Part 2 – Nuclear Weapons
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 33-2 (2026)
§ 33-2 Exclusions.LinkCopy Citation
Nothing in this Part shall be construed to prohibit:
(1)
any activity not specifically described in this Part;
(2)
basic research and/or any writing or speech devoted to public commentary or debate or other speech protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution;
(3)
the use, storage, or treatment and disposal of radioactive materials used in basic academic research, medical research, or the diagnosis and treatment of patients;
(4)
consumer uses of radioactive material for smoke detectors, light emitting watches or clocks, industrial radiography and tracer processes, and other similar incidental applications;
(5)
direct activities of the federal government or its employees;
(6)
the transportation of radioactive materials to and through the Port of Baltimore; and
(7)
research, development, and manufacturing associated with biotechnology.
History: Ord. 92-012
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 33-3 (2026)
§ 33-3 Nuclear weapons work prohibited.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
No person shall knowingly within the City of Baltimore design, produce, deploy, launch, maintain, or store nuclear weapons or components of nuclear weapons.
(b)Effective date of prohibition.
In the case of persons with existing contractual agreements for any of the aforementioned activities, this prohibition shall take effect 3 years after the adoption and publication of this Part; otherwise, this Part takes effect upon enactment.
(c)New work prohibited.
No person who is not, as of the effective date of this Part, engaged in the design, production, deployment, launching, maintenance or storage of nuclear weapons or components of nuclear weapons, shall, within the City of Baltimore, commence any such activities after the effective date of this Part.
History: Ord. 92-012
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 33-4 (2026)
§ 33-4 Redirection of resources towards human needs.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Conversion plan.
(1)
The Development Commission shall determine if any businesses are affected by this Part.
(2)
The Development Commission shall then, if necessary:
(i)
solicit testimony from the public;
(ii)
prepare a plan for the conversion to other uses of resources and physical plants affected by this Part; and
(iii)
develop within this plan, a list of suggested alternative sources of employment for persons currently employed in the nuclear weapons industry.
(3)
The conversion plan shall be completed within 3 years of the adoption of this Part.
(b)Interim report.
(1)
The Commission shall issue an interim report on its progress within 18 months following the Commission’s first meeting.
(2)
This interim report shall be presented to the City Council, and copies shall be made available to the news media for public dissemination.
History: Ord. 92-012
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 33-5 (2026)
§ 33-5 Nuclear-free zone signs.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The City shall post and maintain appropriate signs at recognized entrances to the City and in City Hall, proclaiming Baltimore City’s status as a nuclear-free zone.
(b)Standards.
When posted on City streets or on state or federally supported roads entering Baltimore City, such signs shall conform with the standards set forth in § 28-44 of the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
History: Ord. 92-012
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 33-6 (2026)
§ 33-6 Civil enforcement.LinkCopy Citation
Any taxpayer domiciled in the City of Baltimore, any person aggrieved by a violation of this Part, or the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, is authorized to institute an action in the appropriate court of law having jurisdiction, seeking declaratory, injunctive or other appropriate judicial relief for the purpose of enforcing this Part and enjoining or restraining any violations of this Part.
History: Ord. 92-012