Code Enforcement

The Department of Planning and Zoning's Code Enforcement Office ensures compliance with Howard County Zoning Regulations, Subdivision and Land Development Regulations, Ellicott City Historic District Guidelines, and Lawyers Hill Historic District Guidelines.

Code enforcement is complaint-driven. We rely on citizens to bring issues to our attention and work with the Department as necessary.

Learn more about the Code Enforcement Process.    

Zoning Violations

Any person who is aggrieved by an alleged violation may request in writing that the Department of Planning and Zoning issue a Violation Notice. Requests must be made in writing using the Zoning Complaint Form.  

If your name and contact information is included on the complaint form, the Department will notify you if a violation is found and inform you of any formal notices that are issued. Further updates are provided if a hearing is scheduled or if the case closes. No updates or notices are provided on open enforcement cases except to the written complainant. The Department does not provide status updates for open cases submitted anonymously.

A person who wishes to appeal a departmental decision regarding an alleged violation must use this petition form. It is recommended that a person determine whether he/she can be acknowledged as being an aggrieved person.