Low-Income Parking Permit Program

Our Downtown Parking Permit Program offers low-cost monthly parking permits to better support low-income worker parking needs in the Downtown area. Qualified low-income individuals can purchase a parking permit for $40 per month to park all day in a Downtown City-owned parking facility. Applicants must provide income verification through submission of a proof of income document before submitting an application for the permit. The City Council adopted a low-cost parking permit option at the Oct.18, 2021 Council meeting.

Low-income parking permits are valid for all-day parking in a Downtown City-owned parking facility. Permit holders are not guaranteed a parking space; Parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Permits are valid Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and may not be used for overnight parking or for storing a vehicle long-term in a parking facility. By purchasing a permit, the permit holder agrees to follow the San Mateo Parking Permit Rules and Regulations.

Eligibility and Required Documents

Proof of income documentation, in addition to an online application, is required to be eligible for a low-income parking permit. A proof of income document must be emailed to Transportation@cityofsanmateo.org to apply for a low-income parking permit. The email must note the applicant's name, application number, and the total number of people in the applicant's household. 

Proof of income documents must be dated within a year of the date applying for a low-income parking permit. Acceptable proof of income documents include:

  • Notice of Action letter from the applicant's county of residence for Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal card with a valid issue or expiration date
  • WIC (Women, Infants & Children) verification with date or WIC App Snapshot of home screen plus appointment or food balance sheet
  • Eligibility letter from the applicant's county of residence for CalWorks
  • Eligibility letter from the applicant's county of residence for General Assistance
  • 1095B Tax Document

If the above documents are not available, the following will be accepted and approved based on current San Mateo County income limits:

  • Two months of recent, consecutive paystubs for all working household members.

Contact

For help with permits and permit accounts, contact ParkLync at 
(678) 973-0348 or SMdtpermithelp@parklync.com.

Para información en Español, llamar (650) 522-7298.

Apply for a Low-Income Parking Permit

Follow the below instructions to apply for a low-income parking permit:

  1. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Email a proof of income document to Transportation@cityofsanmateo.org. The email must state the applicant's name, the total number of people in the applicant's household, and the name of the parking facility the applicant wants a permit for. See "Eligibility and Required Documents" section above for eligibility requirements.
  2. APPLICATION: Once the required documents are received, they will reviewed by City staff. If the applicant is eligible for a low-income permit, the applicant will be emailed a link to create a ParkLync account and apply for a low-income permit.
  3. PERMIT ISSUANCE: After the permit application is reviewed and approved, the system will charge the payment method in the applicant's account and send a receipt of the transaction to the applicant. 
  4. RECEIPT: Once the receipt is received via email, the applicant may park in their specified parking facility in the 10-hour spaces Monday through Saturday from 8AM to 6PM. Permits are enforced by license plate number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the Downtown Parking Permit Program webpage for a complete list of frequently asked questions about our permit program.

How much does a low-cost parking permit cost?

Low-income parking permits are $40 per month and are valid for parking all day in the Downtown City-owned parking facility of the permittee's choice if availability allows. Permits cannot be used for long-term or overnight parking. All City-owned parking facilities are closed between 2 AM to 5 AM, and a monthly permit is not an exception to this restriction on overnight parking.

Where do permit holders park?

Permits are valid at 10-hour parking spaces only. A list of 10-hour parking locations are posted on the Downtown Parking Permit Program webpage. Permittees will select their parking garage during the application process.