When Zoning Law is Just Wrong

[Kevin Dickson]

Many cities have implemented a law that states "a maximum of three unrelated adults may occupy a dwelling unit".

That means you can't legally rent a huge 5 bedroom, 3 bath house to four students or, say, two gay couples. Yet this same house can legally have up to twelve related adults with thirteen cars.

Has anyone here ever bumped up against this issue?

A PM in Milwaukee has explained it more thoroughly at landlordpedia.com:
http://www.landlordpedia.com/index.php?title=Municipal_Ordinance_restricting_number_of_unrelated_adults

[Kevin Dickson]

Guys, thanks for your responses.

Eric Blackford, yes, a group of roommates can be a real hassle. But if you own a 4 bedroom home near a university, it's the reality of your market.

But I think a law like this is a civil rights violation imposed by annoyed neighbors. Quoting from the landlordwiki:

"the city will ultimately lose a case on the fair housing aspect of this as the federal courts have repeatedly said family status based occupancy ordinances are illegal. The only ordinances that are valid are square footage based."