Frequently Asked Questions

Who can live in campus Housing?

All first-year students entering Cal Poly in fall 2026 are required to live on campus for their first two years.

First-year students who entered Cal Poly in fall 2025 are part of our two-year housing program that included specific majors and academic programs. Other students may apply to live on campus based on availability.

Students may be eligible to live on campus mid-term or mid-year, based on availability. This may include students returning to Cal Poly from leave, study abroad or internships.

Is Housing open during academic year breaks?

Beginning fall 2026, academic year housing contracts run from August through May and include fall and spring breaks. Winter break is not included in contract/fees. Students must leave campus for winter break or sign up separately for winter break housing.

Is Housing open for summer and the weeks between terms?

Yes. Summer housing is available for any summer session or selected dates with a minimum 21-night stay. Enrollment in summer classes is not required. Bridge housing is also available between spring and summer and between summer and fall for students with contracts for both surrounding terms.

How do I cancel my housing contract?

Housing contracts may be canceled through the Housing Portal. In most cases, 30 days' notice is required to avoid daily lack of notice charges. Students should review the housing cancellation policy for details.

Students who are part of our required two-year housing program cannot cancel to live off campus.

How do housing interest lists work, and how should I plan if I am considering off-campus housing?

Housing interest lists reflect demand for campus housing but do not guarantee an assignment. Students on an interest list should monitor housing timelines closely and be prepared to explore off-campus options if space is limited.

Students considering off-campus housing are encouraged to research options early but should carefully consider timing before signing a lease. If a student decides not to pursue campus housing, they should remove themselves from housing interest lists to help manage availability for other students.

Guidance on off-campus housing searches, lease education and tenant rights is available through Cal Poly’s Off-Campus Housing Program.

How many students can be in a roommate group?

Group sizes vary by student type and housing location: 

• First-year students may form roommate groups of up to three students, as most first-year rooms are triples. 
• Transfer students may form roommate groups of up to four students. 
• Continuing students may form roommate groups of up to six students. 

Group size does not guarantee placement together or in a configuration. 

How do I form a roommate group?

Once all students have completed a housing application, one student may create a roommate group in the Housing Portal by entering Cal Poly email addresses. All invited students must accept the request, and all group members must select the same Residential Learning Community (RLC).

Can required and non-required students to be in the same roommate group?

Yes. All students may form or join roommate groups once they have completed a housing application, regardless of whether they are required to live on campus. Required status does not change the roommate grouping process. Students cannot form or join a roommate group until their housing application is complete and submitted.

Roommate groups are created and managed through the Housing Portal in MyCalPoly.

Can I request a specific roommate?

Yes. Students may request specific roommates during the application process. Requests must be mutual and accepted by all parties before the preference-edit deadline. The last day to form a roommate group is March 15 for continuing students and June 1 for first-year, new transfer and graduate students. First-year students cannot form roommate groups with continuing, transfer or graduate students as those groups are housed separately.

How do I request a housing accommodation?

Students in need of a housing accommodation must contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as soon as they know they need support. The DRC requests and reviews documentation, as applicable and communicates the approved accommodations, to University Housing. While every effort is made to accommodate students, requests for specific buildings are not part of the accommodations process.

Learn more at drc.calpoly.edu. 

Are specific apartments or room configurations guaranteed?

No. Specific buildings, apartments, room layouts or bedroom types cannot be guaranteed, even for complete roommate groups. Housing assignments are based on availability and operational needs.

What should groups consider in the event they need to be split up?

Students forming larger groups are encouraged to plan ahead in case the group cannot be placed together. This may include identifying backup pairings or smaller subgroups. Room changes may be requested later, depending on availability.

How does roommate matching if I don't have a group?

Students may use the Roommate Matching Questionnaire in the Housing Portal to connect with potential roommates. Students who do not select roommates are assigned based on their Residential Learning Community and any indicated preferences.

When do students move in and move out for the academic year?

Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, students will move in during August and move out in May, reflecting the transition to semesters. Specific dates are available on the housing calendar. 

Can I move in early?

Students with extenuating circumstances may request early move-in through the Housing Portal. Approval is based on availability and need. 

How do I check in and receive my keys?

Students must present a government-issued ID or PolyCard (the Cal Poly ID) at check-in. Check-in locations and instructions will be sent by email and posted on move-in maps prior to arrival. 

How do I move out?

Students canceling housing before the end of the academic year must submit a cancellation request in the Housing Portal on MyCalPoly. After cleaning the space, they must complete an Express Checkout, also in the Housing Poral. Keys must be returned to the designated drop location.

What room types and amenities are available?

Most first-year students live in triple rooms in residence halls. Transfer and continuing students live in Poly Canyon Village or Cerro Vista Apartments, which offer shared apartments with double suite, standard double or single bedrooms. Furnishings include a twin XL bed, desk, chair, dresser and closet or armoire.

View room layouts, dimensions and community amenities on our Residence Halls and Apartments webpage.

Are lofts and bed risers permitted?

No. Lofted beds and risers are not permitted. Students in bunked rooms may request adjustments to their bunks through the Housing Portal, pending roommate agreement, and space.

How does the dining plan work?

All first-year students living on campus are required to have a dining plan, which provides access to campus dining venues throughout the academic year.

Continuing and transfer students are not required to have a dining plan but may choose to add one. Dining venues are located across campus, including PCV Plaza. Unused dining dollars — up to $500 — may roll over with the purchase of any dining plan for the next semester. Community dining plans start at $275.

Learn more here.

How do mail and packages work?

Students are assigned a campus mailing address from Cal Poly Distribution Services before school starts. The campus mailing address is not the building address. Mail sent to physical building addresses will be returned to the sender. Package pickup locations vary by community. View more information here.

What about parking and transportation?

Parking availability is limited and managed by Transportation and Parking Services. View permit options and alternative transportation resources online.

What types of measures are taken to protect my safety?

Residence halls and apartments are secured 24/7 and supported by Resident Advisors, professional housing staff, Cal Poly Police Department, front desks, emergency phones and campus alert systems. 

How do I request maintenance or report an issue?

Non-emergency maintenance requests should be submitted through the Housing Portal. Urgent issues may be reported to the front desk or Housing Services during business hours. Emergency situations should be reported to Cal Poly Police Department and the RA on-call in that order.

How are pests and wildlife concerns handled?

University Housing employs full-time custodial and maintenance staff. Residents should report pest or wildlife concerns promptly through the Housing Portal or by contacting Housing Services.

What is the construction schedule?

Construction generally occurs weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., with adjustments made when possible to minimize disruption during sensitive academic periods.

How are noise and dust being addressed?

Noise and dust levels may vary depending on construction activity. Mitigation measures include adjusted work schedules, dust control practices, and ongoing coordination between Facilities and Housing.

What can residents do if impacts become disruptive?

Residents may contact the Facilities Help Center to report concerns. Earplugs and limited noise-reduction resources are available at select front desks. Room change requests may be submitted through the Housing Portal, subject to availability.