Dorchester County Council adopts property registration ordinance for vacant buildings, short‑term rentals and rental units

The Dorchester County Council on March 5 adopted Bill No. 2024‑1, enacting a new Chapter 123 of the Dorchester County Code to establish a property registration program for vacant buildings, short‑term rentals and rental dwelling units.

Clerk to Council Donna F. Lane opened the public hearing on the ordinance, which the record shows drew no public testimony. Council President George L. Pfeffer led a roll‑call vote that recorded Pfeffer, Mike Detmer, William V. Nichols and Ricky C. Travers as voting "aye" and Rob Kramer as absent; the measure was approved.

The ordinance, described by the clerk as providing registration, appeals and enforcement procedures and definitions related to vacant buildings and rental units, will add a new Chapter 123 to county code. The minutes do not provide the ordinance text or implementation dates; those details will be available in the finalized codified legislation and related department guidance.

County Attorney Charles MacLeod later noted, in a separate matter, that ballot and Charter‑amendment questions must meet state board deadlines; the county attorney is assigned to prepare legal language when required.

The council did not record any amendments or further debate on Bill No. 2024‑1 at the March 5 meeting. Next steps for the ordinance — including administrative rules, effective dates, and enforcement mechanisms — were not specified in the minutes and are "not specified."