official University guests should request visitor parking in advance by contacting Parking Services. Additional information on Official University Guest parking is available.
Limited Use of Timed Parking
A vehicle's usage of a timed parking zone is limited to once in a four hour period.
General Public
Visitors (other than faculty, staff or students) may park without a permit in any timed zone (except yellow loading zones). Other visitors may purchase a daily parking permit from any of the permit machines or from either of the Parking Information Centers.
Parking for Disabled Persons
A number of parking spaces on campus have been reserved for the disabled. These spaces are located primarily in parking lots A, B, C, E, G, L, M and in residence hall lots.
- Unauthorized use of a disabled space will result in a $275 citation which is typically not cancelled on appeal.
- All vehicles using disabled parking spaces must display a valid DMV license plate or placard.
- Unauthorized use of a disabled placard may be punished with fines up to $3,500 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months.
- All vehicles using disabled parking spaces must also display a valid daily parking permit or semester decal.
- Disabled students receiving financial aid may be eligible for a waiver of parking fees. Please contact the Financial Aid office for details.
Motorcycles & Bicycles
Motorcycles, mopeds and motorized bicycles are not allowed to park in bicycle racks. All such vehicles must utilize the motorcycle parking areas provided in A, G, H, and J lots, the residence hall lots and at the south main entrance. Bicycles must be parked at bicycle racks; otherwise they are subject to impound. Free bicycle registration is available at Police Services.
For more information on bicycles and other alternate transportation, please visit the University Affairs site for the Alternate Transportation Policy.
General Parking Regulations
- Parking is permitted in designated (marked) spaces only.
- Parking in driveways, walkways or on campus roads, including along curbs and fire lanes, or any area where stalls are not clearly marked is prohibited.
- Unauthorized parking on construction roads or other unpaved areas is prohibited.
- Vehicles must be parked within the designated lines.
- Vehicles must be parked facing into spaces in lots where stalls are positioned at an angle, representing a one-way traffic direction.
- Non-reserved decals or daily parking permits are not valid in the residence hall lots.
- Yellow zones are for the loading and unloading of vehicles, not to exceed the posted time limit.
- Vehicles must be in operable condition to be parked on campus. No vehicular repairs will be made on campus except under emergency conditions and with the approval of Police and Parking Services.
- Abandoned vehicles will be towed away at the owner’s expense.
- Permission must be obtained to temporarily store a vehicle on campus (including during school breaks and business-related travel).
Traffic Regulations
California Vehicle Code
All sections of the California Vehicle Code are enforceable on campus.
- Permission to enter or drive on campus may be revoked or refused at any time.
- The vehicle speed limit:
- on campus roads: 25 mph
- on parking lots: 15 mph
- on access roads: 5 mph unless otherwise posted
- No vehicles (including motorcycles, mopeds and motorized bicycles) are allowed beyond placed bollards without specific permission from Police and Parking Services.
- All vehicles on campus must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- All vehicles on campus must display proof of valid registration.