The multifamily rental housing industry is concerned about several ordinances that have been introduced or enacted in localities across the country that could limit a property owner’s ability to manage communications services for their apartment communities. These ordinances may also impact the market for broadband overall. Many are concerned that the ordinances could be replicated by additional local governments and may have implications at the federal level.
Much of the recent activity began with San Francisco enacting a mandatory access ordinance in 2016, also known as Article 52, which created a right for residents to request service from any city-authorized communications provider regardless of whether, or how many, providers already serve the property. But since the introduction of that ordinance, it has been used as a model for other jurisdictions, like Oakland, California, and for legislation at the state level in Maryland.
This backgrounder is intended to help members and other industry stakeholders advocate on behalf of the industry as these issues emerge on the state and local level.
Full Document
Download: Mandatory Access Talking PointsStaff Resource
Related Resources
- NMHC NAA Digital Discrimination NPRM Comments
- Legislation that Creates Federal Data Privacy Standard Advances to Senate
- NMHC NAA Comments to FCC on Digital Discrimination
- Bipartisan Lawmakers Release Federal Data Privacy Bill That Would Have Impact on Multifamily Data Practices
- NMHC Responds to SEC’s Proposed Cybersecurity Risk Management and Disclosure Rule