As students return to College Station, some may not be completely familiar with the city ordinances they are expected to abide by.
For Aggies living in residential areas, Jay Socol, director of public communication for the City of College Station, said they should know about the efforts being made to keep neighborhoods peaceful.
“We love the students, the vast majority of students are fantastic, so following some simple rules that are really courtesy will make everyone’s experience a great one,” Socol said.
To set up for a successful and peaceful year in Aggieland, Lacey Lively, marketing and community outreach coordinator, composed a blog with five tips to help students thrive in College Station.
Lively first suggests students make time to meet their neighbors. Sharing contact information and making an introduction can be extremely helpful in the long run, Lively said.
Lively said students should also keep the noise level down. Things such as barking dogs, loud music or other disruptive noises are not only inconvenient, but also unlawful, especially between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
“It is important to be mindful that you’re also living next to a young family, or a young professional who doesn’t go to school and have made this their home as well,” Lively said.
Livley’s next tip is to avoid code violations. For those who live off campus, there are several regulations that residents are expected to follow, which could result in fines if violated.
For students living in a duplex, fourplex or home, there are several common violations that would be helpful to know.
Residents have 12 hours to remove trash containers from the streets after pickup. Trash should also be securely stored in the provided container until the scheduled pick-up date with the lid closed to prevent littering.
If residents know they are going to have an excess amount of trash, the city advises that they call the sanitation department to receive an additional pick-up or bin free of charge.
“If you have bulky pick- up, let them know and they will have accommodations for you,” Lively said. “We also offer free curbside recycling for homes and duplexes, free through the city.”
In terms of parking, vehicles and motorcycles are prohibited from the grass and should never block driveways, mailboxes or roadways, Lively said.
“Imagine a fire truck or ambulance trying to get through in a case of emergency, Lively said. “Make sure you are aware of that and let your friends and visitors know where to park.”
Some cosmetic regulations stand for homeowners in College Station as well, Lively said. Rules for yard maintenance state that weeds shouldn’t exceed 12 inches in height, and items unrelated to outdoor use should not be stored in the yard or patio.
Roommate regulations also stand in each household as well.
“The main thing residents need to know is that there are only four people allowed to reside per single-family household,” Lively said. “Even if you have four siblings and one friend, exceeding the limit will still result in a violation.”
Lively said residents should be sure to tag all pets. All animals are required to be licensed, tagged and vaccinated to reside in Brazos County.
Lively’s last tip is to stay informed. The City of College Station encourages students to stay updated with city events, programs, emergencies, traffic, construction, utility notices and more by familiarizing themselves with the city’s social media accounts.