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Council’s housing committee advances proposed property‑management registration ordinance
Summary
Councilor Kelly Garcia reported the subcommittee on housing reviewed a proposed ordinance requiring property management companies to register, designate a contact, and face licensing consequences; the city hopes to enact the ordinance by July 1, 2025.
The Chelsea City Council’s subcommittee on housing reviewed a proposed property‑management company registration ordinance and reported key components to the full council.
Councilor Kelly Garcia summarized the proposal presented by Cheryl Watson Fisher: the ordinance would require all property management companies that operate in Chelsea to register with the city and obtain an annual license, designate a contact person to address code violations, and be prevented from renewing a license if there are outstanding orders to correct or fines. Violations would be treated as 21D infractions rather than 40U infractions, and the ordinance would establish an appeals process. The proposal may also include a tenant 'right to know' requirement similar to an ordinance recently enacted in Lynn.
Councilors said the city hopes to have the ordinance passed and in effect by July 1, 2025, and the item will continue through committee and the standard ordinance processes so that community input and details like enforcement and exemptions can be defined.
Next steps: continued committee work, stakeholder engagement, and drafting of the ordinance language for formal introduction and readings.
