Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
Introduced by: Councilmember Henry
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Licensing of Rental Dwellings
For the purpose of requiring the Housing Commissioner to provide certain alternative methods for applying for a new or renewal rental dwelling license; amending the requirements for a renewal license inspection to except a dwelling unit in a 1- or 2-family dwelling under certain conditions; and providing for a special effective date.
body
By repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Renewal
Sections 5-5(a) and 5-7(a)
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 13. Housing and Urban Renewal
Subtitle 5. Licensing of Rental Dwellings
§ 5-5. Application for new or renewal license.
(a) In general.
(1) The application for a new or renewal rental dwelling license must be made in the form and contain the information and documentation that the Housing Commissioner requires.
(2) If the Housing Commissioner adopts an online application process, the Commissioner must also provide for in-person and mail alternative options for applicants who have difficulty accessing or using the online process.
§ 5-7. Prerequisites for new or renewal license - Inspection.
(a) In general.
(1) [The] Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the inspection required by § 5-6 {“Prerequisites ... - In general”} of this subtitle must comply with either:
(i) [(1)] subsection (b) {“Third-party home inspections”} of this section; or
(ii) [(2)] subsection (c) {“Governmental agency inspections”} of this section.
(2) No inspection is or may be required under § 5-6 or this section to obtain a renewal license for a dwelling unit in a 1- or 2-family dwelling if the renewal application is supplemented by a signed statement from the unit’s current tenant, filed in the manner and form and containing the information required by the Housing Commissioner, that the tenant understands and voluntarily consents to the license renewal, subject to compliance with all other applicable requirements but without need for the otherwise required 3rd-party home inspection.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
Section 3. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the date it is enacted.