Two-Year Residency Requirement

Updated Oct. 24, 2025

 

With additional campus housing coming online in Fall 2026, Cal Poly is extending the existing two-year residency requirement to all first-year students across all colleges. This residency requirement deepens students’ connection to campus life, fosters collaboration, and strengthens the Learn by Doing experience. 

More Students Offered Housing in Upcoming Years

With the opening of Building A in fall 2026 and Building B in fall 2027, University Housing is excited be able to welcome more first- and second-year students into campus housing. Additional new buildings will be added thereafter with the goal to house 65% of the student body on campus by 2035. 

Exemption Criteria

Since residential life is such an important part of the Cal Poly journey, exemptions from this requirement are limited and only granted to students who are:

• Current or active military veterans 
• Married, domestically partnered and/or have legally dependent children 
• Of independent status 
• Twenty-one years of age or older 
• Studying abroad or away for an internship
• Have documented medical and disability circumstances as noted by the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
• Living locally with a parent or guardian
• Noted as having a specific level of financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office

Signing up 

Once students are admitted to Cal Poly and the Housing application opens, they can sign up for their space in the Housing Portal on MyCalPoly.  Exemptions requests are also made through the Housing Portal. There will be a set deadline for requests.