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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Rule used
Health Code nuisance, Sec. 12.110
Covers
Vermin, refuse, health hazards
Trigger
Written complaint or inspection
Owner duty
Correct within notice deadline
County remedy
Abatement plus cost lien

Summary

Howard County regulates vacant lots through its Health Code nuisance rule. A vacant parcel that harbors vermin, accumulated refuse, or other health hazards is an abatable nuisance the Health Officer can order cleaned up.

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

A nuisance includes water pollution, contaminated wells, open and abandoned wells, overflowing sewage, infestation with insects, vermin or rodents, unclean facilities for domestic animals and poultry, air pollution, improper refuse disposal.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).

Full Breakdown

There is no standalone vacant-lot ordinance; the county relies on Health Code Section 12.110, which makes any property condition posing an actual or potential threat to health a nuisance and specifically lists infestation with insects, vermin or rodents and improper refuse disposal. A resident may file a written complaint, the Health Officer investigates, and a notice of violation sets a correction deadline. If the owner does not comply, the county may abate the condition and lien the property. Rental structures on a lot must also satisfy the adopted International Property Maintenance Code (Sec. 3.700).

Violations & Fines

Title 24 civil citation (Class E first, Class D second, Class B thereafter) or criminal fines up to $1,000; the county may abate and place a lien for cleanup costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I report a junk-filled empty lot to?
The Howard County Health Department. The Health Officer investigates nuisance complaints of vermin, refuse, and other health threats on any parcel, including vacant lots.
Is tall grass alone a violation?
Not by itself countywide for owner-occupied land; enforcement targets health-threatening conditions such as vermin harborage or improper refuse disposal under Sec. 12.110.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsProperty BlightSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions

All Howard County rules

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

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