<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 09.12.54.05" title_num="09" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="54" heading="Code Enforcement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Local Enforcement. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the local political subdivision in which the housing is located to enforce the provisions of the Code.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Local Waiver.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A local political subdivision may waive applicability of the Code, in whole or part, to a unit of rental housing on application of the property owner if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Adequate notice in a form and manner specified by the subdivision is afforded a tenant of the unit;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The tenant is afforded an opportunity to comment on the application either in writing or in person; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The waiver would not threaten the health or safety of a tenant.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A local political subdivision may waive applicability of the Code if the waiver is granted on the basis of the religious practices of the occupant of the unit of rental housing.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Departmental Authority. The Department shall decide questions of interpretation of the Code, including questions relating to uniform enforcement by political subdivisions, and may authorize any waiver or exemption requested by a local political subdivision.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Departmental Waiver. Upon the written request of a local political subdivision, the Department may waive or vary particular provisions of the Code to the extent that the waiver is not inconsistent with the Act if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Geographic differences or unique local conditions justify the waiver;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The waiver would not threaten the health or safety of any tenant; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The application of the particular provision to the local political subdivision would be inequitable or contrary to the purposes of the Act.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Displacement. A person may not be displaced by enforcement of the Minimum Livability Code unless alternate housing of comparable affordability is available within a reasonable distance of the vacated premises.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Enforcement and waiver application are not intended to supersede any State laws pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>State fire laws, Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>State elevator laws, Public Safety Article, Title 12, Subtitle 8, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>State boiler laws, Public Safety Article, Title 12, Subtitle 9, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>