# Division III – Vacant Lots; Peep Show Establishments
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
## Subtitle 11 – Registration of Vacant Lots
### § 11-1 Definitions.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 11-1 (2026)
(a) In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Building” means a structure or edifice of any kind constructed for the shelter, support, or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or operations.
(c) “Lot” means an individual parcel of real property or a portion of a block that is identified by a symbol in accordance with City Charter Article VII, § 116(k) and shown on a block plat filed among the records of the Department of Transportation.
(d)
(1) “Owner” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Property Maintenance Code, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) “Owner” does not include a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.
(e) “Vacant” means unimproved by an assessed building.
*History: Ord. 82-642*
*History: Ord. 04-832*
*History: Ord. 09-217*
*History: Ord. 13-093*
*History: Ord. 15-427*
*History: Ord. 15-435*
### § 11-2 Registration required.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 11-2 (2026)
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, by September 1 of each year, the owner of a vacant lot that is assessed for $100 or more must file a registration statement with the Commissioner on a form to be provided by the Commissioner.
(b)
(1) The annual registration fee is $25 for each vacant lot, with a maximum fee of $5,000 for all lots titled to the same owner of record.
(2) This fee must be paid at the time of registration.
(c) A new owner of a vacant lot must, at the time of acquisition:
(1) file a registration statement; and
(2) pay the annual registration fee, unless that fee already was paid by the prior owner.
(d) This section does not apply to a vacant lot that:
(1) adjoins a non-vacant lot that is titled to the same owner of record as the vacant lot and is the owner’s primary residence;
(2) contains a parking pad that complies with the surface requirements of Baltimore City Building Code § 3116 {“Parking Lots, Driveways, and Other Paved Surfaces”} and is actively used by a person whose primary residence is within 100 feet of the pad; or
(3) extends beyond City limits.
*History: Ord. 82-642*
*History: Ord. 04-832*
*History: Ord. 10-269*
*History: Ord. 13-093*
*History: Ord. 20-361*
### § 11-3 Information required with registration.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 11-3 (2026)
(a) The registration statement shall contain the following information:
(1) a description of the premises by street number or otherwise, in such manner as to enable the Commissioner to find the same;
(2) the name and address of the owner of record, and in addition, if the owner is a corporation, the name and address of the resident agent thereof; and
(3) the name and residence or business address of a natural person 18 years of age or older, who is customarily present in an office in the City for the purposes of transacting business or who resides within the City, and who shall be designated by the owner as his authorized agent for receiving notices of violations relating to the property and for receiving court process on behalf of such owner in connection with the enforcement of ordinances relating to the property.
(b) An owner who is a natural person and who meets the requirement of this section as to location of residence or place of transacting business, may designate himself as agent.
(c) For purposes of this section a post office box does not suffice as an address.
(d) The Commissioner must be notified within 10 days of any change in the agent designated in accordance with subsection (a) above or in the agent’s address.
*History: Ord. 82-642*
*History: Ord. 22-124*
### § 11-4 Interest and late fees.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 11-4 (2026)
(a) If an owner fails to pay the registration fee imposed by this subtitle within 30 days of the date on which it is due, the owner is liable for the following, in addition to the registration fee:
(1) interest at the rate of 1% for each month or fraction of a month that the registration fee is overdue; and
(2) a late fee at the rate of 1% for each month or fraction of a month that the registration fee is overdue.
(b) The interest and late fee imposed by this section are in addition to any other penalties authorized by law.
(c)
(1) All registration fees, interest, and late fees provided for in this section are a personal debt owed by the owner of the vacant lot.
(2) These fees and interest:
(i) are a lien in favor of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore on the vacant lot; and
(ii) may be collected or enforced the same as any other debts or liens due to or in favor of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.
*History: Ord. 82-642*
*History: Ord. 04-832*
### § 11-5 Criminal penalties.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 11-5 (2026)
(a) Any violation of the provisions of this subtitle shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and upon conviction therefor, any such owner shall be punishable by a fine of up to $300 for each day of violation.
(b) Any owner of a vacant lot subject to this subtitle, who shall fail to file a registration statement as required by this section, shall be liable for said penalty without notice.
*History: Ord. 82-642*
## Subtitle 12
## Subtitle 13 – Licensing of Peep Show Establishments
### § 13-1 Definitions.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-1 (2026)
(a) In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Director” means the Director of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing or the Director’s designee.
(c)
(1) “Peep show establishment” means a building or any part of a building that contains 1 or more peep show devices.
(2) “Peep show establishment” does not include a theater for the production and viewing of the performing arts or motion pictures, as described in§ 303.1 (Assembly Group A-1) of the Baltimore City Building Code.
(d)
(1) “Peep show device” means any device operated for commercial purposes in which:
(i) motion picture or slide films are projected or viewed on a screen or through a viewer; or
(ii) viewed images are exhibited by means of the projection of internal electronic reflection of motion-picture or slide films.
(2) “Peep show device” does not include television that reflects externally transmitted images.
(e)
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: Ord. 13-093*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
*History: *
### § 13-2
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-2 (2026)
Reserved
### § 13-3 License and compliance required.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-3 (2026)
No person may operate a peep show establishment unless the person:
(1) obtains a license from the Director for the operation of the establishment, and
(2) complies with the provisions of this subtitle.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: *
### § 13-4 License term; fee.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-4 (2026)
(a) Each license issued under this subtitle expires on December 31 of each year.
(b)
(1) The annual fee for the license is $100 for each peep show device in the establishment.
(2) This fee is in addition to any other fees chargeable by the City under City Code Article 15 {“Licensing and Regulation”}.
(3) This fee is non-refundable, even if the establishment discontinues operation or is sold, given away, or otherwise disposed of.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
### § 13-5 Investigation of applicant.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-5 (2026)
The Director must investigate each applicant for a new or renewal license to determine that:
(1) the applicant did not knowingly make a material misstatement in the application; and
(2) the establishment and its operation will comply with the requirements of:
(i) the Building, Fire, and Related Codes of Baltimore City,
(ii) the Health Code of Baltimore City;
(iii) the Zoning Code of Baltimore City; and
(iv) all other applicable laws.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: Ord. 07-552*
*History: *
### § 13-6 Issuance of license.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-6 (2026)
The Director must issue or renew the license if, on investigation, the Director finds that all the requirements of this subtitle are met.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: *
### § 13-7 Denial of license.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-7 (2026)
(a) The Director may deny an application if, after the applicant has been given the opportunity for a hearing, the Director finds that any requirement of this subtitle is not met.
(b) The Director must notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: *
### § 13-8 Revocation or suspension of license.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-8 (2026)
(a) The Director may suspend or revoke any license issued under this subtitle if, after the licensee has been given the opportunity for a hearing, the Director finds that:
(1) the licensee knowingly made a material misstatement on the application for the issuance or renewal of the license; or
(2) the establishment or its operation is in violation of a requirement of:
(i) the Building, Fire, and Related Codes of Baltimore City,
(ii) the Health Code of Baltimore City;
(iii) the Zoning Code of Baltimore City; or
(iv) all other applicable law.
(b)
(1) The Director must notify the licensee in writing of the reasons for the suspension or revocation.
(2) The notice must be mailed to the licensee at the address given on the most-recent application for a license.
(c) No person who has had a license revoked may obtain a new license at any time within 12 months from the date of the revocation.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: Ord. 07-552*
*History: *
### § 13-9 Hearings.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-9 (2026)
(a) Before the Director denies, suspends, or revokes any license or license renewal, the Director must notify the applicant or licensee in writing that a hearing will be held to determine whether grounds exist for the denial, suspension, or revocation.
(b) The notice must:
(1) be mailed to the applicant or licensee, at the address given on the most-recent application, at least 5 days before the scheduled hearing; and
(2) include the date, time, and place of the hearing.
(c) At the hearing, the applicant or licensee may:
(1) have the assistance of counsel;
(2) appear by counsel; and
(3) present evidence.
(d) If the applicant or licensee fails to appear at the hearing, in person or by counsel, the evidence of the grounds for the denial, suspension, or revocation are considered unrebutted.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: *
### § 13-10
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-10 (2026)
Reserved
### § 13-11 Device permit tags.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-11 (2026)
(a) No person may operate a peep show establishment unless every peep show device in the establishment:
(1) is plainly marked with a serial number; and
(2) has attached to it a permit tag issued by the Director.
(b) A permit tag:
(1) must be affixed conspicuously to each device;
(2) must remain so affixed until:
(i) a new or different permit tag is issued for that device; or
(ii) the license for the establishment is suspended or revoked; and
(3) may not be transferred from 1 person to another or from 1 device to another.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: *
### § 13-12
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-12 (2026)
Reserved
### § 13-13 Building and construction requirements.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-13 (2026)
(a) Every peep show establishment must comply with the building and construction requirements of this section, in addition to any other applicable requirements of the Building, Fire, and Related Codes Article of Baltimore City.
(b) Each booth in which a peep show device is located must be constructed of:
(1) not less than 1-hour fire-resistive material; or
(2) other materials approved by the Fire Department.
(c)
(1) Each booth in which a peep show device is located must contain at least 24 square feet.
(2) The viewing area must be of a size and arrangement that will assure the inability of more than 1 person to use the device at the same time.
(d) The aisles of any room in which a peep show device is located must be at least 36 inches wide.
(e) For each room in which a peep show device is located, ingress and egress must be provided by:
(1) at least 2 doorways that are each at least 36 inches wide; or
(2) 1 doorway that meets all of the requirements of the Baltimore City Building Code and other ordinances and regulations of the City for 1 exit.
(f)
(1) Every doorway that provides ingress to a room in which a peep show device is located must remain unlocked during business hours.
(2) Every doorway that provides egress from a room in which a peep show device is located must be provided with an internally illuminated exit sign.
(g) A light level sufficient to insure clear visibility and to permit patrons to read a newspaper must be maintained in every area of a peep show establishment to which the public is admitted.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: Ord. 13-093*
*History: Ord. 15-427*
### § 13-14 Number of devices.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-14 (2026)
(a) The number of peep show devices may not exceed the maximum occupancy load permitted in the room or the partitioned part of a room in which the devices are located.
(b) The maximum number of peep show devices permitted in any room must be conspicuously posted at the entrance to that room.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
### § 13-15
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-15 (2026)
Reserved
### § 13-16 Enforcement.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-16 (2026)
In addition to any other remedy provided in this subtitle or otherwise by law, this subtitle may be enforced by the Director of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing in the manner provided in Baltimore City Code Article 1, Subtitle 42.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
*History: Ord. 12-093*
*History: *
### § 13-17 Penalties.
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 13-17 (2026)
(a) Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each violation.
(b) Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.
*History: Ord. 02-475*
## Subtitles 14 to 15