Comparable Schools'
Parking Grades:
Quick Stats
Student Parking Lot
Yes - There are more than 10 lots where students can park around campus, including many at the residence halls.
Common Parking Tickets
- Expired time (one-hour parking) - $50
- Fire lane - $75
- Handicapped zone - $280
- No parking zone - $75
Freshmen Allowed to Park
No
Approximate Parking Permit Cost
Parking Permits
While a car is certainly not necessary, many students who live on campus bring them. If you plan to, a parking permit is essential. Due to limited parking, permits are offered through a lottery, with seniors getting priority.
College Prowler Take
Parking near campus can be a problem. Spaces can be difficult to find during the week, but it is not nearly as bad as in many cities. Finding a spot is only half the problem, though. Parking restrictions are enforced very strictly, so be ready to move your car frequently during restricted hours (weekdays) if you don’t have a permit. Tickets are so frequent, however, that you really should buy one if you are bringing a car. Permits for freshmen can be difficult to obtain, but you’ll need one, so you should contact Campus Safety as early as possible. They are fairly cheap compared to some schools. Of course, if you plan on sticking around school most of the time, you won’t actually need a car. The campus is small enough that it is much more convenient for anyone living on or near campus to walk to classes than to drive.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
Parking sucks. I think they only...
Parking sucks. I think they only give out a hundred freshman permits, so you have to get lucky to get one. It helps if you have a job on campus, I think. |
Anonymous says: |
You definitely don’t need a car...
You definitely don’t need a car for everyday use, just getting to class and stuff. But you are going to need one eventually, or you’re going to go crazy from being stuck in Santa Clara. I’d recommend bringing a car if you can, but don’t use it that much, and park it way off campus. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking permits are expensive for...
Parking permits are expensive for those living on campus. For those off campus, all the streets are two- or four-hour parking, so it is hard for us to keep our car in one spot, especially since each household is allowed only two permits, which is ridiculous when there are up to 10 people living in a house. |
Anonymous says: |
If you leave your car in a...
If you leave your car in a two-hour parking zone for two hours and five minutes, that meter maid will get you. You can try and protest and say you’ll move it, but one look into her dead, soulless eyes will convince you that you’re getting off easy with a fine. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking is terrible. I’ve gotten...
Parking is terrible. I’ve gotten many tickets for parking in front of my own house while I was going through the difficult process of getting a permit. The meter maids are not very nice or forgiving. |
Did You Know?
Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
• F-Lot (in the “L” on the south side of campus).
• Anywhere after 5 p.m. (all parking lots are open)
Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
• A-, B-, C-, D-, and E-Lots during weekdays.
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