Calvert County, MD Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- Camera type
- School-zone speed only, no red-light cameras
- School zone radius
- 500 feet from school boundary
- Minimum posted limit for cameras
- 20 mph
- Trigger speed
- 12+ mph over posted limit
- Civil penalty
- $40, plus $20 late fee after 30 days
- Administered by
- Sheriff's Office
Summary
Calvert County runs no red-light camera program. The Board of County Commissioners instead authorized automated speed monitoring in school zones under Code § 107-1-101 et seq. Cameras operate on county roads within 500 feet of a school boundary where the posted limit is at least 20 mph, and the Sheriff's Office issues citations to vehicles clocked 12 mph or more over that limit.
A school zone is hereby designated upon that portion of each County road being 500 feet or less from the boundary of a school, measured upon the center line of the street. ... In accordance with § 21-809 of the Transportation Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, the County may use and enforce citations issued from speed monitoring systems within school zones with a posted speed limit of at least 20 miles per hour within the County. ... A civil penalty in the amount of $40 per violation is hereby established, subject to an additional late fee of $20 if not paid within 30 days after the issuance of the citation.
Full Breakdown
Under Article I, Speed Monitoring Systems, adopted July 28, 2015 by Ord. No. 30-15, Calvert County designates a school zone on any county road segment within 500 feet of a school boundary, measured along the center line; where the State Highway Administration or a municipality has designated a different zone, that designation controls instead (§ 107-1-102). The county's authority to issue and enforce citations from a speed monitoring system rests on Transportation Article § 21-809 of the Maryland Annotated Code, and applies only in school zones posted at 20 mph or higher (§ 107-1-103).
The Sheriff designates deputies to operate the system and review citations, or may contract out equipment and maintenance (§ 107-1-104), and operators must be trained with the system calibrated per § 21-809 (§ 107-1-105). Before first activating a camera in a zone, the county must advertise in a local newspaper and on its website at least 15 days ahead, plus post signage (§ 107-1-106). A local designee in the Sheriff's Administrative and Judicial Services Bureau reviews contested citations, can void an erroneous one, and can resend or void a citation never received due to administrative error, but may not void one solely because a court dismissed it (§ 107-1-109). Revenue funds the program first, with any surplus going to public safety purposes in the annual county budget (§ 107-1-108).
Violations & Fines
A civil penalty of $40 applies per violation, plus a $20 late fee if unpaid within 30 days of the citation (§ 107-1-107). Contested citations go to the District Court of Maryland, which collects and distributes the penalty under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 7-302(a) and Transportation Article §§ 21-809 and 12-118.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Calvert County use red-light cameras?
How fast do I have to be going to get a ticket?
How much is the fine for a school-zone speed camera ticket?
Can I contest a Calvert County speed camera citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Calvert County
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