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Council introduces early‑lease and revised‑penalties ordinances; public hearings set for Nov. 12
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance limiting how early landlords may offer or require lease renewals and another ordinance increasing municipal infraction tiers and fines; both items are scheduled for public hearings on Nov. 12.
The College Park City Council introduced two ordinances Tuesday: one to establish a time frame in which property owners must communicate offers for a successive lease or a notice of non‑renewal to current tenants, and another to revise municipal infraction penalties for several code chapters.
The proposed early‑lease ordinance would add a section to Chapter 125 (Housing Regulations) that sets a maximum notice window consistent with state law (staff said the proposal mirrors Maryland’s 180‑day limit) and clarifies landlord and tenant obligations, remedies and enforcement. Staff emphasized the ordinance is intended to limit very early lease demands and to make renewal timelines clearer for tenants and owners.
“I reviewed and then used many of, if not, almost all of the provisions…because I didn't think that it violated Maryland law,” staff member Tindar Coker said when introducing the measure. Councilmember Witt moved to introduce the ordinance and set a public hearing for Nov. 12.
Council also introduced a revision to Chapter 110‑2 (fees and penalties) to increase and tier municipal infraction fines for certain code chapters the city enforces, including housing, noise and unruly social gatherings. Staff and council discussed an appropriate tiering approach and whether to use $5,000 as an upper limit for repeat violations; the city manager and staff said the intent was to have a tiered maximum (including higher repeat fines) to provide enforcement flexibility. Councilmember Renker made the introduction and asked that the redline ordinance language be used for the public hearing packet.
Ending: Both ordinances were introduced and scheduled for public hearings on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Staff said they will clarify language on penalties and the application of remedies prior to the hearing.
