Showing ordinances that apply to Riva, MD
Riva is an unincorporated community (population 4,257) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Because Riva is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Anne Arundel County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The rental registration rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Anne Arundel County requires all rental dwelling units to be licensed under County Code Article 11, Title 2. Licenses are issued by Inspections & Permits, renewed every two years, and require a passing housing inspection.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 11, Title 2 (Rental Housing License Law) requires owners of any dwelling unit offered for rent in the unincorporated county to hold a current rental license. License fees are set by the Office of Inspections and Permits (commonly $60 per unit for a two-year license, with reduced fees for owner-occupied duplexes). Applications require owner and local agent contact information, smoke/CO detector certification, and compliance with the county's Property Maintenance Code (Article 12) and the Maryland Building Performance Standards. A licensed inspection is required at initial licensing and at intervals set by the Department. Pre-1978 units must comply with the Maryland Lead Risk Reduction Law (Environment §6-801 et seq.) and maintain an active MDE registration with a lead-safe certificate. Annapolis administers its own rental license program under Annapolis City Code Title 17.44 (separate from county licensing).
Renting without a license: civil citation up to $1,000 per unit plus daily penalties. Failing inspection: correction order with 30-day cure period; failure to comply may void the license and trigger rent escrow actions. Unregistered pre-1978 units under MDE: $2,500 initial and $1,000 per recurring violation.
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