[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Glenarden 6-19-2000
by Ord. No. O-09-00. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Brush, grass and weeds — See Ch. 48.
The provisions of this chapter set forth the minimum standards and responsibilities
for maintenance of land, structures and exteriors for all property used or
zoned for residential, commercial or industrial purposes in the City of Glenarden.
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings indicated:
Acts of repair or other acts to prevent a decline in the conditions
of grounds and structures such that the condition does not fall below the
standards established by this chapter and other applicable statute, regulation
and ordinances or law.
Any person who has legal or equitable title or interest in a building
and/or land (which includes but is not limited to a sole or part owner, joint
owner, life tenant, tenant in common, tenant by the entirety, lessee or licensee).
Any land legally utilized or zoned for residential, commercial or
industrial purposes, and any improvement thereon (including but not limited
to all accessory structures such as detached garages, fences, and walls).
Shall mean and include the following:
The physical condition or use of any property determined to be a public
nuisance at law or due to a violation of this chapter; or
Any physical condition or use of any premises or its appurtenances that
may reasonably invite or encourage trespassing and resulting injury to trespassers
or others; or
Any property which has unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities; or
Any physical condition or use which would constitute an unsafe condition
or structure under this chapter or any other applicable statute, regulation,
ordinance or law; or
Any property which is littered with trash or which has an uncontrolled
growth of weeds; or
Any property where weeds have grown to a height in excess of eight inches
in height except where prohibited by other applicable statute, regulation,
ordinance or law.
Except that which is placed outdoors for disposal either in a sealed
container or designated for disposal, “trash” shall mean solid
waste consisting of both combustible waste (including but not limited to paper,
cardboard, wood, cloth, bedding material, lawn and yard clippings not located
in an established compost pile, and dead trees and limbs to include any hazardous
or uprooted trees) and noncombustible waste (including but not limited to
metals, glass, crockery, tin cans, junked appliances, abandoned vehicles,
vehicle parts, and building and construction waste or scaffolding). For the
purposes of this chapter, “abandoned vehicle” shall mean any motor
vehicle or trailer that is inoperable and left unattended on private or public
property for more than 48 hours, or does not display current license plates
for that vehicle, or is wrecked or dismantled.
Grass, plants, brush, vegetation and growth, excluding trees, ornamental
shrubbery, plants, flowers, garden vegetables properly tended, cultivated
crops, or woodland, not otherwise in violation.
Responsible person. All owners of property as defined in this chapter
are responsible for complying with the requirements of this chapter.
All improved and unimproved property shall be maintained in a clean,
safe, secure, and sanitary condition in conformance with this chapter so as
not to create a public nuisance or adversely affect the public health, safety
or welfare.
All owners of the property shall be responsible for the extermination
of insects, rats, vermin or other pests in all areas of the property.
All sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces, loading docks, service
areas and similarly paved areas for ingress and egress to property shall be
kept in a proper state of repair and maintained free of hazardous conditions.
Every exterior surface, wall, window, gutter and foundation on improved
property shall be free of graffiti, holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards
or pieces, broken glass, timbers, and any conditions which might admit rain
or dampness to the interior portions of the walls or create a hazard.
Roofs and drainage systems on improved property shall be structurally
sound and tight and without holes, decay or defects which might admit insects,
rats, vermin, rain, or cause dampness or deterioration in the interior portion
of improved property.
A.
Whenever a police or code enforcement officer of the City of
Glenarden shall determine that a provision of this chapter has been violated,
the police or code enforcement officer shall serve notice of the violation
upon the owner or other responsible party by personally serving the notice
on the owner or person residing at the property who is at least 18 years of
age or older, sending a copy of the notice by mail to the owner’s last
known address or, if the notice is returned showing that it has not been delivered
to the last known address, by posting a copy in a conspicuous place in or
about the property in violation of this chapter. If the notice is served on
a person residing at the property who is at least 18 years of age or older,
a copy of the notice shall be mailed to the last known address of the owner.
B.
The notice shall be in writing; shall include a description of
the property sufficient for identification; shall specify the violation that
exists and the corrective action required; and shall allow a reasonable time
not less than 15 days for the performance of any required corrective action.
A.
If an owner does not comply with a notice of violation within
the time period provided, and if a police or code enforcement officer finds
that the violation continues to exist, the police or code enforcement officer
may issue the owner a civil citation for a municipal infraction for failure
to correct the violation of this chapter. The citation shall be forwarded
to the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County for adjudication.
B.
Upon a finding by the court that the owner has failed to correct
the violation as required, the owner shall be subject to a monetary fine of
$100 for the first violation, $200 for the same violation, $300 for the third
violation, and $100 for each repeat violation in excess of the first three
violations. Each day the violation continues following the issuance of the
notice of violation shall be deemed to be a continuing violation.
C.
In addition, if a person violates or fails to comply with any
provision of this chapter, the City of Glenarden may file for injunctive relief,
mandamus, or any other appropriate action or proceeding to enforce the provisions
of this chapter.
D.
Following the issuance of a civil citation for failure to correct
a violation of this chapter, the City may correct any violation of this chapter
the City determines to be a threat to public health, welfare and safety.
E.
A tax lien shall be created on real property for all monies expended
by the City of Glenarden for the abatement of violations of this chapter where
the responsible party refuses or fails to comply with the notice of violation
after due notice thereof and issuance of an order by a court of competent
jurisdiction. Upon certification from the City Manager that a tax lien has
been created, notice of the amount of such lien shall be forwarded to the
Prince George’s County Director of Finance for collection in the same
manner as other City and county real estate taxes.
