SPANISH FORT, Ala. — After more than a year of discussions, the City Council adopted an ordinance setting occupancy regulations for single-family housing designed to preserve and protect the integrity of the city’s neighborhoods.

“It’s hard to write a law that’s going to fit every situation. We’ve struggled with this for months and months, but this is a good start,” said Mayor Joe Bonner, noting the adopted ordinance brings a “tartness to what the value of a single-family dwelling  should be in this city.”

The issue was first raised by residents along Artillery Range Road displeased with the conduct of rental occupants and the inaction of an absentee, out-of-state landlord.

The council has been considering the adoption of an ordinance that would set strict occupancy guidelines dictating — among other things — the number of unrelated persons allowed to reside in a single-family dwelling and how many cars can be allowed on the property.

As written, the ordinance defines a family or housekeeping unit as a person living alone or any of the following scenarios:

The ordinance also requires the dwelling to provide paved or gravel off-street parking for each occupant that parks a vehicle on the premises.

Artillery Range Road resident Charles Kettell called the language of the ordinance “extremely reasonable.”

“I’m really appreciative of the City Council addressing an obvious problem that has affected people’s property value and quality of life. We ought to have some protection,” Kettell said following Monday’s meeting.

Oak Ridge Court resident John Bridges said during the public hearing portion of the item’s consideration that the issue of unruly tenants is not limited to Artillery Range Road, citing overflow parking crowding the streets of his neighborhood.

Artillery Range Road resident Lisa Stewart, who also spoke during the public hearing, said she fears for her safety in the absence of stricter enforcement for neighborhood regulations, and she requested protection from the council.