Carroll County, MD Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority to condemn
- § 171.150
- Unfit/unsafe building defined
- § 171.008
- Vacant-building demolition trigger
- 90 days, § 171.153
- Placard removal penalty
- Misdemeanor, § 171.152
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days to Housing Board
- Maximum criminal fine
- $500 per day
Summary
Under the Livability Code, Carroll County can condemn and placard any premises or building its officials find unsafe or unfit, order it closed and vacated, and eventually force demolition. Section 171.150 gives the county that authority; § 171.153 sets a 90-day clock before demolition becomes mandatory.
AUTHORITY. When a premises or equipment thereon is found by the county to be unsafe or unfit, the county shall condemn and placard such premises or equipment thereon. The county may order the premises or building thereon closed and vacated or order the equipment not to be used. The premises or building thereon shall not be reoccupied or equipment thereon used without prior approval of the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through July 30, 2026).
Full Breakdown
008 as one the Code Official finds poses a hazard or threat to public life, health, property, or occupant safety and welfare, and an UNSAFE BUILDING as one that is a hazard because it lacks minimum fire protection or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsound, or unstably founded that it is likely to partially or completely collapse. 150 authorizes it to condemn and placard the premises or equipment, order the building closed and vacated or the equipment taken out of use, and bar reoccupation or reuse without the county's prior approval.
151. 153 then caps how long a vacated building can sit: no building ordered vacated may remain closed for more than 90 days unless the county approves otherwise, and if it is not repaired to be fit for human use and occupancy within that window, the property owner must have it demolished. 165 lets the county order the owner of a condemned or unrepaired building to demolish it. 196. 182.
Violations & Fines
Defacing or removing a condemnation placard without the county's prior approval is a misdemeanor under § 171.152 and § 171.999(A): a fine up to $500, up to three months in the county jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The County Attorney may also pursue a civil action under § 171.999(B)(2) to abate the condition or enforce a demolition order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'unfit' under Carroll County's code?
How long can a condemned building in Carroll County sit vacant?
Can a property owner appeal a condemnation order?
What happens if someone tears down a condemnation placard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carroll County
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