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Silver Spring Board agrees to advertise residential rental licensing ordinance after debate on enforcement and tenant impact
Summary
The Board approved advertisement of Ordinance 2025-09 to require registration and periodic inspection of residential rental units, after debate about inspection authority, potential cost-shifting to tenants, third-party inspector qualifications, and Airbnb regulation.
The Silver Spring Township Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a proposed residential rental licensing and inspection ordinance (Ordinance 2025-09) that would require owners of residential rental dwelling units to register properties and obtain licenses and would require inspections every three years.
John Wascavage, Building & Codes Official, said the ordinance's intent is to promote public safety through regular property maintenance and inspection. Wascavage told the board that there are currently no formal tenant complaints recorded, but he noted emergency services personnel have reported unsafe conditions at some rental properties.
Supervisor David R. Lenker II pressed for protections so that costs to remediate units are not passed directly to tenants and suggested that the ordinance require third-party inspections by a certified engineer or architect. He also proposed lengthening the new-tenant notification period to 30 days. The Board accepted revisions suggested by Lenker and voted to advertise the ordinance for public comment.
Questions about commercial rental inspections and regulation of short-term rentals such as Airbnb were discussed; Wascavage said commercial rentals are inspected under the Public Safety Director's jurisdiction and that Airbnb regulation remains under discussion.
The advertisement begins the formal public-notice process; further changes could be made after public comment and before any final vote.
