St. Paul Proposal Would Limit Student Rentals

The St. Paul ordinance [modeled after one in State College, Pa., the home of Pennsylvania State University], which has drawn opposition from landlords, would define a student dwelling for the first time. It also would require special registration of the rental property, increase off-street parking requirements and require any new student rental units to be at least 350 feet — about one city block — from any existing student dwelling: "...constituents in the Hamline-Midway and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods have inundated City Council Member Jay Benanav's office with complaints about disruptive behavior, the upkeep at some properties and the lack of parking... The proposal would not affect current student rental units. It also exempts family dwellings of three or more units, fraternity and sorority houses, owner-occupied housing and property owned by a student's parent."