City Code Enforecement Committee Discusses Bed and Breakfast Establishments

The Hyattsville Code Enforcement Committee met Sept. 16 to discuss the emerging bed and breakfast industry in the city, and whether these businesses are included in the Prince George's Gateway Arts and Entertainment District.

"We need clarification from the county government to see if a Bed and Breakfast business is even allowed in the arts district," said Chris Giunta, Hyattsville's senior code inspector.

Right now there is not a specific regulation or guideline that states that a bread and breakfast establishment can or cannot operate in the arts district area, according to Giunta. He explained it is not known whether this lack of designation was a simple oversight when the arts district boundaries were formed. 

"We do not want to come in and quash a small but growing industry in our city," he said. "But we have to make sure the b and b's are up to code standard."

Giunta estimates there are four bed and breakfast establishments within the city and all are in the arts district.

Committee members agreed that the Hyattsville City Council should make a request to the Prince George's County Council for more clarification on the inclusion of bed and breakfast business in the arts district before the city's code enforcement department takes action.

The committee also discussed the number of parking spaces needed for rental homes in the city. The committee is considering the need to enact regulations for the number of parking spaces allotted for each home being rented in the city. 

"If you have a license for rental property in Hyattsville the property owner must realize they have a responsibility to the rest of their neighbors on their street," said committee member Robert Howarth. "We want to avoid the issue of too many cars on the street which would leave homeowners without a place to park their car."