Baltimore County, MD Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Exterior standard
- foundation, roof, walls sound & pest-proof, § 35-5-208
- Plumbing minimum
- private toilet, sink, tub/shower, kitchen sink, § 35-5-211
- Hot & cold water
- required at every required fixture
- Enforcement trigger
- complaint-based inspection under § 35-5-103
- Escalation
- correction notice, then citation, Art. 3, Title 6
Summary
The Livability Code's most commonly cited standards cover the building envelope and plumbing: § 35-5-208 requires the exterior, including the roof, foundation, and structural members, to be kept in good repair and sound, while § 35-5-211(b) requires every housing unit to have its own toilet, sink, bathtub or shower, and kitchen sink, each supplied with hot and cold running water.
§ 35-5-208(a)In general. The property owner shall maintain the exterior of a structure in good repair and in a sanitary condition so that the structure does not pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants.(b)Structural members. Supporting structural members of a structure shall be:(1)Kept structurally sound;(2)Free of deterioration; and(3)Maintained capable of safely bearing the loads imposed upon them. ... § 35-5-211(b)(2)Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the property owner shall supply and maintain within each housing unit the following minimum plumbing facilities in a sanitary and safe working condition:(i)A room separate from other habitable areas, that provides a toilet supplied with cold running water and that affords privacy;(ii)A sink placed in close proximity to the toilet that is supplied with hot and cold running water;(iii)A room that is equipped with a bathtub or shower supplied with hot and cold running water and that affords privacy; and(iv)A kitchen sink, apart from the sink required under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, that is supplied with hot and cold running water.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
Baltimore County's Code Official cites two Livability Code sections more than any other maintenance standard because they cover conditions inspectors find in nearly every complaint-driven inspection. Section 35-5-208 governs the exterior structure: the property owner must keep the foundation, exterior walls, roof, and every other exterior surface in good repair and in a condition that excludes rodents and other pests, keep supporting structural members structurally sound and free of deterioration, keep foundation walls free from hazardous open cracks and breaks, keep the roof structurally sound and free of defects that admit rain, and keep decorative features, chimneys, exterior stairs, porches, and window and door frames anchored, weathertight, and in good repair.
Section 35-5-211 covers plumbing: every housing unit must include its own plumbing facilities that are maintained in proper operating condition, usable in privacy, and adequate for personal cleanliness and waste disposal. Specifically, the property owner must supply a private toilet room with cold running water, a sink near the toilet with hot and cold running water, a bathing room with a tub or shower supplied with hot and cold water, and a separate kitchen sink with hot and cold water, unless the Code Official approves alternative fixtures case by case.
Both standards are enforced the same way: the Code Official inspects on a tenant's complaint or a reasonable belief of a violation under § 35-5-103, issues a correction notice describing the defect, and can follow with a citation and civil penalty under Article 3, Title 6 if the owner does not correct it within the deadline the Code Official sets.
Violations & Fines
A deteriorated roof, cracked foundation, pest-admitting exterior gap, or a housing unit missing a private toilet, bathing facility, or hot and cold water supply are each independently citable under § 35-5-208 or § 35-5-211. Each uncorrected defect can draw its own correction notice and, on continued noncompliance, a separate citation and civil penalty under the Article 3, Title 6 code enforcement process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exterior conditions can get a Baltimore County rental cited?
Does every rental unit need its own bathroom in Baltimore County?
What happens after the Code Official cites a common violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baltimore County
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