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Caroline County enacts property‑maintenance ordinance limiting outdoor rubbish and garbage storage
Summary
The county enacted Legislative Bill 2026-044 to prohibit improper storage of rubbish and garbage, establish notice-and-abatement procedures and civil enforcement, and impose higher penalties for repeat offenses; a burning-related prohibition was removed from the final version.
Caroline County commissioners enacted Legislative Bill 2026-044 on third reading June 9, creating a new Chapter 138 (Property Maintenance — Rubbish and Garbage) to regulate outdoor storage of refuse.
A staff presenter summarized changes to the draft ordinance and said the committee removed a section addressing burning. The ordinance now defines 'rubbish' and 'garbage', sets requirements for approved containers, provides a 10-day notice to correct a reported violation, permits civil citations if violations are not remedied, and treats repeat offenses within three years with increased fines and a shorter remediation period.
Commissioners described the measure as a modest step to protect neighbors from nuisances while minimizing impacts on residents who comply with storage requirements. After brief discussion, the board moved, seconded and enacted the bill by voice vote.
The ordinance authorizes the Department of Planning and Codes to serve orders to abate violations and includes civil penalties and judicial enforcement options; the transcript shows the county intends to follow normal enforcement and notice procedures under the new code chapter.
