Md. Code, Local Government § 5–215

(a) This section applies only to a municipality that has urban renewal

authority granted under Article III, § 61 of the Maryland Constitution.

(b) Subject to subsection (e) of this section, a municipality may:

(1) acquire property of any kind in the municipality, including any

right, interest, franchise, easement, or privilege attached to the property, by

purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or any other legal means for development or

redevelopment of the property, including comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation;

and

(2) sell, lease, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any property

acquired under item (1) of this subsection, to any person or public or quasi–public

entity:

(i) whether or not the property has been developed,

redeveloped, altered, or improved; and

(ii) regardless of how the property was acquired.

(c) (1) A municipality shall provide just compensation to the owner of

any property acquired by the municipality under subsection (b) of this section if the

property is taken by eminent domain.

(2) The amount of compensation paid to an owner under paragraph

(1) of this subsection shall be determined by:

(i) an agreement by the parties to the transaction; or

(ii) a jury award.

(3) A municipality shall pay the amount of compensation determined

under paragraph (2) of this subsection to the owner before taking the property.

(d) Any property needed, or taken by eminent domain, by a municipality for

the purposes in subsection (b) of this section or in connection with the exercise of any

power of a municipality under this section is considered to be needed or taken for a

public use or benefit.

(e) Before acquiring a single–family or multifamily dwelling unit or other

structure under this section, a municipality shall find that:

(1) the dwelling unit or structure has deteriorated to an extent that

constitutes a serious and growing menace to the public health, safety, and welfare;

(2) the dwelling unit or structure is likely to continue to deteriorate;

(3) the continued deterioration of the dwelling unit or structure will

contribute to the blighting or deterioration of the area immediately surrounding the

dwelling unit or structure; and

(4) the owner of the dwelling unit or structure has not corrected the

deterioration.

(f) The legislative body of a municipality shall adopt an ordinance for each

acquisition of property made under this section.