(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Composting” means the controlled aerobic biological decomposition of organic waste material.
(3) “Composting facility” has the meaning stated in § 9–1701 of the Environment Article.
(4) “Local jurisdiction” means the county or municipality where the homeowners association is located.
(b) A recorded covenant or restriction, a provision in a declaration, or a provision in the bylaws or rules of a homeowners association may not prohibit or unreasonably restrict a lot owner from:
(1) Composting organic waste materials for the lot owner’s personal or household use, provided that the lot owner:
(i) Owns or has the right to exclusive use of the area where the composting is conducted; and
(ii) Observes all laws, ordinances, and regulations of the State and local jurisdiction that pertain to composting; or
(2) Contracting with a private entity to collect organic waste materials from the lot owner for composting at a composting facility.
(c) A recorded covenant or restriction, a provision in a declaration, or a provision in the bylaws or rules of a homeowners association that unreasonably impedes the ability of a private entity to access the common elements for the purpose of collecting organic waste materials from a lot owner shall be interpreted as a restriction on the lot owner’s right to contract for private composting services under subsection (b)(2) of this section.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 11B - Maryland Homeowners Association Act
Section 11B-102 - Applicability of Title and 11b-105 Through 11b-108 and 11b-110
Section 11B-105 - Initial Sale of Lots in Developments Containing More Than 12 Lots
Section 11B-106 - Resale of Lot; Initial Sale of Lot in Development Containing 12 or Fewer Lots
Section 11B-106.1 - Responsibility for Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement of Common Elements
Section 11B-106.2 - Sale of Common Elements
Section 11B-107 - Initial Sale of Lot Not Intended to Be Occupied or Rented for Residential Purposes
Section 11B-108 - Cancellation of Contract
Section 11B-109 - Untrue Statements or Omissions by Vendor
Section 11B-110 - Warranties; Notice of Defect
Section 11B-111 - Meetings of Homeowners Association or Its Governing Body
Section 11B-111.1 - Family Child Care Homes -- No-Impact Home-Based Businesses
Section 11B-111.2 - Candidate or Proposition Sign
Section 11B-111.3 - Distribution of Written Information and Materials
Section 11B-111.5 - Court Appointment of Receiver
Section 11B-111.6 - Fidelity Insurance
Section 11B-111.7 - Number of Declarant Votes
Section 11B-112.1 - Late Charges
Section 11B-112.2 - Annual Budget
Section 11B-112.3 - Reserve Study of Homeowners Association Common Areas -- Criteria
Section 11B-113 - Homeowners Association Depository
Section 11B-113.1 - Electronic Transmission of Notice
Section 11B-113.2 - Electronic Transmission of Votes or Proxies
Section 11B-113.3 - Deletion of Ownership Restrictions Based on Race, Religion, or National Origin
Section 11B-113.4 - Annual Charge
Section 11B-113.5 - Annexation of Land in Howard County
Section 11B-114 - Electronic Payment Fees
Section 11B-115 - Enforcement Authority of Division of Consumer Protection
Section 11B-115.1 - Enforcement by Division of Consumer Protection
Section 11B-116 - Amendment of Governing Document
Section 11B-117 - Liability for Homeowners Association Assessments and Charges on Lots