Town won't let unmarried parents live together

[Dodgegal]

Just giving some food for thought:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/17/unm....ap/index.html

I see both sides of the issue, but am going to reserve my opinion until others have had a chance to read it.

[K C Muffin]

Oh, dear God. Why did they have to get an occupancy permit anyway? I haven't done that in the past when I've moved. Course it's been a while since I moved last.....

So does this mean that Big Brother (at least here) can force residents to show their marriage license in order to find housing? That's gonna knock out about half the tenants. Oh, Lordy - I think they've bitten off more than they'll ever be able to chew. I imagine the statute is there to keep small housing units from being lived in by several adults (sound familiar?). What the hell? I personally would prefer that men & women who live together be married, but that's a personal thing and there isn't a law in the land to force it. How idiotic. It's none of the city fathers' business!

[TexKan]

What's an occupancy permit????

[Bubba]

I don't see how it could hold water in a court of law.

Here it is according to the article..."The current ordinance prohibits more than three people from living together unless they are related by "blood, marriage or adoption."

I read that as two people not married can live together. Upon deeper thought on the situation. All children that the two non-married people have together are all related to both by blood. So.....what is the problem?

[TexKan]

Maybe they were referring to the Ozark mountain cousins that might still marry each other..........

That is the stupidist thing I have read lately........... what a crock!! when I leased my house I just listed it as a "single family" dwelling. I did lease to a girl that then brought in 2 other girls and 4 more kids.......... bam - they were all gone. Single family is not a sublet...... I never had a problem with folks trying to pull a multi family thing on me. Course I kept a close, close eye on my house too......... didn't put up with no BS......... ya either followed the lease rules or out you went. I did keep her too long cuase I felt sorry for her. No deposit return tho and she left me a car........... nice one that I gave to the towing company in south dodge.

[K C Muffin]

Well, aren't you a nice person? J/K. Up here some of the charities are begging for old cars - they don't even have to run. They'll send the tow truck out if it doesn't run. Give ya a blank receipt. Damn tax man. We gave him the receipt (and we hadn't really padded it). He went by an old (and I mean old) blue book to get the value. No matter. The neighbors appreciated us moving it off our lawn.

(j/k - put your dentures back in!)

[TexKan]

I just didn't know what to do with the car - it was in my drive...... it was a really nice bout 3 yo Taurus.......... called SW towing and asked them if they wanted an abandoned car............ she was so lame she left the title in the back seat, AND left it unlocked. They told me they would get a slavage title and sell it........ at the time I just wanted my drive....... so poor thing lost her deposit AND her car. I gave her almost 3 weeks to move the car - it needed some tranny work.......... but lord it was so new even a rebuilt tranny would have been worth it.......... it was just kinda sad. I think her focus turned out to be doin crack rather than takin car of business........

I saw her months later and she was just so skagged out........ just sad

[K C Muffin]

That is sad. Specially when there were children in the house that she needed to focus on.

[Flying Dutchman]

Here is what I found Tex:

What is an occupancy permit?

An occupancy permit enforces the city's property maintenance code standards by requiring that an inspection be done to ensure that the house or apartment is safe for occupancy. The maintenance code standards not only protect residents' well being, but also protect financial investments and property values. Occupancy is illegal without an occupancy permit.

So apparently before you can move into a home, if you have purchased it, or built it, or remodled it, you have to have it inspected then get a permit saying it passed.

I do not see how this "code" could hold up in court either. Regardless of it's intentions, it's application is discriminating. As for a private individual renting out their home, they can stipulate whatever they want, they are not required to not be discriminating, in my opinion.

[K C Muffin]

Olivia Shelltrack and Fondrey Loving were denied an occupancy permit after moving into a home in this St. Louis suburb because they have three children and are not married.

OK, I read this all wrong. This sounds like the renters were getting an occupancy permit......and couldn't because they were unmarried with three children. I don't think I've ever had to get an occupancy permit. Sounds like FD went to the source (which never occurred to me) and found out that it's actually the owners' responsibility. So maybe this piece was not well-reported? Or maybe the CNN reporter had talked to the "couple" who was already well on their way on another 'trip'.

See? I haven't let this one go too far off-track yet. Give me time.