Bowie, MD Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 5-11A gives the City Manager three grounds to condemn a building as unfit for human habitation: physical decay or damage that creates a health or safety hazard, a loss of electrical service, ventilation, or water lasting more than 48 hours outside a utility outage or force majeure, or a general condition or location that is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous. Once condemned, the building is placarded 'UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION' at every entrance under § 5-11B, with the placard naming the City, citing the code section, ordering the building vacated by a stated date, and carrying the City Manager's signature; entering a placarded building after that date, except to repair or demolish it, is itself unlawful, and defacing or removing the placard without the City Manager's written authority is separately prohibited under § 5-11C.

The City Manager must give the owner written notice describing the property, the reason for the action, and the vacate date, served personally, by mail, or by posting on the premises under § 5-11E and F. If the owner does not seal the structure against unlawful entry, the City can do the work itself and place the cost as a lien on the property, collectible like delinquent taxes, under § 5-11G. Where the owner fails to demolish an unfit structure within a reasonable time, not exceeding 90 days after notice, the City Manager may apply to a Prince George's County court for a demolition order, again charging the cost as a property lien under § 5-11H.