Land Use (GLU) — Title 11. Enforcement
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-101 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 11–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A legislative body may provide by local law for the enforcement of this division and of any local law enacted or regulation adopted under this division.
(b)
Any property subdivided in violation of §§ 5–301 and 5–302 of this article shall remain subject to the adopted subdivision regulations.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-102 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 11–102LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A violation of this division or of a local law enacted or regulation adopted under this division is a misdemeanor.
(b)
A legislative body may:
(1)
provide for punishment of a violation by fine or imprisonment or both; and
(2)
impose civil penalties for a violation.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-103 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 11–103LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In addition to any other available remedy, a local jurisdiction may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to:
(1)
prevent the unlawful construction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use of a building, structure, sign, or land in violation of this division or of a local law enacted or regulation adopted under this division;
(2)
restrain, correct, or abate the violation;
(3)
prevent the occupancy of the building, structure, or land; or
(4)
prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about the premises.
(b)
Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a local jurisdiction may not institute an action or proceeding to:
(1)
abate a transfer that has been completed; or
(2)
prevent the occupancy of a building, structure, or land involved in the transfer as a result of a violation of § 5–301 or § 5–302 of this article.
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-201 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–201LinkCopy Citation
In this subtitle, “zoning official” means a county employee with the duty of enforcing the zoning law.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-202 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A legislative body of a county may provide a civil penalty for a zoning violation, which shall be enforced as provided in this subtitle.
(b)
The legislative body may:
(1)
impose a fine not exceeding $500 for each violation;
(2)
establish a schedule of additional fines for each violation; and
(3)
adopt procedures for the collection of the fines.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-203 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A zoning official may deliver a citation to a person who has committed a civil zoning violation.
(b)
(1)
The citation shall contain:
(i)
the name and address of the person charged;
(ii)
the nature of the violation, including the provision violated;
(iii)
the location and time of the violation;
(iv)
the amount of the fine;
(v)
the manner, location, and time for payment of the fine; and
(vi)
notice of the cited person’s right to elect to stand trial for the violation and how to exercise that right.
(2)
The citation shall bear a certification attesting to the truth of the matters set forth in the citation.
(c)
The zoning official shall keep a copy of the citation.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-204 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–204LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person who receives a citation may elect to stand trial for the violation by filing a notice of intention to stand trial with the zoning official at least 5 business days before the date set forth in the citation for the payment of fines.
(b)
After receiving a notice of intention to stand trial, the zoning official shall forward the notice, with a copy of the citation, to the District Court having venue.
(c)
After receiving the citation and notice, the District Court shall:
(1)
schedule the case for trial; and
(2)
notify the defendant of the trial date.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-205 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If a person that receives a citation for a violation fails to pay the fine by the date of payment set forth in the citation and fails to file a notice of intention to stand trial, the zoning official shall mail a notice of the violation to the person’s last known address.
(b)
If the person that receives the citation does not pay or otherwise satisfy the citation within 15 days after the date the notice of violation is mailed, the person shall be subject to an additional fine not exceeding twice the amount of the original fine.
(c)
(1)
If the person that receives the citation does not pay or otherwise satisfy the citation within 35 days after the notice of violation is mailed, the zoning official may request the District Court to adjudicate the violation.
(2)
If the zoning official requests adjudication, the District Court shall:
(i)
schedule the case for trial; and
(ii)
summon the defendant to appear.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-206 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–206LinkCopy Citation
In a proceeding before the District Court, a violation shall be adjudicated in the same manner and to the same extent as a municipal infraction under §§ 6–108 through 6–115 of the Local Government Article.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-207 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–207LinkCopy Citation
(a)
All fines, penalties, or forfeitures collected by the District Court for zoning violations shall be remitted to the county in which the zoning violation occurred.
(b)
If the District Court finds that a person has committed a civil zoning violation, the person shall be liable for the costs of the court proceedings.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-208 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–208LinkCopy Citation
The governing body of a county may authorize the county attorney to seek adjudication of a civil zoning violation.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 11-209 (2026)
Title 11. Enforcement
Subtitle 2. CIVIL Penalty
§ 11–209LinkCopy Citation
A finding by the District Court of a violation under this subtitle is not a criminal conviction and does not impose any of the civil disabilities ordinarily imposed by a criminal conviction.