Baltimore County, MD Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Section 18-3-304 defines 'improvement' broadly to include grading, paving, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, extending, widening, or straightening a road, street, alley, curb, gutter, sidewalk, or footway. When the Director of Public Works and Transportation finds that such work is needed to alleviate a condition threatening the health, safety, and welfare of abutting property owners, the Director can require the abutting owner to make the improvement according to reasonable plans and specifications, and, except for alley work, the owner bears the cost. Notice must specify the improvements required, how they must be done, the materials to use, and a completion deadline of at least 20 days after service or first publication, delivered by personal service, registered mail, leaving a copy at the residence, or two weeks of newspaper publication.

An owner who feels aggrieved can apply to the County Executive for a hearing, where the Executive may revise, affirm, or rescind the Director's order; that decision is final and cannot go to the Board of Appeals or a court. If the owner still doesn't comply, the Director, with the County Executive's consent, can have the work done by contract or county crews and certify the cost as a lien on the property, collected the same way as unpaid taxes. Owners can also apply in advance for installment payments of up to five annual installments for sidewalk or road reconstruction.