LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Board of Commissioners voted 3-1 on Tuesday, March 4, to advance a proposed rental licensing program aimed at regulating all rental properties in the county, despite concerns over financial feasibility and outdated survey data.
The program would require biennial inspections of rental units, including multifamily residences, hotels, motels, and short-term rentals such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Landlords would be subject to a one-time registration fee of $23 and a biennial license fee of $214. Enforcement would follow the International Property Maintenance Code and Maryland’s Minimum Livability Code.
During the discussion, Acting County Administrator Deborah Hall urged caution, citing uncertainty over potential federal budget cuts and the county’s already strained finances. The program carries an estimated one-time expense of $320,400 for office setup and software upgrades, along with an annual operating budget of $1.48 million. However, officials noted it would eventually become an enterprise fund, generating its own revenue.
Commissioner President Reuben Collins pushed for the program’s advancement, emphasizing that it would be implemented properly. Some commissioners, however, raised concerns about relying on a public survey conducted in 2020-21, suggesting that tenants’ perspectives may have shifted post-pandemic.
Commissioner Amanda Stewart, who cast the dissenting vote, questioned the necessity of a new system when enforcement mechanisms already exist.
“If we already have the codes in place, we have the Nuisance Abatement Board, we also have mediation—I don’t see how creating a whole new system would be beneficial, especially when we go into a tight budget for next year,” Stewart said. “I think we really need to do a temperature check to see if this is really wanted or needed.”
When asked about the number of renters in the county, officials estimated nearly 15,000.
See the program presentation here.
Watch the BOCC meeting here.
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Big Government? YES PLEASE!
The cost will only be transferred to renters and make everything more expensive. Will accomplish nothing, as laws and enforcement mechanisms are already in place. Another wasteful unnecessary gov expansion. I like how their only considerations are “will this bring in more county venue, and can they afford initial start up costs”. Completely disregard any potential benefits, or what this is supposed to accomplish or how these fees will be directly transferred to tenants and raise rents.
More taxes and fees for people with no real results in mind. This is a self licking ice cream cone. No wonder so many people are leaving this state.
It’s really more about making a dollar than accomplishing anything.One more regulation where those regulating have a chance to pick up some spare cash to look the other way.This county is just like the state,put a tax or fee on everything and everybody .Keep electing those Democrats until they own you.
Every year the government find more creative ways to steal all the money they can from you. Some people cant afford to live without renting out a room since inflation has skyrocketed 45% in 4 years. Now we have our government adding to that high cost of living, not enough rentals because they’ve taxed the builders to death. Thanks for ruining more lives and stealing every penny left so we cant afford to live. No retirement in America anymore