University Park weighs options to enforce occupancy limits near SMU after residents’ complaints

City of University Park City Council heard a presentation on Feb. 18 on possible changes to occupancy rules and enforcement in neighborhoods adjacent to Southern Methodist University (SMU) and received multiple public comments urging the city to strengthen enforcement.

The presentation, given by Patrick Ball, director of community development, summarized how other university cities regulate off-campus student housing and outlined options for University Park, including no-tolerance enforcement of nuisance ordinances, revised parking requirements, special overlay districts, dwelling rental licensing, architectural review and a civil-penalty program similar to one tried in College Station.

Ball told the council that many municipalities use a variety of approaches because family-member counts are difficult to enforce. He said some cities allow higher unrelated-occupant limits in specific overlay districts, impose on-site parking minimums tied to bedrooms, require…