Important Laws & Regulations

For a Police or Fire Emergency, please dial 9-1-1

For Stray Animals, please contact the Carroll County Humane Society at (410) 848-4810

For Abandoned Vehicle, please call the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office at (410) 386-2900

Animal Control Laws for Carroll County

Carroll County Laws: Title IX General Regulations / Chapter 90 Animals

Carroll County Humane Society: Synopsis of the Animal Control Laws for Carroll County Maryland (PDF)

Mailbox Damage

How to handle Mailbox Damage caused by a snowplow (from the Carroll County website)

If a snowplow has damaged your mailbox during a weather event, please use the county’s SEE CLICK REPORT system to report the damage. Include your address. Full Website for SEE CLICK REPORT: https://carrollcountymd.gov/seeclickreport

Maryland Tree Law- Common Questions

Can I force a neighbor to cut down the branches of a tree hanging over my property?

According to the Massachusetts rule, which Maryland follows, this limits a neighbor's remedy to self-help. This means that when your property is invaded by branches, roots of trees, and other plant life, you may protect yourself by cutting them off to the extent that they invade your property.  (From the earth to the heavens along your property line.  Tree growth is considered an act of God, therefore one cannot force a neighbor to attend to over hanging branches.  

Can I cut down the branches of a neighbor’s tree that is hanging over my property?

You may cut a branch, vine, or root of a neighbor’s tree or other plant that extends onto your property, but only back to the neighbor’s property line.  You may not enter your neighbor’s property to trim or remove a tree or other plant without first getting your neighbor’s consent.  If you wish to trim or cut down a tree that is close to a public road, you may need to apply to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for a permit.  You should also check with your county and municipality to see whether they have other requirements you must follow in order to trim or remove a roadside tree.

Can I force a neighbor to pay for cleaning out my gutters clogged with leaves from his or her tree?

Under Maryland law, there is no cause of action available to you for the cost of cleaning your gutters of the leaves which have fallen from your neighbor’s trees.

On Private Property

In compliance with existing Maryland Regulations, it is the property owner's responsibility to remove fallen trees and debris from private property.

Under Maryland Law, for fallen trees or similar accidents that may be qualified as an "act of God," the affected owners are responsible for damages to their property, including cleanup, removal and related expenses. These expenses may be covered under the homeowner's insurance policy.

Fallen Trees and Branches - Baltimore County (baltimorecountymd.gov) 

Parking Rules 

Please try to always leave 30 feet between parked cars and an intersection. 

Md. TRANSPORTATION Code Ann. § 21-1003

§ 21-1003. Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places.

(f)  Safety zones. —  A person may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the State Highway Administration or local authority indicates a different length by signs or markings. 

Snow Removal and Maintenance Laws in Carroll County

Carroll County Laws: Carroll County Maryland Code of Public Local Laws and Ordinances
(Title IX General Regulations / Chapter 92, Streets and Sidewalks)  

   (A)   No person shall permit ice or an accumulation of snow to remain on any public sidewalk adjacent to a lot or parcel occupied by him or her or on a public sidewalk adjacent to any unoccupied lot or parcel owned by him or her for a period of longer than 12 hours after the same has formed or fallen. In the event snow falls between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., the occupant will have until 6:00 p.m. the following day to clear the sidewalk.

   (B)   The owner, tenant, or occupant of the property in front of which a public sidewalk passes shall be responsible for the repair, maintenance, and replacement of the sidewalk in front of the property owned and occupied and shall keep the public sidewalk in a safe condition and free from defects. Construction materials for the replacement and repair of existing public sidewalks shall be of the same material as and be otherwise consistent with the existing public sidewalks in the neighborhood.

   (C)   In the sole discretion of the Director of the Department of Public Works, or his or her successor or assign, and if funds and personnel are available for the same, the Director of the Department of Public Works may, but is not required to, conduct voluntary inspections of sidewalks to assure that the owners of property abutting sidewalks are complying with the maintenance requirements imposed above.

(2004 Code, § 197-30)  (Ord. 04-11, passed 4-12-2004) 

§ 92.066  Snow Removal & Maintenance