General

Why do I have to pay for parking on campus?

The parking program receives no state appropriations or tuition dollars. If you park on campus, you pay a parking fee.

The cost of a permit or payment of an hourly garage fee enables the university to manage, build and maintain parking lots and garages, and also funds the salaries and operating expenses.

What happens if I lock my keys in my car?

Free vehicle assistance is available 24/7.

Parking permits

Where can I park to purchase a parking permit?

You may park in the 20-minute spaces on the southwest corner of Lot 21 (short term pay lot) while conducting business with Parking Services.

I'm an online student and don't park on campus on a regular basis. Do I need to buy a permit?

What happens if my permit is lost or stolen?

You must immediately complete a lost/stolen permit report and obtain a replacement permit.

Cost for replacement is $25. If a lost or stolen permit is found on a vehicle, the car will be immobilized (booted)/towed and violator will be charged. Permit holders are responsible for citations issued to their permit regardless of vehicle ownership.

I have a parking hangtag, but I forgot it. What can I do?

As a courtesy to the university community, we dismiss three tickets per year for permit holders who are properly parked in a valid area, but fail to display their permit.

If you have received three warnings for the academic year, you must:

I need to drive a different vehicle. What do I need to do?

Update your vehicle information through the online parking portal or send an email to sfaparking@sfasu.edu with the following information:

  • Your name
  • SFA ID number
  • Permit number
  • License plate
  • Make (Ford, Dodge, Chevy, etc.)
  • Color (white, black, blue, etc.)
  • Style (two-door, four-door, pickup truck, SUV, etc.)

We will add the vehicle to your record. Remember to move your permit to the vehicle you will be driving.

Do I have to get a permit on a car I am borrowing while mine is in the shop?

Your parking permit is a hangtag and may be moved to whatever vehicle you will be using on campus. We require that all vehicles are registered with Parking Services.

Registering your temporary vehicle:

Update your vehicle information through the online parking portal or send an email to sfaparking@sfasu.edu with the following information:

  • Your name
  • SFA ID number
  • Permit number
  • License plate
  • Make (Ford, Dodge, Chevy, etc.)
  • Color (white, black, blue, etc.)
  • Style (two-door, four-door, pickup truck, SUV, etc.)

We will add the vehicle to your record. Remember to move your permit to the vehicle you will be driving.

My friend is leaving campus. Can I use or purchase their parking permit?

No.

Parking permits are not transferable and are valid only when purchased from Parking Services.

Notify The University of Texas System Police Department at SFA immediately if anyone attempts to sell you an SFA parking permit.

I sold the vehicle I have registered. What should I do?

If you sold your vehicle, first make sure you've notified the Texas Department of Transportation of the sale and change of ownership.

Next, notify our office by emailing sfaparking@sfasu.edu or visiting the Parking and Traffic building. We will need to following information:

  • Your name
  • SFA ID number
  • Permit number
  • License plate
  • Make (Ford, Dodge, Chevy, etc.)
  • Color (white, black, blue, etc.)
  • Style (two-door, four-door, pickup truck, SUV, etc.)

Parking spaces

Where is the best place to park if I arrive after 9 a.m.?

If you arrive on campus after 9 a.m., you will find it easiest to locate a space in the Commuter Lot 47 near Johnson Coliseum.

Where can I park on holidays?

There are two types of holidays:

Student holidays - where employees work and there are no classes. During these days, a student can park in any student parking area (all-permit or resident parking), but may not park in a space designated for any other permit type.

University holidays - where the university is closed. Anyone may park in any legal spot on campus during these days, with the exception of the reserved spaces.

What do I do for football and basketball games?

View the game day parking map and information regarding football parking.

Are there enough parking spaces?

There are enough spaces on campus for students, staff, faculty members and visitors we have daily at SFA. The problem is that some of the spaces are not as close as desired.

How many parking spaces are available on campus?

There are approximately 8,000 parking spaces available on campus.

Can I park in a visitor space?

Visitor parking spaces are reserved for official visitors to campus. SFA students, faculty, and staff members may not park in visitor spaces at any time.

Where do we park to run into the Baker Pattillo Student Center for a few minutes?

If you don't have a valid permit for nearby parking spaces and the 20-minute spots are full, park in the Student Center Parking Garage.

Citations

I don't have a parking permit. What is the earliest time I can park on campus without receiving a ticket?

Permits are required 24 hours a day except in short-term paid parking areas (Student Center Parking Garage and Lot 21). Most campus lots have all permit parking from 4 p.m. until 6 a.m., but some spaces (ADA, hall director, service vehicle, etc.) are reserved at all times. Additionally, Lots 15 and 8 (near the Norton HPE Complex and Steen Library) are reserved for faculty/staff until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you are a visitor to campus you may pick up a visitor's pass from the Visitor Booth on Griffith Blvd. which is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except official university holidays. Another option is to park in the short-term paid parking areas (Student Center Parking Garage and Lot 21) at the hourly rates using the Parkmobile app.

My car is disabled. What do I do to prevent a citation?

If your car is disabled, call campus police at 936.468.2608. The vehicle will be logged as disabled for a period of 24 hours. A disabled vehicle may be logged three times for a maximum of 72 hours.

Are tickets written between sessions or during summer sessions, holidays, weekends and nights?

Yes. Citations are written throughout the entire year, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year whether school is in session or not. During semester intersession, or the period between the last day of SFA finals of one semester and the beginning of the next semester, resident and commuter spaces are open to all permit holders. Faculty/staff spaces are still enforced as normal.

Why did I get a citation when someone else was driving my car?

Permit holders are liable for any citation issued to their permit regardless of vehicle ownership or driver.

If I put on my flashers, will I get a citation?

If you are parked illegally, you will receive a citation.

If I put a note on the window of my car telling you that I will only be in the building for two minutes, will I get a citation?

Yes, if you are parked illegally, you will receive a citation.

I got a ticket I don't think I deserve. Why can't I just ignore it?

If you got a ticket, don't ignore it. Penalties for unpaid citations are very inconvenient. You may choose to appeal the citation.

What are some ways to keep from getting parking citations?

Tips are offered on the citations and appeals webpage.