Queen Anne's County, MD Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Condemnation authority
- County Code Official, § 15-13
- Repair cost ceiling
- 85% of assessed value after repairs, § 15-14
- Cost recovery
- Lien, collected like County real property taxes
- Reconsideration deadline
- 21 days after the notice or order is issued
- Civil penalty
- $25 a day after a notice and order
- Criminal penalty
- Fine up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail
Summary
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, § 15-13 lets the Code Official condemn, placard and vacate a residential structure found unsafe or unfit for occupancy, and § 15-15 requires demolition of vacant detrimental structures and hazardous ones not worth repairing. Repair and demolition costs become liens collected like County real property taxes.
§ 15-13. Condemnation. ... A. In general. ... (1) When a structure or part of it or its premises is found by the Code Official to be unsafe or unfit for human occupancy or use, the Code Official may condemn the structure or part of it and may order the structure or part of it to be placarded and vacated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. ... B. Unsafe structure or premises. An "unsafe structure or premises" means a structure or premises that the Code Official finds all or part of which to be dangerous to life, health, property, or the safety of the tenants because: (1) It fails to provide minimum protection from fire; or (2) It is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe, or has such faulty construction or an unstable foundation that it is likely to collapse, partially or completely. ... § 15-15. Demolition. A. Structures and accessory structures. The Code Official shall declare to be unfit for human habitation and order to be demolished: (1) A vacant structure or accessory structure, the existence of which is determined by the Code Official to be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare; and
Full Breakdown
Chapter 15 of the Queen Anne's County Code gives the County's Code Official power over dangerous residential buildings in unincorporated Queen Anne's County. The chapter covers residential structures used for human habitation, not owner-occupied single-family housing units (§ 15-3), and § 15-3 C preserves the County's separate remedies for removing or demolishing a structure that is dangerous, unsafe and unsanitary. Centreville, Queenstown and the other incorporated towns follow their own codes.
Condemnation comes first. Under § 15-13, a structure or premises is unsafe when the Code Official finds it dangerous to life, health, property or tenant safety because it fails to provide minimum protection from fire, or because it is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or faultily built, or has such an unstable foundation, that it is likely to collapse. A structure is also unfit for occupancy when it is unsanitary, vermin or rodent infested, contains filth or contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment. If the owner does not close or vacate within the time set in an order, the Code Official can have the premises closed, and the cost becomes a lien on the real estate.
Repair is the next option. Under § 15-14, the Code Official can make the repairs in a final order when the owner fails to do so, public health is endangered, and the cost will not exceed 85% of the assessed value of the structure after repairs. Costs are levied and collected like County real property taxes.
Demolition follows under § 15-15. The Code Official orders demolition of vacant structures detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, and of structures too damaged or hazardous to warrant repair. The owner gets notice and reasonable time. If the owner fails to act, the Code Official applies to court for a demolition order and the Department of Public Works prepares the work, with debris removed and the excavation filled. Notice is served by delivery or certified mail, with posting if the letter is returned (§ 15-16).
Violations & Fines
Under § 15-16 E, a property owner cannot deface or remove a condemnation placard without the Code Official's approval. Section 15-17 sets a civil penalty of $25 a day for failing to comply with a notice and order, and a misdemeanor fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both, with each day a separate offense. Refusing entry to the agent making repairs under § 15-14 C carries the same criminal penalty. Reconsideration must be requested within 21 days of the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can Queen Anne's County condemn a house?
Who pays when the County repairs or demolishes a dangerous building?
Does the County have to go to court before demolition?
Can an owner sell a property that has a violation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Queen Anne's County
Compare Queen Anne's County to another location·View the Maryland property maintenance overview
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