§ 5-1 Definitions.
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. 13, § 5-1 (2026)
§ 5-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Dwelling unit.
“Dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the <cite data-path="|codes|VII">Property Maintenance Code</cite> of Baltimore City.
(c)Housing Commissioner; Commissioner.
“Housing Commissioner” or “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development or the Commissioner’s designee.
(d)Multiple-family dwelling.
“Multiple-family dwelling” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the <cite data-path="|codes|VII">Property Maintenance Code</cite> of Baltimore City.
(e)Non-owner-occupied dwelling unit.
“Non-owner-occupied dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|13|§4-1">§ 4-1 of this article</cite>.
(f)Person.
(1)In general.
“Person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(a)">§ 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”}</cite> of the City Code’s <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>.
(2)Qualified inclusion of governmental entities.
Notwithstanding <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(b)">§ 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”}</cite> of the <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>, in this subtitle “person” also includes, except as used in <cite data-path="|general|5|2|5-21">§ 5-21 {“Penalties”}</cite> of this subtitle, a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.
(g)Priority dwelling.
(1)In general.
“Priority dwelling” means a rental dwelling:
(i)
with 20 or more dwelling units or rooming units; and
(ii)
to which 2 or more of the following criteria applied in the preceding calendar year:
A.
the rental dwelling was issued a violation notice under the Building, Fire, and Related Codes article relating to interior conditions that remained unabated for more than 90 days;
B.
the rental dwelling was issued four or more violation notices under the Building, Fire, and Related Codes article relating to interior conditions; and
C.
the number of recorded 311 calls related to health and habitability for a rental dwelling , which may not include requests to summon law enforcement or emergency services as prohibited under § 14-126 of the State Real Property Article, divided by the total number of dwelling and rooming units in that rental dwelling, exceeds the applicable minimum value in the table below; and
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Total Number of Units</th>
<th>Minimum Value</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>20 - 35</td>
<td>0.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36 - 50</td>
<td>0.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>51 - 75</td>
<td>0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>76 - 100</td>
<td>0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>101 - 125</td>
<td>0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>126 - 150</td>
<td>0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>151+</td>
<td>0.2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
D.
the rental dwelling’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) inspection score for either of the 2 most recent NSPIRE inspections was less than or equal to 79.
(2)Exceptions.
This definition does not include any rental dwellings owned and operated by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City.
(h)Priority inspection.
“Priority inspection” means:
(1)
the physical inspection of a priority dwelling conducted by an inspector employed by the Department of Housing and Community Development; and
(2)
the inspector’s written evaluation of the rental dwelling’s compliance with the City’s health and safety standards specified in the rules and regulations adopted by the Commissioner under this subtitle.
(i)Rental dwelling.
“Rental dwelling” means:
(1)
any multiple-family dwelling;
(2)
any rooming house;
(3)
any supportive housing facility; and
(4)
any non-owner-occupied dwelling unit in a 1- or 2-family dwelling that is leased or rented or offered or available for lease or rental in exchange for any form of consideration.
(j)Rooming house.
“Rooming house” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the <cite data-path="|codes|VII">Property Maintenance Code</cite> of Baltimore City.
(k)Rooming unit.
“Rooming unit” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the <cite data-path="|codes|VII">Property Maintenance Code</cite> of Baltimore City.
(l)Supportive housing facility.
“Supportive housing facility” has the meaning stated in § 202.2.56 of the Baltimore City <cite data-path="|codes|II">Building Code</cite>.
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