The Baltimore County Code Enforcement Division has about 30 inspectors on the street any given day. These officials respond to complaints that are called, mailed, or even e-mailed in. Inspectors will have Baltimore County ID cards and always identify themselves. If residents want to remain anonymous, they can write an anonymous letter or levy complaints thru their community association.Baltimore County Code Enforcement Details
Code Enforcement handled 1000 complaints in 2003 and over 3000 in 2004! In the past, citations issued by Code Enforcement were handled by the District Court typically up to 1 1/2 years; however, the system now has its own Hearing Officer, who hears and renders findings on citations within 45 days.
A frequently reported issue to Code Enforcement deals with Kennel Operations, particularly in regards to "dog fights." Residents who complain must prove over three dogs are involved, not including puppies, and they must be within 200 feet of anyone's property. These violations are hard to investigate/substantiate in dense residential areas and residents who wish to lodge a complaint should take pictures for the authorities.
Another frequent complaint is over-grown yards. Grass must be over 12 inches tall. Inspectors will post a correction notice to the violator which must be corrected in seven days. If not cut within seven days, the inspectors contact a private contractor to cut it. The bill is the used to place a lien against the property. Once the county is required to cut the grass, the address is placed into a computer that queues it for automatic re-inspection every three months. No warnings are given if the grass is over-grown again. Trash and debris issues are handled in much the same way.
Types of Violations
Residential zoning violations
Unlicensed motor vehicles
Inoperable motor vehicles
Junkyard conditions
Open dumping conditions
Service garages
Kennel operations
Contractors equipment storage yard
Accessory structure placement
Recreation vehicle parking
Rooming house
Home occupations
Commercial vehicle parking
Housing Code Owner-Occupied Violations
Unsafe or unsanitary premises
Rubbish & garbage not in trash cans
Exterior dwelling not structurally sound
Defective roof, steps, chimney, windows, doors & fences
Peeling & flaking paint
Building Code Violations
Vacant open to the general public
Rental property with broken windows, holes in roof, missing porch, etc.
Permits required to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish
Deck, Shed, Garage, Additions
Construction site safety & sanitary
Livability Rental Code Violations
Unsanitary conditions
High grass & weeds
Improper disposal of bulk items
No trash & garbage containers
Defective roofs, windows, stairs, porches & handrails
Rodent & insect control
Defective exterior paint, walls & foundation
How to lodge a complaint with Code Enforcement
-- In person at Permits & Development Management; County Office Building Room 119 at 111 West Chesapeake Avenue in Towson, MD 21204
-- By letter to: Director, Department of PDM Management; County Office Building Room 111 at 111 West Chesapeake Avenue in Towson, MD 21204
-- By calling (410) 887-3352 or 8099
-- By faxing (410) 887-2824
-- By e-mail to pdmenforce@baltimorecountymd.gov
-- By your computer online by visiting http://baltimorecountymd.gov/Contact/codecomplaint
-- By contacting one of your Westview Park Community Association leaders at (410) 455-5335.
-- By contacting our county councilman at (410) 887-0896
Baltimore County Complaint Directory
All numbers can be reached by dialing 410-887-xxxx unless otherwise specified below -- Please refrain from calling 911 or Community Outreach for these issues
Alley construction 3363
Air quality 3775
Animal complaints 5961
Asbestos 3775
Burn-open authorization 3775
Bushes, trees grass obstruction 3554
Child day care license applications 2216
Code Enforcement 3352 or 8099
Curb & gutter replacement 3560
Dumping (chemicals, petroleum, refuse) 3745
Dumpster complaints 7136
Erosion 410-666-1188
Grading 3226
Hazardous waste 3745
Roadside mowing 3560
Pollution (water) 3980
Pollution (ground water) 2762
Refuse collection 2000
Refuse disposal 7136
Sewage disposal system failure/overflow 7136
Sewage (private systems only) 2762
Code Enforcement Community Sweep
Baltimore County Code Enforcement will schedule inspections of our community within the next few months. The community board requested a Community Sweep to protect homeowner values and community habitability. Westview Park is not a covenant-controlled community. We rely on existing Baltimore County codes and zoning laws to preserve home values. We realize that most homes far exceed standards. Our request for the Community Sweep should help eliminate several problem areas that continue to affect the safety and appearance of our neighborhood.
County authorities conduct inspections from public property (streets) and issue correction notices for code violations. Notices describe the problem and offer residents ample time to fix discrepancies. The County, not the community association, cites and fines those who fail to fix problems. Call 410.887.8099 to report any code violations and call our Zoning Chairperson, 410.455.5335.
How to request a SWEEP of any violations in your neighborhood
1) The Community Association must notify the entire community in writing of the pending sweep 45 days in advance.
2) The sweep must be requested in writing on Association letterhead and addressed to Timothy Kotroco; Director, Department of PDM Management; County Office Building Room 111 at 111 West Chesapeake Avenue in Towson, MD 21204
3) The President and Board of Directors of the Association must sign the letter.
4) A copy of the request must be sent to the 1st District County Councilman.
Lastly, call 911 to report abandoned or untitled/untagged vehicles to the police. We thought that dialing 911 to report these vehicles didn't make sense, but that is the process. A police officer will tag the vehicle to give the owner two weeks notice to remove or lawfully register/tag the vehicle; otherwise, the county will tow the vehicle. Untitled and/or untagged vehicles can remain in driveways as long as they do not present environmental problems; however, they cannot be parked on streets.
Please take action to report issues outlined above before you call us. In the unlikely event the county or police doesn't respond to your calls, then call a WPICA Officer or Board Member and we'll get results for you.