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Codes, Laws and Regulations
Baltimore
County | Maryland |
United States
Laws exists in many forms. A list of just a few: constitutional law, statutory law, decisions, regulations, executive orders, and local laws and ordinances. A law is any public order or decision that is binding upon those to whom it is addressed.
Statutes, also called acts or ordinances, are laws passed by a legislative body, such as the United States Congress, Maryland General Assembly, or Baltimore County Council. Legislatures have the power to make laws because the state and federal constitutions give the power to them.
Codes are where laws are published. They are arranged by subject. So similar laws on the same topic are grouped together. Examples are the Baltimore County Code, the United States Code, and the Maryland Code.
Regulations are laws issued by executive branch agencies, such as the United States Social Security Administration or Baltimore County Office of Planning. The agencies are given the authority to make these laws because legislatures give it to them by passing laws that say they have the authority. Generally regulations provide the specifics on how a statute is to be enforced and implemented. Agencies can only make regulations on subjects the authorizing statutes say they can. You need to read regulations together with the authorizing laws they were made under. Regulations are published in subject arrangements called codes, such as Code of Federal Regulations or C F R or Code of Maryland Regulations or COMAR.
Baltimore County Codes and Regulations (local interest)
Codes are where laws made by the County Council are grouped
together by broad topics.
Regulations are laws made by executive branch departments, such as County Office of Budget and Finance or County Office of Planning. These agencies have the authority to make regulations because laws passed by the County Council or Maryland General Assembly gave the authority to them.
The following codes and regulations are in effect in Baltimore County:
Baltimore
County Council
(local interest)
The elected body which has all law-making power granted by the County Charter
and by the General Assembly of Maryland.
Baltimore County
Department of Environmental
Protection and Resource Management
(local interest)
Environmental and storm water management regulations and environmental
guidelines
Baltimore County
Department of Permits
and Development Management
(local interest)
Frequently asked questions about code inspection and enforcement dealing
with development, building, electrical, plumbing, livability and zoning
codes.
Monitors the
Rental Registration program.
Miscellaneous Permits provides
dog licenses, gathering permits and dozens of other items.
Rental Housing Registration Licenses (local interest)
by Baltimore County Department of Permits and Development Management
All buildings or a portion of a building that contain one to six
dwelling units intended or designated as rental units must be
registered, inspected by a certified home inspector, and licensed
with Baltimore County on or before January 1, 2009 (extended
deadline).
Information about the requirements for the property owner and
the home inspector. Download the Rental Housing Application and
payment forms, exemption affidavits and required inspection sheet.
Code Lynx
(local interest)
provided
by the Maryland Codes Administration
Maryland building,
fire, and other codes information, including Maryland Building
Rehabilitation Code, Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS)
which is Maryland's law
on building codes and standards, Maryland Minimum Livability Code,
and Maryland Accessibility Code. Each local jurisdiction uses the same edition of the same
codes and may modify these codes to
suit local conditions.
Constitution of Maryland (local interest)
Full-text of the state constitution
Depository Libraries
(local interest)
Several Maryland libraries receive the documents included in the
Code of Maryland Regulations or COMAR.
Guide to Legal
Aspects of Doing Business in Maryland. 2003 [PDF] (local interest)
by Maryland Office of the Attorney General and Maryland Department of
Business and Economic Development
Not an exhaustive treatment of the legal obligations of Maryland
businesses. Focuses on those matters regulated by State agencies. Covers
state law impact on business organization, mergers, foreign business
operations in Maryland, securities, taxation, labor and employment,
agriculture business, natural resources, environmental law, consumer
protection, franchises, antitrust laws, and more.
Legislative Library and Information
Services (local interest)
provided by the
Maryland Department of Legislative Services
Answers questions by phone, e-mail, or face-to-face about
the Maryland General Assembly, the legislative process, legislation, and state government. Staff will mail a limited number of copies
of bills, amendments, votes, and most current year publications.
Maryland Code (local interest)
provided by Michie's Legal Resources
Word search or search by legal citation either the full text record of public, general and
permanent laws passed by the state of Maryland ( the Maryland Code
).
Maryland Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation (local interest)
Wage and employment standards
and law, occupational safety, occupational and safety licensing boards,
employment of minors, and more.
Maryland Residential Ground Rent Registration (local interest)
provided by Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation
A ground lease must be registered with the Department before September
30, 2010 or the interest of the ground lease holder is extinguished and
the ground rent is no longer payable.
Maryland Sex
Offender Registry or SOR
(local interest)
maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional
Services
List of registered sex offenders provided to protect children and others
from those with histories of crimes against children and other sexual
offenses.
Code of Federal
Regulations or C F R
Rules and regulations made by federal agencies and executive departments.
Federal Depository
Libraries
from G P O Access
Locate a library and
federal publications and other information products available for
free public use in Federal depository libraries.
FedLaw
Easy access to resources for people doing Federal legal research
G P O Access
from the United States Government Printing Office
Find
Code of Federal Regulations, federal depository libraries, the Federal Register, Presidential materials,
Congressional bills, the Congressional Record, recent or pending federal
legislation, or other documents from all three
branches of United States government.
Immigration Laws, Regulations and Guides
by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States
Department of Homeland Security
Office of the Clerk United States House of Representatives
House history, roll call votes, committee schedules, floor proceedings,
and more
Regulations.gov
Find, review, and submit comments on Federal documents currently open for
public comment and published in the Federal Register.
THOMAS: Legislative Information on the
Internet
Library of Congress provides searchable information about the
United States Congress
and the legislative process. Search
recent or pending bills by topic, bill number, title, or sponsor as well
as laws by public law or bill number since 1973. Search for the text of the
Congressional Record since 1989. Find committee reports by topic or committee name.
United States House of Representatives Home Page
United States Senate Home Page
USA.gov Reference Center: Laws and Regulations
Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
(local interest)Peoples Law Library of Maryland - Consumer Law
(local interest)
Baltimore County State's Attorney
(local interest)Baltimore County State's Attorney - District Court Division
(local interest)District Courts in Baltimore County
(local interest)Get Ready for Your Day in Court
(local interest)Orphans' Court of Baltimore County
(local interest)Register of Wills, Baltimore County
(local interest)
United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
(local interest)
United States
Constitution with Cases Decided by the Supreme Court to June 29, 1992
United States Courts: The Federal Judiciary
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to link to the most accurate and clearly expressed information possible. The links contained on this page are created and maintained by other organizations and are provided as a public service by Baltimore County Public Library. These materials are not to be considered as a statement of Maryland law or as legal advice. No guarantee or warranty is made regarding the information's appropriateness for a particular purpose or individual circumstance. If you have a legal problem, you should consult with an attorney.
Baltimore County Circuit Court - Family Division
(local interest)Family Law Resources in Baltimore County
(local interest)Maryland Child Support Enforcement Program
(local interest)Maryland Legal Services Program (MLSP)
(local interest)Peoples Law Library of Maryland - Family Law
(local interest)Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc.
(local interest)
Baltimore County Circuit Court Law Library
(local interest)
Emory University School of
Law Ready Reference
Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law.
2nd edition. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 1552 pages. 2 volumesAvailable online as an electronic Reference Book. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.
Getting Started in Legal Research: A Guide for the Average Joe or Jill
Maryland State Bar Association
(local interest)Peoples Law Library of Maryland
(local interest)
Understand
Your Legal Issues
University of Baltimore Law Library
West's Encyclopedia of
American Law.
by Lawyers.com
A good place to start to better understand your legal issue. Covers most
areas of law, including bankruptcy and foreclosure, family law, criminal
law, real estate and landlord tenant law, immigration, and more.
Links to the school law library and online resources. Open to the public.Guides on how to do legal research from the law firm, Ballard Spahr Andrews and Ingersoll, L L P.by Washburn University School of Law
Your guide to legal information on the Internet.
Provides current information on more than 5,000 legal topics. Access
online articles covering important issues, individuals, cases, laws,
concepts significant to U.S. law,
definitions of legal terms and more. Covers such high-profile topics as the
Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay
and lesbian rights, and physician-assisted suicide.
Supplemented annually by the American Law Yearbook which updates and expands the content of West's Encyclopedia with new emerging topics, updates, biographies of prominent figures and government appointees, and other features. Each year contains the full U.S. Supreme Court docket in addition to non-Supreme Court cases. Entries are arranged alphabetically and use the same entry title as found in West's Encyclopedia
Detroit: Gale, 2005. 812 pages. 2 volumes.Available online as electronic Reference Books. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.
Available online as an electronic Reference Book. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.
Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland
(local interest)
Avoiding
Foreclosure: B C P L Can Help (local interest)
created by Baltimore County Public Library Information Services
Department and Media Support Services Department
This page presents video clips and links to resources on a variety of
topics, including foreclose, to help in these tough economic times. The
clips are available for immediate viewing or for download to your
computer or portable device.
Baltimore County Bar Association
(local interest)Baltimore County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service
(local interest)Baltimore County Human Relations Commission
(local interest)Baltimore County Legal Services for Senior Citizens Program
(local interest)Foreclosure Resources for Marylanders
(local interest)Homeless Persons Representation Project
(local interest)How do I find Legal Help in Maryland?
(local interest)Immigration Legal Assistance in Maryland
(local interest)Lawyer Referral: Bar Association of Baltimore City
(local interest)
Lawyer
Search
Directory from LexisNexis
Search for a lawyer or law firm by name, practice area or location.
Also, provides information for individuals and small businesses on
choosing and evaluating a lawyer and finding out about many legal
issues.
Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.
(local interest)
Provides free civil legal services in Maryland for low-income people
meeting eligibility guidelines
Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc.
(local interest)Maryland Disability Law Center
(local interest)Maryland Office of the Public Defender
(local interest)Maryland State Bar Association Member Directory
(local interest)Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services
(local interest)Registers of Wills in Maryland
(local interest)Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc.
(local interest)
Advanced Directive and Living Will Forms
(local interest)Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else: A Maryland Handbook
. 2006 [PDF] (local interest)
Baltimore
County Licenses and Permits Forms (local interest)
Certificate of Birth,
Death, Fetal Death, and Marriage and Verification of Divorce
Circuit Court of
Maryland Forms (local interest)
District Court of Maryland Forms
(local interest)
'Lectric Law Library's Business
and General Forms
Family Law
Forms
(local interest)
Federal Forms
Immigration Forms
Internet Legal Resource Guide's
Legal Forms
Legal
Forms Helpline
(local interest)
Maryland Attorney
General Publications and Forms
(local interest)
Maryland
Business Charters and Articles of Incorporation (local interest)
Register of Wills for Baltimore County (local interest)
Small Business Forms and Contracts
Unemployment Insurance in Maryland (local interest)
United States Copyright Office
United States Patent and Trademark
Office
WashLaw's Legal Forms
Everybody's Legal Glossary
Glossary of
Legal Terms and Abbreviations (local interest)
How do I find Legal Terms
(local interest)
Law Dictionary
Legal Definitions and Legal Terms Defined
Maryland
Mobile Notary Association
(local interest)
Maryland Notary
Public Database (local interest)
50
State Notary - Directory
1-Stop Notary -
Notaries Public Nationwide
Access to online forms and information for many licenses and permits issued
by
Baltimore County.
(local interest)
by United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
Official bankruptcy forms and instructions
Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene
Issues certified copies of recent birth, death, fetal death, and marriage
certificates for events that occur in Maryland. The Division also provides
divorce verifications. For older records, the
Maryland
State Archives
maintains many
records that are invaluable for biographical and genealogical research.
These include birth records, adoption records, marriage records, divorce
records, and death records, and some indices to these records.
Civil case information forms, family law forms, land record intake sheet,
expungement of record and more
Includes Renewal of Request for Summons, Notice to Renew Judgment, Order of
Satisfaction, Civil Appeal/Request for Transcript, Purchase Orders for Civil
Forms, and all Peace and Protective Order forms, expungement of record, and
more
Dealing with subjects like real estate, corporations, employment,
contracts, trusts and wills.
Includes domestic relations forms for Marylanders who do not have a
lawyer and need to file papers in one of the following areas: divorce,
custody, visitation, child support, alimony, name changes, or contempt.
Also includes a brochure explaining Domestic Violence Protection
Orders, a Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence, and Addendum.
by Forms.gov
Has many, but not all, of the forms issued by Federal agencies
from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Citizenship information, services and benefits and forms for visiting the
United States temporarily, employment authorization, seeking citizenship.
Also, A Guide to
Naturalization [PDF]
Forms covering basic agreements, buying and selling, credit and
collection, employment, leases, loans, assignments, personal and
family, and divorce.
a project of The Women's Law Center of Maryland,
Inc
The Legal Forms Helpline is for Marylanders who are able to file their family law cases pro se, because their
cases are uncomplicated and uncontested but who may need some assistance
understanding the process or completing forms and pleadings
Forms for general consumer complaints, new car and auto repair complaints,
new home complaints, securities forms, home builder registration, health
clubs, public information and open meetings, and more
by Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Anyone wishing to legally form a business does so through the Corporate
Charter Division. Such businesses include corporations, limited liability
companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and
business trusts. Out-of-state entities doing business in Maryland also must
register with the Division.
For forms
and
publications and information on wills, living trusts, estate taxes,
advance directives, and administering estates throughout Maryland
from FindLaw
Samples of many popular forms and contracts to help small business owners
with many aspects of business operation -- including business startup,
employing workers, copyright, patents and trademarks, tips for writing
contracts, and more. Search by industry or subject.
by Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
For both the employer and unemployed claimant
All the basics on copyright and registration of literary works, visual and
performing arts, sound recordings, and more. Find
application forms for
copyright registration.
Patents protect inventions, and improvements to existing inventions.
Trademarks and service marks include any word, name, symbol, or device, or
any combination used in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods or
services of one manufacturer or seller or provider from goods manufactured
or sold or services provided by others, and to indicate the source of the
goods or services. Includes basics on getting a
patent
or a
trademark and
how to search for a patent or trademark.
from Washburn University School of Law
Links to collections of legal forms, some charge for forms but many include
free forms.
by Nolo
by Maryland State Law Library
by Peoples Law Library of Maryland
Provides definitions of many terms as well as links to two other legal
dictionaries.
by FindLaw
by USLegal
Detailed definition of many legal terms and how it relates or impacts
law. Presents related terms as well.
Internet directory of certified notaries public serving Maryland and the
District of Columbia. Search by city, county or language
offered by Maryland Office of the Secretary of State Notary Division
Search by person's first name, last name, or county.
Search by for a notary by zip code, county or state to find a notary in you
area. Other features include add a name to the directory of
notaries and find information such as how to become a notary.
List of notary services throughout the nation.
by Baltimore County Public Library
Links to Baltimore County, Maryland and United States government agencies.
Has information on meetings and events, community development,
planning and zoning in Baltimore County. Lists current government officials
and assists in determining the federal, state and local representative for your
election district. Links to state and federal tax forms and property assessment
information. Covers elections and voting.
Law
from the Internet Public Library
Alphabetical list of links with description. Some sites are suitable
for layperson, some for lawyers.
Law Topics
from the Librarians' Internet Index
Arranged by subject
Sailor: Maryland Legal Resources
(local interest)
Regional law sites, courts, codes, statutes and regulations, law schools,
legal community
State Law and Government Pages
by Emory Law School
Links to state resources, courts and court decisions, bar associations, law
schools, and more
State Law - State Government and Legislative Information
Provides links to state laws, state courts and legislatures
This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on
05 May 2009.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on
05 May 2009.
You are welcome to provide feedback.