Upper Maralboro, MD

All properties within the Town of Upper Marlboro must be maintained consistent with the Town's Residential Property Standards Ordinance. Residents can submit complaints or concerns to the Town Offices at 301-627-6905 or by email at Info@UpperMarlboroMD.gov

Read the full legislation: Ordinance 2016-03 Residential Property Standards 

Overview of Property Standards Violations:

• Condition of Exterior Property Areas. All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a reasonably clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of debris, litter, stagnant water, or garbage. If pests are found, the property owner shall initiate the extermination process which shall not be injurious to the health of humans or domestic animals.

• Tall Grass and Weeds. All exterior property areas shall be properly maintained and no grass or weeds more than twelve (12) inches tall, other than annual or perennial cultivated flowers, and plants, bushes, shrubs, garden and yard plantings, and trees properly maintained by the property owner or agent shall be allowed to accumulate or grow on any private property. No vegetation shall be allowed to grow in, or into, the public curb, gutter or paved area of the right of way.

• Discarded Vehicles. It shall be unlawful for any person to discard any vehicle on any residential lot within the corporate limits of the Town.

• Vehicle Condition and Storage. No property owner or agent shall permit an abandoned, junked, wrecked, unregistered, or non-road worthy vehicle as defined in this Ordinance to remain on such property, except when enclosed in a garage.

• Motor Vehicle Parts. Exterior property areas shall not be utilized for the storage of motor vehicle parts.

• Exterior Property Storage. Exterior property areas shall not be utilized for the open storage of building materials, bathroom or kitchen fixtures, furniture, or lawn and garden equipment, irrespective of age or condition, except for routine garden maintenance equipment, outdoor lawn furniture, or materials used in construction or renovation projects with the appropriate Prince George’s County and Town permits.

• Wood Storage. The storage of wood and other materials not proscribed by this Ordinance, including organic compost piles, shall be accomplished in a manner designed to avoid rodents, termites and other insect infestation. Wood shall be stored at least six (6) inches above the ground.

• All vegetation located on exterior property areas shall be maintained in such a way so as not to pose a danger or obstruction to adjoining property, pedestrians or vision of any motorist.

• Parking Surfaces. A paved parking area must be accessed by a curb cut if the property has a curb installed along the street unless granted an exception by the Board. The curb cut shall be constructed of poured concrete completed in a professional manner, situated totally within the public right-of-way, where applicable; constructed in accordance with the road ordinance or construction codes of Prince George’s County and located in accordance with the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance. Grassy yards or other unpaved areas shall not be used for the parking of boats, motorcycles, motor vehicles of any type, trailers or similar items on a residential property except during a “snow emergency.” All wheels of said vehicle(s) must be parked on an approved paved parking area in order to be in compliance with this Ordinance.

• Building Security. No property owner or agent shall allow vacant structures or property to become a public nuisance, safety or health hazard, or be in a condition that could encourage trespassing.

• Accessory Structures. No accessory structure shall pose a public health, safety hazard, or fall into disrepair. All accessory structures shall comply with Prince George’s County and Town Ordinances and any improvements to such accessory structures shall be duly permitted. A Code Enforcement Officer or other Town designated representative may require a property owner, at the property owner’s expense, to repair or replace a fence not in compliance with the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance. Any fence repair or replacement shall comply with provisions regarding location, height, and material in the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance.

• All premises shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property.

Violation Timeline: 
Generally, first-time violators have 15 days to correct most violations. Repeat offenders have 7 days to correct most violations. 

Right to Appeal: 
Any person affected by any notice of violation and subjected to a fine may elect to appeal to the Board of Commissioners. shall within ten (10) days after service of a notice of violation, file with the Board of Town Commissioners a signed written notice of administrative appeal, requesting a hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the reasons therefore. 

In the event a person affected by a notice of violation and subjected to a penalty wishes to contest the decision of the Board of Commissioners, he or she may notify the Town Clerk or designee of his or her intent within ten (10) days after the rendering of the decision by the Board of Commissioners. In such event, the Town shall issue a municipal infraction citation to the affected person who may request a de novo trial in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County pursuant to Md. Ann. Code, Local Government Article, Title 6.

Vacant Properties:
Vacant properties have 15 days to correct most violations. If, after fifteen 15 days from the date of notification, the violation has not been corrected, the Town of Upper Marlboro and its officials, employees, and agents shall have the right to enter upon the premises of the property in violation to abate any and all violations.

Rental Properties:
All rental properties within the cooperate limits, regardless of zoning, shall be properly licensed and inspected, as required, by Prince Georges County. The Town is charged with notifying the County in a timely manner of any unlicensed rental properties found as they are discovered.

Fees & Fines Schedule: 

Failure to pay any fee, fine, late fee and/or costs to abate, or incurred to repair damage to Town property such as aprons, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or streets will result in the amount of any fine, late fee or repair costs incurred being recorded as a lien against the property and collected in the same manner as delinquent taxes.