Get ready for returning students. Expect traffic and limited parking in the Southside area. Arrange for extra trash pickups or other services to avoid fines.
As students move in for fall, tenants and landlords can help keep our streets clean by planning ahead and using City services.
If you plan on driving through the Southside during Cal Move-In on August 18, 19, 20, and 24, please add time to your travel schedule for increased traffic, lane and road closures, and extremely limited street parking in the area.
If you are moving in, please use City collection and recycling services to reduce trash dumped on sidewalks. Overfilling a trash bin, leaving used boxes on the curb, and ditching furniture outside create a mess and possible safety hazards. These actions are also illegal and can incur fines of up to $500 a day.
We have resources listed below to help you sustainably discard what you don’t need – and avoid illegal dumping fines. Plan ahead, reuse, and recycle.
Areas affected by move-in activities
Thousands of students will be moving into residence halls and university-managed apartments over the next week. Students and their families will make their way through Southside streets to check into their residence and unload belongings.
Select street blocks adjacent to residence halls will become one-way closures on the Southside to allow easier traffic flow and unloading. Students and families who are moving in may park their vehicles at a UC Berkeley-owned garage for free with a printable parking permit.
For more information on parking and traffic impacts, visit the Cal Move-In website.
The Cal Move-in partial and full street closures are as follows:
Monday, August 18 from 8:30am - 5:30pm
Partial Street Closures:
Channing Way between Bowditch Street and College Avenue (Eastbound lane)
Tuesday, August 19 from 8:30am - 7:30pm
Partial Street Closures:
Bancroft Way between Dana Street and Telegraph Avenue (Westbound left turn only lane)
Channing Way between Dana Street and Telegraph Avenue (Eastbound lane)
Channing Way between Bowditch Street and College Avenue (Eastbound lane)
Full Street Closures:
Dana Street between Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue
Wednesday, August 20 from 8:30am - 7:30pm\
Partial Street Closures:
Bancroft Way between Dana Street and Telegraph Avenue (Westbound left turn only lane)
Channing Way between Dana Street and Telegraph Avenue (Eastbound lane)
Channing Way between Telegraph Avenue and Bowditch Street (Eastbound lane)
Channing Way between Bowditch Street and College Avenue (Eastbound lane)
Oxford Street between Berkeley Way and University Avenue (Northbound left turn only lane, Southbound left turn only lane and right turn lane)
Oxford Street between University Avenue and Addison Street (Northbound left turn only lane)
Berkeley Way between Shattuck Avenue and Walnut Street (Eastbound lane)
Full Street Closures:
Dana Street between Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue
Walnut Street between Berkeley Way and University Avenue
Sunday, August 24 from 8:30am - 5:30pm
Partial Street Closures:
Bancroft Way between Dana Street and Telegraph Avenue (Westbound left turn only lane)
Channing Way between Dana Street and Telegraph Avenue (Eastbound lane)
Channing Way between Telegraph Avenue and Bowditch Street (Eastbound lane)
Oxford Street between Berkeley Way and University Avenue (Northbound left turn only lane, Southbound left turn only lane and right turn lane)
Oxford Street between University Avenue and Addison Street (Northbound left turn only lane)
Berkeley Way between Shattuck Avenue and Walnut Street (Eastbound lane)
Full Street Closures:
Dana Street between Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue
Walnut Street between Berkeley Way and University Avenue
Plan ahead when new tenants are moving in
For landlords who’ll have new tenants moving in, order extra pickups or increased service for your recycling, compost, or trash. Use our Waste Sorting Guide for nearby reuse, repair, recycling and safe disposal options.
The property owner or authorized contacts listed on the refuse account can call (510) 981-7270 one business day in advance of their trash day to request City services.
Call (510) 981-7270 to request:
- Extra trash pickup or a short-term dumpster.
- Free Bulky Waste Pickup for properties of 4 units or smaller.
Visit the Berkeley Transfer Station (1201 Second Street) to:
- Drop off up to two mattresses, box springs, or futon mattresses for free. Please separate futon frames from the mattresses prior to visit.
- Purchase up to ten City of Berkeley prepaid bags to dispose of extra trash on pick-up day at your single-family home or 1-4 unit property.
- Drop off unwanted items or bags of materials.
- Recycle up to two electronic items for free.
Keep reusable items out of landfills
Abandoned furniture and debris on sidewalks or in the public right-of-way can result in citations and fines up to $500 a day. Try to find people or places to donate your items to. Don't leave unwanted items on a sidewalk.
- Check with the Berkeley Food Network or read the Re: Source Guide for ways to donate food items.
- Reuse stores like Urban Ore accept some furniture and household items in good condition. Check their website or call (510) 841-7283 before visiting to confirm they will accept your items and are receiving donations at this time.
- Donate textiles, including clothing, shoes, handbags, backpacks, linens, and bedding at the Textile Recycling Drop Box at the Berkeley Recycling Center for reuse.
Recycle items that can’t be repurposed
For recyclable items that can't be repurposed, use your building's recycling carts or bins to recycle. Please keep in mind, Berkeley has a dual-stream recycling program, so recyclable materials must be sorted accordingly. Cardboard/paper is collected separately from Bottles/Cans/Plastic Containers.
For single-family homes or small apartment complexes with Ecology Center Recycling collection, review the Ecology Center's recycling guidelines for program specifics. Extra cardboard can be bundled and placed curbside next to your Ecology Center recycle cart on your recycling service day.
For extras or items that can't be recycled curbside:
- Clothing and household textiles, scrap metal, appliances, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, and cardboard boxes are accepted at the Recycling Center (669 Gilman Street). Most items are accepted free of charge.
- Computers, televisions, microwaves, stereos, and other electronic gadgets are accepted at the ewaste Collective (620 Page Street).
- Paints, solvents, pesticides, and cleaner sprays are hazardous household waste and are accepted at Alameda County Stop Waste Drop-off Sites. The closest drop-off site to Berkeley is in Oakland (2100 East 7th Street).
- The Re: Source Guide provides further disposal, recycling, or reuse options for items not mentioned above.
Work with non-profits, don’t dump at encampments
Unsolicited donations of furniture, clothing, food, and other materials at encampments may seem like a gesture of goodwill to those in need, but it can actually create unsafe conditions.
Consider donating to one of Berkeley’s numerous nonprofit social service agencies that directly serve the homeless population, including:
- Berkeley Food Network
- Dorothy Day House
- Berkeley Food and Housing Project
- Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center
All listed agencies provide food, shelter, and various resources to people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley.
Know that most nonprofits usually prefer cash donations. Consider calling nonprofits that work in Berkeley to inquire about their need and capacity to accept donations.
Report illegal dumping
We can all play a valuable role in keeping our streets clean and safe. If you see illegal dumping, call 311 or (510) 981-2489 to report.
During Cal Move-in, tenants and landlords are key to keeping Berkeley's streets clean and safe. Plan ahead, use City of Berkeley services, and dispose of items responsibly.
Links
City of Berkeley Recycling Services: Multifamily (10 units+) and commercial recycling information
Berkeley Ecology Center: Residential curbside recycling (1-9 unit properties) information
Drop off items for reuse or recycling
Berkeley Recycling Center: Drop off recyclables, including extra cardboard and textiles
StopWaste.org: Check the RE:Source Guide for local reuse, repair, recycling and safe disposal options for almost anything
Computer and Technology Resource Center: Accepts electronic waste for recycling and gives away refurbished computers to those in need
Urban Ore: Accepts some furniture and household items in good condition
Move-In - Housing (UC Berkeley)
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