UC Santa Barbara has put a policy into effect that prevents non-parking activities from taking place in any parking facilities, which are common practice locations for bands, dancers and other student performing arts groups.

The university has placed signs outside of Lot 22, the parking structure next to the Student Resource Building and the Thunderdome, that give notice of potential citations for “persons utilizing parking facilities for other purposes including amplified noise/bands, etc.”

The sign also includes a QR code that takes people to a section of the university’s website detailing the policy on amplified sound on campus. Most notably, the limit for sound on university property is 90 decibels while the average guitar amplifier reaches 115 decibels.

UCSB officials made this decision in light of recent noise complaints and concerns for safety of students and drivers, according to Kiki Reyes, media relations manager at the Office of Public Affairs and Communications.

“Using a parking structure as a practice space places our students in danger and poses a risk to others who park in the structure,” she said. “Campus officials received multiple complaints regarding inappropriate use of the parking structure as well as noise complaints,” she said.

Joel Jaffe, a third-year student at UCSB and a member in multiple Isla Vista bands, pointed out that power outlets in Lots 18 and 22 were either covered up or powered off in an attempt to prevent bands from connecting their amplifiers and playing their music.

“A few weeks ago, I noticed that the outlets had been removed from Lot 18, but there was no sign or anything. That’s a common place for a lot of bands to play as well because it’s less disturbing to campus than Lot 22,” Jaffe said. “And when they pulled the power there, I think it caused an influx of bands to 22.”

Lot 22 has become a vital location for the health of the local music scene in Isla Vista, so the change is disheartening for performing arts groups, said Ayden Danovaro, a fourth-year UCSB student and lead singer of Nos Algos. The band would practice at Lot 22 three or four times a week before the university’s decision to ban them.

“Lot 22 is the main, if not only, practice spot for Isla Vista bands because of its centrality of location, the power, the accessibility and the common space that it provides,” he said.

“There’s a lot of networking that goes on here, too. If another band is practicing and you like what they’re playing, you can offer to have a show with them.”

Bands typically avoid practicing at their homes in Isla Vista because the music can be disruptive to the densely populated community. Some management companies with properties in Isla Vista also have included clauses that prevent amplified music being played on the property.

Lots 18 and 22 have been the best alternatives for bands and other groups to practice, students said.

Band members said they’re unsure why the university has suddenly banned the practice since they have not had any significant trouble from other students or local law enforcement.

“I’ve had the cops come by and the times that I’ve talked with them, they’ve said to keep on playing,” Danovaro said. “They have said, as long as you guys aren’t being disruptive, playing past midnight or (not) abiding by the curfews, then be our guest.”

Students are worried policies like this will damage the vibrant culture surrounding the university.

“A lot of UCSB policies lately have seemed like the school is trying to remove all the things that make it special,” Jaffe said. “I chose to come to this school in part because I knew the music scene here was very lively.”

Danovaro said the situation could have been handled better.

“I mean, I’m just disappointed. I think there could have been better actions taken to remedy this issue,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a situation where it’s a zero sum, where it’s either no bands playing or all the bands playing at the same time.”

Reyes said some university-affiliated student groups have successfully located new practice space, but did not comment on unaffiliated student bands.

“The Office of Student Engagement & Leadership has been able to help some groups find new space and is working with campus partners and the students to help identify open rehearsal spaces for registered student organizations,” Reyes said.

The policy change comes about two months after the Daily Nexus published a feature story on dance groups using Lot 22 to practice since on-campus performance space is limited.

Jacob Davis is a Noozhawk contributing writer and UC Santa Barbara student.