Renting houses as a student can sometimes be a challenge in State College, where several zoning restrictions can become difficult hurdles.

The borough regulates occupancy in single-family homes and duplexes. A single-family house is described as a house originally intended for one family, with one kitchen, several bedrooms and shared rooms.

There are basically two rules that would affect students renting a house, explained Herman Slaybaugh, a zoning officer for State College.

Both rules affect only the residentially zoned areas, typically protecting neighborhoods rather than commercial areas.

The first is the 1979 "three-unrelated-person" rule, which allows only three unrelated people living together in one single-family home, even if the home has more than three bedrooms.

"In the '70s, a lot of single-family homes became rentals, especially in College Heights, the area north of campus, and there were conflicting lifestyles. Kids would park four or five cars in one small driveway, there would be stuffed furniture on the porch or lawn," Slaybaugh said.

The rule was enacted in hopes of deterring students from renting houses, but they did not predict the market forces, or the future affluence of the student body.

Students today still rent larger houses, but pay more for their arrangement, he said.

"I think it's unfair," said landlord James Scourtis. "Why should a five-bedroom house be limited to three people? I know it's a give and take, and I know why they have the rule, but they're pushing the students farther away from the campus to find housing."

Another rule that affects students looking to rent a house is the 1997 Student Home Law, which controls how many student-occupied homes can be located in one area.

The rule was developed to keep entire neighborhoods from becoming saturated with students.

In residentially zoned areas, student houses must have 225 feet between them, which is the space of three house lengths.

This rule came into effect after the increase in student houses during the '90s, when residents worried that students would comprise entire blocks.

Some houses are not affected by these laws, including houses in the West College Avenue area, which is zoned as an urban village. Fraternities, which are not considered student homes, are also protected.

With these rules in mind, as well as bigger profits, many homeowners who rent out their properties have converted their houses into smaller apartments.

By dividing up the house, they can increase the number of occupants, and in turn, increase their profit, said Rob Venema of Nevin's Real Estate Management, 108 W. Beaver Ave.

Scourtis said the demand doesn't meet the needs.

"I think its just a shortage of houses for the number of students who want houses. You'd have to convert every one in State College to meet the demand," Scourtis said.