Council Passes Neighborhood Nuisances Citation Bill

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On Monday, January 31st, the Baltimore City Council passed Bill 10-0618, which authorizes the issuance of citations for neighborhood nuisances that are disorderly in manner or disturb the peace of the neighboring residents. In addition to any other potential civil or criminal citations, both the occupant(s) and the owner of a disorderly property would be subject to an environmental citation with a penalty of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for any subsequent offense within 12 months of a previous violation. A copy of the bill is available here.

All of us who worked on crafting this legislation believe that it will be a useful tool for both law and code enforcement officials to  use in discouraging residents from hosting raucous parties or playing music at an unreasonable loud volume that could disturb their immediate neighbors. By providing the ability to cite the property owner as well as the occupants - and by making unpaid citations tax liens on the property - we also believe that this legislation will also encourage some owners of rental properties to try harder to ensure that they have responsible tenants, who will respect their fellow neighbors' right to enjoy their homes and community in peace.

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