# Local Government (GLG)

## Title 21. Special Taxing Districts

### Subtitle 8. Miscellaneous Provisions

#### Section 21-801

(a) This section applies to all counties except Baltimore City.

(b) The governing body of a county may:

  (1) provide for street lighting along the roads of the county; and

  (2) enter into contracts for the installation, maintenance, and operation of street lighting.

(c) Except as provided in subsections (g) and (h) of this section, a county shall pay the costs of street lighting provided for under this section by an ad valorem tax imposed on each property in the district served by the street lighting.

(d)

  (1) Except as provided in subsections (e) and (f) of this section, the governing body of a county may create a street lighting district only on receipt of a petition signed by 60% of the owners of property located in the proposed district.

  (2) The petition shall describe the boundaries of the proposed electric lighting district.

  (3)

    (i) On receipt of the petition, the governing body of the county shall hold a public hearing at which the residents in the proposed street lighting district shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

    (ii) The governing body shall:

      (1) hold the hearing not less than 14 days nor more than 60 days following receipt of the petition; and

      (2) publish notice of the hearing at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the boundaries of the proposed street lighting district.

  (4)

    (i) After the hearing the governing body of the county may establish the street lighting district and impose on all property that is subject to county taxes and is located in the district ad valorem taxes at a rate sufficient to pay the cost of the street lighting.

    (ii) All taxes under this subsection shall be imposed in the same manner as county taxes.

(e)

  (1) In addition to the process set forth under subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, the County Commissioners of Frederick County may create, on their own initiative, a street lighting district for undeveloped land in the county if:

    (i) a subdivision plat for the land has not been approved by the County Planning Commission or recorded by the clerk of the court; and

    (ii) the district is created in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.

  (2)

    (i) Before establishing a street lighting district under this section, the county commissioners shall hold a public hearing on the proposal, at which time the boundaries of the proposed district shall be fully described.

    (ii) A notice of public hearing together with a summary of the proposal shall be published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county once each week for the 2 successive weeks immediately before the hearing.

(f) The County Commissioners of St. Mary's County may create a street lighting district on receipt of a petition signed by a majority of the owners of property located in the proposed district.

(g) Somerset County may pay the cost of street lighting provided in accordance with this section by a tax imposed equally only on improved property in the district.

(h)

  (1) To cover the costs of street lighting, the County Commissioners of Washington County may impose either:

    (i) an ad valorem tax as provided in subsection (c) of this section; or

    (ii) a fixed amount per tax account that shall be uniform in the street lighting district.

  (2) Late payments are subject to interest from the date due at the same rate, and subject to the same collection procedures, as overdue county property taxes.

#### Section 21-802

(a) Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal or calendar year, a special taxing area commission or board in Allegany County that has the right to collect taxes or fees shall file a report with the County Commissioners of Allegany County to account for all taxes collected and disbursed.

(b)

  (1) A report required under this section shall be notarized.

  (2) The County Commissioners of Allegany County may require a certified audit.

(c) A report required under this section shall be open for public review at the courthouse and at a convenient location in the area where taxes or fees are collected.

#### Section 21-803

(a) The governing body of Anne Arundel County may:

  (1) establish special taxing districts; and

  (2) impose ad valorem taxes on all real property in a special taxing district at a rate sufficient to provide adequate annual revenue to pay the principal of and interest on any bonds or other obligations of the county issued to finance the design, acquisition, establishment, improvement, extension, operation, or alteration of public parking facilities or pedestrian malls.

(b) Ad valorem taxes imposed under this section shall be imposed in the same manner, on the same assessments, for the same period, and as of the same date of finality as county real property taxes.

#### Section 21-803.1

In addition to the purposes enumerated in Title 10 of this article, Anne Arundel County may establish, modify, or abolish special taxing districts for the purpose of providing or expanding water or wastewater services. 

#### Section 21-804

(a)

  (1) By ordinance, the County Commissioners of Calvert County may establish stormwater management districts.

  (2) Before adopting an ordinance establishing stormwater management districts, the county commissioners by ordinance shall adopt a comprehensive stormwater management plan.

(b)

  (1) In this subsection, "area affected" means the critical area generating the run-off water and the area flooded.

  (2) A written petition requesting the creation of a stormwater management district and a stormwater management project may be presented to the County Commissioners of Calvert County by:

    (i) two-thirds of the real property owners in the area affected; or

    (ii) the owners of two-thirds of the real property in the area affected.

(c)

  (1) On receipt of a valid petition, the County Commissioners of Calvert County shall:

    (i) hold a public hearing;

    (ii) mail a notice of the time and place of the hearing to each owner of real property in the proposed district at the address shown on the assessment records; and

    (iii) publish notice of the time and place of the hearing in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county for 2 successive weeks.

  (2) At the hearing, the county commissioners shall:

    (i) determine, with the advice of the Calvert Soil Conservation District, the scope of the stormwater management project; and

    (ii) advise the property owners of the approximate cost and estimated benefit charges to be imposed on property in the stormwater management district.

(d)

  (1) The County Commissioners of Calvert County shall:

    (i) determine, with the advice of the Calvert Soil Conservation District, the extent to which the county shall assume responsibility for design, construction, and maintenance of the stormwater management project;

    (ii) determine responsibility for design, construction, and maintenance that is not to be assumed by the county;

    (iii) determine whether to proceed with plans and specifications; and

    (iv) set a date for a final hearing.

  (2) The date for the final hearing may be changed only after notice is given in accordance with subsection (c)(1) of this section.

(e)

  (1) At the final hearing, the County Commissioners of Calvert County may establish the stormwater management district and designate the area included in the district.

  (2) If the county commissioners establish a stormwater management district, the county commissioners shall determine:

    (i) the scope of the stormwater management project;

    (ii) the estimated cost of the project;

    (iii) the estimated costs to be assumed by the county;

    (iv) the costs to be assumed by other persons; and

    (v) estimated benefit charges to be imposed on each individual property.

  (3) The estimated benefit charges to be imposed on each individual property shall be based on the benefits accruing to each property in the stormwater management district to the extent the property is benefited by the project, as determined by the county commissioners.

  (4) The total cost of the project may be funded by the county commissioners, with individual costs paid back to the county by property owners in a period of time and with interest at a rate set by the county commissioners.

(f) If the County Commissioners of Calvert County proceed with a stormwater management project, the county commissioners shall:

  (1) advertise for bids in the proper manner; and

  (2) award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

(g)

  (1) On completion of a stormwater management project, the County Commissioners of Calvert County shall impose benefit charges on all real property in the stormwater management district.

  (2) The benefit charges imposed under this subsection shall be sufficient to meet the costs of the project other than the costs to be assumed by the county.

  (3) A benefit charge imposed under this subsection:

    (i) is a lien on the real property on which it is imposed; and

    (ii) shall be paid annually as county taxes are required to be paid, for the period of time established by the county commissioners.

(h) The County Commissioners of Calvert County may accept as a gift, or contract to purchase, land and easements required for the stormwater management district.

(i)

  (1) On completion of the stormwater management project to county specifications:

    (i) Calvert County shall maintain the portions of the system that are located:

      (1) on county-owned rights-of-way and drainage ways; and

      (2) on drainage ways for which the county has accepted a permanent easement; and

    (ii) all other portions of the system shall be maintained by the owner of the property on which a portion of the system is located.

  (2)

    (i) If the owner of the property does not maintain the portion of the drainage system located on the property, the county, after proper notice, may enter the property and correct the drainage problem.

    (ii) All costs for actions taken by the county under this paragraph shall be charged as a lien on the real property.

#### Section 21-805

(a) In this section, "Department" means the Crofton Police Department.

(b) There is a Crofton Police Department.

(c)

  (1) The Department is:

    (i) established to provide protection for the Crofton Special Community Benefit District in Anne Arundel County; and

    (ii) responsible for enforcing the applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations of the State and Anne Arundel County.

  (2)

    (i) The Department is not an agency of Anne Arundel County.

    (ii) The officers, employees, and agents of the Department are not officers, employees, or agents of Anne Arundel County.

  (3) Anne Arundel County is not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Department or the officers, employees, or agents of the Department.

(d)

  (1) There is a Chief of Police of the Department.

  (2)

    (i) The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the Town Manager of the Crofton Special Community Benefit District, with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Crofton Civic Association, Incorporated, acting as administrator of the Crofton Special Community Benefit District.

    (ii) The Chief of Police shall be:

      (1) experienced in the command of uniformed patrols and in the detection and investigation of crime; and

      (2) selected solely on the basis of qualifications for the position.

  (3)

    (i) The Chief of Police shall be responsible directly to the Town Manager.

    (ii) All orders to the Department from the Town Manager shall be directed through the Chief of Police or the designee of the Chief of Police.

  (4)

    (i) The Chief of Police shall command and administer the Department.

    (ii) The duties of the Chief of Police include:

      (1) being responsible for the efficiency and good conduct of the Department;

      (2) overseeing the general operation of the Department;

      (3) hiring employees and appointing officers; and

      (4) disciplining employees and officers.

  (5) The Chief of Police:

    (i) shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Manager; and

    (ii) subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Crofton Civic Association, Incorporated, acting as administrator of the Crofton Special Community Benefit District, may be removed by the Town Manager.

(e)

  (1) A member of the Department has all the powers granted to a peace officer and a police officer of the State.

  (2) The powers granted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be exercised only on property in the Crofton Special Community Benefit District and not on any other property, unless a member of the Department is:

    (i) engaged in fresh pursuit of a suspected offender;

    (ii) specially requested or allowed to exercise the powers in a political subdivision by the chief executive officer or chief police officer of the political subdivision; or

    (iii) ordered to exercise the powers by the Governor.

  (3) Members of the Department have concurrent jurisdiction in the performance of their duties with the law enforcement agencies of the State and Anne Arundel County.

  (4) This section does not:

    (i) relieve the State or Anne Arundel County from a duty to provide police, fire, and other public safety service and protection; or

    (ii) affect the jurisdiction of other police, fire, and public safety agencies.

(f)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission shall adopt standards, qualifications, and prerequisites of character, training, education, human and public relations, and experience for the Department, including standards for the performance of the duties of the Department.

  (2) The Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission may delegate to the Board of Directors of the Crofton Civic Association, Incorporated, the authority to adopt standards, qualifications, and prerequisites under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(g)

  (1) The Board of Directors of the Crofton Civic Association, Incorporated, acting as administrator of the Crofton Special Community Benefit District, shall adopt rules and regulations governing the operation and conduct of the Department, including its police officers.

  (2) The rules and regulations of the Board of Directors concerning police officers shall supplement any rules or regulations of the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

  (3) Disobedience to the lawful commands, rules, or regulations of the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission or the Board of Directors shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal.

(h)

  (1) Funding for the Department shall come from revenue derived from special taxes or assessments imposed on real property located in the Crofton Special Community Benefit District.

  (2) The Department or the Board of Directors of the Crofton Civic Association, Incorporated, acting as administrator of the Crofton Special Community Benefit District, may apply for, accept, and spend any gift or grant for the benefit or use of the Department from the federal government, any State unit, any foundation, or any other person.

#### Section 21-806

(a) In this section, "Department" means the Ocean Pines Police Department.

(b) There is an Ocean Pines Police Department.

(c)

  (1) The Department is:

    (i) established to provide protection for the Ocean Pines community in Worcester County; and

    (ii) responsible for enforcing the applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations of the State and Worcester County.

  (2)

    (i) The Department is not an agency of Worcester County.

    (ii) The officers, employees, and agents of the Department are not officers, employees, or agents of Worcester County.

  (3) Worcester County is not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Department or the officers, employees, or agents of the Department.

(d)

  (1) There is a Chief of Police of the Department.

  (2)

    (i) The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the General Manager of the Ocean Pines Association.

    (ii) The Chief of Police shall be:

      (1) experienced in the command of uniformed patrols and the detection and investigation of crime; and

      (2) selected solely on the basis of qualifications for the position.

  (3)

    (i) The Chief of Police shall be responsible directly to the General Manager.

    (ii) All orders to the Department from the General Manager shall be directed through the Chief of Police or the designee of the Chief of Police.

  (4)

    (i) The Chief of Police shall command and administer the Department.

    (ii) The duties of the Chief of Police include:

      (1) being responsible for the efficiency and good conduct of the Department;

      (2) overseeing the general operation of the Department;

      (3) hiring employees and appointing officers, subject to the approval of the General Manager; and

      (4) disciplining employees and officers.

  (5) The Chief of Police shall serve at the pleasure of the General Manager and may be removed by the General Manager.

(e)

  (1) A member of the Department has all the powers granted to a peace officer and a police officer of the State.

  (2) The powers granted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be exercised only on property in the Ocean Pines community and not on any other property, unless a member of the Department is:

    (i) acting under an agreement with another law enforcement agency;

    (ii) engaged in fresh pursuit of a suspected offender;

    (iii) specially requested or allowed to exercise the powers in a political subdivision by the chief executive officer or chief police officer of the political subdivision; or

    (iv) ordered to exercise the powers by the Governor.

  (3) Members of the Department have concurrent jurisdiction in the performance of their duties with the law enforcement agencies of the State and Worcester County.

  (4) This section does not:

    (i) relieve the State or Worcester County from a duty to provide police, fire, and other public safety service and protection; or

    (ii) affect the jurisdiction of other police, fire, and public safety agencies.

(f)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission shall adopt standards, qualifications, and prerequisites of character, training, education, human and public relations, and experience for the Department, including standards for the performance of the duties of the Department.

  (2) The Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission may delegate to the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association, Incorporated, the authority to adopt standards, qualifications, and prerequisites under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(g)

  (1) The Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association, Incorporated, shall adopt rules governing the operation and conduct of the Department, including its police officers.

  (2) The rules of the Board of Directors concerning police officers shall supplement any rules or regulations of the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

  (3) Disobedience to the lawful commands, rules, or regulations of the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission or the Board of Directors shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal.

(h)

  (1) Funding for the Department shall come from revenue derived from assessments imposed on real property located in the Ocean Pines community and other available sources.

  (2) The Department or the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association, Incorporated, acting as administrator of the Ocean Pines community, may apply for, accept, and spend any gift or grant for the benefit or use of the Department from the federal government, any State unit, any foundation, or any other person.

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Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)