Hyattsville council approves letter to Prince George’s County on ADU rules after heated debate over parking and sprinklers
July 13, 2026 | Hyattsville, Prince George's County, Maryland
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The Hyattsville Mayor and Council voted July 13 to authorize a letter to Prince George’s County commenting on draft county legislation (CB‑0742‑2026) implementing state law on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). County planning staff and the city’s housing manager briefed the council on the timeline and the components of the draft legislation.
County planner Jeff (speaker 19) and housing manager David Christel (speaker 22) said the state requires jurisdictions to adopt ADU regulations by Oct. 1, 2026. The staff draft letter contained multiple recommendations — including suggested parking standards, owner‑occupancy provisions, and consistency with building code standards for minimum room sizes and egress — and proposed the city coordinate with regional partners on points of alignment.
Council debate centered on two flashpoints: parking requirements and fire‑suppression/sprinkler standards. Several council members argued that a two‑space per ADU parking requirement would create lot‑coverage, curb‑cut and canopy impacts and could make ADUs infeasible for many homeowners. Others raised immediate concerns about neighborhoods already experiencing high curbside parking demand and the city’s aging infrastructure, arguing for some parking safeguards. On sprinklers, staff and council members noted Maryland building code requires sprinklers for newly constructed single‑ and two‑family dwellings (which can include newly constructed ADUs) and that that requirement can affect project costs and feasibility.
Councilmember Shively moved to strike a bullet recommending two parking spaces per ADU and to add language urging the county not to mandate sprinkler systems if the county has flexibility; the amendment was seconded. After a roll‑call vote the amendment failed. The council then voted to approve the original draft letter as presented, with recorded nays and one abstention.
Next steps: staff said they will make opportunities for public outreach (Hello Hyattsville, forums) before the county’s planning committee hearing and will forward the council’s letter to Prince George’s County by the county deadline for comments.
Representative quote from the meeting: County planner said, “HB 1466 requires counties and municipalities with zoning authority to adopt regulations associated with producing accessory dwelling units in your respective area,” explaining the state’s timeline and the county process for public hearing.
County planner Jeff (speaker 19) and housing manager David Christel (speaker 22) said the state requires jurisdictions to adopt ADU regulations by Oct. 1, 2026. The staff draft letter contained multiple recommendations — including suggested parking standards, owner‑occupancy provisions, and consistency with building code standards for minimum room sizes and egress — and proposed the city coordinate with regional partners on points of alignment.
Council debate centered on two flashpoints: parking requirements and fire‑suppression/sprinkler standards. Several council members argued that a two‑space per ADU parking requirement would create lot‑coverage, curb‑cut and canopy impacts and could make ADUs infeasible for many homeowners. Others raised immediate concerns about neighborhoods already experiencing high curbside parking demand and the city’s aging infrastructure, arguing for some parking safeguards. On sprinklers, staff and council members noted Maryland building code requires sprinklers for newly constructed single‑ and two‑family dwellings (which can include newly constructed ADUs) and that that requirement can affect project costs and feasibility.
Councilmember Shively moved to strike a bullet recommending two parking spaces per ADU and to add language urging the county not to mandate sprinkler systems if the county has flexibility; the amendment was seconded. After a roll‑call vote the amendment failed. The council then voted to approve the original draft letter as presented, with recorded nays and one abstention.
Next steps: staff said they will make opportunities for public outreach (Hello Hyattsville, forums) before the county’s planning committee hearing and will forward the council’s letter to Prince George’s County by the county deadline for comments.
Representative quote from the meeting: County planner said, “HB 1466 requires counties and municipalities with zoning authority to adopt regulations associated with producing accessory dwelling units in your respective area,” explaining the state’s timeline and the county process for public hearing.
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