Calvert County, MD Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Calvert County Code § 92-1's ban on accumulating debris, decayed vegetable matter, filth, dangerous trees, rubbish or trash, abandoned vehicles, refrigerators or other household articles applies to the owner of 'any lot, tract or parcel' in a Residential District, Rural Community District, Rural Commercial, Farm and Forest District, or Town Center, with no requirement that the lot be built on; a vacant or unimproved parcel in those districts is covered on the same terms as a developed one. The separate 12-inch grass-and-weed standard in the same section, by contrast, is tied to a 'developed lot' and only reaches growth within 100 feet of a house, mobile home or other residence, so a truly vacant lot with no nearby residence is not required to be mowed under this section, though dumping and junk accumulation on it are still unlawful.

Section 92-2 places the duty to remove prohibited material on the owner. If an inspection finds a violation, § 92-3 requires a written notice giving up to 30 days to correct it, served under § 92-4 by personal service or certified mail to the owner's address on file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. A citation under § 92-5 can follow, carrying a fine up to $500, doubling if unpaid after 15 days, with District Court referral possible after 35 days and each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense.

The Zoning Officer enforces the chapter under § 92-6, and the County may abate the nuisance itself and lien the property for the cost under § 92-5F.