Parking Permit Rules and ProcedureS
IMPORTANT - having a permit allows you to park in designated parking spaces for students on campus. It does not automatically guarantee you a space in the lot.
In order to obtain a permit you must pick up a registration form in the Student Activities Center (SAC) or download from this site, and take it home for your parents to sign. Return to the SAO with the completed form, your driver’s license, your student body card, and a check for $125 made out to Gunn High School. You may only purchase your permit in the SAC.
Parking Permit Tags - $125 per permit: NOTE - Parking Permits are SOLD OUT for the 2018-2019 School Year.
The Student Activities Office (SAO) will sell approx. 183 parking permits (there are fewer, given construction limitations) to seniors only in the following order:
Types of Permits:
Carpool Tag: If you regularly drive one or more people to Gunn High School, you are eligible for a red hang tag that allows you to park in the first four aisles of the student lot (marked with carpool signs) in addition to the regular spaces in the student lot.
IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE A PROVISIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE (have not yet had their license a year): You will be unable to purchase a carpool permit until you have had your license for one year, due to restrictions in CA Vehicle Code Section 12814.6. The only exception is if your parents provide you with a letter stating that you are allowed to drive a family member to and from school. The Student Activities Center will need a copy of this letter on file before a Carpool Permit will be issued to a student with a Provisional Driver's License.
For the complete CA Vehicle Code on this topic: Vehicle Code, Section 12814.6, Provisional License for Minors Distinctive Driver's License
Single Driver Tag: If you drive by yourself, you may park in any spot past the carpool lot. At no time may you park in the carpool lot, even if you happen to carpool.
For either permit - be sure to hang your tag from your mirror and don’t forget to take it with you if you switch cars. If for some reason you cannot hang it from your mirror – put it next to your VIN number on your dash.
Parking Enforcement on Campus
Parking will be monitored weekdays by the Palo Alto Police Department. There are no warnings!!! Students who park in the staff lot, who do not have a permit, who park in spots that are not designated for parking, or who park in the carpool lot without the proper permit will be ticketed at a cost of $46.00.
Miscellaneous
If you forget your permit one day, you may obtain a temporary permit from the Main Office. If there is no parking in the lot, please let the Main Office know. Do not park illegally even if the lot is full; you will get a ticket.
The SAO is not responsible for lost or stolen permits or fire/theft/damage/vandalism of your vehicle. If you are driving a car with shoddy locks or a convertible, you are taking a chance that your permit may be stolen. If you lose your permit or it is stolen, you will have to buy a new one.
In order to obtain a permit you must pick up a registration form in the Student Activities Center (SAC) or download from this site, and take it home for your parents to sign. Return to the SAO with the completed form, your driver’s license, your student body card, and a check for $125 made out to Gunn High School. You may only purchase your permit in the SAC.
Parking Permit Tags - $125 per permit: NOTE - Parking Permits are SOLD OUT for the 2018-2019 School Year.
The Student Activities Office (SAO) will sell approx. 183 parking permits (there are fewer, given construction limitations) to seniors only in the following order:
- August 27 – September 7: Senior carpoolers and single-occupant drivers who live past El Camino, Foothill, Page Mill, and Adobe Creek can get permits
- September 10 - 14: any seniors can get permits after that if there are any left.
- Juniors who have a special circumstance that requires them to be able to drive to school will be issued a permit on a case by case basis. Please see Ms. Reynolds to request.
Types of Permits:
Carpool Tag: If you regularly drive one or more people to Gunn High School, you are eligible for a red hang tag that allows you to park in the first four aisles of the student lot (marked with carpool signs) in addition to the regular spaces in the student lot.
- COST SAVING IDEA: Split the cost of the permit among everyone in the car and save some money! If you have four people (including yourself) everyone pays $31.25 and you save $93.00
- NOTE: Driving a younger sibling to their school and then driving to Gunn by yourself does not count as carpooling to Gunn. Driving your sibling to Gunn and making them walk back to their school also does not count.
IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE A PROVISIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE (have not yet had their license a year): You will be unable to purchase a carpool permit until you have had your license for one year, due to restrictions in CA Vehicle Code Section 12814.6. The only exception is if your parents provide you with a letter stating that you are allowed to drive a family member to and from school. The Student Activities Center will need a copy of this letter on file before a Carpool Permit will be issued to a student with a Provisional Driver's License.
For the complete CA Vehicle Code on this topic: Vehicle Code, Section 12814.6, Provisional License for Minors Distinctive Driver's License
Single Driver Tag: If you drive by yourself, you may park in any spot past the carpool lot. At no time may you park in the carpool lot, even if you happen to carpool.
For either permit - be sure to hang your tag from your mirror and don’t forget to take it with you if you switch cars. If for some reason you cannot hang it from your mirror – put it next to your VIN number on your dash.
Parking Enforcement on Campus
Parking will be monitored weekdays by the Palo Alto Police Department. There are no warnings!!! Students who park in the staff lot, who do not have a permit, who park in spots that are not designated for parking, or who park in the carpool lot without the proper permit will be ticketed at a cost of $46.00.
- If your tag is not in the proper spot on a day of PAPD enforcement, you will get a ticket! Do not come to the SAC to get tickets cleared. That is a matter between you and the police.
Miscellaneous
If you forget your permit one day, you may obtain a temporary permit from the Main Office. If there is no parking in the lot, please let the Main Office know. Do not park illegally even if the lot is full; you will get a ticket.
The SAO is not responsible for lost or stolen permits or fire/theft/damage/vandalism of your vehicle. If you are driving a car with shoddy locks or a convertible, you are taking a chance that your permit may be stolen. If you lose your permit or it is stolen, you will have to buy a new one.