Salisbury, Md. — Salisbury is preparing to revisit a decades-old ordinance that restricts how many unrelated adults can live together in a rental home. Commonly known as the “4-2 ordinance,” the policy generally caps rentals at two unrelated individuals per property, regardless of the home’s size or number of bedrooms. City leaders say the regulation has outlived its original purpose and may be contributing to a lack of affordable housing. Initially adopted to limit the spread of student rentals near Salisbury University, the ordinance now affects a broader population, particularly low-income residents and nonprofits trying to fill housing gaps.
Housing organizations say the restriction is blocking them from using available properties to meet growing demand. Some advocates also question whether the policy complies with federal housing protections, including those related to household composition and familial status. City Council is expected to take up the issue later this summer as part of a broader review of local housing codes and land-use policies.
