Queen Anne's County, MD Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)

Chapter 14:2 is the County's erosion and sediment control law, and § 14:2-28 is its complaint clause. Under § 14:2-28 A, the Queen Anne's County Department of Planning and Zoning receives complaints and initiates enforcement procedures when violations are confirmed. Under § 14:2-28 B, a complaint shall be acted on routinely within three days, and the complainant shall be notified of any action or proposed action routinely within seven days of receipt of the complaint.

After a violation is confirmed, § 14:2-29 sets the ladder. The inspector notifies the on-site personnel or the permit holder in writing and describes the required corrective action and the time period to correct it. If the violation persists after that date, the Department shall order work on the site stopped and decides how far the stop reaches, which can include all work except what is necessary to correct the violation. If reasonable efforts to correct are not undertaken, the Department shall refer the violation for legal action, and it can deny permits to an applicant who is out of compliance with a building or grading permit or an approved plan. Working without a permit draws a stop-work order, except for activity necessary to provide erosion and sediment control. Any step can be taken at any time, depending on the severity of the violation.

Neighbors have a direct remedy as well. Section 14:2-33 lets any agency whose approval is required, or any interested person, seek an injunction against a person who violates or threatens to violate Chapter 14:2.

Other subjects use other doors. Under § 19-11 A, a person can complain to the Agricultural Reconciliation Committee to declare that a nuisance affecting public health exists, and the Committee can investigate any complaint of nuisance against an agricultural operation and can start an investigation without a citizen complaint. Property-use disputes with agricultural operations go first to the Agricultural Land Preservation Program Administrator, Queen Anne's County Department of Economic Development, Agricultural and Tourism (§ 19-11 B(1)). Zoning violations are cited by Planning and Zoning staff under § 18:1-213, and the Department can serve a written complaint on an alleged forest conservation violator under § 18:2-24 B(2).