reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-205 - Legislative Authority -- General Operations of Municipalities

    (a)    (1)    A municipality may provide for the control and management of its finances.        (2)    The municipality may:            (i)    designate the banks or trust companies of the State in which the municipality shall deposit all money belonging to the municipality; and            (ii)    provide for the appointment of an auditor or accountant to audit the books and accounts of municipal officers collecting, handling, or disbursing money belonging to the municipality.    (b)    (1)    A municipality may spend money for any public purpose and to affect the safety, health, and general welfare of the municipality and its occupants.        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a municipality may not spend money under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the money was not appropriated at the time of the annual levy.        (3)    Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a municipality may spend money only for the purpose for which the money was appropriated.        (4)    A municipality may spend money for a purpose different from the purpose for which the money was appropriated or spend money not appropriated at the time of the annual levy if approved by a two–thirds vote of all the individuals elected to the legislative body.    (c)    A municipality may provide for:        (1)    the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment through the Department of General Services;        (2)    municipal advertising;        (3)    printing and publishing statements of its receipts and expenditures; and        (4)    codifying and publishing laws, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations.    (d)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided under this article, the Tax – General Article, and the Tax – Property Article, a municipality may establish and collect reasonable fees and charges:            (i)    for franchises, licenses, or permits granted by the municipality; or            (ii)    associated with the exercise of a governmental or proprietary function exercised by a municipality.        (2)    A municipality may provide that any valid charge, tax, or assessment made against real property in the municipality is a lien on the property to be collected in the same manner as municipal taxes.    (e)    A municipality may enter into an agreement with other municipalities for purposes including:        (1)    the joint administration of the municipalities;        (2)    the cooperative procurement of goods and services, including construction services;        (3)    the provision of municipal services; and        (4)    the joint funding and management of any project that is centrally located to the municipalities.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-206 - Legislative Authority -- Officers and Employees

    (a)    (1)    A municipality may establish a merit system in connection with the appointment of any municipal official or employee not elected or appointed under the Maryland Constitution, public general law, or public local law.        (2)    In accordance with § 4–303 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article, a municipality may request and use the facilities of the Department of Budget and Management in the administration of a merit system established under paragraph (1) of this subsection.    (b)    A municipality may set the compensation of municipal officers and employees.    (c)    A municipality may provide for:        (1)    a retirement or pension system or a group insurance plan for its officers and employees; or        (2)    including its officers and employees in any retirement or pension system operated by or in conjunction with the State, on the terms and conditions set forth in State law.    (d)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a municipality may provide for the removal or temporary suspension from office of an appointed municipal officer for:            (i)    inefficiency;            (ii)    malfeasance;            (iii)    misfeasance;            (iv)    nonfeasance;            (v)    misconduct in office; or            (vi)    insubordination.        (2)    Before removing or suspending any officer, the municipality shall notify the officer and conduct a hearing.        (3)    A municipality may provide for filling the vacancy caused by the removal or suspension.    (e)    Subject to its municipal charter, a municipality may provide for special elections for municipal purposes at times and places determined by the municipality.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-207 - Legislative Authority -- Public Safety

    (a)    A municipality may establish and maintain:        (1)    a fire department; and        (2)    a police force.    (b)    A municipality may:        (1)    provide for the removal of fire hazards;        (2)    control the use and handling of dangerous and explosive materials; and        (3)    prevent the discharge of firearms or other explosive instruments.    (c)    A municipality may:        (1)    pay rewards for information relating to crime committed in the municipality;        (2)    prohibit vagrancy, vice, gambling, and houses of prostitution in the municipality;        (3)    enforce all ordinances relating to disorderly conduct and nuisances equally:            (i)    within the municipality; and            (ii)    up to one–half mile outside the municipal limits, except where there is a conflict with the powers of another municipality; and        (4)    prohibit minors from being on the streets and in public places at certain hours of the night.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-208 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-208 - Legislative Authority -- Port Wardens

    (a)    A municipality may provide for the creation, appointment, duties, and powers of a board of port wardens to exercise jurisdiction in the municipality.    (b)    (1)    A board of port wardens may regulate the placement or construction of structures or other barriers in or on the waters of the municipality.        (2)    The board may:            (i)    issue licenses to build wharves or piers; and            (ii)    issue permits for mooring piles, floating wharves, buoys, and anchors.        (3)    When issuing licenses or permits under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the board shall consider:            (i)    the present and proposed uses of the waters;            (ii)    the effect of the present and proposed uses of the waters on marine life, wildlife, conservation, water pollution, erosion, and navigational hazards;            (iii)    the effect of the proposed use of the waters on congestion in the waters;            (iv)    the effect of the proposed use of the waters on other riparian property owners; and            (v)    the present and projected needs for any proposed commercial or industrial use in or on the waters of the municipality.        (4)    The board shall ensure that the improvements do not render navigation too close and confined.        (5)    The board may regulate the materials for and construction of the improvements.        (6)    This subsection does not affect the zoning power of the municipality.    (c)    (1)    Unless a person has been granted a license or permit from the board of port wardens, a person may not:            (i)    build a wharf or pier;            (ii)    move any earth or other material for the purpose of building a wharf or pier; or            (iii)    place or construct mooring piles, floating wharves, buoys, or anchors.        (2)    A person may not build a wharf or pier:            (i)    a greater distance into the water than approved by the board; or            (ii)    in a different form or of different materials than approved by the board.        (3)    A person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine set by the legislative body of the municipality.    (d)    A person aggrieved by a decision of a board of port wardens may appeal the decision:        (1)    to the legislative body of the municipality; or        (2)    if authorized by ordinance, to the circuit court of the appropriate county.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-209 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-209 - Legislative Authority -- Health and Welfare

    (a)    This section does not affect any public general law or public local law relating to health or the powers and duties of:        (1)    the Secretary of Health; or        (2)    a county board of health.    (b)    A municipality may appoint a board of health and establish its powers and duties.    (c)    A municipality may:        (1)    establish quarantine regulations;        (2)    authorize the removal or confinement of individuals having infectious or contagious diseases;        (3)    prevent and remove nuisances;        (4)    prevent the introduction of contagious diseases into the municipality; and        (5)    regulate any place where noxious things are manufactured, offensive trades are conducted, or that may cause unsanitary conditions or conditions detrimental to health.    (d)    A municipality may:        (1)    regulate or prohibit the throwing or depositing of dirt, garbage, trash, or liquids in a public place; and        (2)    provide for the proper disposal of these materials.    (e)    A municipality may:        (1)    regulate the interment of bodies; and        (2)    control the location and establishment of cemeteries.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-210 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-210 - Legislative Authority -- Establishment of Social Services

    A municipality may provide for, maintain, and operate community and social services to preserve and promote the health, recreation, and welfare of the residents of the municipality.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-211 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-211 - Legislative Authority -- Building Regulations

    (a)    A municipality may adopt regulations regarding the erection of buildings and signs in the municipality, including:        (1)    a building code; and        (2)    requirements for building permits.    (b)    A municipality may provide for the inspection of and require repairs to the following on private property:        (1)    drainage and sewage systems;        (2)    electric lines and wires;        (3)    gas pipes;        (4)    plumbing apparatus; and        (5)    water pipes.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-212 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-212 - Legislative Authority -- State Policy for Regulation of Development

    (a)    It is the policy of the State that:        (1)    the orderly development and use of land and structures requires comprehensive regulation through implementation of planning and zoning controls; and        (2)    planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local government.    (b)    (1)    To achieve the public purposes of the policy set forth under subsection (a) of this section, the General Assembly recognizes that local government action will displace or limit economic competition by owners and users of property.        (2)    It is the policy of the State that competition and enterprise shall be displaced or limited for the attainment of the purposes of the State policy for implementing planning and zoning controls as set forth in this article and elsewhere in public general law and public local law.    (c)    This section does not:        (1)    grant to a municipality powers in any substantive area not otherwise granted to the municipality by other public general law or public local law;        (2)    restrict a municipality from exercising any power otherwise granted to the municipality;        (3)    authorize a municipality or its officers to engage in any activity that is otherwise beyond the power of the municipality or its officers; or        (4)    preempt or supersede the regulatory authority of any State unit.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-213 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-213 - Legislative Authority -- Zoning Regulations

    A municipality may adopt zoning regulations, subject to any right of referendum of the voters at a regular or special election as may be provided by the municipal charter.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-214 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-214 - Legislative Authority -- Commercial and Industrial Development

    (a)    Section 18–301 of this article applies to the use of federal or State financial assistance for commercial or industrial redevelopment projects.    (b)    (1)    In this subsection, “authority” means a commercial district management authority.        (2)    A municipality may establish an authority for any commercial district in the municipality.        (3)    For each authority established, a municipality shall:            (i)    specify the membership, organization, jurisdiction, and geographical limits of the authority;            (ii)    provide financing for the authority through fees that may be charged to, or taxes that may be imposed against, any business subject to the authority’s jurisdiction; and            (iii)    specify the purposes of the authority, including:                1.    promotion;                2.    marketing; or                3.    the provision of security, maintenance, or amenities in the district.        (4)    An authority may not:            (i)    exercise the power of eminent domain;            (ii)    purchase, sell, construct, or lease, as lessor, office or retail space; or            (iii)    except as otherwise authorized by law, engage in competition with the private sector.        (5)    Any fee or tax imposed under this subsection shall be used only for the purposes stated in this subsection and may not revert to the general fund of the municipality.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-215 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-215 - Legislative Authority -- Urban Renewal Authority

    (a)    This section applies only to a municipality that has urban renewal authority granted under Article III, § 61 of the Maryland Constitution.    (b)    Subject to subsection (e) of this section, a municipality may:        (1)    acquire property of any kind in the municipality, including any right, interest, franchise, easement, or privilege attached to the property, by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or any other legal means for development or redevelopment of the property, including comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation; and        (2)    sell, lease, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired under item (1) of this subsection, to any person or public or quasi–public entity:            (i)    whether or not the property has been developed, redeveloped, altered, or improved; and            (ii)    regardless of how the property was acquired.    (c)    (1)    A municipality shall provide just compensation to the owner of any property acquired by the municipality under subsection (b) of this section if the property is taken by eminent domain.        (2)    The amount of compensation paid to an owner under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be determined by:            (i)    an agreement by the parties to the transaction; or            (ii)    a jury award.        (3)    A municipality shall pay the amount of compensation determined under paragraph (2) of this subsection to the owner before taking the property.    (d)    Any property needed, or taken by eminent domain, by a municipality for the purposes in subsection (b) of this section or in connection with the exercise of any power of a municipality under this section is considered to be needed or taken for a public use or benefit.    (e)    Before acquiring a single–family or multifamily dwelling unit or other structure under this section, a municipality shall find that:        (1)    the dwelling unit or structure has deteriorated to an extent that constitutes a serious and growing menace to the public health, safety, and welfare;        (2)    the dwelling unit or structure is likely to continue to deteriorate;        (3)    the continued deterioration of the dwelling unit or structure will contribute to the blighting or deterioration of the area immediately surrounding the dwelling unit or structure; and        (4)    the owner of the dwelling unit or structure has not corrected the deterioration.    (f)    The legislative body of a municipality shall adopt an ordinance for each acquisition of property made under this section.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-216 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-216 - Legislative Authority -- Community Services

    (a)    A municipality may establish and maintain any park, garden, playground, or recreational facility that the municipality determines is for the benefit of the health and welfare of the municipality and its residents.    (b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a municipality may acquire by gift, grant, bequest, or devise and hold property absolutely or in trust for:            (i)    parks or gardens;            (ii)    the erection of statues, monuments, buildings, or structures; or            (iii)    any public use.        (2)    The municipality shall acquire, hold, or use property under this subsection on the terms and conditions required by the grantor or donor and accepted by the municipality.        (3)    The municipality shall provide for the administration of any property accepted by the municipality under this subsection.        (4)    Subject to the terms and conditions of the original grant, the municipality may convey any property accepted by the municipality under this subsection if the municipality determines that the property is no longer needed for public purposes.    (c)    A municipality may establish, maintain, and support a municipal band or musical organization.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-217 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-217 - Legislative Authority -- Cleaning of Sidewalks

    A municipality may require the owners of property to keep the sidewalks on the property clean and free from snow, ice, or other obstructions.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-218 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 2 - Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers|Section 5-218 - Powers Include Power and Authority in General Provisions Article

    The express powers contained in this subtitle are intended to and shall be deemed to incorporate and include the power and authority contained in Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part II of the General Provisions Article.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 3 - Private Communities|Section 5-301 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Private community” means:        (1)    a community governed by a homeowners association, as defined under the Maryland Homeowners Association Act;        (2)    a condominium, as defined under the Maryland Condominium Act; or        (3)    a cooperative housing corporation, as defined under the Maryland Cooperative Housing Corporation Act.    (c)    “Residential street service” means:        (1)    removing snow, ice, or other obstructions from roadways;        (2)    lighting roadways and maintaining the lighting equipment;        (3)    collecting leaves, recyclable materials, or garbage along roadways; or        (4)    maintaining roadways.    (d)    “Roadway” means a paved surface that provides vehicular access or is designated for parking.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  5-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division II - Municipalities|Title 5 - Powers|Subtitle 3 - Private Communities|Section 5-302 - Agreements Concerning Residential Street Service

    (a)    (1)    The governing body of a municipality that provides residential street service may make an agreement with a private community that qualifies under paragraph (2) of this subsection concerning:            (i)    the provision of residential street service to the private community by the municipality; or            (ii)    instead of providing residential street service, the reimbursement to the private community of an amount not to exceed the cost that the municipality would incur to provide residential street service.        (2)    The governing body of a municipality may make an agreement under this section with a private community that:            (i)    lies wholly or partly in the municipality; and            (ii)    has at least one–quarter mile of roadway.    (b)    An agreement entered into under this section may require the private community to:        (1)    pay any insurance rider that the municipality requires to enable vehicles owned or contracted by the municipality to operate on a roadway in the private community; and        (2)    regarding a roadway in the private community that is to be used to provide residential street service:            (i)    allow the roadway to be dedicated to public use; and            (ii)    unless maintenance of the roadway is provided by the municipality, maintain the roadway at a level of service satisfactory to the municipality.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  9-101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division III - Counties|Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 9-101 - Meetings of County Governing Bodies

    (a)    This section applies to all counties.    (b)    The governing body of a county may not adopt an ordinance, a resolution, a rule, or a regulation at a meeting not open to the public, except in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
MD. Local Government Code Ann. §  9-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Local Government|Division III - Counties|Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions|Subtitle 1 - In General|Section 9-102 - Copies of Public Local Laws

    If the county commissioners or county council of a county publishes a code or compilation that contains all or part of the public local laws of the county, the county commissioners or county council shall provide without charge:        (1)    one printed copy to the State Archives;        (2)    one printed copy to the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library; and        (3)    five printed copies to the Department of Legislative Services.