Gaithersburg advances permit-parking ordinance and introduces detailed regulations; public hearings scheduled

The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council on March 3 heard staff presentations and public comment on a proposed amendment to City Code section 14-17A to establish a local parking permit program, voted to hold the hearing record open, and later introduced the implementing regulations and scheduled additional hearings and policy discussions.

Assistant City Attorney Eric Perla told the council the ordinance amendment and accompanying regulations would allow the city to implement permit parking tailored to local residential and commercial needs after Gaithersburg removed the county parking provision from the list of county laws that apply to the city. Perla said the draft amendment “expressly establishes four things” including the council’s authority to set permit parking fees and to enforce rules under City Code sections 14.4 and 14.5.

Public commenters expressed mixed views about permit fees and timing. Dolly Kildee of 212 Summit Hall Road told the council that charging residents to park in front of their homes could be seen as a new fee burden and referenced statewide concerns about taxes and fees. Another resident, Jeffrey Orlick of Brighton East, said he supports the change and prefers that the city adopt a local program.

After public comment the council voted to hold the public record open until 5 p.m. on March 20, with anticipated policy discussion on April 7 and final action on April 27 (motion carried unanimously). Later in the meeting staff formally introduced the draft permit-parking regulations, which divide the city into parking districts that may be subdivided into residential “zones” and commercial “sectors,” describe petition and eligibility processes, include definitions for temporary and visitor permits, and specify that existing grandfathered permit zones would be folded into the new program but could be modified through the new regulatory process.

Perla said the regulations will be enforced under City Code sections 14-4 and 14-5 and noted the unusual adoption timeline: because the topic affects many neighborhoods, the city is treating the regulations with additional public review rather than adopting them immediately. The council moved to introduce the regulations and schedule a public hearing for April 7 with anticipated policy discussion on May 5 and an effective date of July 1, 2025; that motion also carried unanimously.

Key clarifications recorded in the meeting: staff recommended adopting a catchall paragraph (B8) in the ordinance that would allow regulations to include “any other regulatory provision for the purpose of implementing the city’s permit parking programs.” Council members emphasized the program is opt-in and requires neighborhood petition and demonstrated support to create a residential zone. Staff also said a state Transportation Article provision (Section 13-402.1) requires certain non‑Maryland residents to obtain a nonresident permit or complimentary guest card from the MVA before receiving a local residential permit; staff said the city will provide guidance to new residents on that compliance requirement.

No fees were set at the meeting; Perla explained the draft allows the council to set permit fees by resolution so future fee changes would not require re-amending the regulations.

The council’s schedule: record open for the ordinance until March 20 (policy discussion April 7; final action April 27); public hearing set for regulations April 7 (policy discussion May 5; anticipated effective date July 1, 2025). Staff requested and council approved both scheduling votes by voice vote with unanimous support.