Code Enforcement maintains or improves the standards of the community by:
- Enforcing the County Code and Zoning Regulations. View local and state codes and regulations.
- Enforcing the Rental Registration License Program and addressing public nuisance complaints for dwellings subject to the Rental Housing Registration Law
- Approving various licenses and permits (i.e. motel or hotel, towing, trailer)
- Responding to code complaints, of which there are over 18,000 each year
- Investigating residential and commercial code/zoning complaints
- Performing proactive inspections via our community sweep program
- Managing the Rat Attack Extermination Program, which provides rodent control information to the public and enforces County regulations addressing the root causes of rodent infestation
- Removing illegal signs
- Enforcing the “Bring Your Own Bag” Regulations
About Cases, Notices and Citations
If you receive a correction notice or a citation from Code Enforcement, the document will have specific directions regarding next steps. If you have questions, contact your inspector directly.
- A code case is any complaint that is filed with our office that potentially violates the Baltimore County Code or Zoning Regulations.
- A correction notice is when an inspector has inspected a property and has affirmed a violation needs to be corrected. Each correction notice has a compliance date in which the violations must be abated. Compliance dates vary depending on the code.
- A citation is a notification to the owner making them aware that they have not brought their property into compliance and will have to attend a hearing with the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Office.
Request a Community Sweep
A community sweep is a general review of a neighborhood where the team looks for egregious visible violations, which can be easily corrected. The team will issue correction notices, citations and possible fines during this process for various code and zoning violations.
To request a neighborhood sweep, email or mail us on your association's letterhead with the following information:
- Boundaries of the neighborhood
- Neighborhood trash pickup day
- Your contact information
Many sweeps have been requested and take several months to schedule.
Code Enforcement Complaints
You can file a code complaint online, via the BaltCoGo app, or by calling 311. You can also file complaints directly with the Code Enforcement Office via phone, email or fax. If you would like to be provided updates on your complaint, be sure to leave your contact information. Note: All of our files are public record and any information stored in the file is viewable upon request.
File a Complaint Online
To report a code violation, view the complaint categories below. The following is required when submitting your complaint:
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- The exact address where the alleged violation is occurring
| Category | Example of Violations |
|---|---|
| Building Complaints |
|
| Code Enforcement Complaints |
|
| Electrical Complaints |
|
| Grading Complaints |
|
| Plumbing and Gasfitting Complaints |
|
| Rental Registration Complaints |
|
File a Complaint By Mail
Mail your complaint to:
Adam Whitlock, Chief of Code Enforcement
County Office Building, Room 216
111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204
Check the Status of a Complaint
To check the status of a complaint, search online for a specific complaint using the case number or type, street address or date submitted, or call 410-887-3351. You can also enter the ZIP code to find information on all cases in a community.
If you mailed or faxed your complaint, please allow five business days before checking the status.
If the complaint status is marked as "duplicate," then there is already an open case on the property. The assigned inspector will be notified that there are additional concerns. Should there be a discrepancy about the case being a duplicate, call 410-887-3351 or email paienforce@baltimorecountymd.gov.
Download Reports
View the complaint report (CSV) for properties that are investigated to determine if a code violation exists.
Reports are updated weekly and may be changed at any time. Inclusion of an address in these reports does not necessarily mean the property is in violation of the Baltimore County Code, it means that a complaint was received and the property will be inspected to determine if it is in violation of the code.
These documents may be large and take longer to load. This data is only for information purposes and may be inaccurate, contain errors or omissions. Baltimore County, Maryland does not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the data and disclaims all warranties with regard to the data, including but not limited to, all warranties, express or implied, of merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose. Baltimore County, Maryland disclaims all obligation and liability for damages, including but not limited to, actual, special, indirect, and consequential damages, attorneys' and experts' fees, and court costs incurred as a result of, arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon this data.
Fines and Procedures
Failure to comply with a code/zoning violation may result in a civil penalty that is calculated per day that the violation exists. Other penalties could result in criminal charges being filed in the district or circuit court. In some instances and after failed attempts for a property owner to bring the property into compliance, the County will hire a private contractor to abate the violation and then place a lien on the property to recover the costs. Failure to pay these liens could result in the loss of the property at tax sale.
Request a Representative at an Event
If you would like a Code Enforcement representative to attend an upcoming community meeting or event, submit that request with the following details via email to paienforce@baltimorecountymd.gov:
- Day and time of your upcoming event
- Name of your community
- Your contact information