# COMAR Title 09 — Maryland Department of Labor

## Subtitle 08 — Home Improvement Commission

### Chapter 06 — Civil Citations

**Authority:** Business Regulation Article, §§8-207(a) and 8-620(c)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: May 14, 2012 (39:9 Md. R. 611)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02I, T, Z amended effective June 23, 2025 (52:12 Md. R. 599)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02DD adopted effective June 23, 2025 (52:12 Md. R. 599)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 09.08.06.01*

Unless otherwise indicated, the fines under Regulation .02 of this chapter apply for civil citations issued by the Commission under Business Regulation Article, §8-620(c)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland.

#### Regulation .02 Violation.

*COMAR 09.08.06.02*

A. Failure to include the name or license number in an advertisement:

  (1) First violation — $100; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $300.

B. Publishing a false, misleading, or deceptive advertisement:

  (1) First violation — $300; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,000.

C. Failure to display the license number on vehicle:

  (1) First violation — $100; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $300.

D. Perform or sell a home improvement with or through an unlicensed person:

  (1) First violation — $1,500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $5,000.

E. Failure of a salesperson to account for, or remit, a payment received:

  (1) First violation — $1,000; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $3,000.

F. Failure of a contractor to notify Commission of the hiring or termination of a salesperson:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,000.

G. Failure of a contractor to notify the Commission within 10 days of a change of ownership, management, address, or trade name:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,000.

H. Violation of a building law of the State or a political subdivision, a safety or labor law of the State, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act, or the lead paint accreditation requirement under Environment Article, §6-1002, Annotated Code of Maryland:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

I. Acting as a contractor or selling a home improvement under a name other than that under which the person is licensed:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

J. Failure to have a written and legible contract:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

K. Failure to have on a contract, the name, address, telephone number, and license number of the contractor:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

L. Failure to have on a contract a clear description of each document that it incorporates:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

M. Failure to have a contract signed by each party:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

N. Failure to have on a contract the approximate start and completion dates:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

O. Failure to have on a contract notice about the Commission and telephone number of the Commission:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

P. Failure to have on a contract a written notice as required whenever payment is secured by an interest in real estate:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

Q. Failure to have the notice required under Business Regulation Article, §8-501(c)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland, initialed by owner:

  (1) First violation — $1,000; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $2,000.

R. Failure to provide a copy of a contract to an owner:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,000.

S. Failure to have on a contract including a mandatory arbitration clause the notice required under COMAR 09.08.01.25A:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,000.

T. Failure to obtain owner’s initials on a mandatory arbitration clause in a contract:

  (1) First violation — $1,000; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $2,000.

U. Demand or receive any payment before contract is signed:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

V. Receipt of more than 1/3 deposit at the time of contract signing:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

W. Failure to comply with an order or requirement of Commission:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

X. Offering to act as a contractor without a license from the Commission:

  (1) First violation — $1,000; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $3,000.

Y. Acting as a contractor without a license from the Commission:

  (1) First violation — $1,500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $5,000.

Z. . Reserved.

AA. Offering to sell a home improvement without a license from the Commission:

  (1) First violation — $500; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $1,500.

BB. Selling a home improvement without a license from the Commission:

  (1) First violation — $1,000; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $3,000.

CC. Accepting a completion certificate with knowledge that the document is false:

  (1) First violation — $2,000; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation — $5,000.

DD. Failure to maintain a surety bond that a licensee is required to hold to satisfy financial solvency requirements under Business Regulation Article, §8-305, Annotated Code of Maryland:

  (1) First violation—$2,000; and

  (2) Second or subsequent violation—$5,000.