Queen Anne's County, MD Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Part 5 of Chapter 23 of the Queen Anne's County Code divides sidewalks into three categories (§ 23-66.2) and assigns structural repair differently to each. For sidewalks built in a new subdivision by a developer, § 23-66.4D requires the County to develop a program to inspect sidewalks and advise abutting property owners when repairs or replacement is required, and § 23-66.4E makes owners of property abutting those sidewalks responsible to initiate structural repairs or replacement at their cost. Section 23-66.4F requires that responsibility to appear on the approved subdivision plat and/or community covenants.

For sidewalks installed by the owners of properties in existing neighborhoods, § 23-66.5B makes the sidewalks the responsibility of abutting property owners, § 23-66.5E has the County inspect sidewalks located on public property and advise the abutting owner when repairs or replacement is required, and § 23-66.5F makes abutting owners responsible to initiate structural repairs or replacement at their cost. For sidewalks built through urban highway reconstruction with the Maryland State Highway Administration or other County-initiated projects, § 23-66.3C runs the other way: the County inspects and initiates structural repairs or replacement, and the expense is borne by the County, except if the sidewalk is damaged by the actions of an abutting property owner or other party, in which case that party is responsible.

The article applies only to the unincorporated areas of Queen Anne's County (§ 23-66.1C). Once the County gives notice, § 23-66.6D sets a 120-day period for the abutting owner to repair or replace a damaged sidewalk. After that the County contracts for the repairs and charges the owner, and unpaid charges can become a lien on the property collectible in the same manner as County real property taxes.