Critical time, place, and manner rules

At UC Berkeley, we are deeply committed to protecting free inquiry and free expression — it is the heartbeat of our campus. To keep our campus programs running smoothly, we follow certain 'time, place, and manner' rules. These rules apply in a viewpoint-neutral way, meaning they are consistent for everyone, regardless of the perspectives being shared.


When exercising your free speech rights, you do need to be aware of certain limits on how and when you can express yourself on campus. These limits include:

Critical time, place, and manner rules

  1. Placing or posting any objects or materials, including signs or posters, outside designated signboards and kiosks is prohibited.

  2. Attaching anything to campus buildings, structures, benches, statues, fountains, or natural features is prohibited.

  3. Erecting or placing standing signs or structures (e.g., sandwich boards or tents) on campus property is prohibited.

  4. Sleeping at night outside or inside non-residential campus buildings is prohibited.

  5. No person on University property or at official University functions may block entrances or exits or otherwise interfere with the ability of emergency vehicles and disabled individuals to pass through an area of campus that they are entitled to access (including pathways, roads or plazas, and campus buildings), unless doing so in their official capacity sanctioned by the University.

  6. While wearing masks or face coverings is permissible for all persons who are complying with University policies and applicable laws*, no individual, while on University property, may conceal their identity or refuse to provide their identification for the purpose of evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification in the commission of a violation of applicable University policy or local, state, or federal laws, including acts of unlawful intimidation or unlawful harassment of any person or group.

  7. Not identifying yourself when asked to do so by campus personnel who show their credentials, and are implementing campus regulations, is prohibited.

  8. Disrupting or interfering with campus operations is prohibited.