{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-20-306","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Health - General § 20–306","heading":"","body":"(a) The health officer for each county:\n(1) May investigate any suspected nuisance; and\n(2) Shall investigate and report on the sanitary conditions of schools, places of business, and places of employment in the county.\n(b) (1) If the health officer finds that a nuisance exists, the health officer shall serve a written notice to the person who is causing the nuisance, ordering the person to abate the nuisance within a time specified in the notice.\n(2) The notice shall be served:\n(i) On the person who is causing the nuisance; or\n(ii) If the person who is causing the nuisance cannot be found, on the owner or occupant of the property where the nuisance exists.\n(c) Failure to comply with the requirements of a notice served under this section is a violation of this subtitle.\n(d) If a question arises between health officers as to the jurisdiction or duties of a health officer in the abatement of a nuisance, the question shall be referred to the Secretary for resolution.\n(e) (1) A health officer may file a complaint in the circuit court for the county where the nuisance exists if:\n(i) The person served with the notice under this section fails to comply with the requirements of the notice; or\n(ii) Although the person served with a notice under this section complies with the requirements of the notice, the nuisance is likely to recur on the same property.\n(2) A complaint filed under this subsection may seek a court order requiring the individual served with a notice under subsection (b) of this section to:\n(i) Comply with the requirements of the health officer’s abatement notice;\n(ii) Abate the nuisance within a specified time;\n(iii) Prevent the nuisance from recurring; or\n(iv) Pay a fine of not more than $1,000.","path":["Article - Health - General"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ghg\u0026section=20-306","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:48Z","sha256":"e0a67f129e16672b0da0460f09e353bf6643965ca745d0b51e56b454ce481517","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-20-305","next":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-20-307"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}