Allegany County, MD Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Section 400-2's NUISANCE definition, adopted countywide by Bill No. 4-02 effective September 8, 2002, splits common violations into two tiers. Subsections A and B cover conditions that directly threaten public health: an unsanitary animal enclosure, an improperly functioning sewage system, excessive trash or garbage, dead animals, a contaminated or inadequately protected water supply, or a mosquito or vermin harborage, plus any condition capable of spreading harm through streams, surface drainage, air currents, wildlife, domestic animals or people. Subsection D then lists further specific conditions the local enforcement official (the Director of Environmental Health or a designee) can cite: unpermitted open burning, refuse burning that produces injurious smoke or fumes, dust or gas that harms neighbors, stagnant water breeding mosquitoes, improper storage of poisonous substances, animal confinement that is noxious to three or more households, and noxious liquids discharged onto adjoining property.

A resident reports a suspected violation to the local enforcement official, who under § 400-4 must send the responsible party a letter naming the property, describing the nuisance and citing the section violated, and setting a deadline to correct it; if voluntary correction fails, § 400-5 lets the Health Officer issue a formal order to abate with a right to a hearing before the penalty stage of § 400-6 applies.