(a)   Scope. This section does not apply to nonconforming uses registered in accordance with Title 15.

   (b)   Prohibition. Except as provided otherwise by this article, land may not be used partially or principally as a junkyard or for the disposal of solid waste.

(Bill No. 4-05)

   (a)   Definition. For purposes of this section, the term "vehicle" means a motor vehicle, trailer, or boat.

   (b)   Scope. This section does not apply to the storage of vehicles as accessory to a marina or a service and sales facility or to the storage of unregistered vehicles within a roofed structure entirely enclosed on all sides.

   (c)   Prohibition. Except as provided otherwise by this article, land may not be used for the parking, storage, collection, accumulation, or abandonment of any inoperable, wrecked, partially dismantled, or destroyed vehicle or of any vehicle that does not display all information required by law, including a current registration plate and validation sticker.

   (d)   Exemption. No more than one vehicle on a lot may be exempted from the prohibition of section (c) if the property owner can demonstrate that the vehicle is:

      (1)   recently purchased, pending inspection, for a single period not to exceed 60 consecutive days;

      (2)   being advertised for sale, for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days;

      (3)   actively being repaired to a permitted condition and that it will be registered within a 90-day period or within an extension of the period granted by the Planning and Zoning Officer after the filing of a written application showing good cause; or

      (4)   being held pending settlement of insurance, estate, or similar legal claims.

(Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 65-17)

      (1)   A vehicle of any gross vehicle rating may be parked on a residentially zoned or developed lot if the owner demonstrates that the vehicle is customarily used in connection with an existing lawful use.

      (2)   The owner of a lot or parcel located in an RA or RLD Zoning District with an agricultural use assessment from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation or an approved soil conservation and water quality plan from the Soil Conservation District may park or store a vehicle of any gross vehicle weight on the lot or parcel provided the vehicle is used as part of an active farming operation.

(Bill No. 78-05; Bill No. 62-23)

   Shipping or cargo containers, trailers, truck compartments, and similar portable storage containers are prohibited in residential districts for a period of more than 60 days unless used in connection with construction authorized by an active building permit issued by the Department of Inspections and Permits.

(Bill No. 4-05)

   (a)   What constitutes a zoning violation. It is a zoning violation for an owner, occupant, person in charge, or any other person to use or to permit another person to use property in violation of this article or to perform work for another person in violation of this article. Each day that a violation continues is a separate zoning violation.

(Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 65-17)

      (1)   The Office of Planning and Zoning may serve an administrative order on a person who has committed a zoning violation. The order shall direct the person to cure the violation described in the order within a specified time period. The order also shall advise the person of the right to appeal to the Board of Appeals within 15 days after service of the order, that failure to appeal results in an inability to contest the violation, and that violation of the order may result in civil or criminal penalties.

      (2)   (i)   The order shall be served by delivery to the person; leaving a copy of the order with a person of suitable age and discretion at the person’s dwelling or place of business; or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested. If reasonable efforts to serve the person by one of these methods fail, service of the order may be accomplished by sending it by first class mail to the person at the person’s last known address and by posting a copy of the order on the land associated with the violation.

         (ii)   An order for an alleged violation on property with an agricultural use assessment or an approved soil and water quality plan from the Soil Conservation District shall be sent by certified mail, in addition to any other method allowed by this section.

         (iii)    Any person aggrieved by the order may appeal to the Board of Appeals within 15 days after service.

(Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 65-17; Bill No. 62-23)

   (a)   How civil fine imposed; service. A civil fine may be imposed for a zoning violation through the issuance and prosecution of a civil citation in accordance with Land Use Article, §§ 11-201 through 11-209, of the State Code. Civil citations shall be served in accordance with Maryland Rule 3-121.

   (b)   Amount of fine. The civil fines for a zoning violation that occurs on property located in the critical area are $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for any subsequent violation. For a zoning violation that occurs on any other property other than for the posting of a temporary sign, the civil fines are $125 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation, and $1,000 for any subsequent violation. For the posting of a temporary sign, the civil fine is $125 for each violation.

(Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 78-05; Bill No. 69-07)

   (a)   Injunctive or other relief. The County at any time may file an action for injunctive or other appropriate relief for a zoning violation or for violation of an administrative order.

   (b)   Civil penalties. In an action for injunctive or other appropriate relief for a zoning violation or for violation of an administrative order, a court also may impose a civil penalty of up to $500 for each day that the zoning violation continued or that the administrative order was violated. A person is not subject to civil penalties for violations of an administrative order that occur during the pendency of an appeal of the order to the Board of Appeals or during subsequent judicial review of the Board's decision.

(Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 115-15; Bill No. 65-17; Bill No. 32-18)

      (1)   An aggrieved property owner may seek relief for abatement of a zoning violation upon showing that the notice requirements of this subsection have been satisfied, unless the Office of Planning and Zoning gives notice to the aggrieved property owner within the time established under this subsection that the Office of Planning and Zoning intends to pursue enforcement remedies.

      (2)   An aggrieved property owner shall give notice of the zoning violation and of the aggrieved property owner's intent to bring an action under this section by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of record, any tenant, and the Office of Planning and Zoning.

      (3)   The notice shall specify:

         (i)   the nature of the alleged zoning violation;

         (ii)   the location of the property where the zoning violation is allegedly occurring;

         (iii)   the location of the aggrieved property owner's property;

         (iv)   the specific relief sought; and   

         (v)   the name and telephone number of the person to contact for additional information.

      (4)   If the Office of Planning and Zoning intends to pursue enforcement remedies, it shall give notice of its intention to the aggrieved property owner within 60 days of receipt of notice from the aggrieved property owner.

(Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 65-17)