Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement maintains or improves the standards of the community by:

ABOUT CASES, NOTICES AND CITATIONS

If you receive a correction notice or a citation from Code Enforcement, the document will have specific directions regarding next steps. If you have questions, contact your inspector directly.

  • A code case is any complaint that is filed with our office that potentially violates the Baltimore County Code or Zoning Regulations.
  • A correction notice is when an inspector has inspected a property and has affirmed a violation needs to be corrected. Each correction notice has a compliance date in which the violations must be abated. Compliance dates vary depending on the code.
  • A citation is a notification to the owner making them aware that they have not brought their property into compliance and will have to attend a hearing with the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Office.

REQUEST A COMMUNITY SWEEP

A community sweep is a general review of a neighborhood where the team looks for egregious visible violations, which can be easily corrected. The team will issue correction notices, citations and possible fines during this process for various code and zoning violations.

To request a neighborhood sweep, email or mail us on your association's letterhead with the following information:

  • Boundaries of the neighborhood
  • Neighborhood trash pickup day
  • Your contact information

Many sweeps have been requested and take several months to schedule.

CODE ENFORCEMENT COMPLAINTS

You can file a code complaint online, via the BaltCoGo app, or by calling 311. You can also file complaints directly with the Code Enforcement Office via phone, email or fax. If you would like to be provided updates on your complaint, be sure to leave your contact information. Note: All of our files are public record and any information stored in the file is viewable upon request.

FILE A COMPLAINT ONLINE

To report a code violation, view the complaint categories below. The following is required when submitting your complaint:

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • The exact address where the alleged violation is occurring

FILE A COMPLAINT ONLINE

CategoryExample of Violations
Building Complaints
  • Failure to obtain inspection
  • Working without a building permit
  • Unsafe structure
Code Enforcement Complaints
  • Abandoned vehicles on private property—Untagged vehicles are permitted on private property for no more than 15 days per calendar year. The owner of the vehicle must live at the property and the vehicle must be operational and stored on the side or rear of the property.
  • Rats
  • Tall grass or weeds
  • Trash or debris in yard
  • Unsanitary conditions
  • Zoning violations
  • Recreational Vehicles—You can have no more than two recreational vehicles on your property and they must be parked in the side or rear of your yard.
  • Dogs—You can have up to three adult dogs on a residential property. A kennel license must be obtained for more than three dogs.
  • Storage pods—You may have a pod for 60 days on your private property, or three days on the public street.
Electrical Complaints
  • Dangerous conditions
  • Working without electrical permit
  • Working without license
Grading Complaints
  • Failure to comply with approved plan
  • Grading without permit
  • Mud on roadway
Plumbing and Gasfitting Complaints
  • Discharge of untreated sewage
  • Failure to maintain plumbing system
  • Working without plumbing permit
Rental Registration Complaints
  • Unregistered rental property

FILE A COMPLAINT BY MAIL

Mail your complaint to:

Adam Whitlock, Chief of Code Enforcement
County Office Building, Room 216
111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204

CHECK THE STATUS OF A COMPLAINT

To check the status of a complaint, search online for a specific complaint using the case number or type, street address or date submitted, or call 410-887-3351. You can also enter the ZIP code to find information on all cases in a community.

If you mailed or faxed your complaint, please allow five business days before checking the status.

If the complaint status is marked as "duplicate," then there is already an open case on the property. The assigned inspector will be notified that there are additional concerns. Should there be a discrepancy about the case being a duplicate, call 410-887-3351 or email paienforce@baltimorecountymd.gov.

DOWNLOAD REPORTS

View the complaint report (XLSX) for properties that are investigated to determine if a code violation exists.

Reports are updated weekly and may be changed at any time. Inclusion of an address in these reports does not necessarily mean the property is in violation of the Baltimore County Code, it means that a complaint was received and the property will be inspected to determine if it is in violation of the code.

These documents may be large and take longer to load. This data is only for information purposes and may be inaccurate, contain errors or omissions. Baltimore County, Maryland does not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the data and disclaims all warranties with regard to the data, including but not limited to, all warranties, express or implied, of merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose. Baltimore County, Maryland disclaims all obligation and liability for damages, including but not limited to, actual, special, indirect, and consequential damages, attorneys' and experts' fees, and court costs incurred as a result of, arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon this data.

FINES AND PROCEDURES

Failure to comply with a code/zoning violation may result in a civil penalty that is calculated per day that the violation exists. Other penalties could result in criminal charges being filed in the district or circuit court. In some instances and after failed attempts for a property owner to bring the property into compliance, the County will hire a private contractor to abate the violation and then place a lien on the property to recover the costs. Failure to pay these liens could result in the loss of the property at tax sale.

REQUEST A REPRESENTATIVE AT AN EVENT

If you would like a Code Enforcement representative to attend an upcoming community meeting or event, submit that request with the following details via email to paienforce@baltimorecountymd.gov:

  • Day and time of your upcoming event
  • Name of your community
  • Your contact information