08/04/2022
The City of Frederick Board of Alderman will be voting on a new ordinance sponsored by Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak which will mandate a residential rental license ($120/yr) before any property owner can rent their property.
Below are the current details of the proposed ordinance, other changes still may be made prior to its adoption.
Do you think this is needed/necessary or that it will ensure safe and affordable housing for all tenants?
or
Do you think this will further increase (tax) the cost of housing and is not an effective or necessary pre-requisite to renting residential properties?
Do you have a different perspective or experience that you think needs to be considered?
There are over 10,000 residential rental units in the City that will be impacted by the ordinance once it is adopted...and I believe at least 3 of the Alderman are ready to vote in favor of the ordinance.
If you own a residential rental property in the City of Frederick, short-term or long-term (including air BnB)... you may want to show up at City Hall tonight (8/4) at 7pm and speak up for or against the proposal. You can also do so using the City’s online comment form or by sending an email to all the Alderman and the Mayor.
https://cityoffrederick.granicusideas.com/meetings/3493-mayor-and-board-of-aldermen-public-meeting/agenda_items
Here is an overview of the proposal:
Require owners to register with the City and obtain a license ($120/yr) prior to operating a residential rental housing unit
If a landlord is found operating a residential rental housing unit without a license, then a municipal infraction of $1,000/day will be charged
Housing units that are exempt from obtaining a license include college dormitories; tourist homes; bed and breakfast inns; motels; rooming houses; nursing homes; domiciliary care facilities; adult living facilities; nursing homes; facilities occupied exclusively by members of a religious order; dwellings owned or operated by the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick, dwellings owned, operated, or receiving funding or subsidies from a federal, state, or local government entity and subject to inspection by the governmental entity at least once every five years; dwellings located on a lot comprising no more than two units, one of which is occupied by the owner; or dwellings that are newly constructed and have held a valid certificate of occupancy for no more than four years.
A fee will be charged to obtain a license ($120)
At least 15% of all residential rental units will be inspected annually at random by the City for compliance with minimum building and life safety standards which have yet to be established
To the greatest extent possible, the 15% annual inspection will be comprised of 50% multifamily units, 25% townhouse units, and 25% single-family detached units
The Department of Public Works will publish the inspection standards as well as provide this information directly to all applicants for a residential rental license
Inspection fee
o Initial random inspection (no charge)
o 1st reinspection if needed (no charge)
o 2nd reinspection if needed ($300 if passed OR revocation of license if failed)
If a license is revoked the owner will not be allowed to reapply for one year
If a tenant must vacate a unit due to a revoking of license and has bonified financial difficulty affording a new rental unit, the City Department of Housing and Human Services will provide
financial assistance via a tenant protection program
Use of fees and fines collected in the implementation and enforcement of the program will be used for the following listed in order of priority (assuming the program generates:
o Pay for operating and equipment expenses of the program
o 2% of annual excess revenue (after expenses) will fund the tenant protection program
o Remaining annual excess revenue (assuming there is any) will fund an affordable housing conservation program implemented through the Housing Division of the Department of Housing and Human Services
The Department of Housing and Human Services will create and establish administrative procedures for an affordable housing conservation program (AHCP)
The purpose of the AHCP is to preserve and protect the affordability of the City’s housing stock for low to moderate-income residence
The Director of HHS shall establish administrative regulations governing the AHCP within 3 years .
here's a link for the complete information:
https://cityoffrederick.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=12&event_id=3493&meta_id=129725
Again, please take the time today to make your voice heard by using the City’s online comment form and/or attending and speaking at the public hearing. The meeting will be held at 7pm at Frederick City Hall, 101 North Court Street.
