Ocean City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ocean City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Extension of Ocean Sands Hotel redevelopment variances
The owners of the Majestic Hotel on the Boardwalk at 7th Street asked the board to extend prior redevelopment approvals, keeping the project alive.
Reduced-setback dwelling at 13506 Sinepuxent Avenue
The Tacconeli sunroom case shows how the board handles modest encroachments when a similar nonconformity already exists on the block — approved 5-0 with no neighbor objections.
Escapomania escape room conditional use at 13113 Coastal Highway
The Escapomania escape room at 13113 Coastal Highway cleared its public hearing in October, but its findings of fact still need approval — and that's now delayed, holding up permits. Commissioners also questioned why escape rooms need a conditional use at all, and staff is drafting an amendment to allow them outright in LC-1 and SC-1 districts.
Water System Hydrant Flushing
Ocean City is flushing fire hydrants starting Nov. 1, so your tap water might look a little rusty or lose pressure for a bit. It’s routine twice-a-year maintenance, not an emergency—just run the cold water until it clears.
Northside Park Living Shoreline project
Bid openings for the airport terminal siding ($108,500 low bid vs. $130,000 budget) and the Northside Park living shoreline ($110,850 low bid vs. $351,113 budget) both came in well under budget and went back to staff for review.
Fiscal Year 2026 audit and financial report
The town got a clean audit and its finances look strong — net position up $22.5 million, revenues up 12%, and pensions over 95% funded. Council is now asking whether the town is holding too much in reserves and whether some should pay down debt instead.
Cancellation of November 2 regular session
The November 2 council meeting is canceled due to a light agenda. Council Member Proctor objected, saying canceled meetings cut into the public's chance to speak.
Delmarva Power substation expansion and battery storage
The Second Street substation upgrade — including elevating equipment against downtown flooding — is at 30% design with construction targeted for fall 2027. The 100th Street battery storage unit should be fully online by January 2027, but neighbors say its floodlights are shining into condominium bedrooms.
State Highway Administration projects and Route 90 dualization timeline
SHA outlined winter work on the Route 50 bridge, mastic repairs to the Maryland 90 bridge deck, and Coastal Highway repaving from the Delaware line to 60th Street. The Route 90 dualization remains 15 to 20 years out, and council wants bridge joint repairs expedited since the deck will be in place for a while.
Lazy Lizard Off-Site Parking Reconfiguration
The Lazy Lizard is consolidating its parking: adding land to Lot D on St. Louis Avenue for 51 spaces, keeping other lots, and releasing two lots it no longer needs. Total parking rises to 78 against a 77-space requirement, with flooding-tolerant landscaping still being worked out.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Amendment
Ocean City must allow ADUs on single-family lots under Maryland's HB 1466, and the commission has now recommended the rules to the City Council with a ban on short-term rentals in ADUs. This could open the door to more long-term housing for workers and family members in a town where housing is scarce.
Baltimore Avenue Redevelopment and Utility Burial Delay
The scaled-back Baltimore Avenue project will underground utilities from North Division Street to 9th Street, with bidding next year and construction hoped for October 2027. Sidewalks stay at five feet — no widening — but new light poles and no overhead wires are coming.
Rental inspection program efficiency
The town has inspected over 1,000 rentals since August with a 90% pass rate. The council clarified that minor fixes like a smoke-detector battery shouldn't count toward the three-strike license revocation process — only citations or police calls do.
Event branding and city image
The Beautification Committee recognized property owners across every category — homes, hotels, boardwalk shops, restaurants, condos — for keeping Ocean City beautiful. Special recognition went to the Believe in Tomorrow children's cancer house and the 133rd Street beach entrance garden.
State-mandated ADU ordinance timeline
A new state law requires Ocean City to allow accessory dwelling units — small second homes like in-law or garage apartments on existing lots. The commission got its first look at the law and example rules from Havre de Grace and Rockville; how Ocean City shapes its own ADU rules will affect neighborhood density, parking, and housing options.
AARP Age-Friendly Community designation
The council agreed to start applying for the AARP/WHO Age-Friendly designation — a five-year process championed by Dr. Mary Kellerman that could help the town win grants and improve life for its growing senior population, though members questioned the workload and vague deliverables.
Special Event Zone / Public Safety
Ocean City is setting up a Special Event Zone for Endless Summer Cruisin', so expect extra traffic rules and heavier police enforcement near the boardwalk this weekend. If you're driving in, plan for delays and follow the posted rules closely.
Racquet Center renovation
The city manager previewed a September 29 bid opening for the Ocean City Recreation Center renovation — a project worth watching for locals who use the facility.
Mayoral Election Candidate Profiles
Ocean City’s mayoral race is getting attention through a WMDT candidate profile piece, giving voters a quick look at the people asking for their vote. If you live in Ocean City, this is the kind of pre-vote homework that helps you compare candidates before casting a ballot.
Rising employee health insurance costs
The town's self-insured health plan is seeing a 16.5% premium jump for 2027 — way above the ~10% national trend — driven by high-cost claimants whose costs doubled to $7.7 million. Council members questioned whether self-insurance still makes sense and asked for analysis if the trend continues.
Accessibility ramp at Four Seasons Condominium
Aging condo residents have been using crumbling front steps with no ramp option, because the site can't fit an ADA-compliant slope. The exception lets the association build a gentler ramp right where the old steps sit, closer to the street than code normally allows.
Boardwalk Tram Feasibility Study
Ocean City is weighing whether its Boardwalk tram can come back, and a new report says revival may not even be feasible. That means the debate over cost, access, and Boardwalk business traffic is likely headed to City Hall.
Nor'easter Storm Response Recognition
Council and staff praised Public Works, police, fire and DNR partners for rapid beach cleanup before the Country Calling festival.
2026 Municipal Election Field Confirmed
All six candidates are officially on the November 3 ballot: Meehan and James for mayor, plus four candidates for three council seats. Voting by mail is available via applications online.
Downtown Sign Regulations
Two ordinances advanced on first reading would tighten rules for signs, awnings, and banners projecting over sidewalks, streets, and the boardwalk in downtown districts. Final adoption comes after a second reading later.
Free Bus Passes for Residents
A resident asked the council to fund complimentary bus passes for residents, noting many depend on the bus for work and appointments. Council asked staff to bring back cost estimates from the Transportation Committee, noting prior figures around $300+ and potential MTA/FTA grant restrictions.
Philadelphia Avenue Flooding Closure Policy
A South Philadelphia Avenue resident said the road isn't closed consistently when storm surge floods it, leaving pedestrians and drivers at risk. The city manager said closure timing is already on his storm lessons-learned list and will be addressed with emergency responders.
Beach Restoration
A nor’easter chewed up Ocean City’s beaches, and there’s now a $25.7 million plan to restore them. It’s big money for sand and shoreline repair, but the beach is the main draw for residents, tourists, and local businesses—so it affects basically anyone who uses the shore.
Beach Renourishment Contract
Ocean City is getting $25.7 million in federal money to pump sand back onto its eroding beach. The point is to protect the shoreline, keep tourism humming, and shield waterfront property. If you care about the beach economy, this is a big deal.
Fire Prevention Commission Restructuring
The body that appoints the fire marshal, hears fire code appeals and writes the fire code currently consists only of the four volunteer fire chiefs. The restructuring adds the career fire chief as chair, a volunteer deputy chief, and at-large citizen members to make appeals look and feel more neutral.
Coca-Cola Beverage Franchise Renewal
The town's exclusive beverage deal with Coca-Cola Consolidated nets at least $400,000 over five years. Council renewed it for another five years, just before the contractual September 30 notice deadline.
Signage in the Baltimore Avenue Right-of-Way
After a storm toppled a private sign in the unused Baltimore Avenue right-of-way, the town is changing its rules so staff — not the full Council — can approve signs projecting into that right-of-way, with encroachment agreements and insurance requirements attached. Redeveloped properties would have to move signs out of the right-of-way.
Beach Erosion
Ocean City’s eroding beaches are already costing the town money, including a scrapped festival. If you live there or vacation there, expect dune restoration talks to get louder.
Beach Renourishment Funding
Ocean City’s beach is getting a $25.7 million rebuild from the Army Corps after a nor’easter stripped away sand. That’s big money to protect the town’s main tourist attraction and the property behind it.
Storm Cleanup and Flood Damage
A Nor’easter flooded parts of Ocean City and Fenwick Island, and cleanup crews are now working through the mess. Expect possible road closures and ongoing recovery work, so check routes before you head out.
Coastal Flooding
A nor'easter swamped Ocean City and stranded visitors, showing that coastal flooding isn't a someday problem—it's a recurring headache city officials have to plan around. If you live, work, or vacation there, expect more disruptions unless flood defenses and emergency plans keep pace.
Storm Damage Assessment
A nor'easter hit Ocean City, damaging property and canceling a music festival. City crews are now sizing up the damage and deciding what to clean up and restore first, especially the beach.
Storm Flooding
A coastal storm is flooding streets in Ocean City, and officials are warning people to avoid travel. If you're headed to the shore, expect water-covered roads and delays—so plan around it or stay put.
Montego Bay survey dispute and setback variances
A new house on Beachcomber Lane ended up inches inside the side setback because three surveyors disagree on where the lot lines are in the 1971-era Montego Bay plat. The board approved tiny after-the-fact variances 4-1 after hearing the lot is a skewed parallelogram and moving the house would risk damaging neighbors' homes.
Bull on the Beach pergola parking waiver
A beloved 94th Street restaurant wanted to enclose its patio pergola with roll-down rain screens, which under town code counts as enclosed space requiring five more parking spots. The board waived them 4-1, since the site is already far below code parking and no seats were added. A condo association president raised ongoing safety worries about the tight Coastal Highway corner.
Regional sports complex land purchase in Berlin
The council was asked to authorize buying ~193 acres from Harrison Farms for $8.7 million to build a regional sports complex. Neighbors cited traffic, farmland loss, airport flight paths and a price far above the ~$3 million appraisal. The first-reading motion failed for lack of a second, killing the purchase at this location.
Transportation Infrastructure Funding
Maryland’s new transportation funding plan includes the Bay Bridge but skips Ocean City’s aging drawbridge, so the city won’t get state money for it this round. That leaves a key local crossing without a funding fix for now.
2026 Beauty Spot Awards
The Beautification Committee honored homeowners, businesses, hotels, restaurants and condos for keeping properties attractive, including the Believe in Tomorrow House for children with cancer.
Convention Center and Event Strategy
Sodexo Live! keeps the convention center food contract for eleven more years, investing $1.465 million in improvements plus $150,000 cash, with city revenue around $750,000 this fiscal year.
Special Event Zone Designation
Ocean City is setting up a Special Event Zone for OC Rock & Ride Bikefest, which means downtown traffic and parking rules will likely change while the event is running. If you’re driving or parking near the action, plan ahead so you don’t get rerouted, ticketed, or towed.
Community Partnership Funding
Ocean City is putting $250,000 toward Diakonia’s supportive living campus expansion, helping fund housing and services for people in need. It’s a targeted city investment in a local nonprofit, so the payoff hinges on whether it expands stable housing and support capacity as intended.
Proposed Chapter 110 zoning code amendment
The city is proposing changes to numerous sections of its zoning code, with a new section 110-888 added. A public hearing is set for October 6, 2026, so residents and property owners will have a chance to comment before anything is adopted.
Diakonia Supportive Living Campus funding request
The Life Crisis Center, which provides domestic violence and counseling services across the lower shore, asked for $10,000 — its first properly documented request since 2019. Council wants a formal presentation before funding.
Determination of Nonconformity process
The zoning administrator is now regularly reporting legal nonconformity determinations — official recognition that a property's existing use predates current rules. Two were issued this summer for the Kokomo Hotel and Ocean Gem Apartments. It's paperwork, but it documents which properties hold grandfathered status.
Beach Code Enforcement Report
Six new beach code enforcement officers have been on the beach since Memorial Day weekend, handling about 500 violations in 16 days without writing a single citation — an education-first approach that's been well received.