Parking on Campus at Cuesta College
State law and the California Education code regulates college and university parking programs. Here at Cuesta College, the Cuesta College Police Department has the primary responsibility for administering the parking program.
Students, staff and visitors are required to have a valid, properly displayed, parking permit when parking anywhere on the San Luis Obispo or North County Campus, Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Parking enforcement for not having a parking permit begins after the fifth day of the semester.
San Luis Obispo Campus
Daily permits may be obtained from the parking machines in the paved parking lots or at the Campus Police Department. All machines accept dollar bills and quarters an do not give change.
Semester parking permits may be purchased during registration periods and throughout the semester at the Campus Police Department or at the Cashier's Office, located in Building #3100, on the San Luis Obispo campus. Permits are available for purchase on-line at WebReg and will be mailed to the address given upon registering only until two weeks prior to the start of the semester. For additional permits, or if your permit was lost or stolen, you must obtain a replacement permit at the Campus Police Department, Building 6600. Please bring documentation verifying purchase of the initial permit.
Parking permits are to be displayed plainly visible on the inside lower right corner (passenger side) of the windshield. Motorcycle or mopeds must display permits on the front forks or cowling.
If your vehicle becomes immobile and you bring another vehicle to campus, you are required to purchase a one-day parking permit or a second permit at the Police Department.
North County Campus
Parking permits may be purchased at the Public Safety Office in Room N1035. Daily permits may be obtained from the parking machines in the paved parking lots or at the Public Safety Office.
All the rules and regulations, as stated above and below, are enforced on the North County campus.
Parking Rules and Regulations
A copy of the official parking rules and regulations may be obtained at the Cuesta College Public Safety Office, Building 6600. Parking rules and regulations are strictly enforced.
Violations such as:
Student vehicle in staff spaces, backing into a space, taking up two spaces/parking over the line, parking in crosswalks, red zones, bus zones, or limited time zones, will be cited. Disabled spaces require a parking permit as well as a valid disabled placard issued from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I don't have a permit, can I put a note on my dashboard and park anywhere?
Neither notes, nor hazard lights are honored in lieu of a permit.
I'm visiting on official business. Do I need a permit?
All visitors need a permit. Sponsored guests (guest lecturers, member of an advisory board etc.) may be provided a guest permit through campus police.
I'm a student taking only one class and do not want to purchase a semester parking permit. What should I do?
The best option is to purchase a daily permit. Yellow daily permit machines are installed in every parking lot near the 20 minute zones on both the San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles campuses. Place the daily permit on the driver side of the dashboard so that it is visible to police staff.
I only need to be on campus for ten minutes. Should I purchase a daily permit?
Students and visitors who plan to be on campus for 20 minutes or less may park in green spaces marked 20-minute parking. No permit is required while parked in the 20-minute zone.
I loaned my car to a friend and they were cited for parking in a staff space. Am I responsible for the ticket?
Yes, if you loan your vehicle to someone, make sure they know where to park. Cuesta College parking citations are forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if they are not paid within the 30-day time limit. The DMV will not allow you to register your vehicle until the citation is paid.
I lost my parking permit halfway through the semester. Do I need to buy another permit at full price?
Permits for additional vehicles and replacement permits are sold at the full permit price. Contact the Cuesta College Police Department for additional permits for your vehicle.
I bought a semester permit at the San Luis Obispo campus but I would like to take classes at the Paso Robles campus. Do I need a different permit for the Paso Robles campus?
Staff and students may purchase permits at either the San Luis Obispo or the Paso Robles Campus. Permits are valid on any district campus.
I received a parking ticket but I disagree with the grounds on which it was given to me. How do I dispute the citation?
Citation disputes are handled at the Cuesta College Police Department on either campus. The process to dispute the citation is to submit an appeal form within 30 days of receiving the citation with a valid explanation. The appeal will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and a decision will be made for a dismissal, reduction or denial of the appeal.
I have more than one vehicle that I drive to campus. Do I have to pay full price for a second permit?
Semester parking permits are non-transferable because they are registered to a specific vehicle. A second vehicle permit may be purchased by contacting the Cuesta College Police Department. A full price fee is charged for a second permit.
I'm not sure where to place my parking permit. How do I know where it goes?
Parking permits are to be displayed plainly visible inside lower right corner (passenger side) of the windshield. Motorcycle or mopeds must display permits on the front forks or cowling.
What happens to people who refuse to pay parking citations?
The Cuesta College Police Department issues parking citations in accordance with the provisions listed in the California Vehicle Code. If a citation bail is not paid within 30 days of the issuance of the citation, the bail increases. Unpaid citations are reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV will not allow vehicles to be registered with delinquent parking citations. Vehicles with five (5) or more unpaid campus parking citations may be booted and or towed from campus property and stored at owners expense. A hold may be placed on transcripts and registration for the college.
How do I get help if my car breaks down while on college property?
Police officers and parking control staff are committed to serving our college community. If you need motorist assistance, you may contact the Cuesta College Police Department from any phone on campus by dialing 3205 on the San Luis Obispo campus, or 6205 on the Paso Robles campus. In case of an emergency dial 3911 campus phone. At the Paso Robles campus dial 4911 from any campus phone.
I have an oversized vehicle and back into parking spaces. Is this allowed?
Backing into parking spaces is not allowed. Exhaust fumes kill foliage and bumpers break off sprinkler heads. Vehicles are backed into spaces will be cited.
Where do I pay a parking citation?
Parking citations can be paid at the Campus Police Department on the San Luis Obispo campus. On the Paso Robles Campus parking citation can be paid at the cashier's office. Parking citations can also be mailed to the parking citation service center, the address is provided on the back of the parking citation.