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<section article="grp" article_name="Real Property" number="14-124" title_number="14" title_name="Miscellaneous Rules" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Rules">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Community association” means a Maryland nonprofit association, corporation, or other organization that is located exclusively in an area of the county that is outside of a municipal corporation and:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Is comprised of at least 25% of adult residents of a local community consisting of 40 or more individual, contiguous households as defined by specific geographic boundaries in the bylaws or charter of the association;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Requires, as a condition of membership, the voluntary payment of monetary dues at least annually;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Is operated primarily for the promotion of social welfare and general neighborhood improvement and enhancement;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Has been in existence for at least 2 years when it files suit under this section;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>In the case of a Maryland corporation, is in good standing.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Local code violation” means a violation under the following provisions of the Prince George’s County Code as amended from time to time or under any applicable code relating to the following provisions incorporated into the Prince George’s County Code by reference:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Animal control regulations (§ 3–131 et seq.) and other rules, regulations, and standards (§ 3–175 et seq.) under Subtitle 3;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Building Code under Subtitle 4, Division 1;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Fire Prevention Code under Subtitle 11, Division 4;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Pest control provisions under Subtitle 12, Division 5;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Housing Code, property standards and maintenance, and antilitter and weed ordinance, under Subtitle 13, Divisions 1, 7, and 9, respectively;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Sewage disposal nuisances under Subtitle 22, Division 3, Subdivision 3; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>Abandoned vehicles under Subtitle 26, Division 14.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Nuisance” means, within the boundaries of the community represented by the community association, an act or condition knowingly created, performed, or maintained on private property that constitutes a local code violation and that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Significantly affects other residents of the neighborhood;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Negatively impacts the value of neighboring property; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <level label="1">
          <text>Is injurious to public health, safety, or welfare of neighboring residents; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Obstructs the reasonable use of other property in the neighborhood.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>This section only applies to a nuisance located within the boundaries of Prince George’s County.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A community association may seek injunctive and other equitable relief in the circuit court for abatement of a nuisance upon showing:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The notice requirements under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection have been satisfied; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The nuisance has not been abated.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>An action may not be brought under this section based on a nuisance until 60 days after the community association gives notice of the violation and of the community association’s intent to bring an action under this section by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the applicable local enforcement agency.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>An action under this section may not be brought if the applicable code enforcement agency has filed an action for equitable relief from the nuisance.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>An action may not be brought under this section until 60 days after the tenant, if any, and owner of record receive notice from the community association that a nuisance exists and that legal action may be taken if the nuisance is not abated.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The notice shall specify:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>The nature of the alleged nuisance;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>The date and time of day the nuisance was first discovered;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>The location on the property where the nuisance is allegedly occurring; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>The relief sought.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The notice shall be provided to the tenant, if any, and the owner of record in the same manner as service of process in a civil in personam action under the Maryland Rules.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>In filing a suit under this section, an officer of the community association shall certify to the court:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>What steps the community association has taken to satisfy the notice requirements under this subsection; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>That each condition precedent to the filing of an action under this section has been met.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>A proceeding under this section shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Take precedence on the docket;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Be heard at the earliest practicable date; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Be expedited in every way.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>A political subdivision of the State or any agency of a political subdivision may not be subject to any action brought under this section or an action resulting from an action brought under this section against a private property owner.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section may not be construed to abrogate any equitable or legal right or remedy otherwise available under the law to abate a nuisance.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>This section may not be construed as granting standing for an action:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Challenging any zoning application or approval;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>In which the alleged nuisance consists of:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>A condition relating to lead paint; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>An interior physical defect of a property;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Involving any violation of alcoholic beverages laws under the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Involving any matter in which a certificate, license, permit, or registration is required or allowed under the Environment Article.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
