The Montgomery County Council has approved a new regulation requiring operators of multifamily rental buildings to develop and submit an Emergency Safety Plan as part of their annual Fire Code Compliance permit process.
Under Executive Regulation 21-25, the Department of Permitting Services will review and approve each plan to strengthen emergency preparedness and communication in buildings with three or more dwelling units. The requirement stems from Bill 7-24, a tenant protection measure that expanded landlord responsibilities related to fire safety and emergency notification.
Emergency safety plans must be resubmitted every three years, with a $95 review fee, and additional plan updates may be required for buildings with repeated fire-related emergency calls. Penalties for noncompliance can include permit denial, fines, or court action. Apartment-style condominiums are exempt, though officials encourage all multifamily properties to maintain safety plans. County agencies collaborated on a best practices guide and templates to assist landlords in meeting the new standards, which are intended to improve communication and preparedness during emergencies such as fires, flooding, and power outages.
