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Frostburg council approves first reading of rental housing fire-safety update; public hearing set for Feb. 17
Summary
Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 20 26-02 to align Frostburg’s rental housing code with state and IPMC standards by removing inter-unit smoke-detector interconnectivity requirements and adding carbon‑monoxide alarm provisions; the public hearing is set for Feb. 17, 2026.
Frostburg — On Jan. 20 the Frostburg mayor and council approved the first reading of Ordinance 20 26-02, which revises the rental housing code’s fire‑safety provisions and adds updated carbon‑monoxide alarm requirements.
Staff explained the change removes a municipal requirement that previously forced interconnection of smoke detectors between separate rental units when doing so would require invasive inspection or renovation. The change restores alignment with the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and Maryland’s state law standards for carbon‑monoxide alarms, staff said.
Staff described the carbon‑monoxide standard to be added: alarms must be UL‑listed or approved by the State Fire Marshal, have primary power with battery backup or be sealed long‑life battery units with at least a 10‑year life, and be connected to an on‑site control unit where required so responsible parties are alerted. The ordinance also includes a $1,000 fine for tampering with life‑safety devices in rental properties.
A motion to approve Ordinance 20 26-02 on first reading carried by voice vote; the council set the public hearing for Feb. 17, 2026. Staff said the changes followed an internal review after frostburg moved rental inspections in‑house and discovered past third‑party inspections had sometimes applied a stricter local standard than the IPMC intended.
What happens next: The ordinance will return for a public hearing Feb. 17; if adopted, it will change local enforcement language to match IPMC/state guidance and add the new carbon‑monoxide alarm requirements and penalties.
