Parking continues to be a fact of life for many CSUN students as they begin the spring semester, especially those who commute and purchase parking permits.
For some students on campus, the cost of the permit feels like another hefty price tag on top of tuition, textbooks and other school necessities. The payment for parking is particularly anxiety-inducing because the permit is due upfront at the beginning of the semester.
For film major and third-year student Katelyn Noble, the price of a CSUN parking permit is hard to budget for. Students like her have no choice but to buy it anyway.
“I think that just coming under $264 is way too expensive,” Noble said.
Noble added that the cost induced stress early in the semester when students are trying to sort out their new class schedules and balance other expenses.
The price of the permit can also affect students’ overall budget for the semester. Vanessa Leone, a fifth-year student studying child and adolescent development and Chicano studies, said she paid $265 for the permit this semester. According to her, it forced her to be budget-conscious in a variety of areas, including school supplies and course materials.
“I had to make sure that the classes I picked out were free of cost with books and supplies just to make sure that I can afford the parking pass for the semester,” Leone said.
Other commuters said the price can still be difficult to manage even with outside help. Julian Phillips, a junior majoring in film production with an emphasis in producing, said he paid approximately $239 for his permit.
“It is definitely a struggle,” Phillips said.
Phillips added that he received “a little help” from his parents for his permit payment and that parking becomes another bill students have to pay just to physically go to classes.
Students also wondered if the semester permit is a more feasible option when compared with paying daily rates over a term.
Second-year kinesiology major Jason Cisneros recalls the semester permit being more than $200, and described the cost as “really expensive.” Cisneros said daily or hourly costs can add up fast, especially for students commuting multiple days a week, but believes semester permits may still be the better choice for commuters who require dependable access to parking despite the steep up-front cost.
Parking and Transportation Services offers information on student parking and permit needs at CSUN. Their webpage states, “Parking on campus requires a valid CSUN parking permit only. In all parking areas, an appropriate permit must be displayed on the vehicle.”
Additional student parking regulations can be found on the Student Parking Information page of the university’s website. Students expressed that it is important to have clear information available, especially for first-time students.
Students are not all charged the same rate for parking and are eligible for a parking waiver depending on their status. Deaf studies major Kiwi Nash heard that students were paying $260 to $300 and said she was previously unaware of the parking permit pricing.
“I don’t pay for parking. I have a disability placard, and I was able to waive the fee because of that,” Nash said. “Before that, I didn’t know it was a lot as they said, $260, $300 or something, so I found out you could waive the fee, so I was lucky for that.”
CSUN’s “Buy Parking Permits” page shows multiple permit options for Spring 2026, including a Student General permit listed at $239.97 and a Student North Campus permit listed at $119.99.
CSUN has rates for permit refunds based on when a permit is turned in during a semester, with the refund amounts and information on its Student Parking Permit Rates & Refund Schedule page.
Students said the enforcement policies impact their willingness to purchase a permit, as citations can lead to additional expenses. For students who do get citations, CSUN has a ticket dispute and appeals process, which includes providing information on enforcement policies. More information can be found on the university’s Parking Citations & Appeals page.
