[HISTORY: Adopted by the Harford County Council
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 82.
[Adopted by Bill No. 87-39; amended in its
entirety by Bill No. 94-47]
A.
COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE
OWNER
In this section, the following words shall have the
meanings indicated:
The individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation
or other entity whose name appears on the tax records of the county
for any property subject to the provisions of this section.
B.
Display of address numbers.
(1)
An owner of improved real property shall display arabic
numerals indicating the numerical address assigned to the property.
(2)
The owner shall be responsible for the attachment
of such numerals to the outside of the main portion of the improved
property so that the address is plainly visible from the public roadway
on which the property fronts.
(3)
The owner shall use numerals at least 3 inches high
and of a color which contrasts with the surface on which they are
mounted. The numerals may include a letter only if the letter is part
of the address assigned to the property. The owner may use a numeral
3 inches high if displayed within 10 feet of the public roadway.
(4)
The owner of an improved property shall display a
second set of numerals on the rear of the principal improvement if
the improvement is used for commercial purposes.
(5)
If the numerals are not clearly visible from the roadway
named in the address of the property or if the property is located
more than 150 feet from the roadway, the owner shall post a second
set of numerals clearly visible from the roadway. Numerals shall be
mounted on a contrasting surface at least 3 feet above the ground
and located at the driveway or entrance lane within 10 feet of the
public roadway.
(6)
Numerals displayed on a mailbox may qualify only if
the mailbox is located on the same side of the public roadway as the
improved property and the numerals are clearly visible when approaching
from either direction along the roadway. In the case of multiple improved
properties served by a single lane or driveway, the numerals assigned
to each property shall also be displayed at the entrance to the lane
or driveway within 10 feet of the public roadway, and at each branch
or junction of the land or driveway to indicate the proper lane or
driveway for each improved property.
C.
Warning for violation.
(1)
A county representative who observes a violation of
this section may issue a written warning to the owner of the property
involved.
(2)
The warning shall be issued by certified mail and
notify the owner:
(3)
The warning shall be mailed by the Department of Emergency
Operations on a standard form developed by the Department.
D.
Violations and penalties.
(1)
An owner who fails to comply with a warning issued under Subsection C of this section is in violation of this section and is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding:
(2)
The Harford County Sheriff's Office shall enforce
the provisions of this section.
[Amended by Bill No. 21-027]
(3)
The county may collect any fines imposed under this
section by commencing a civil action in the district court for Harford
County.
[Adopted by Bill No. 90-11]
In this Article, the following words have the
meanings indicated:
A person who installs, maintains, monitors, alters or services
alarm systems. "Alarm system contractor" does not include a person
who sells or manufactures alarm systems unless that person installs,
maintains, monitors, alters or services alarm systems.
An occupant of a building, structure or facility in which
an alarm system is operational.
[Amended by Bill No. 07-21]
A.
When an alarm system is responsible for a false alarm,
the Emergency Operations Division may issue a civil citation to the
alarm user if the alarm system has been responsible for 2 or more
false alarms within a 12-month period.
A.
For the purposes of this subsection, an alarm system
is defective if it is responsible for 2 or more false alarms within
a 12-month period.
[Amended by Bill No. 07-21]
B.
The Emergency Operations Division shall provide written
notice to the alarm user of a defective alarm system.
C.
Upon receiving notice of a defective alarm system,
the alarm user shall:
[Amended by Bill No. 07-21]
E.
The Emergency Operations Division may issue a civil
citation to an alarm user who continues to use a defective alarm system
after being notified that the system is defective. The citation shall
include a fine of $200. Each day a violation continues is a separate
offense.
[Amended by Bill No. 07-21]
A.
An alarm system contractor shall notify the Emergency
Operations Division by telephone before servicing an alarm system.
[Amended by Bill No. 07-21]
A.
The County Treasurer or his designee shall notify
alarm users or alarm system contractors of amounts owed to the County
and shall make demand therefore, pursuant to the provisions of this
section.
B.
Once notified by the Treasurer's office, the user
or contractor will have 30 days to pay the amount owed.
C.
False alarm fines for building owners shall be treated in the same manner as property taxes for enforcement of payments as provided in Section 123-32 of the Harford County Code, as amended. Tenants who have installed alarm systems shall be responsible for false alarm fines.
D.
Delinquent false alarm fines shall bear interest at the same rate per month or any fraction thereof as provided in Section 123-27 of the Harford County Code. Invoices for false alarm fines are to be paid within 30 days of the date rendered and will be deemed delinquent if not paid. Any administrative costs or legal fees the County incurs in the collection of the fines shall be the responsibility of the alarm user or contractor.
E.
The County may proceed by a suit in a court of competent
jurisdiction to collect the fines after demand therefor has been made
by the County and the payment thereof refused by the alarm user or
contractor.
[Added by Bill No. 07-21]
Fines collected under this section will be deposited
to the general fund.