Residence Halls

Welcome to UC Santa Barbara!

One of the most memorable days of your college career is the first time you move into the residence halls. We are looking forward to you joining us! Please visit this page often, as the information below is subject to change. Move-In information will be posted and updated here throughout the summer. Don’t forget to check your UCSB email address frequently so you don’t miss important details or updates.

Move-In Information

Nearly all students will be moving into their new home with you during move-in. To have a smooth, safe, and orderly move-in experience, please arrive during your selected move-in day and time and not before. Each building has its dates and times during which move-in is permitted. You can see the available times for your building by selecting the link in your assignment email, which will be sent out in early September. Since the time slots for Thursday and Friday are available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis, we anticipate a more laid-back move-in experience on these days. The weekend will be busier, with more traffic and congestion throughout campus.* If you need to change your time or have not selected a time, please visit the link in your assignment email to view available slots. If you arrive early, consider shopping at nearby stores or stopping at a restaurant. Residents are welcome to move in after their assigned move-in date/time as long as they are moved in before the start of classes. 

*Due to construction activity on Hwy 101 through Ventura County into Santa Barbara County and on Hwy 217,  travel with caution and expect delays. Please check Caltrans QuickMap for real-time traffic conditions at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

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Check-In Locations

Please print and bring the move-in permit that was in the confirmation email you received after selecting a move-in time.

  • Follow Mesa Road or 217 until you come to the roundabout.
  • Take the roundabout exit for Lagoon Road (staying on the east edge of Campus with the ocean on your left).
  • Campus map: UC Santa Barbara
  • From that point forward, traffic personnel will direct vehicles to their specific unloading areas.
  • Go to your designated check-in location:
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Check-in Necessities

  • Please have the following ready...
    • A valid form of photo identification (Driver’s License, Passport, Access Card, etc.) to check-in. 
    • Mobile phone: all students will be required to scan a QR code that will allow them to check-in via our online booking system.
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Unloading

Please be mindful of your fellow students moving in by unloading quickly and driving your vehicle to long-term parking.

  • Between 9:00am and 5:00pm, your move-in permit is valid on your move-in day while you are actively unloading in the designated unloading areas, Parking Lots 2 or 9.
  • After 5:00pm, and on your move-in day only, vehicles may return to the above lots for additional unloading. For your reference, here is a UCSB Map with parking lot numbers.
  • A small, limited number of move-in carts will be available to residents on a first-come, first-serve basis. We highly encourage you to bring your own equipment (hand trucks, dollys, etc.) to assist with moving if you feel it is necessary.
    • When using moving carts:
      • Please be mindful of others. Take only one cart, and transfer your belongings as quickly as possible. 
      • Please do not keep empty carts in your room while you are setting up and do not leave empty carts in the hallways. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
  • Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa are two-story buildings connected by stairs (there is no elevator access to the second floor.)
  • Please check the maps below to see where your room is located within the building:
  • After unloading, vehicles are required to move immediately to long-term parking in Parking Structure 18. If Structure 18 is full, you are permitted to park in Parking Lot 16 in the visitor parking area. 
  • There will be shuttle buses to return you to the residence halls. Large appliances or furniture are not allowed on shuttle buses.
  • Information about where to park and unload can also be found on your move-in permit (which you must print and bring with you on your move-in day).
  • Between 9:00am and 5:00pm, your move-in permit is valid on your move-in day while you are actively unloading in the designated unloading areas, in Parking Lots 4 or 5.
  • After 5:00pm, and on your move-in day only, vehicles may return to the above lots for additional unloading. For your reference, here is a UCSB Map with parking lot numbers.
  • A small, limited number of move-in carts will be available to residents on a first come, first serve basis. We highly encourage you to bring your own equipment (hand trucks, dollys, etc.) to assist with moving if you feel it is necessary.
    • When using moving carts:
      • Please be mindful of others. Take only one cart, and transfer your belongings as quickly as possible. 
      • Please do not keep empty carts in your room while setting up or leave empty carts in the hallways. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
  • Please check the maps below to see where your room is located within the building, as well as elevator locations. 
  • After unloading, vehicles must move immediately to long-term parking in Parking Structure 18. If Structure 18 is full, you can park in Parking Lot 16 in the visitor parking area. 
  • There will be shuttle buses to return you to the residence halls. Large appliances or furniture are not allowed on shuttle buses.
  • Information about where to park and unload can also be found on your move-in permit (which you must print and bring with you on your move-in day).
  • Between 9:00am and 5:00pm, your move-in permit is valid on your move-in day while you are actively unloading in the designated unloading areas in Parking Lot 23.
  • After 5:00pm, and on your move-in day only, vehicles may return to the above lots for additional unloading. For your reference, here is a UCSB Map with parking lot numbers.
  • A small, limited number of move-in carts will be available to residents on a first-come, first-serve basis. We highly encourage you to bring your own equipment (hand trucks, dollys, etc.) to assist with moving if you feel it is necessary.
    • When using moving carts:
      • Please be mindful of others. Take only one cart, and transfer your belongings as quickly as possible. 
      • Please do not keep empty carts in your room while you are setting up, and do not leave empty carts in the hallways. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
  • All floors in Manzanita have elevator access via bridge walks between the buildings. You can see room and elevator locations (indicated by an X in a box) via the Manzanita Village map.
  • The San Rafael Tower has two elevators serving all seven floors. You can see room and elevator locations (indicated by an X in a box) via the San Rafael Residence Hall map. Stairs connect the 3-story San Rafael Ocean and Mountain Clusters. There is no elevator access to the second or third floors in the San Rafael Clusters.
  • After unloading, vehicles must move immediately to long-term parking in Parking Structure 22
  • Information about where to park and unload can also be found on your move-in permit (which you must print and bring with you on your move-in day).
  • Between 9:00am and 5:00pm, your move-in permit is valid on your move-in day while you are actively unloading in the designated unloading areas listed below:
    • Santa Catalina South - curbside on El Colegio Road 
    • Santa Catalina North - on the promenade located near the North Tower
  • After 5:00pm, and on your move-in day only, vehicles may return to the above unloading areas for additional unloading.
  • A small, limited number of move-in carts will be available to residents on a first-come, first-serve basis. We highly encourage you to bring your own equipment (hand trucks, dollys, etc.) to assist with moving if you feel it is necessary.
    • When using moving carts:
      • Please be mindful of others. Take only one cart, and transfer your belongings as quickly as possible. 
      • Please do not keep empty carts in your room while you are setting up, and do not leave empty carts in the hallways. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
  • All floors in Santa Catalina have elevator access. You can see the location of rooms and elevators (indicated by an X in a box) via the Santa Catalina Residence Hall map.
  • After unloading, vehicles must move immediately to long-term parking in Parking Lot 38. A shuttle service will be provided between Lot 38 and Santa Catalina Residence Hall. 
  • There will be shuttle buses to return you to the residence hall. Large appliances or furniture are not allowed on shuttle buses.
  • Information about where to park and unload can also be found on your move-in permit (which you must print and bring with you on your move-in day).

Important Information

  • Establish ownership in case your bike is stolen! Bike theft is the number one crime at UCSB. Register your bike with Community Service Officers (CSO) online at https://www.police.ucsb.edu/cso/bicycle-registration. The cost to register is $10, paid by credit card.
  • For more information about UCSB's Bicycle Program, including campus rules and regulations, please visit the UCSB Police Department's website.
  • Please visit our Mail web page for information on receiving mail and how to address your packages. The What’s My Address page is particularly important. Depending on the carrier, it will help you properly address your mail and packages.
  • Please do not address mail or packages to your University housing that are slated to arrive before move-in day, as buildings are locked, and these packages are returned as undeliverable.
  • You can change your meal plan now or any time during the year by completing the meal plan change process.
  • Please note that meal plan changes go into effect Monday the following week.
  • To have your meal plan change go into effect for the first week, please complete your request for a change by September 17, 2023.
  • For more information on changing meal plans, please visit the dining website and its section on changing meal plans.

We recommend that residents reach out to their roommates to coordinate what they will bring to the room to allow residents to maximize the space in their rooms. All residence hall rooms are fully furnished, and the following is already included: bed, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, towel bar, wastebasket, and drapes.

At a minimum, each resident should bring:

  • pillow and pillowcase
  • sheets and mattress cover (beds are extra large twin size)
  • blankets
  • towels
  • bathrobe and shower shoes
  • toiletries and carrying caddy
  • multiple surgical masks, KN94, KN95 or N95
  • a thermometer
  • headphones
  • a set of personal reusable cutlery and reusable cloth napkins

Many residents may also want to bring:

  • a laundry basket and detergent
  • decorations – push pins for posters, etc.
  • filtered water pitcher (e.g. Brita or Pur)
  • refrigerator (4.5 cu. ft. or smaller). The UCSB Campus Store has an agreement with Collegiate Concepts for refrigerator rentals that will be delivered directly to student rooms.
  • hot beverage mug, reusable water bottle, other dishes and utensils for snacks
  • items to keep your space clean and tidy
  • bicycle, helmet, U-Lock and bike light (put lock and light on bike before leaving home)
  • computer and printer
  • high quality surge protector(s)
  • small fan
  • rain gear
  • small desk lamp
  • lawn chair for outdoor social distancing meetings
  • if you're planning to work on-campus or anywhere in the local area, you will need to have original documentation to verify your eligibility to work; see these links for more information US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) acceptable documents and Employment Eligibility Verification form (see page 3).

The following items are NOT allowed:

  • explosives, firearms, or other weapons
  • illegal drugs or alcohol
  • empty alcohol containers as decorations
  • torchiere-style (floor lamps), halogen, or incandescent lamps
  • waterbeds
  • pets (no unapproved pets allowed in buildings at any time, especially during Move-In);
  • cooking in rooms is not allowed and thus equipment, including (but not limited to): microwave, hot plate, coffee pot, hot water kettle, toaster, rice cooker, grill, hot coils, and popcorn poppers are prohibited
  • For students, a valid parking ePermit is mandatory for all vehicles parked in Campus Housing areas. Students bringing a car with them to campus must purchase a parking ePermit through Transportation & Parking Services. Please visit our Parking page for helpful information relevant to our communities.
  • Please note: All UCSB parking permits have transitioned to a virtual ePermit parking system. The UCSB ePermit system associates your vehicle’s license plate with your parking account. The UCSB ePermit allows one vehicle to be associated with your parking ePermit. Please be prepared to provide a copy of your vehicle's DMV registration upon application.
  • We understand that some available move-in times may not work for students observing Yom Kippur. If this applies to you, please note that you may sign up for any available move-in day and time.
  • To learn more, please review the Religious Holiday Conflicts policy.
  • Upon moving in, please inspect your new space (including all common areas and bathrooms) for any damages.
  • Please submit a move-in condition form via our online work order system on the Get it Fixed web page.
  • Each resident must submit their own move-in condition form.
  • If you do not submit a move-in condition form within 72 hours of checking in, you accept the space as is and assume liability for the condition of your unit.
  • Any damages that are not reported and need to be repaired after move-out will be charged to your BARC account.
  • UCSB Conference & Hospitality Services offers September Temporary Housing as a basic accommodation option for UCSB students seeking permanent local housing or while they wait for their fall housing to begin. 
  • This program is available only to UCSB students with valid PERM numbers.
  • Meals are not included.
  • Rooms are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • For more information and to register, visit Conference & Hospitality Services September Temporary Housing web page.

Connecting to eduroam:

  • When prompted for a username, type YourNetID@ ucsb.edu. The @ucsb.edu is required, or the login will not work.
  • For the password, use your UCSB NetID password.
  • If prompted about a security certificate, choose ignore/accept/continue/trust etc.
  • If you have any problems, please visit ResNet's FAQ page. If you continue to experience issues connecting to WiFi, please submit a support request.

We support waste reduction, reuse and recycling! To avoid unnecessary waste and save money, please follow these “Zero Waste Move-In Tips.”

  • Space is tight ─ so less is more (less stuff = more space to relax).
  • Only pack what you need. Buy supplies that you know you will use. It is exciting to buy all new materials, but it is very easy to create a lot of waste. Start with what you already have and buy the essentials; you can always get more later.
  • Discuss what appliances you plan to bring with your roommates. Be mindful of your shared space and try to make arrangements to share items such as an iron or television to ensure everyone is comfortable.
  • Don’t buy “just in case” items. You can usually borrow items from your neighbors and friends or find free resources around campus. Learn about programs on campus that help students get essential items.
  • Donate, donate, donate. Luckily, the laundry room is never too far. Take this opportunity to purge your closet (or leave it behind for now) and bring what you will use. Donate clothes and other items that you don’t need or want!
  • Pack with what you have. Laundry baskets, storage bins, drawers, baskets, pillowcases, towels, and other reusable materials can be used as packing materials. Avoid using plastic trash bags. Use recycled boxes if needed ─ check a local grocery store, liquor store, or your workplace for secondhand boxes.
  • Re-use those boxes. Fold the flaps of your cardboard boxes so they will not require tape. Instead of bubble wrap, try household towels or newspapers for fragile items. Make sure to reuse or recycle all of your packaging later. Avoid using tape if possible, as it makes recycling cardboard harder.
  • Used items are even better than new ones! You can buy used textbooks, iClickers, furniture, decorations, clothing, and more. Textbook and item exchange pages through Facebook are specific for UCSB students and the Santa Barbara community. You can also rent textbooks through the UCSB Library and iClickers Associated Students. ​

Follow the above tips, and together, we can make a difference in supporting UCSB on its way to becoming a sustainable community!