{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-12-515","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Local Government § 12–515","heading":"","body":"(a) Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of opening or\naltering a road, at least two of the examiners shall determine the cost of damages\nthat may be sustained by a person through whose property an opened or altered road\nmay pass.\n(b) The governing body of the county may ratify, reject, or alter the\ndetermination of the cost of damages under subsection (a) of this section.\n(c) (1) The governing body of the county shall determine whether the\ndamages shall be:\n(i) paid by the petitioner;\n(ii) paid by the county; or\n(iii) apportioned between the petitioner and the county.\n(2) Before the road may be opened, any damages owed shall be paid\nto the respective property owner, or to the respective property owner’s guardian,\nagent, or attorney.\n(3) If a property owner dies after the examiners have determined the\ncost of damages, the damages shall be paid to the property owner’s personal\nrepresentative.\n(d) (1) Subject to a determination under subsection (c)(1) of this section,\nsigning a petition for opening, altering, or closing of a road does not make the\npetitioner liable for the payment of any part of the damages determined by the\ngoverning body of the county.\n(2) The governing body may hold a petitioner liable for the costs\nincurred by a person defending against the petition if the case is decided in favor of\nthe person defending against the petition.\n(3) If the governing body does not order the opening, altering, or\nclosing of a road as requested in a petition, the petitioner shall be liable for all costs\nincurred by any person as a result of any proceeding relating to the petition under\nthis subtitle.","path":["Article - Local Government"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=glg\u0026section=12-515","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:59:58Z","sha256":"55a43e39f80e08f809452efab459a1da7dce815f56c5316f2af8997dcab4545b","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-12-514","next":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-12-516"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}