Occupancy regulations for rental properties within the City of Ames are based on the number of bedrooms within a dwelling unit.  In each dwelling unit, the following number of adults (this is a change from three unrelated persons) are allowed:

• One Bedroom: 3 Adults
• Two Bedroom: 3 Adults
• Three Bedroom: 3 Adults
• Four Bedroom: 4 Adults
• Five or More Bedrooms: 5 Adults

For rental dwelling units within the Near Campus Neighborhoods, occupancy is determined by the number of bedrooms listed in the records of the Assessor's Office or the Inspection Division on January 1, 2018. Bedrooms can be added in these neighborhoods, but may not increase the maximum number of allowed adult occupants. Please contact our office to determine how occupancy affects your structure.

For purposes of determining occupancy, an "adult" is an individual 18 years of age or older; excluded from this definition is the dependent of an adult, both sharing as their primary residence the location of the registered rental property.  Dependent status shall be demonstrated through a current tax return or court-ordered guardianship or court-ordered conservatorship.

The Near Campus Neighborhoods are:

• CCOAMS
• Colonial Village
• Edwards
• Oak-Riverside
• Oak-Wood-Forest
• SCAN
• Westside
  

If you are planning to register a property as a rental, please contact our office to confirm occupancy. The Rental Code requirements for bedrooms differ from the Assessor requirements. Please do not use the bedroom count on Beacon to determine the maximum number of occupants.