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

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

Key Facts

Trigger
Unattended structure beyond reasonable hope of rehabilitation or restoration
Decision factors
Historical significance and danger or potential danger to the public
Posted notice
Up not less than seven days before further action
Cost recovery
Lien like delinquent taxes, due within thirty days of receipt
Rental dwellings
Sixty days to repair or demolish under § BR 3-103(b)
Penalty
Civil infraction, each day separate

Summary

In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, a dilapidated, burned-out, fallen-down or decayed structure that is unattended, unusable and beyond reasonable hope of rehabilitation is a public nuisance under § PH 1-101(a)(11). Owners face a civil infraction for every day it stands, and the County Commissioners can abate it and place the cost as a lien on the property.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Worcester County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a) Certain conditions to be declared nuisances. The existence of any of the following conditions in the County which are found to be dangerous or prejudicial to the maintenance of property values, health, safety or general welfare of the people of the County by the duly designated County department or official are hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance: ... (11) Any dilapidated, burned-out, fallen-down, ramshackled or decayed structure or remnant thereof which is unattended and uninhabitable or unusable for its intended purpose and is beyond reasonable hope of rehabilitation or restoration. The Commissioners, in making a determination of a nuisance condition under this subsection, shall consider the historical significance of the structure and its danger or potential danger to the public. ... (c) Violations. (1) Anyone permitting or maintaining a nuisance as determined hereunder shall be guilty of a civil infraction. (2) Each day that a nuisance is permitted or maintained shall constitute a separate infraction.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section PH 1-101(a) declares a condition a public nuisance when the designated County department or official finds it dangerous or prejudicial to property values, health, safety or general welfare. Subsection (a)(11) covers any dilapidated, burned-out, fallen-down, ramshackled or decayed structure, or remnant of one, that is unattended and uninhabitable or unusable for its intended purpose and beyond reasonable hope of rehabilitation or restoration. In deciding, the Commissioners must weigh the structure's historical significance and its danger or potential danger to the public. The Subtitle applies only in the unincorporated areas of Worcester County, so property inside a municipality falls outside it.

No complaint is needed to start an investigation. After the investigating department or official finds a nuisance, written notice describing the nuisance and the needed corrections goes to the owner and the occupant by registered mail to the address on the tax assessment rolls. If that notice cannot be delivered, posting it on the lot counts as adequate notice, and the posting must be up not less than seven days before further action.

If corrections are not made, § PH 1-102 lets the department request abatement. The County Commissioners then send the owner an order to abate within a reasonable time and offer a hearing before them. If the owner neither abates nor gets the order rescinded, the Commissioners can enter the premises and have the condition removed or remedied. The County's actual costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, are charged to the owner and become a lien in the same manner as delinquent taxes, due within thirty days of receipt. In an emergency presenting a clear and present danger, the Commissioners can abate without notice or hearing after a good-faith effort to contact the owner.

Rental dwellings carry a second track under the Rental Housing Code, § BR 3-103(b), which declares unsafe structures illegal and gives the owner sixty days after notice to complete repairs or demolish.

Violations & Fines

Permitting or maintaining a nuisance is a civil infraction, and both the property owner and the person causing the nuisance are guilty of it. Each day the nuisance is permitted or maintained is a separate infraction. County civil infraction fines cannot exceed five hundred dollars, or one thousand dollars for a repeat offense. Abatement under § PH 1-102 comes in addition to the citation, with the County's costs and attorney's fees collected as a lien like delinquent taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who decides a building is a nuisance in unincorporated Worcester County?
The County Commissioners designate, by resolution, the departments or officials who investigate, determine nuisances and issue citations. No complaint is required to start an investigation, though the County can require complaints to be in writing and signed. For a structure under § PH 1-101(a)(11), the Commissioners weigh its historical significance and its danger or potential danger to the public.
What notice does an owner receive before the County acts?
Written notice describing the nuisance and the actions needed goes by registered mail to the owner's address on the Maryland tax assessment rolls, with notice to the occupant too. If the address cannot be found or the mailing is refused or undeliverable, posting on the lot is adequate notice, and the posting must precede further action by not less than seven days.
Can the County abate a dangerous building without a hearing?
For an emergency presenting a clear and present danger to public health or safety, the Commissioners can abate under § PH 1-102(f) without notice or hearing, after a good-faith effort to contact the owner and give a reasonable opportunity to be heard. They cannot assess the cost against the owner until the owner has had notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
Who pays for abatement?
The owner of the land and everyone cited for the nuisance. The County's actual costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, become a lien on all real estate and personal property of the cited party in the same manner as delinquent taxes. The County Finance Officer mails the statement, payment is due within thirty days of receipt, and interest then runs at the delinquent County tax bill rate.
Does this apply in Ocean City or Berlin?
No. Section PH 1-101(e)(1) applies the Subtitle only in the unincorporated areas of Worcester County, and it does not apply to disposal sites operated by the County Commissioners. A legal, bona fide, recognized agricultural practice that does not constitute a health hazard is also outside the Subtitle under subsection (e)(2).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Worcester County

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsVacant Lot MaintenanceSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Weed OrdinancesSome Restrictions

All Worcester County rules

Compare Worcester County to another location·View the Maryland property maintenance overview

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