Studies and Policies

The Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) is a general land use plan that guides the physical development of a campus. The UC Regents approved the La Jolla Campus 2018 LRDP in November 2018 and approved the Hillcrest Campus 2019 LRDP in November 2019. The LRDPs enable each campus to continue planning in a thoughtful and sustainable manner.

The Physical Design Framework outlines the plans, planning studies and design approval processes followed for capital projects.

The Master Plan Study provides a basis for stewardship by defining qualities that are most critical to the campus' identity and its strength as an academic setting, and by suggesting ways in which they can be preserved and enhanced as the campus grows.

View the 1989 Master Plan Study (PDF)

The 1989 Master Plan Study recommended that future campus planning should include urban design studies to guide development. The overarching principle described that "the campus should develop plans for each neighborhood to address patterns of building and development, buildable sites, program capacity for suggested sites, open space, building massing, and phasing strategy." As a result, neighborhood planning studies have been developed for most of the campus over the past 20 years.

Learn more about each neighborhood study (PDF files):

• Health Sciences West Planning Study (2021)
• Marshall/Sixth Colleges (2016)
• North Campus (1994)
• Revelle/Muir Colleges (2006)
• South Gateway Planning Study (2018)
• University Center Urban Core Planning Study (2018)
• Warren College (1990)

East Campus

• East Campus Planning Study (2022)
• Mesa Neighborhood Planning Study (2016)

Other plans and studies are prepared to provide refinements, design guidelines or implementation objectives for design professionals and campus administrators. These include (PDF files):

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Planning Study and Design Guidelines (2012)
• Campus Long Range Development Plan (1963)
• Campus Signage Standards (2018)
• Hillcrest Open Space Study (2013)
• Muir College Historic Resources Inventory and Preservation Plan (2008)
• Open Space Master Planning Study (2015)
• Ridge Walk Feasibility & Planning Study (2017)
• Science Research Park Development Concept Update (2023)
• UC San Diego Historic Grove & Urban Forest Land Use Guidelines (2021)
• UC San Diego Historic Reference Guide (2020)
• University House Cultural Landscape Management Plan (2012)

• Signage Policy: Results in greater effectiveness and design continuity of campus signage; implementation is to be consistent with the Comprehensive Signage Program
• Policy on Temporary Buildings: Provides information about the installation of trailers and modular buildings; implementation is to be consistent with the Design Guidelines for Temporary Buildings.
• Antenna and Dish Policy: Directs appropriate siting of wireless dish antenna equipment and facilities to provide enhanced campus telecommunications services while reducing the visual impact on facilities to the campus and surrounding community
• Special Uses for Undeveloped Lands: Includes those parcels of currently undeveloped land which are designated for future development; lands within the UC San Diego Park are not considered undeveloped lands
• Regulations Concerning Bicycles: Specifies conditions and regulations pertaining to the operation and parking of vehicles and bicycles on university grounds
• Outdoor Lighting Policy: Reduces nighttime light pollution radiating from campus facilities to minimally acceptable levels to support and advance local astronomical research while ensuring adequate lighting levels for safety and security; implementation is to be consistent with Outdoor Lighting Policy Design Guidelines