There are such restrictions (and you'll find them in local, rather than state,
ordinances)  in Buffalo, NY, and some localities in RI.  They are somewhat
common in college towns and have been permitted under safety rationales (17
people in a 3 bedroom house is bad....). (Long-time residents and homeowners
who see an influx of students renting homes next door, sometimes advocate these
restrictions).

Restrictions regarding sorority/ frat houses, are altogether different (in my
experiecne working in the legal department of a large public university).

Megan Mowrey wrote:

> An issue was raised during my Legal Environment class, and I would truly
> appreciate any information you may provide on the topic.
> The class was discussing racial restrictive covenants as part of the
> coverage of property law. A student asked, "Is this anything like
> restrictions that prevent sororities from having sorority houses on campus,
> or laws that forbid more than four women from living together on or off
> campus?"
>
> This is a new one for me - I'm new to South Carolina and had never heard of
> a regulation/restriction like this. The students then told me that a house
> that contains more than four women is presumptively considered a house of
> prostitution in South Carolina.
>
> I haven't found the section in the South Carolina code that covers this
> restriction (a colleague did express her belief that the law is still on
> the books). Any one know anything about these laws generally or in South
> Carolina law specifically? Do other communities/states (in the U.S. or
> abroad) have such restrictions? Have they been challenged? (Students also
> claimed that similar restrictions were in place at Duke.)
>
> I appreciate your help and advice!
>
> Best,
> Megan
>
> Megan Mowrey
> Clemson University
> College of Business & Public Affairs
> School of Accountancy & Legal Studies
> 301 Sirrine Hall
> Clemson, South Carolina 29634-1301