Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)
Best for: Desk setups and chargers
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
Cal Poly SLO Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits Cal Poly SLO's housing appliance limits.
Cal Poly SLO dorm appliance rules
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo residence halls come with a mini-fridge; cooking appliances are allowed only in apartment and Ag Housing kitchens.
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators are not permitted.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Residence halls; apartments and Ag Housing may use cooking devices in kitchens.
- Power strips / surge protectors Allowed
- Surge protectors are required for stereos and fish tanks.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators are not permitted.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Residence halls; apartments and Ag Housing may use cooking devices in kitchens.
- Coffee maker Not allowed
- Residence halls.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Not allowed
- Residence halls.
- Air fryer Not published
- Not published.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Residence halls; allowed in apartment kitchens.
- Rice cooker Not allowed
- Residence halls; allowed in apartment and Ag Housing kitchens.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Slow cookers and hot pots.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Residence halls; indoor grills allowed in apartment kitchens.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Not published
- Not published.
- Straightener / curling iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Fan Not published
- Not published.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Allowed
- Surge protectors are required for stereos and fish tanks.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Also black lights, neon, strobe and holiday lights.
- Desk lamp Not published
- Not published.
- String / LED lights Not allowed
- Holiday lights and all electric decorations.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Lit or unlit; battery candles are OK.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Oil warmers and electric incense.
Room
- Lofts Not published
- Not published.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Not published
- Not published.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (1)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with Cal Poly University Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Power strips
Cal Poly prohibits extension cords and requires a surge protector for stereos and fish tanks.
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 2 ft cord
Best for: Tight budgets and short reaches
Outlets6
BreakerBuilt-in
Cord2 ft
✓ Listed as allowed
Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)
Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers
Outlets8
Breaker15 A
PlugFlat
✓ Listed as allowed
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector with USB (TLP606USBB)
Best for: Charging phones without extra bricks
Outlets6 + 2 USB
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
✓ Listed as allowed
Tripp Lite 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector with USB (TLP88USBB)
Best for: Gaming and desk setups with lots of plugs
Outlets8 + 2 USB
Breaker15 A
Cord8 ft
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit Cal Poly SLO housing rules.
Bed
-
Twin XL sheets
Amazon Basics Microfiber Twin XL Sheet Set
Check your bed size
Buy on Amazon -
Mattress topper
Bedsure Twin XL Mattress Pad
Twin XL size
Buy on Amazon -
Mattress protector
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Twin XL Mattress Protector
Waterproof, Twin XL
Buy on Amazon -
Bed shelf
BedShelfie Bedside Shelf with Cable Catch
Clips to the bed frame
Buy on Amazon
Bath & laundry
-
Shower caddy
Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy, 9 Pockets
Mesh, quick-drying
Buy on Amazon -
Shower shoes
Xomiboe Quick-Dry Shower Shoes
Buy on Amazon -
Towels
Amazon Basics 6-Piece Cotton Towel Set
Buy on Amazon -
Laundry hamper
Handy Laundry Pop-Up Mesh Hamper
Pops up, folds flat
Buy on Amazon
Room & desk
-
Desk lamp
Lampat Dimmable LED Desk Lamp
LED; no halogen
Buy on Amazon -
Under-bed storage
Amazon Basics Under-Bed Storage Bags
Slides under the bed
Buy on Amazon -
Over-door hooks
FYY Over-the-Door Hooks, 4-Pack
No nails or tacks
Buy on Amazon -
Door mirror
SCWF-GZ Full-Length Over-the-Door Mirror
Hangs over the door
Buy on Amazon
Small stuff
-
Command strips
Command Large Picture Hanging Strips
Removable adhesive strips
Buy on Amazon -
First-aid kit
BAND-AID Travel Ready First Aid Kit, 80 Pieces
Buy on Amazon -
Power strip with USB
Tripp Lite 6-Outlet Surge Protector with 2 USB Ports
UL, built-in breaker
Buy on Amazon -
Laptop lock
Kensington Combination Laptop Cable Lock
Needs a lock slot
Buy on Amazon
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