West Des Moines has approved restrictions on how many unrelated adults can live together in the same house. Only three unrelated adults will be allowed to live in a single-family home.

City officials say the restrictions can reduce problems with parking, traffic and noise that is sometimes associated with over-occupied homes.

The ordinance was approved 3 to 1, with Councilman Ted Ohmart the lone no vote. He says the ordinance is needed but is too restrictive. He thinks the limit should be four.

The law is modeled after an Ames ordinance that was upheld last year by the Iowa Supreme Court.
Violators could be fined up to $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses.