Cecil County, MD Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Section 240-14A triggers whenever the Code Official determines there has been a violation of the Minimum Livability Code or has reasonable grounds to believe one has occurred, or decides to condemn a structure or equipment: notice must be given to both the property owner and the tenant in the manner the code prescribes. If the structure or equipment is condemned, the Code Official must serve notice of intent to order it placarded and vacated or the equipment placed out of service (§ 240-14B). Notice is properly served by hand delivery or certified/registered mail with return receipt; if that mail comes back undelivered and other delivery options are exhausted, the county may post the notice conspicuously at the structure (§ 240-14C-D).

A tenant given a condemnation notice must be allowed a reasonable time to vacate under state or local law (§ 240-14E). Once notified, either party can challenge the outcome: § 240-17B lets a person aggrieved by the Code Official's decision on an alleged violation or demolition order apply to the Director of Permits and Inspections for reconsideration within 10 days of receipt. The Director must set an informal hearing date within 10 days of that request and notify the parties in writing (§ 240-17C), and must issue a written decision to uphold or modify the order within 10 days of the hearing (§ 240-17E). A further appeal goes to the Livability Code Board of Appeals, and from there to the Circuit Court of Maryland (§ 240-17F-G).