Public safety committee pushes noise and short‑term rental ordinances, advances automated enforcement recommendation

The Seat Pleasant Public Safety Committee met April 15 and forwarded several recommendations and requests to the full City Council, committee chair Councilwoman Scott reported Monday.

According to the committee report, members agreed to present the automated enforcement program recommendation to the city council and requested the city clerk prepare ordinances to amend Chapter 112 (noise) and to add short‑term rental rules to the city code. "The public safety committee agreed to recommendation to amend chapter 112 noise ordinance and requested for the city clerk to prepare the ordinance to be introduced today," the report states.

The committee also discussed a stop‑sign automated‑enforcement pilot; staff said data collection is ongoing and that a stop‑sign enforcement program would require a separate council resolution and further committee consideration. Committee members asked for additional information on a proposed tiered fee system to address vacant properties; Chief Hayward told the committee he would provide more details at a later date.

Committee members additionally requested outreach on business‑license notification and agreed to invite a Prince George’s County representative (referred to in the meeting as "Depay"/"DPAR"/"DPAD" in different exchanges) to a future council work session so the city can better understand county permitting and licensing processes and ensure the city is informed when new businesses seek licenses in the city.

Council members asked for clarity on enforcement steps for problem parking lots and commercial property upkeep; staff reported notices, fines and liens have been used in some cases and that property owners have partly responded to enforcement, while additional remedies such as licensing renewal reviews and potential court dates were being pursued.

The committee meeting was held via Zoom and adjourned at 3:30 p.m., Councilwoman Scott reported.