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Council introduces overhaul of nonresident property-owner registration, $50 annual fee proposed
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance E, changing Chapter 156 to require nonresident property owners to designate a registered agent, impose a $50 annual fee per parcel and new penalties; the city plans to use a third-party vendor to administer the online registry and collect fees.
The council introduced Ordinance E of 2025 on Aug. 5 to overhaul Chapter 156 and require nonresident residential or commercial property owners to designate a registered agent who resides in Montgomery County or an adjoining county and to pay a $50 annual fee per parcel.
Sponsors said the change replaces the prior three-year registration period with annual renewals to keep contact information current. “Essentially, anybody who owns the property, if the owner's address is outside of Montgomery County, a nonresident registered agent registration is required,” a sponsor explained. The proposal would also standardize penalties and allow the city to assess fines and liens for noncompliance.
Council members discussed hiring a third-party firm to administer the online registry and collect fees; the vendor would retain a negotiated percentage of registration fees as compensation, but would not receive a share of fines. Supporters said the intent is administrative simplification rather than revenue generation; they noted the city expects most revenue related to enforcement for failed registrations rather than the registration fee itself.
A public hearing was scheduled for Aug. 19 at 5:45 p.m. for further comment and formal consideration.
