2018 Maryland Code
Health - General
Title 21 - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics
Subtitle 3 - Food Establishments
Part IV - Miscellaneous Provisions
§ 21-324.1. Open windows and doors in food service facilities
(a) Exception. -- This section does not apply to an outer door of a food service facility that leads from the kitchen to the outside.
(b) In general. -- A food service facility may operate with the outer windows or outer doors open unless, while the food service facility is operating with the outer doors or outer windows open, the local health department:
(1) Finds evidence of vermin in food preparation or food storage areas; or
(2) Finds evidence of flying insects in food preparation or food storage areas that pose a significant threat to sanitation or public health.
(c) Violations. -- If a local health department finds that a food service facility is operating in violation of subsection (b) of this section, the food service facility shall take immediate action to eliminate the vermin or flying insects.
(d) Closure. -- A local health department may close a food service facility found to be operating in violation of subsection (b) of this section, or order a temporary closure of the outer windows and outer doors at the food service facility, until the vermin or flying insects are eliminated from the food preparation or food storage areas, or until another action approved by the local health department is taken.
(e) Three or more separate violations. -- A food service facility found to be operating in violation of subsection (b) of this section on three or more separate occasions shall keep the outer windows and outer doors closed at all times until:
(1) Modifications approved by the local health department are made to the food service facility to effectively protect against the entrance of vermin and flying insects; or
(2) Another action approved by the local health department is taken.
