ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND — St. Michaels Commissioners will review a proposal Wednesday to double commercial water rates for usage above 5,000 gallons and introduce a seasonal parking structure, part of the fourth introduction of Resolution No. 2026-06, the town's proposed fee schedule.
Town Manager Don Richardson's Oct. 8 memo to the Commissioners lists some of the major proposed changes. Commercial water rates per 1,000 gallons above 5,000 gallons would double. The town would set up a seasonal parking structure with a permit for St. Michaels residents, and adjust parking fines.
Commercial event permit fees would rise mostly in spring and summer, and the memo says they would be generally free in winter for events under 3,000 attendees. Grading fees would rise, building permits would get a new fee structure, and a new use and occupancy certificate fee would be added.
The draft also adjusts all Planning Commission and Historic District Commission application fees, adds an accessory dwelling unit fee tied to changes in Maryland law, raises stormwater waiver fees and restructures tree removal fees. License fees for short-term rentals, bed-and-breakfast inns and mobile food trucks would be adjusted, as would boating fees. A new convenience charge would apply to in-person and QR-code card payments.
The memo says the town's capital needs are driving the review for additional revenue, listing a new well, park and parking improvements, street repaving, storm drains, sea level rise upgrades, harbor improvements and meeting space. It also lists options: phasing in the fees, refocusing service goals, or delaying elective capital projects.
Resolution No. 2026-06 was introduced at Commissioners meetings June 10 and July 8, went through workshops Aug. 19 and 20, and was introduced a third time Sept. 23, when the Commissioners sent it to a working session for more review.
The Sept. 23 minutes, up for approval Wednesday, also record two 5-0 votes. Commissioner Alexis Roiter's motion directs staff to prepare a proposal for a possible Historic District inventory, including its scope, estimated cost, geographic coverage, who would conduct it and a timeline. The Commissioners also sent Ordinance No. 578, the accessory dwelling unit zoning amendment, to the Planning Commission for review, with the matter returning to the Commissioners for final consideration afterward.
Wednesday's agenda also includes an alternate seat on the Historic District Commission and event permits for the Oct. 31 Historic Drawbridge Running Festival, the Nov. 28 SMBA Tasting Event and the Dec. 3–6 SMBA WinterFest.
The working session and fee schedule workshop begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the St. Michaels Community Center, 103 Railroad Avenue, with a Zoom stream listed on the agenda. The next legislative session is Oct. 28.
Source: Town of St. Michaels
Drawn from public records; drafted with AI and edited by Peter Gorman before publication.
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