Internal prototype — noindexed, not linked from public navigation yet.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 5-204

This is the official text of Md. Code, Public Utilities § 5-204, part of Maryland’s Code, Public Utilities — regulates utility companies.

Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

§5–204.

Official statutory text

(a) This section does not apply to:

(1) a municipal corporation, sanitary district, or other unit of government;

(2) an individual, for the construction of a water system or sewage disposal system for the individual’s personal or private use; or

(3) a group of individuals for their joint personal or private use, unless the Commission finds that the joint use is for the purpose of generally serving a proposed new housing development.

(b) Without the prior authorization of the Commission, a person may not construct a water system or sewage disposal system for public use.

(c) (1) The Commission may authorize the construction of a water system or sewage disposal system for public use only on a finding that the construction of the water system or sewage disposal system is in the public interest.

(2) In determining whether the proposed construction of the water system or sewage disposal system is in the public interest, the Commission shall consider:

(i) the financing plans for the proposed construction; and

(ii) other pertinent facts and circumstances.

(d) An applicant for authorization to construct a water system or sewage disposal system:

(1) shall fully disclose to the Commission the financing plans for the construction; and

(2) has the burden of proof to satisfy the Commission that the construction is in the public interest.

(e) (1) After a hearing, the Commission may revoke an authorization to construct a water system or sewage disposal system if the Commission finds that the revocation is in the public interest.

(2) An order of revocation may be appealed in accordance with § 3-204 of this article.

(3) Subject to action of the Commission under § 3-205 of this article, the filing of an appeal does not stay an order of revocation.

(4) After the Commission issues an order of revocation, the water system or sewage disposal system may not be operated until the revocation is repealed by:

(i) the Commission; or

(ii) the final disposition of an appeal from the order of revocation.

Status: reserved · Read it on the official government site

Need a lawyer in Maryland?

Find a Maryland lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.