This code shall be known as the "Caroline County Minimum Livability
Code."
This code is created to protect the public health, safety and welfare
in residential structures and premises by:
A.
Establishing minimum property maintenance standards for
basic equipment and facilities used for light, ventilation, heating and sanitation
for residential structures and premises and for safe and sanitary maintenance
of residential structures and premises.
B.
Establishing minimum requirements for residential structures
and premises for means of egress, fire protection systems and other equipment
and devices necessary for safety from fire.
C.
Fixing the responsibilities of property owners, operators
and tenants of residential structures and premises.
D.
Providing procedures for the condemnation and demolition
of unsafe structures.
E.
Providing for administration, enforcement and penalties.
This code shall be construed liberally and justly to protect the public
health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued use
and maintenance of residential structures and premises.
This code is adopted under authority of Article 41, § 11-403,
Annotated Code of Maryland,[1] and COMAR 05.01.31 Minimum Livability Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Article 83B, § 6-103, Annotated
Code of Maryland.
A person may not rent or lease to another person for occupancy or use
any housing unit unless the structure and premises comply with the provisions
of this code.
The following categories of structures shall be exempt, in whole or
in part, from the provisions of this code:
A.
Owner-occupied single-family housing units shall be exempt
from all provisions of this code.
B.
Owner-occupied mobile homes, whether placed on a lot
owned by the occupants or on a rental lot or site, shall be exempt from all
provisions of this code.
C.
Nonresidential structures shall be exempt from the provisions
of Articles 1-008, 1-009, 1-010, 1-011 and 1-012 of this code.
D.
As provided in Article 25, Section 3(s)(2)(v), all buildings
on a farm and on any premises devoted solely to agricultural pursuits shall
be exempt from all provisions of this code.
E.
State licensed farm migrant labor housing shall be exempt
from all provisions of this code.
Repairs, maintenance, alterations or installations which are required
for compliance with this code shall be done in accordance with the procedures
and provisions of any applicable local building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical
or other code or standard applicable to housing, and in accordance with industry
standards so as to secure the results intended by this code.
The provisions in this code do not abolish or impair any remedies available
to the Code Official relating to the removal or demolition of any structures
which are deemed to be dangerous, unsafe and unsanitary.
The provisions of this code shall apply in the unincorporated areas
of Caroline County, Maryland. The governing body of any town may request that
this code be applied within its corporate limits by submitting to the County
Commissioners a written request for same. Any agreement to apply this code
within a town's corporate limits shall include, but not be limited to,
provisions for coordinating the issuance of building and other permits and
approvals, fees, expenses and inspections. The town governing body may enact
additional requirements in its municipal ordinance to supplement provisions
of this code, including but not limited to licensing of rental units and fees.
However, enforcement of any such additional requirements shall be the responsibility
of the town.
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, it shall be the sole responsibility
of the property owner to ensure the compliance of a housing unit with the
provisions of this code.
