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Council refers rental‑registry and lead‑pipe code updates, and approves zoning edits to protect green yard space
Summary
The council referred proposed ordinances creating a rental registry and strengthening lead‑pipe regulation to the Ordinance Committee, and voted to adopt zoning language clarifying floodplain updates and to amend yard‑paving rules to preserve permeable green space.
The Malden City Council took several zoning and code actions May 20 that will be considered by ordinance committees or were adopted as technical updates. The items include a resident and staff‑led proposal to create a rental registry and to strengthen lead‑pipe requirements, a planning board‑recommended change to limit paved yard area, and an adopted update to floodplain vocabulary to maintain FEMA flood insurance eligibility.
Rental registry and lead pipes
Councilor McDonald introduced ordinances that would create a rental registry (annual registration and small per‑unit fee) and strengthen the city’s lead‑pipe regulations for residential properties. McDonald said the proposal builds on the city’s recently completed lead‑pipe inventory and the recent reorganization of inspectional services and health and human services to support enforcement.
The registry would require rental property owners to register units, appoint a local agent if they live out of town, and either certify lead‑free water service or provide a remediation plan. Inspections connected to turnover would remain in place; the proposal aims to improve enforcement against problem properties and create a manageable compliance pathway for owners.
The council voted to refer the rental registry and the lead‑pipe amendments to the Ordinance Committee for further drafting and public hearings.
Parking, yard paving and usable open space
The planning board submitted recommendations to adjust the city’s usable open‑space and off‑street parking rules. The council accepted the planning board’s recommendations to: (1) clarify usable open space language; (2) adopt a new rule limiting surface paving so that no more than 50% of any individual yard may be used for parking or be surfaced (to protect permeable, vegetated areas); and (3) adopt other technical edits recommended by the planning board. The council amended the ordinance language per the planning board’s 05/19/2025 memo and moved to enroll that zoning change.
Floodplain map update
The council also enacted an ordinance amendment required to align city code with updated FEMA flood maps so residents remain eligible for FEMA-sponsored flood insurance programs. That amendment was enrolled at the meeting.
Ending note
Councilors said the referrals and the parking/yard‑paving changes are intended to protect neighborhood character, reduce stormwater runoff, encourage remediation of lead‑service lines, and give city inspectors better tools to address repeat problem properties. The rental registry and lead‑pipe proposals will return to the council following Ordinance Committee review and public hearings.
