Binghamton May Shut Down Student Housing in Some Neighborhoods

Student housing units located in single-family residential sections of Binghamton could soon be outlawed.

Mayor Jared Kraham on Tuesday said City Council and the planning commission will consider a zoning law that would prohibit student apartments in most residential areas.

In a news release, Kraham said the change would protect the "integrity of single-family residential neighborhoods, while expanding the market for non-student rentals."

The mayor said the change could help to ensure that "Binghamton families living paycheck to paycheck aren't competing with college students for affordable housing."

Kraham said the lack of student housing regulations in the city has "created neighborhood problems that negatively impact students and families alike." He said the the proposed changes would clear the way to prosecute violators.

Under the plan, apartments with four or more unrelated college students would be prohibited in single-family and two-family residential zones.

Student housing would be permitted in multi-unit residential zones after review and approval by the Binghamton planning commission.

Student apartments located outside the permitted areas would be subject to prosecution beginning July 1, 2023.

The proposal calls for part of an existing two-family residential zone on the West Side between Seminary Avenue and Ayres Street to be converted to a multi-unit residential zone. Many student apartments already exist in that area.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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