The Covenants Committee and County Zoning Enforcement
The Covenants Committee assists Cape residents
with the filing of zoning complaints with the Anne Arundel County Department
of Inspections and Permits. Neither the Covenants Committee nor the CSCIA
enforce the county zoning ordinance, nor do they interpret what is or is
not a zoning complaint. Rather, they assist Cape residents in filing complaints
and they track complaints to ensure the county addresses them in a prompt
and thorough manner.
What is a zoning violation?
- Vehicles parked on the property that are
untagged or have expired tags
- Commercial trucks/trailers over ¾ ton
parked in or on residential streets
- Junk and debris scattered or piled on
the property in a disorderly fashion, for example, glass, paper, wood
- Salvage furniture, household items and
construction materials. For example, tanks, drums, and pipes strewn
about the property
- Businesses operating in or on residential
properties, for example, vehicle restoration and repair
- Using a single family dwelling as a multi-family
dwelling
- Illegal signage, for example banners and
streamers, sandwich boards, portable signs and blinking and wind-activated
signs.
How
do I to file a zoning complaint?
- Visit or call the CSCIA office at 410-757-1223,
- Use our on-line complaint form, or
- Send an e-mail to
covenants2008@cscia.org
If you visit the office, the office manager will ask you to fill
out a form describing the complaint. If you call, the manager will fill
out the form. The office manager will fax the form to the county Department
of Inspections and Permits for its action.
The online form will submit the zoning violation to the county and notify the Covenants Chair that the form was submitted. On the form, you can ask for updates if you're interested.
After a complaint is filed, a zoning inspector will visit
the property, and if a zoning violation is found, a letter will be sent
to the resident. If the owner does not respond to the violation letter,
a second site inspection will be conducted and a citation will be issued.
If the owner still does not respond a final site visit is made and the
case will be referred to the Office of Law. Fines can reach up to $500.
Can
I file a complaint anonymously?
Yes.
Placing your name on the complaint form is optional. Zoning complaint
forms become a part of the public record, and property owners can determine
the name and address of the individuals who initiated the complaint by
visiting the county offices. Therefore, you may file a complaint anonymously.
What is not a zoning violation?
Poorly
maintained and visually unattractive yards are not in violation of the
county zoning ordinance. For example, yards with children's play toys
scattered on the lawn or poorly stored lawn furniture. Click here to see a copy of the community covenants.
Will
the county cut tall grass on private lots?
Yes. Grass taller than 12" is not a zoning violation, but the Bureau of
Highways will cut tall grass on private lots. If you have a neighbor that
will not cut their grass call the Bureau of Highways between 7 a.m. and
3:30 p.m. at (410) 222-7940 once the grass is over 12" high.
How do I resolve a zoning violation filed against
me?
Fortunately, there are resources for property owners to use if they receive
a zoning violation letter. Most zoning violations in the Cape involve
junk or vehicles on the property. In both cases, there are county services
or organizations that can help you resolve the problem.
Violation
|
Resource
|
| Junk,
salvage furniture or household items strewn about the property |
Bulk
Item Pick-up: (410) 222-6108. Call Bulk Item Pick-up and they will
schedule a pick-up of your bulk items for disposal. The service is
free-of-charge and a pick-up is usually scheduled within two weeks
of calling. Just place the items at the curb for the pick-up and a
garbage truck and crew will pick them up and bring them to the county
dump.· Consider donating useable goods to a charitable organization.
Here's a link to a Department of Public Works website that lists charitable
organizations in Anne Arundel county that accept donations of usable
goods-tax deductions are available. http://www.aacounty.org/DPW/WasteManagement/reduceReuse.cfm
|
| Abandoned
or untagged vehicles on the property |
There
are many organizations in Anne Arundel county that will tow donated
vehicles from your property and provide the appropriate tax donation
receipts that you can use to claim a charitable tax deduction. Simply
search on the web using the key words "vehicle donations" and "Anne
Arundel County." |
Still have more questions?
Please email the Covenants Committee at
covenants2008@cscia.org.
