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

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Weed limit
8 inches (§ 13-7-401)
Open dumps
Prohibited (§ 13-4-104)
Accessory structures
Not allowed on vacant lot
Cut-back deadline
7 days, to 3 inches
Unpaid cost remedy
Lien on the realty

Summary

In Baltimore County, vacant lots must be kept free of overgrown weeds and dumped material. The 8-inch weed limit and nuisance rules apply to vacant land, and accessory structures are not permitted on a vacant lot under the County Zoning Regulations.

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

Accessory structures, buildings, or uses are not permitted on vacant lots. … An accessory structure on a vacant lot shall not be approved by a variance.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The Weed Ordinance (County Code Section 13-7-401) applies to any 'owner, occupant, or person in control of a lot or parcel of land,' so vacant lots must stay under the 8-inch grass/weed limit; unimproved areas over 3 acres and natural buffers may be modified by the Department under subsection (b). Open dumps are prohibited on any land under Section 13-4-104, and Section 13-4-105 bars depositing garbage or filth on any lot or tract. Under the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations and the County's Zoning Policy Manual (A-5), accessory structures are not permitted on vacant lots; adjacent lots must be merged with a dwelling lot to build one, and a vacant-lot accessory structure may not be approved by variance.

Violations & Fines

Overgrown vacant lots draw a correction notice under Section 13-7-402; if not cut to 3 inches within 7 days the County cuts it and liens the cost (Section 13-7-403). Dumping is enforced under Title 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do weed rules apply to empty lots?
Yes. Section 13-7-401 covers any owner or person in control of a lot or parcel, so grass and weeds on a vacant lot must stay under 8 inches unless the Department modifies the requirement.
Can I build a shed on a vacant lot I own?
No. The Zoning Regulations do not permit accessory structures on a vacant lot; you must merge the vacant lot with a dwelling lot, and a variance will not be approved for it.
What if someone dumps trash on a vacant lot?
Open dumps are prohibited under Section 13-4-104 and depositing garbage or filth on any lot is barred under Section 13-4-105; report it to the County for enforcement.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Baltimore County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsProperty BlightHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Baltimore County rules

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