Howard County has no separate 'blight' statute; instead the Health Code treats a property maintained in a condition that threatens health, including junk and improper refuse disposal, as an abatable nuisance countywide.
The county is a charter home-rule government, so its Code applies to every unincorporated community (Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge). Health Code Section 12.110 defines a nuisance as any property condition posing an actual or potential threat to health, and expressly lists infestation with insects, vermin or rodents and improper refuse disposal. The Health Officer investigates complaints, issues a notice of violation, and may abate the condition and place a lien if the owner does not comply. Rental buildings additionally must meet the adopted International Property Maintenance Code (Section 3.700).
Civil citation under Title 24: first offense Class E, second Class D, later offenses Class B; criminal fines up to $100, $500, then $1,000 per offense, each day separate.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
howard-county-md
Howard County allows residential backyard composting and actively promotes it. The county runs a Feed the Green Bin curbside food-scrap collection and sells ...
howard-county-md
Howard County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or requiring artificial turf for residential yards. Synthetic lawns are generally allowed, but becaus...
howard-county-md
Howard County places no restriction on planting native or pollinator gardens. Maryland's low-impact landscaping law (House Bill 322, 2021) bars homeowners as...
howard-county-md
Howard County does not ban rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and cisterns are legal and actively promoted through the county's Live Green Howard and stormwa...
howard-county-md
Howard County has no year-round odd/even watering ban. Water use is limited only when the state declares a drought. Under Maryland's Level One Mandatory Rest...
howard-county-md
Howard County's adopted Property Maintenance Code requires exterior premises to be kept free of weeds and rank plant growth, but it applies only to rental an...
See how Howard County's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.