PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 458

(1994 Edition, as amended)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 20 - Somerset Comity

2-408.

(a)     The County Commissioners may enact ordinances that require the owners of
real property to meet standards enumerated in the ordinances for the maintenance of the
property.

(b)     If enacted, the ordinances shall set the standards for the height of grass,
weeds, and similar vegetation and for the removal of old buildings and similar structures.

(c)     (1) If the owner of the real property fails to maintain that property in
accordance with the standards set in the ordinance, the County may undertake the work
itself and assess the owner for the cost of the work.

(2)     Before undertaking any work under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the
County shall give the property owner:

(i) By regular mail or personal service, written notice of the violation
of the ordinance; and

(ii) At least 15 days to bring the property into compliance with the
ordinance.

(3)     The cost of the work performed by the County under paragraph (1) of
this subsection shall become a lien on the real property and shall be considered and
collected in the same way as are the annual property taxes.

(D) (1) (I) THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY PROVIDE IN ANY
ORDINANCE ADOPTED UNDER THIS SECTION A CIVIL PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION
OF THE ORDINANCE.

(II) THE ORDINANCE SHALL PROVIDE A SPECIFIED FINE, NOT TO
EXCEED $500, FOR ANY VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE.

(III) THE ORDINANCE MAY PROVIDE:

1. A SCHEDULE OF FINES FOR EACH VIOLATION; AND

2. PROCEDURES FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE FINES
IMPOSED.

(2) (I) A DESIGNATED COUNTY OFFICIAL MAY SERVE A CITATION ON
A PERSON BELIEVED TO HAVE COMMITTED A VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE.

(II) THE CITATION SHALL BE SERVED ON THE DEFENDANT:

1. IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 3-121 OF THE MARYLAND
RULES; OR

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