Landscape contractors working for defeated GOP Senate candidate Bill Brock have built a picket fence without a permit behind a waterfront house that he is purchasing.
County officials confirmed last week that no permits had been issued for the work and said inspectors would be sent this week to investigate an anonymous complaint about the fence on the edge of cliffs overlooking the Severn River.
"We'll be stopping by to say hello," said William Bryant, the county's chief building inspector.
The fence is behind a house on Homewood Road in Ferry Farms, a small community across the Severn River from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Mr. Brock -- a former U.S. senator from Tennessee who this month lost a bid to unseat Maryland Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes -- was on vacation and could not be reached for comment.
Ben Cotton, the former senator's attorney, said Mr. Brock and his wife, Sandy, contracted with Homestead Gardens Inc. for landscape work that included removing a wire fence and installing the picket fence.
He said that Mr. Brock was unaware of any permit requirement and that the Davidsonville contractors should be responsible for obtaining whatever permits are required.
Officials at Homestead Gardens did not return telephone calls.
Construction of a fence on waterfront property requires county review for light, air and space to make sure the structure would not obstruct anyone's view.
Property owners within 175 feet must receive a notice of the proposed work.
If inspectors determine that Mr. Brock and his contractor should have obtained a permit, they will give them 30 days to seek one. If this is not done, inspectors will send a 30-day warning notice. After that, the case would be turned over to county prosecutors. Fines can range from $40 to to $100.