(WSBT) South Bend wants to tackle problems from big student parties before the start of the Notre Dame football season.

But some students hope they can encourage an 'audible.'

The South Bend Common Council is fine tuning the party ordinance this week. It would require a permit before someone hosts an alcohol party of 25 or more at a rental house.

The council has scheduled a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 20, to consider the plan.

“All I see is the student body here is saying they have the right to party. Well, they do — with a permit,” said Al “Buddy” Kirsits, the common council member who co-sponsored the proposed ordinance.

He said complaints from neighbors about trash, noise, and vandalism prompted the proposal.

"We're not denying their right to have a party, we're not denying their right to buy kegs of beer and feed it to their friends, but what we're doing is requiring them to permit it,” Kirsits said.

But ND senior Sam Stoner agreed that problems can come from large parties, but not every party causes problems. He is among other students who feel the city is unfairly targeting them.

"Most gatherings where you're just going to have a barbecue or eat dinner together or something, those are sort of spur of the moment things, so it'll be tough to do I think,” Stoner said.

The first violation to the ordinance would cost $500. More violations could cost as much as $1,500.

"That's quite a burden for students and local residents, and you'd hate to see that levied against somebody that has an impromptu gathering and some friends over and they're afraid to have a backyard barbecue for instance because of this ordinance,” said graduate student Drew Mitchell, a student body representative for the MBA program.

Kirsits said the city doesn’t discourage students from getting together, but wants to cut down on problems.

"The response is don't break the law, don't drink illegally, don't have a party that litters your property, your neighbor's property, vandalism to your neighbors property, and that provides alcohol to underage people,” he said.

The proposed ordinance also includes new regulations that allow some lawn parking on Notre Dame game days, but with a hang tag system paid to the city.