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Residential Parking Permit Program
Residential Parking Permits
Residential parking permits are issued for residents of neighborhoods whose parking is impacted by local traffic generators such as hospitals, businesses, and schools. The program aims at discouraging overflow parking on to residential streets. Check the RPPP map to see if you live in a program area and are eligible to apply for a permit. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to view common RPPP questions and their answers.
City Council adopted the Residential Parking Permit Program Policy and Procedures on Sept. 16, 2019. For more information on the update process, visit the Residential Parking Permit Program Update page.
Renewing a 2023 Permit or Applying for a 2024-2025 Permit
Residents who live within a RPPP permit area are eligible to apply for a residential parking permit and visitor permit. Applicants are encouraged to apply for a parking permit online. Those who do not have an email address and/or internet access, or who prefer assistance, can apply in-person at San Mateo City Hall.
All 2024-2025 residential parking permits and visitor permits will be mailed to the resident after the application has been reviewed.
Please Note: All current purple RPPP permit stickers and visitor permits will expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
New to San Mateo and need a permit for 2023?
Click the grey "2023 Parking Permit" tab above to request a parking permit valid until December 31, 2023.
Ready to Apply?
Click the orange "Submit an Online Application" button to apply for parking permit and/or
visitor permit valid from Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2025.
This application is for current permit holders renewing their parking permits and those applying for a parking permit and/or visitor permit for the first time.
Before starting the application, check that you live within a designated RPPP permit area and have the following items ready:
- An email address*
- A current DMV driver’s license for each resident requesting a permit
- A current DMV vehicle registration for each vehicle
- Proof of residency in a parking permit area for each resident requesting a permit
- Required if the address on the driver’s license and/or vehicle registration is not located in a parking permit area
- Acceptable documents: Utility bill, lease agreement, car insurance policy, or preprinted personal check with applicant’s name and address
- Additional documents required for a company car, leased car, and/or caregivers
- See additional instructions in RPPP Policy on pages 4 and 5
*Applicants without an email address must apply at the Public Works Department Counter at San Mateo City Hall, 330 W. 20th Ave, San Mateo. Counter hours are Mon., Wed., and Thurs., 8AM-12PM and 1-4PM and Tues. and Fri., 8AM-12PM. Applicants must bring all required documents (hard-copy or downloaded on to a USB drive) to apply at the counter.
Apply for a 2022-2023 Parking Permit
Residents who need a parking permit and/or visitor permit for the remainder of 2023 can click the below orange 'Submit an Online Application' button to apply. If you are applying for a 2024-2025 parking permit and/or visitor permit, select the gray '2024-2025 Parking Permit' tab above.
Please Note: All purple 2023 parking permits and visitor permits will expire on Dec. 31, 2023. Residents who wish to have a permit valid for 2024-2025 must select the gray '2024-2025 Parking Permit' tab above.
Residents are encouraged to apply from home. Those who do not have an email address and/or internet access, or who prefer assistance, can apply in-person at San Mateo City Hall.
Ready to Apply?
Before starting the application, check that you live within a designated RPPP permit area and have the following items ready:
- An email address*
- A current DMV driver’s license for each resident requesting a permit
- A current DMV vehicle registration for each vehicle
- Proof of residency in a parking permit area for each resident requesting a permit
- Required if the address on the driver’s license and/or vehicle registration is not located in a parking permit area.
- Acceptable documents: Utility bill, lease agreement, car insurance policy, or preprinted personal check with applicant’s name and address
- Additional documents required for a company car, leased car, and/or caregivers
- See additional instructions in RPPP Policy on pages 4 and 5
*Applicants without an email address must apply at the Public Works Department Counter at San Mateo City Hall, 330 W. 20th Ave, San Mateo. Counter hours are Mon., Wed., and Thurs., 8AM-12PM and 1-4PM and Tues. and Fri., 8AM-12PM. Applicants must bring all required documents (hard-copy or downloaded on to a USB drive) to apply at the counter.
Visitor Parking Permits
Visitor permits are limited to one visitor permit per household and are valid for the same two calendar years as a residential parking permit. The two hour parking limit will be enforced for any vehicles that don’t display a residential parking permit sticker or visitor hang tag permit.
Fees
At this time, there is no charge for permits.
Permit Expiration
Permits are valid for a two year cycle. Residential parking permit program participants will get a renewal notice prior to the expiration of the permit cycle. All current purple (2022-2023) residential parking permit stickers and visitor permits will expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
Interested in a Residential Parking Permit Program for Your Street or Neighborhood?
Residents interested in expanding an existing program area or adding a new residential parking permit program areas must submit a Residential Parking Permit Program Request Form. The procedures for expanding or adding a new program area are outlined on pages 8, 9, and 10 of the Residential Parking Permit Program Policy.
Questions
Visit the Frequently Asked RPPP Questions page or contact Nicolette Chan at nchan@cityofsanmateo.org.