# Regulation .02 Definitions.

Current through 2026-01-20. Source: COBRA Register Volume 04, Issue 02. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Regulation .02 Definitions.

Balt., Md., COBRA § 21.02.04.02 (2026)

A. In <cite data-path="21.02.04">this chapter</cite>, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Baltimore County” means the County Council and municipal government of Baltimore County, Maryland.

  (2) Baltimore City reservoir.

    (a) “Baltimore City reservoir” means a reservoir owned and operated by Baltimore City.

    (b) “Baltimore City reservoir” includes:

      (i) Prettyboy Reservoir;

      (ii) Liberty Reservoir; and

      (iii) Loch Raven Reservoir.

  (3) “Baltimore Environmental Police" means a sworn police officer appointed by the Director to protect persons and natural resources within a water quality management area.

  (4) “City” means the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

  (5) “Deer trail” means a trail that has been worn down by the passage of deer and other wildlife.

  (6) “Department” means the Baltimore City Department of Public Works.

  (7) “Director” means the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works.

  (8) “Double bottom” means an additional layer of structure below the main bottom of a watercraft.

  (9) “Environmentally sensitive area” means a location within a water quality management area with ecologically vulnerable features, including a:

    (a) Wetland;

    (b) Stream; or

    (c) Steep slope.

  (10) “Firearm” has the meaning stated in § 14-101 of the City Code Health Article.

  (11) “Fish refuge area” means:

    (a) The area south of the Route 26 Bridge at Liberty Reservoir;

    (b) The area south of the Loch Raven Drive Bridge at Loch Raven Reservoir; and

    (c) An area within 1500 feet of the dam at Prettyboy Reservoir.

  (12) “Flotation material” means a substance made of composite materials designed to increase buoyancy in a watercraft.

  (13) “Geocaching” means to hide a small container or other item at discrete locations for the purpose of using GPS coordinates to locate the item.

  (14) Hunt.

    (a) “Hunt” means to pursue or attempt to pursue a bird or mammal to personal possession.

    (b) “Hunt” includes the pursuit or attempted pursuit of a bird or mammal through the act of:

      (i) Capturing;

      (ii) Catching;

      (iii) Killing;

      (iv) Gigging;

      (v) Trapping; and

      (vi) Shooting.

  (15) “Livestock” means a domesticated animal ordinarily raised in an agricultural setting including:

    (a) Cattle;

    (b) Sheep;

    (c) Horses; and

    (d) Goats.

  (16) “Magnet fishing” means to remove or attempt to remove a metal object from a body of water by use of a magnet attached to the end of a rope.

  (17) “DNR” means the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

  (18) Motorized vehicle.

    (a) “Motorized vehicle” means a mode of transportation powered by an internal engine by which a person or property may be transported on a roadway.

    (b) “Motorized vehicle” includes:

      (i) An electronic bicycle;

      (ii) A dirt bike;

      (iii) An all-terrain vehicle;

      (iv) A snowmobile; and

      (v) A vehicle being towed by another motorized vehicle.

  (19) Nonlethal firearm.

    (a) “Nonlethal firearm” means a device that:

      (i) Fires nonlethal ammunition using compressed air; and

      (ii) Is intended to incapacitate, but not kill, a target.

    (b) “Nonlethal firearm” includes:

      (i) An air rifle; and

      (ii) A paintball gun.

  (20) “Organized group activity” means an event that is:

    (a) coordinated by a verifiable person, company, or entity, as defined by these regulations; and

    (b) scheduled for a particular date and time.

  (21) “Paddle boat” means a watercraft that is propelled through the use of a paddle wheel.

  (22) “Pedal kayak” means a watercraft with a closed deck that is propelled by foot pedals that drive a propeller or fins.

  (23) “Permit holder” means a person who has obtained a permit to operate a watercraft at a water quality management area in accordance with <cite data-path="21.02.04">this chapter</cite> from:

    (a) The Department; or

    (b) Baltimore County.

  (24) Person.

    (a) “Person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|general">City Code General Provisions Article</cite>, <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|general|1|1|1-107">§ 1-107</cite>.

    (b) “Person” includes a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.

  (25) Personal flotation device.

    (a) “Personal flotation device” means a piece of equipment used to prevent drowning.

    (b) “Personal flotation device” includes a:

      (i) Life jacket;

      (ii) Life vest;

      (iii) Life belt;

      (iv) Flotation aid;

      (v) Buoyant cushion; and

      (vi) Ring buoy.

  (26) “Polluting” means:

    (a) Contaminating a Baltimore City reservoir or a tributary;

    (b) Storing hazardous materials in a manner that threatens the public water supply; or

    (c) Altering the water in a Baltimore City reservoir or tributary in a manner that could harm:

      (i) Public health;

      (ii) Public safety; or

      (iii) The welfare of local wildlife.

  (27) “Reservoir watershed” means the source water area for the Baltimore Metropolitan Supply as defined by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.

  (28) “Right of entry agreement” means a contract between a person and the City of Baltimore which allows access during a prescribed period of time for a defined group of people to engage in specific activities within a WQMA.

  (29) “Smoke” means to:

    (a) Burn or carry a lit tobacco product;

    (b) Burn or carry a lit cannabis product; or

    (c) Inhale vapors from or otherwise allow vapors to be emitted from an electronic smoking device.

  (30) “State” means the State of Maryland.

  (31) “Verifiable” means possessing documentation which is recognized as valid by a state or local government as a means of establishing the identity of a person, organization, or other entity.

  (32) “Watercraft” means a vessel licensed by the State:

    (a) Designed for travel across or through a body of water; and

    (b) Powered by a means of propulsion in accordance with <cite data-path="21.02.04">this chapter</cite>.

  (33) “Watercraft launch area” means a designated ramp for watercraft launch and recovery.

  (34) Water Quality Management Area (WQMA).

    (a) “Water quality management area” means a reservoir or adjoining land controlled or owned by the City of Baltimore

    (b) “Water quality management area” includes:

      (i) A leased property within a WQMA boundary;

      (ii) Woods within a WQMA boundary;

      (iii) A utility right-of-way within a WQMA boundary;

      (iv) Infrastructure within a WQMA; and

      (v) Infrastructure required to direct water from a reservoir to a water treatment facility.

  (35) “Watershed” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|7|§21-1|(aa)">City Code Article 7, § 21-1(aa)</cite>.

  (36) “Woods road” means an unpaved road in a water quality management area built and maintained by the City.