Calvert County, MD Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing office
- Division of Inspections and Permits, Code Official
- Inspection trigger
- written, signed complaint naming a violation
- Entry standard
- reasonable time, with reasonable notice and ID
- Refusal remedy
- court order compelling entry, § 75-5E
- Base fine
- $500 per violation, per day if continuing
- Exempt housing
- owner-occupied single-family homes
Summary
Calvert County's Minimum Livability Code lets the Code Official enter a rental structure or premises at any reasonable time, once reasonable notice and identification are given, to inspect for code compliance. Inspections start with a written, signed complaint naming the property; if an owner, tenant or operator blocks entry, the Code Official can ask a court to order the interference stopped.
Inspections: ... The Code Official is authorized to enter a structure or premises at any reasonable time upon providing reasonable notice and proper identification to the property owner or operator and tenant for the purpose of making inspections and performing duties under this code. ... Right of entry: If any property owner, tenant or operator of a structure refuses, impedes, inhibits, interferes with, restricts or obstructs entry and free access to any part of the structure or premises where inspection authorized by this code is sought, the Code Official may seek, in a court of competent jurisdiction, an order that the property owner, tenant or operator cease and desist from the interference.
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 75, the Minimum Livability Code applies to residential rental structures and premises in Calvert County outside Chesapeake Beach and North Beach; owner-occupied single-family homes are exempt under § 75-4A(1). Enforcement starts only from a written complaint that names the complainant and details a specific violation, or from a personal interview investigated by the Code Official (§ 75-4A). ' The Code Official must also coordinate with other inspecting agencies to minimize the number of visits and confer with them to head off conflicting orders before they issue (§ 75-5G).
' A tenant, in turn, must give the property owner or operator access for repairs and alterations needed to bring the unit into compliance (§ 75-5F). Where inspection findings show a structure is unsafe, unsanitary or unfit for occupancy, the Code Official can escalate to condemnation and placarding under § 75-6, and violations not corrected within the notice period draw citations enforced through the District Court under § 75-8.
Violations & Fines
Owners, operators or tenants who do not correct a cited violation within the time the Code Official sets face a citation delivered in person by the Calvert County Sheriff's Office or by certified mail. A preset civil fine of $500 applies per violation, with each day of continuing violation a separate $500 offense; unpaid fines after 15 days add up to double the original amount, and unresolved citations go to the District Court after 35 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Calvert County inspect my rental property without notice?
What happens if I refuse to let the inspector in?
Does this inspection rule apply to my own home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Calvert County
Compare Calvert County to another location·View the Maryland building safety overview
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