Nuisances

Unruly Social Gatherings ordinance

For many years, the Mayor and Council, City staff, Police, the County, student groups, and landlords have tried to prevent—with limited success—disruptive noise and other negative impacts caused by large social gatherings in our neighborhoods. The Mayor and Council recently amended the City Code to better address specific problem behaviors that may occur at unruly social gatherings.

The purpose of the Unruly Social Gatherings Ordinance (in Chapter 141, Nuisances) is to improve the quality of life and safety for residents; it does not prohibit gatherings. The Ordinance makes it a Municipal Infraction (civil citation) when one or more of the following conditions exist at a gathering of eight or more people:

underage or excessive drinking, public drunkenness, illegal substance use or health and safety violations
attendees spill over onto the street or a neighbor’s property
the noise level is above Noise Code limits
attendees are vandalizing, urinating, defecating, or littering
fights or other disturbances of the peace
the gathering creates an excessive amount of traffic that is significantly above and beyond the normal amount of pedestrian or vehicle traffic
other conduct which constitutes a threat to the public safety, quiet enjoyment of residential or other private property, or the general welfare.

A violation of the Unruly Social Gatherings Ordinance is subject to an immediate municipal infraction and $500 fine of the responsible party, with a warning given on first offense to property owners (if a rental property). Subsequent violations of the ordinance within 24 months of the prior violation will result in a $1,000 fine of the responsible party and a $500 fine of the property owner. The occupancy permit for the property may also be revoked for three or more violations within a 24-month period.

The Council also amended the City’s Noise Code to extend the lower nighttime noise limit of 55 decibels from 7:00 a.m. (previously) to 8:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Additionally, a list of specifically exempted sources of noise has been added to the Code.

Changes to the Noise and Nuisance Codes went into effect on October 15, 2019. Violations and complaints of potential Nuisance Code violations will be documented by a notice sent to residents and property owners. Violations of the Noise Code will continue to be addressed per the current practice, which includes the issuance of municipal infractions and fines for documented violations. When appropriate, referrals to the University of Maryland Office of Student Conduct will be made.

To read the complete City Noise and Nuisance Codes (Chapters 110, 138, and 141 of the City Code), you may access the City Code online at https://ecode360.com/CO0032.

Please contact the Department of Public Services at 240-487-3570 or publicservices@collegeparkmd.gov if you have any questions about these or other City codes.

Nuisance Abatement Board

What is the Nuisance Abatement Board?
Prince George’s County has established a Nuisance Abatement Board (NAB). The NAB consists of 7-members with representatives of the Police and Fire Departments, Environmental Resources, and 4 resident appointees. The NAB holds hearings to determine if specific properties constitute a public nuisance after two or more occurrences within a one-year period.

What is a public nuisance?
Various events may be considered by the NAB as a public nuisance, including gatherings for personal profit to a homeowner or organizer which include admission/entry fees, ticket sales, food/beverage sales, prostitution, human trafficking, sale of controlled substances, illegal gang activity, or activities which obstruct the quiet enjoyment and reasonable use of a resident’s property.

What can the NAB do about nuisances?
To abate nuisances, the NAB can issue an order to stop the nuisance and can also impose monetary fines. The NAB may impose a $500.00 fine for a first violation, a $1,000.00 fine for a second violation, and issue a cease and desist order. The NAB may suspend a rental license for one year.

Can I bring a case directly to the NAB?
No. Alleged nuisances must first be reported to local, state, or County agencies with the authority to cite for non-compliance activity per the County Code. In College Park this includes activities reported to City Code Enforcement and City Contract Police.

How do I report a nuisance in College Park?
All suspicious or criminal activity should be reported immediately to 9-1-1. County and City Contract Police reports and investigations can be considered as evidence by the NAB. Potential Code violations, including noise, can be reported to the City Code Hotline at 240-487-3588. Results of Code and Noise investigations can be considered by the NAB.

For more information about the NAB, call 301-636-2020 or go to click here.

Noise

Loud noise is a leading quality of life issue in communities across the nation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a day-night indoor average sound level of 45 decibels, and a night-time average level of 35 decibels to protect against sleep disturbance. A noisy refrigerator may generate 50 decibels.

City and County Code about Noise

The City of College Park and Prince George’s County have laws to protect the quiet atmosphere of our residential neighborhoods.

The City’s Noise Ordinance is 24/7; for details about what is considered a noise violation please see the City Code here. Please keep in mind that if the noise is generated from necessary property maintenance during the day (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), like mowing a lawn, blowing leaves, or sawing wood, it is not a noise violation.

Click here to report a noise violation. A City Code Enforcement Officer, a City Contract Police Officer, Prince George’s County Police Officer or University of Maryland Police Officer will investigate the complaint.

Residents can also submit written noise complaints to the Noise Control Board; if two or more residents file a written complaint for a specific noise disturbance, the Noise Control Board will then hold a hearing to determine whether a violation has occurred.

Violations of the City’s Noise Ordinance is punishable by fines.

For a flyer about Noise in our Community, click here.

Do I need a Permit?

This handy guide will help you know if you need a permit or variance to rent your home or for a home or outdoor building project.

Every property in the City that houses anyone other than the owner and/or his or her immediate family, or a property occupied by the owner who rents rooms to 3 or more individuals is required to have a Residential Occupancy Permit and to undergo annual inspections to ensure compliance with life safety codes. Maryland State Code requires all residential rental properties built prior to 1978 to be registered with the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and comply with its' lead paint requirements. For more information, contact the City’s Department of Public Services.

Not sure if your home is in the flood plane or what your zoning district is? Contact the City’s Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development for more information.

For more information about which permits you'll need from Prince George's County for homeowners, please click here.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to erect a fence?
Yes, a City Building permit is required for the construction, replacement or reconstruction on residential property of all fences, even if the County does not require it.

FYI: There is a City grant to remove chain link fences in front yards. For more information please click here.

Do I need a permit for a driveway?
Yes, if you want to resurface, expand or create a driveway, you need a permit.

What is a variance?
A variance is a request for permission to deviate from the guidelines of the Prince George's County Zoning Ordinance. These guidelines regulate lot size, lot width, building height, building setbacks from property lines, and the percentage of property covered with parking and structures.

What is a fence variance?
A request to deviate from the City or County fence ordinances, in terms of height, materials and location.

What is a departure?
A departure is similar to a variance, but is for parking.

Do I need a permit to build/repair/replace something in my home?
In most cases you will need a permit. Prior to the construction of any project, contact the City’s Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development for next steps.

Where can I apply for a departure or a variance?
Click here for all variance or departure applications for the City of College Park. Please contact the Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development for any questions related to or for help applying for City departures or variances.

For Prince George's County permits, please see this handy guide. Visit the County's Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement for more information.

What if I Live in an Historic District?
If you live in the Old Town Historic District, you will need to follow the Historic District's Design Guidelines for any work on your home or lot. For more information, please click here.

Maintaining your yard & Lawn

Having a well-kept lawn or yard not only helps keep our City beautiful, but also improves the property value and image of your home!

Here are some tips to make sure your lawn and yard not only look nice, but are within City Code regulations. For more information about property standards in the City, please see Chapter 125 of the City Code here.

Grass must be kept below 12 inches.
Properties must be kept free of trash and debris. Please do not cause or allow litter on any public or private property, place or premises. Prince George’s County Police monitor and cite any dumping.
Firewood must be stacked at least 6 inches off the ground to prevent shelter for rodents.
Bamboo control is the property owner's responsibility. It is unlawful for any property owner, renter, lessee or occupant to allow bamboo to spread to an adjacent property without the permission of the adjoining owner.
Gutters should be cleaned and securely fastened to the structure/building.
Signs posted in the public right of way are illegal and distracting to motorists. These signs will be removed and disposed of by City employees. Certain signs may be permitted on private property for brief periods; please contact the Department of Public Services for more information.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a perennial member of the grass family and is often one of the most difficult escaped plants to control. It is distinguished from other grasses by its woody stems, branched growth, and often large size. Bamboo can grow anywhere from one to 70 feet tall. Although often considered beautiful, bamboo can quickly turn into a homeowner’s worst nightmare if not properly maintained.

Every effort should be taken to control a bamboo infestation in its entirety. Because bamboo is so aggressive, it can re-establish rapidly if any small section is left untouched. Homeowners with bamboo infestations must be vigilant, as the plant requires an intensive control program over several years.

Removal and Containment
The first step in controlling bamboo should be to remove as much of the root mass and rhizomes of the plant as possible. This can often be done by hand with small infestations, but larger problem areas may require the use of power equipment. Containment is also a fairly effective method of controlling bamboo, but must be monitored regularly. Because the rhizomes of bamboo are fairly shallow, growing less than one foot deep in the soil, a barrier made of concrete or metal installed a minimum of 3 feet deep has proven effective. Bamboo rhizomes are not stopped by barriers but are merely deflected. Because of this behavior, the areas surrounding the barriers should be monitored regularly for escaped rhizomes, which should then be cut back.

Mowing
Regular mowing is another method that can help control bamboo over time. Because bamboo is a grass, it can tolerate occasional, but not frequent, mowing. Mowing practices, similar to that in a home lawn can eventually deplete the bamboo rhizomes and offer some control. Two to three years of regular mowing are often needed to see results.