New After-Hours Guest Parking Pilot for Campus Events

Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 2:37pm

TO: All Employees
FR: Jessica Way, Managing Director of EA Operations and Administration 

As part of Sonoma State University’s continued efforts to strengthen community engagement, Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is launching a pilot program to provide no-cost parking for guests attending eligible evening and weekend campus events.

For eligible events, TAPS will provide a parking promo code to the department for guests to use online or at a parking kiosk, as decided in the planning process. Departments will not be charged for eligible guest parking permits under the pilot. To maintain the financial integrity of the Parking Program and ensure compliance with Title V and CSU policy, these costs will be paid centrally by the university. If the size or nature of an event requires parking staff to support operations, traffic management, or safety, the sponsoring department will remain responsible for those staffing costs.

Recognizing that no-cost parking cannot be provided for every campus event, the pilot creates an opportunity for the university to support parking costs for qualifying university-hosted events that are primarily intended for off-campus guests. Eligible events must take place after 5 p.m. on weekdays or at any time on weekends. Ticketed events, off-campus rentals, and certain campus performances are not eligible.

Departments will continue to coordinate events and associated parking needs through their Event Specialist in Conference and Event Services (CES). TAPS will determine whether an event qualifies for the pilot and, for approved events, will coordinate parking arrangements with the department.

As this is a pilot program, eligibility and procedures may be adjusted as the program’s effectiveness and impact are evaluated.

Frequently Asked Questions will be available on the Transportation and Parking Services website in the coming days. In the meantime, please contact parking@sonoma.edu with any questions.