Rule 4. Public hearing notice requirements.

(a) Advertisement requirements. Unless any law requires the Council to set the date of a public hearing, the President may set the date and time of any public hearing and must advertise each public hearing as provided in this section.

(1) The advertisement for a public hearing on all matters must include:

(A) the time and place of the public hearing;

(B) the place where members of the public may obtain a copy of the materials to be discussed at the public hearing;

(C) how to register to speak at the public hearing; and

(D) any other information required by law.

(2) The advertisement for a public hearing on legislation or a zoning text amendment must include the title or summary of the proposed legislation or text amendment.

(3) The advertisement for a public hearing on matters other than legislation must include the generic title and subject matter of the public hearing.

(b) Publication requirements. Before a public hearing, the President must publish the advertisement of the public hearing at least once in one newspaper circulated throughout the County. The number of days that advance notice is required, the number of newspapers in which the notice must appear, and the number of consecutive weeks that the notice must appear is established by law. Unless the time is otherwise specified by law or Council action, 15 days advance notice must be provided.

(c) Public notice on emergency matters. If a public hearing will be held on an emergency matter, the President must:

(1) (A) publish an advertisement of the public hearing as required under subsection (b), if possible; or

(B) inform the news media in writing of the public hearing if notice under subsection (b) is not possible; and

(2) make copies of the proposed emergency matter available to the public and the news media.

(d) Board of Health regulations. Before the Council, meeting as the Board of Health, adopts a regulation, the President must:

(1) advertise the public hearing in a newspaper circulated throughout the County at least 15 days before the hearing; and

(2) notify the governing body or chief executive officer of each municipality in the County by mail or electronically at least 15 days before the hearing.

The President may waive either or both forms of notice if a public health emergency requires immediate action on a regulation. (Res. No. 11-54; Res. No. 12-83; Res. No. 13-49; Res. No. 14-685; Res. No. 16-59; Res. No. 17-40; Res. No. 18-49.)