Fullerton : Sororities, Fraternities Now Require Permits

Supported by residents living near Teri Place, the City Council on Tuesday voted to require conditional-use permits for all sorority and fraternity housing at Cal State Fullerton.

Based on a 1981 ordinance, the permits have been required for all new sorority and fraternity housing. The new ordinance will apply to new and existing housing for the 14 Greek-letter organizations near the campus, even those historically operating before 1981, senior planner Barry Eaton said.

The permits--the latest attempt to answer complaints by residents who say the houses are the source of noise and litter--will require annual approval from the city. Approval will be based mainly on the organizations’ “compatibility” with other residents, at least for the first two years.

Eaton said five of the organizations--one fraternity and four sororities--now have permits. The rest, he said, will have two years to apply for the permits, which cost $600 for the initial application and carry a $100 renewal fee.

In other business, Eaton said, the council voted to restrict the number of people who can stay in a motel room to eliminate overcrowding, but decided not to place a proposed 8% state occupancy tax on motel guests who stay for more than 30 days.

He said the council approved a Planning Commission recommendation to restrict the number of people in a motel room to two people per 150 square feet, plus one additional person for every additional 50 square feet. In the past, Fullerton has had at least six motels experiencing overcrowding and potential health problems.