Parking for Commuters and Downtown Employees
The City of Sausalito offers discounted parking options for eligible commuters and employees who regularly park in downtown Sausalito.
Available options include:
- Discounted daily commuter and employee parking
- Regular D Quarterly Parking Permit
- Regular L Quarterly Parking Permit
- Caledonia District Employee Monthly Parking Permit
Each program has different parking locations, eligibility requirements, fees, and regulations. Review the information below before applying.
Choose the Right Parking Option
Discounted Daily Commuter and Employee Parking
Best for: Commuters and employees who do not need parking every day
Parking locations: Spaces in Municipal Parking Lots 3 ($6/day) or Lot 4 ($5/day)
Payment options: ParkMobile or a parking pay station
Application fee: One-time, non-refundable application $25 fee
Regular D Permit
Best for: Commuters, merchants, and employees who need frequent all-day downtown parking
Parking locations: Municipal Parking Lots 3 and 4
Permit period: Calendar quarter
Cost: $390 per quarter
Caledonia District Daily Employee Parking
Best for: Employees working in the Caledonia Street District who need flexible daily parking
Parking locations: Authorized areas of Municipal Parking Lot 5
Payment method: ParkMobile only
Cost: $5 per day
Regular L Permit
Best for: Employees who need regular parking near the Caledonia Street District
Parking location: Municipal Parking Lot 5
Permit periods: Calendar quarter
Cost: $150 per quarter
Parking availability is first-come, first-served. Enrollment in a program or possession of a permit does not reserve or guarantee an available parking space.
Discounted Daily Commuter and Employee Parking
Eligible commuters and employees may purchase discounted daily parking in designated municipal parking lots.
Approved participants may activate the daily parking discount using either:
- The ParkMobile application; or
- A six-digit PIN at a parking pay station
A ParkMobile Special Zone code and six-digit pay-station PIN are assigned by Sausalito Parking Services after the application is reviewed and approved.
Eligible Parking Locations
The discounted daily program may be used in designated spaces in:
- Municipal Parking Lot 3
- Municipal Parking Lot 4
- Municipal Parking Lot 5 (Park Mobile payment only)
Participants must park in a space authorized for the program. Always check parking lot entrance signs, individual space markings, and payment instructions before starting a parking session.
The commuter and employee discount does not apply:
- At on-street parking meters
- In Municipal Parking Lots 1 or 2
- At the Sausalito Yacht Harbor public parking area
- In reserved, disabled, loading, electric-vehicle charging, or otherwise restricted spaces
- In any other location unless specifically authorized
How to Use the Daily Parking Discount
Approved participants must start a parking session every day they use the program. Program approval does not automatically activate a parking session.
Option 1: Use ParkMobile
- Park in an eligible municipal parking lot and authorized space.
- Open the ParkMobile application.
- Enter the Special Zone code issued by Sausalito Parking Services.
- Enter the correct parking-space and vehicle information.
- Review the discounted rate and parking-session details.
- Complete the transaction before leaving the parking lot.
The discounted rate will appear when a valid Special Zone code is used. Entering a regular public ParkMobile zone will charge the standard visitor parking rate.
An applicable ParkMobile convenience fee may be added to the transaction.
Option 2: Use a Parking Pay Station
- Park in an eligible numbered parking space.
- Remember the parking-space number.
- Go to a parking pay station in the lot.
- Select the commuter or employee parking option shown on the screen.
- Enter the assigned six-digit PIN.
- Enter the requested parking-space and vehicle information.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the discounted parking transaction.
- Confirm that the transaction was successfully completed before leaving the parking lot.
No ParkMobile convenience fee applies when the transaction is completed directly at a parking pay station.
The six-digit PIN is assigned to the approved participant and should not be shared with another person.
Applying for the Daily Commuter and Employee Parking Program
To apply:
- Complete the Commuter and Employee Discount Parking application.
- Gather the required supporting documents listed on the application.
- Submit the completed application and documents to Sausalito Parking Services.
- Pay the one-time, non-refundable $25 application fee.
- Wait for the application to be reviewed and approved.
- After approval, Parking Services will provide:
- A ParkMobile Special Zone code; and
- A six-digit PIN for use at parking pay stations.
Do not attempt to use the discounted parking program until the application has been approved and the applicable codes have been issued.
Download the Commuter and Employee Discount Parking Application
Applications may be submitted by email or mail. Download here.
Email:
parking@sausalito.gov
Mail:
Sausalito Parking Services
29 Caledonia Street
Sausalito, CA 94965
Applicants paying by credit or debit card will receive a Square invoice after the application is received. Checks and money orders should be payable to the City of Sausalito.
Regular D Quarterly Parking Permit
The regular D Permit provides commuters, merchants, and employees with access to designated all-day parking in downtown municipal lots. The regular D Permit is available to Sausalito residents, nonresidents, merchants, employees, and other eligible applicants.
D Permit Parking Locations
A regular D Permit is valid in:
- Municipal Parking Lot 3
- Municipal Parking Lot 4
Permit holders must follow all signs and space designations.
D Permit Fees
- Regular quarterly fee: $390 per vehicle
- Prorated fee after 45 days of the calendar quarter: $195 per vehicle
D Permits are issued by calendar quarter and do not automatically renew.
Applying for a D Permit
Applicants must:
- Complete the D Quarterly Parking Permit application. Download here.
- Provide a copy of the current vehicle registration.
- Provide a copy of the applicant’s valid driver’s license.
- Submit the application and supporting documents to Sausalito Parking Services.
- Pay the applicable quarterly permit fee after the application is approved.
Download the D Quarterly Parking Permit Application
Vehicle-specific D Permits must be affixed to the driver’s side rear bumper of the vehicle to which the permit was issued. An improperly displayed permit is invalid and may result in a parking citation.
Regular D Permit vs. Residential D Permit
The regular D Permit should not be confused with the Residential D Permit.
The regular D Permit:
- Is available to residents and nonresidents
- Costs $390 per calendar quarter
- Is valid in Municipal Parking Lots 3 and 4, with designated overflow parking in Lot 5
The Residential D Permit:
- Is available only to residents of certain eligible downtown addresses
- Costs $270 per vehicle per quarter
- Is administered as a resident parking program
For Residential D Permit information, visit the Parking for Residents page.
Caledonia District Employee Parking Program
Employees working in the Caledonia Street District may be eligible for daily and permit parking options in Municipal Parking Lots 4 and 5.
The program provides affordable employee parking while helping preserve nearby on-street spaces for customers, residents, and short-term visitors.
Daily Caledonia Employee Parking
Approved Caledonia District employees may purchase daily employee parking for:
- $5 per day
- Valid in authorized areas of Municipal Parking Lot 5 or Municipal Parking Lot 4
- Activated through ParkMobile using the code issued after application approval
Employees must start a valid parking session each day and park only in a space authorized for the program.
Dedicated Lot 5 Employee Spaces
Municipal Parking Lot 5 includes 22 dedicated employee parking spaces in the upper paved portion of the lot.
Only vehicles participating in an authorized employee parking program or displaying a valid L Permit may use these designated spaces.
For eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit the Caledonia District Employee Parking page.
L Permits for Municipal Parking Lot 5
Employees who need regular parking near the Caledonia Street District may apply for an L Permit.
L Permits are valid only in Municipal Parking Lot 5 and may not be used in another municipal parking lot or permit area.
L Permit holders may park in authorized Lot 5 spaces, subject to posted signs and parking availability.
Applying for an L Permit
Applicants must:
- Complete the L Parking Permit application. Download here.
- Provide a copy of the current vehicle registration.
- Provide a copy of the applicant’s valid driver’s license.
- Submit the application and supporting documents to Sausalito Parking Services.
- Pay the applicable permit fee after approval.
Download the L Parking Permit Application
L Permits must be clearly displayed inside the vehicle in the location specified by Sausalito Parking Services. An improperly displayed permit is invalid and may result in a parking citation.
Paying for a D or L Permit
Payment may be made by:
- Check or money order payable to the City of Sausalito; or
- Credit or debit card through a Square invoice emailed after application approval
Do not send credit or debit card information by email.
Applications and supporting documents may be submitted to:
Email:
parking@sausalito.gov
Mail or drop-off:
Sausalito Parking Services
29 Caledonia Street
Sausalito, CA 94965
Permit Display and Use
A permit is valid only for the vehicle and parking location for which it was issued.
Permit holders must:
- Display the permit in the location specified by Sausalito Parking Services
- Ensure that the permit is current and clearly visible
- Park only in a lot and space authorized for the permit
- Observe all signs, space markings, and temporary restrictions
- Contact Parking Services if the assigned vehicle or license plate changes
An expired, altered, improperly displayed, or mismatched permit is invalid and may result in a parking citation.
Important Parking Regulations
A commuter discount, D Permit, L Permit, or Caledonia District employee parking authorization:
- Does not reserve or guarantee a parking space
- Does not authorize parking at an on-street meter
- Does not authorize parking in a disabled, loading, electric-vehicle charging, reserved, or otherwise restricted space
- Does not override temporary no-parking signs or other posted restrictions
- Does not exempt a vehicle from the City’s 72-hour parking restriction
A vehicle may not remain parked without moving for more than 72 consecutive hours in a municipal parking lot or other public parking area. Vehicles exceeding the limit may be cited and/or towed.
Public Transportation Information
Commuters may also wish to review available ferry and bus services:
Schedules, fares, and service availability are established by the applicable transit agency and are subject to change.
Questions and Assistance
For questions about commuter parking, ParkMobile Special Zone codes, six-digit pay-station PINs, D Permits, L Permits, Caledonia District Employee Parking, applications, or parking regulations, contact:
Sausalito Parking Services
29 Caledonia Street
Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 289-4116
Email: parking@sausalito.gov
