Allegany County, MD Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 475-2 defines an unsafe structure as a vacant structure 'determined to be structurally unsound as a result of fire, climatic events, infestations of insects or vermin, general neglect or inadequate maintenance,' that may threaten human life or neighboring properties; an unsecured vacant structure can be deemed unsafe at the County's discretion. Under § 475-4, the Codes Inspector investigates a reported or witnessed violation, may obtain an administrative search warrant or the responsible party's permission to inspect, and, upon determining a structure unsafe, orders it razed, removed, or made safe.

Written notice must describe the unsafe condition and required repairs or set a timetable for razing, and the responsible party must declare acceptance or rejection of the order. Any restoration must comply with Chapter 255, Building Construction. Enforcement under § 475-5 gives the responsible party a 30-day period after written notice to abate; noncompliance brings a civil citation under Article 25B, § 13(c) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, with each day of continued violation a separate offense and repeat violations fined up to $1,000.

Acts not declared civil infractions are misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days' imprisonment or a fine of $100 to $1,000, or both. If an owner misses a demolition or make-safe deadline, the Codes Inspector may have the structure made safe or demolished through a public agency or private contractor and charge the cost against the real estate as a lien. Government-owned sites and agricultural structures are exempt under § 475-6.