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Ottawa city council took the rare step Wednesday of passing a special bylaw to stop the proliferation of so-called “bunkhouses,” which the mayor says diminish the quality of life in a neighbourhood.

The interim control bylaw will apply for one year to Sandy Hill, Heron Park and parts of Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, Centretown and Overbrook.

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It will prevent new construction of any buildings containing more than four bedrooms in a single unit (with the exception of a single detached home) and put a cap on the total floor area of multi-unit buildings with up to six apartments.

The move comes as council and city officials struggle to effectively deal with the excessive garbage, noise and other irritations often associated with bunkhouses, which Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury has equated to unlicensed rooming houses.

While the bylaw is in place, the planning department will complete its study of the current zoning for inner urban residential communities to ensure it allows for infill development within established neighbourhoods that maintains and contributes to the fabric and character of these neighbourhoods.