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Landlord and Tenant Relations - Eviction
For the purpose of setting notice requirements for tenant evictions in the City of Annapolis; regulating the removal and disposal of an evicted tenant's personal property; establishing penalties for violations; and generally related to Chapter 18.12 of the City Code.
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City Council of the
City of Annapolis
Ordinance 30-26
Introduced by: Alderman Schandelmeier
Co-sponsored by:
Referred to: Housing and Human Welfare Committee
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Landlord and Tenant Relations - Eviction
FOR the purpose of setting notice requirements for tenant evictions in the City of Annapolis; regulating the removal and disposal of an evicted tenant's personal property; establishing penalties for violations; and generally related to Chapter 18.12 of the City Code.
BY adding the following new chapter to the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2026 Edition:
● Chapter 18.02 (Definitions)
● Chapter 18.12 (Tenant Eviction)
WHEREAS, The Annapolis City Council aims to enhance the rights of landlords and tenants as outlined in Title 8 of the Real Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and according to § 8-407(e) of this Article, local jurisdictions are not restricted from enacting legislation that increases the minimum notice period for scheduled evictions to up to 14 days, or that establishes penalties for violations of § 8-407; and
WHEREAS, The absence of clear rules governing the handling of evicted tenants’ personal property has resulted in belongings being removed, discarded, or abandoned without adequate notice to tenants, causing unnecessary harm to vulnerable residents; and
WHEREAS, Establishing minimum standards for notice and the lawful disposal of personal property on eviction serves the City’s interest in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its residents; and
WHEREAS, The City of Annapolis is committed to ensuring that the eviction process, while lawful, is carried out in a manner that is fair, humane, and respectful of the dignity of all residents.
SECTION I: BE IT ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the Code of the City of Annapolis shall be amended to read as follows:
City Code Title 18 - LANDLORD AND TENANT RELATIONS
Chapter 18.02 - Definitions
Section 18.02.010 - Definitions. In this title, the following words have the meanings indicated.
1. “Dwelling unit.” See § 17.40.110.
2. “Landlord” means an individual or entity that owns, leases, controls, or manages a dwelling unit.
3. “Personal property” means movable property belonging to an individual, excluding real property and fixtures permanently attached to real property.
4. “Property manager” means an individual or company retained by a landlord to perform property management functions, including leasing, maintenance, advertising, rentals, eviction processes, and other related property management needs.
5. “Tenant” refers to an individual who occupies a dwelling unit for residential purposes with the landlord’s consent, under a lease agreement.
Chapter 18.12 - Tenant Eviction
Section 18.12.010 - Administration and Enforcement
A. The Department of Planning and Zoning shall administer and enforce §§ 18.12.020 through 18.12.040 and § 18.12.060 penalties related to the aforementioned sections.
B. The Department of Public Works shall administer and enforce § 18.12.050 and § 18.12.060 penalties related to the aforementioned section.
Section 18.12.020 - Applicability.
A. This chapter:
1. Applies to any landlord or property manager who initiates or carries out the eviction of a tenant from a residential dwelling unit for which a rental operating license is required under § 17.44.010.
2. Supplements the warrant-of-restitution requirements established under Real Property Article (“RP”) § 8-407 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, which governs the execution of residential evictions in the City of Annapolis.
3. Supersedes the notice period established under Md. Code Ann., RP Article, § 8-407(b)(1) with the 14-day notice period allowed under § 8-407(e) and required under § 18.12.030(A). All other notice requirements of § 8-407(b) remain in effect.
Section 18.12.030 - Notice of Scheduled Eviction.
A. After a court has issued a warrant of restitution, the landlord shall provide the tenant with written notice at least 14 days before the scheduled date of repossession as set by the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office.
B. The notice shall:
1. Comply with the requirements of Md. Code Ann., RP Article, § 8-407; and
2. Inform the tenant about the disposition of personal property as set forth in § 18.12.040.
Section 18.12.040 - Tenant’s Personal Property Upon Eviction.
A. Limitation. A landlord or property manager shall not remove an evicted tenant’s personal property from a rental dwelling except as provided in this chapter.
B. Legal Possession. At the time of eviction, the landlord or property manager shall change the locks on the rental dwelling in the presence of an Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Deputy, at the expense of the landlord or property manager, and take legal possession of the dwelling unit.
C. Disposal of Property. A landlord or property manager may remove or dispose of abandoned personal property remaining in or around the rental dwelling 24 hours after the execution of the eviction without any further notice or obligation to the evicted tenant.
D. Lawful Disposal. A landlord or property manager shall not retain for personal use any abandoned personal property resulting from eviction and shall dispose of that property by:
1. Transporting to a licensed landfill or solid waste facility;
2. Donating to charity;
3. Selling the personal property; or
4. Some other legal means.
E. Abandoned animal. If a tenant abandons a domesticated animal during eviction, the landlord or property manager shall contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Animal Services.
Section 18.12.050 - Disposal of Personal Property on City Property.
A. Prohibition. A landlord or property manager shall not dispose of, store, or abandon the personal property of an evicted tenant on City rights-of-way, easements, or other City property.
B. Removal by City.
1. The Department of Public Works (Department) may remove and dispose of any personal property of an evicted tenant that is placed, stored, or abandoned on City rights-of-way, easements, or other City property by a landlord or property manager in violation of this section.
2. The Department shall bill the landlord or property manager for all costs incurred by the City in connection with the removal and disposal, including overhead and administrative costs.
C. Payment.
1. The landlord or property manager shall pay all costs incurred by the Department within 30 days of the date of issuance of the bill.
2. Any amount unpaid for 30 days shall be deemed a civil penalty and may be collected by the City through any available legal means, including civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 18.12.060 - Penalties.
Any person who violates this chapter is guilty of a municipal infraction pursuant to Chapter 1.20 and is subject to a fine as established by annual resolution of the City Council.
SECTION II: AND BE IT FINALLY ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that:
1. This ordinance shall take effect upon passage; and
2. Chapter 18.12 applies to all evictions for which a warrant of restitution is issued on or after the effective date of this ordinance.