Logan law means some unaware students may be living illegally
A relatively new Logan City ordinance may have many Utah State University students who rent houses off campus violating the law without being aware of it, police say.
The city’s land development code designates most residential areas for single families meaning a family or up to three unrelated people may occupy a single unit. If a residence is officially separated into units, there can lawfully be more than three residents.
A designated multi-family high-volume district, from 700 North to 1000 North between 800 East and 700 East, allows two unrelated people per bedroom, not to exceed six total.
The law’s intent is to address noise and parking issues that arise out of over-occupancy, said Logan Police Department Detective John Lisonbee, who is in charge of Ordinance Investigations for Logan City.
“If we had a few people living in a home and were quiet and didn’t have vehicles parked on sidewalks and lawns,” the police wouldn’t need to enforce the law, Lisonbee said.
Homeowner Quinn Brown said in areas without adequate parking there have been problems with cars parked on lawns.
“Where we are, there seems to be enough parking, so it hasn’t been a problem,” Brown said.
But the Department of Community Development still “gets lots of complaints,” said Danielle Grover, secretary of the department.
If neighbors feel like noise, parking or lack of house care is a problem because of over-occupancy, they can call the department directly. Lisonbee will go to the residence and verify how many people live there.
Lisonbee said most students aren’t aware of the law until he knocks on their door. His has to explain to the ordinance to them. Then Community Development works with the property owner to fix the situation.
“The responsibility is on homeowners who should know zoning laws” to let renters know about city ordinances, Lisonbee said. “We don’t blame students.”
Grover agreed property owners are responsible for whom they rent to, but he said students should check city laws when they rent to make sure what they are doing is legal.
Brian Cardall, a Utah State University student and a renter, said none of his landlords have told him there was a zoning law. In fact, Cardall used to live in a house with seven other people.
Like other students, Cardall is concerned that if this law was actively enforced, there wouldn’t be enough housing.
“I don’t see how it’s justified. All the places close to campus are filled, and there is no other living arrangement where you can live for cheap,” Cardall said.
The ordinances in Logan are not necessarily unique, because every city has maximum-occupancy laws, Grover said. In North Logan, she said, only two unrelated persons are allowed to occupy a home.