Press Parking Permits
USE
The SFMTA Press Parking Permit exempts the holder from parking restrictions at standard parking meters, green zones, white zones, time limited parking and residential permit parking areas while actively engaged in news gathering activities.
Annual Fee: $77
RESTRICTIONS
Press Vehicle Parking Permits are only available for members of the news gathering media who are required to cover breaking news and to pass through police and fire lines on a regular basis. Feature writers and photographers, editors and editorialists, producers, freelance writers, financial service broadcasters, and all staff not actively gathering news at the scene of an incident are not eligible.
Standard parking restrictions apply, including, but not limited to, truck loading and commercial zones (yellow metered and unmetered zones), red zones, and no parking and no stopping zones. Vehicles cannot block crosswalks, fire hydrants, disabled ramps, or park on any portion of the sidewalk. Vehicles will be subject to citation if permit is not properly displayed from rear view mirror of vehicle to which it is assigned, or if used for parking within ½ mile of employee’s place of employment or residence. A permit may be revoked at any time for misuse and future permits may be restricted.
REQUIREMENTS
You must first obtain a Press Pass from the San Francisco Police Department’s Media Relations Unit. Visit 1245 3rd Street to apply for and receive your press pass. You will need to bring (2) 1" x 1" color photos of yourself. Any questions should be directed to sfpdmediarelations@sfgov.org or call 415.837.7395. SFMTA will verify all Press Vehicle Parking Permit applications with SFPD's most recent list of press pass holders.
APPLICATION
If you have purchased permits in the past, please visit our online application.
For new customers: please complete this form to set up your account.
Press Parking Permits are issued throughout the year, but all permits expire on December 31st. Complete your application early to ensure you receive your permit(s) before January 1. Press permit fees are not prorated.
LOST/STOLEN OR TRANSFERRED PERMITS
Report lost and stolen passes immediately to CityParkingPermits@SFMTA.com. Replacement passes are subject to the annual fee.
HIRED SECURITY FOR PRESS
News agencies can purchase permits for security staff. Security Press Permits are interchangeable, allowing you to provide them to any vehicle while gathering news. Please email CityParkingPermits@SFTMA.com to have your online account set up. You can also have the news agency you are working for order a permit.