Thousands of students go to college classes at two institutions of higher learning in Steubenville. Some of them choose to live off campus. It is understandable that city officials would be concerned about various issues, ranging from parking to loud parties, that occasionally result from the situation.

But regulations in place now seem to be difficult to enforce. And, they may not stand up to scrutiny by the courts.

Steubenville Urban Projects Director Chris Petrossi is right that the rules need to be re-examined and, perhaps updated. He noted that it has been some time since a Planning and Zoning Commission subcommittee formed to consider the question has met. “We just need to continue the discussion,” Petrossi said.

Current regulations, aimed at college students, require that no more than two unrelated people may reside in a single rental property. “We get complaints from neighbors” over parking, noise and trash, he said.

Attempts to enforce the rule can be frustrating. When code enforcement personnel get complaints, they visit rental units to determine whether they are in compliance with the two-person rule. “We’re relying on them to be open and honest. Sometimes they are, sometimes they’re not,” Petrossi explained. And sometimes, city personnel “have to move on” because, despite repeated visits, they can find no one at home to answer their questions.

There is concern about the restriction’s legality. A federal court lawsuit in the Northern District of Ohio has challenged it.

There would seem to be good grounds for such a challenge. Providing rental apartments or houses have sufficient space, enough bedrooms, adequate sanitary facilities, enough parking space, etc., what does it matter how many unrelated people live there?

Regulations on issues of concern to neighbors and others in the public, such as those aimed at curbing public nuisances and health hazards, need to be enforced strictly. But Steubenville officials may want to consider doing that rather than attempting to enforce the current rule.