Subtitle 18 – On-Site Utility Contractors
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, § 18-1 (2026)
§ 18-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Commissioner.
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development or the Commissioner’s designee.
(c)On-site utility contractor.
“On-site utility contractor” means any person doing or contracting to do any on-site utility work.
(d)On-site utility work.
(1)In general.
“On-site utility work” means the installation of and operations on a building sanitary sewer, building storm water sewer, or water service pipe, and any of their appurtenances, on premises:
(i)
from the connection at the property line or, for private water and sewage disposal systems, from the connection at the well or septic tank,
(ii)
to:
(a)
a point at least 5 feet from the foundation wall of any structure on the property; or
(b)
if the foundation wall is within 5 feet of the property line, to the foundation wall.
(2)Exclusions.
“On-site utility work” does not include a single utility connection for a 1-family dwelling.
History: Ord. 02-475
History: Ord. 22-125
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-2 (2026)
§ 18-2LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-3 (2026)
§ 18-3 On-Site Utility Contractors Board.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Board established.
There is an On-Site Utility Contractors Board of Baltimore City.
(b)Composition.
The Board consists of the following 5 members:
(1)
the Commissioner or designee;
(2)
the Director of Construction and Buildings Inspection or designee;
(3)
the Director of Public Works or designee;
(4)
a member, appointed by the Mayor, who is an on-site utility contractor licensed by the City and resides in or has a place of business in the City; and
(5)
a member, appointed by the Mayor, who is a master plumber licensed by the State, has at least 2 years’ experience in utility construction, and resides in or has a place of business in the City.
(c)Appointments to be nonpartisan.
Appointments to the Board are to be made without regard to the appointee’s political affiliation.
(d)Compensation; expenses.
The appointed members of the Board:
(1)
serve without compensation; but
(2)
are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
(e)Board chair.
The Commissioner serves as the Board’s chair.
History: Ord. 02-475
History: Ord. 16-503
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-4 (2026)
§ 18-4 General authority of Board.LinkCopy Citation
To safeguard the health and safety of the people of the City, the Board may:
(1)
subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, adopt rules, regulations, and specifications governing the qualification and licensing of on-site utility contractors in the City;
(2)
develop and administer examinations to test an applicant’s knowledge of on-site utility work, if the Board considers testing necessary in a particular case;
(3)
accept applications for licensure as an on-site utility contractor;
(4)
issue, deny, suspend, and revoke licenses as necessary or appropriate; and
(5)
hold hearings on proposed denials, suspensions, and revocations.
History: Ord. 02-475
History: Text Conformed 02/19/21
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-5 (2026)
§ 18-5 Health Commissioner to consult.LinkCopy Citation
The Commissioner of Health or the Commissioner’s representative must consult with the Board as necessary from time to time.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-6 (2026)
§ 18-6LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-7 (2026)
§ 18-7 License required.LinkCopy Citation
No person may perform or directly supervise any on-site utility work in the City unless licensed to do so under this subtitle.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-8 (2026)
§ 18-8 Only individuals to be licensed.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The license may be issued only to an individual and not to a firm or corporation.
(b)Company representatives.
For every firm or corporation doing or contracting to do on-site utility work, a license must be obtained:
(1)
by at least 1 member of the firm or 1 officer of the corporation; and
(2)
by every on-site supervisor of the on-site utility work.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-9 (2026)
§ 18-9 Qualifications for license.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Board to set.
An applicant for a license must furnish evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant meets the qualifications set by the Board.
(b)Minimum standards.
These qualifications must:
(1)
be comparable to the prequalification criteria set for contractors in Baltimore City and neighboring jurisdictions; and
(2)
include, but not be limited to, at least 2 years’ experience in the installation of building sanitary sewer, building storm water sewer, and water service pipe utilities.
(c)Additional considerations.
The Board may consider, but not give conclusive weight to, the fact that an applicant:
(1)
possesses a current on-site utility contractor’s license, or its equivalent, issued by another political subdivision of this State; or
(2)
is an officer or employee of a firm or corporation currently prequalified with the City to perform Category B utilities construction work.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-10 (2026)
§ 18-10 Bonds.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Required.
Before any person may be issued an on-site utility contractors license, the person must deliver to the Commissioner a good and sufficient bond satisfactory to the Commissioner, in the name of the City of Baltimore.
(b)Amount and tenor.
The bond must be:
(1)
for the amount of $2,500; and
(2)
conditioned on:
(i)
the contractor’s faithful performance of all work done or contracted for by the on-site utility contractor; and
(ii)
the contractor’s indemnifying and saving harmless the City and the owner or real party in interest of the property for which any material is furnished or services performed against loss, failure to use suitable material, or failure to properly perform any work contracted for or undertaken by the contractor and any agent or employee of the contractor.
(c)Limit of liability.
An action may be maintained on the bond only if it is brought within 1 year after the date of the installation of the material or performance of the work or service.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-11 (2026)
§ 18-11 License fee and term.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Fee.
The license fee is $150, payable at the time of application.
(b)Term.
The license expires annually on December 31.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-12 (2026)
§ 18-12 Renewal of license.LinkCopy Citation
A license may be renewed annually, on or before December 31, on payment of a renewal fee of $150.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-13 (2026)
§ 18-13 License non-assignable; single-company representation.LinkCopy Citation
(a)License non-assignable.
A license issued under this subtitle is neither assignable nor transferrable.
(b)Single-company representation.
A licensee may represent only 1 firm or corporation at any one time.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-14 (2026)
§ 18-14 Lapsed license.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Reinstatement allowed.
Any person who allows his or her license to lapse may apply for reinstatement and, at the discretion of the Board, may be reinstated on payment of the renewal fee.
(b)6-month limit.
However, after a lapse of 6 months or more, the former licensee will be treated as a new applicant, subject to the same requirements as new applicants.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-15 (2026)
§ 18-15LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-16 (2026)
§ 18-16 Suspensions, revocations, denials.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Board may suspend or revoke an on-site utility contractors license or deny the renewal of a license for just cause.
(b)Just cause.
Just cause for suspension, revocation, or denial includes, but is not limited to:
(1)
failure to provide the required bond;
(2)
violation of any material provision of the <cite data-path="|building-codes">Building, Fire, and Related Codes Article</cite> or of any other board, City, State, or federal law, ordinance, rule, or regulation;
(3)
unsatisfactory work or negligence, incompetence, or misconduct in the performance of on-site utility work;
(4)
fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in the performance of any work or in obtaining or renewing a license, permit, or bond;
(5)
selling, lending, or otherwise permitting any improper use of a license or permit; or
(6)
failure to notify the Board of current address.
History: Ord. 02-475
History: Ord. 13-093
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-17 (2026)
§ 18-17 Hearing.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Board to provide.
Before suspending, revoking, or denying the renewal of a license, the Board must provide the licensee with an opportunity for a hearing on the matter.
(b)Notice.
At least 5 days before the hearing, the Board must notify the licensee, by certified or registered mail, of:
(1)
the nature of the alleged violation; and
(2)
the time and place of the hearing.
(c)Decision.
(1)
The Board must issue a written decision, stating its reasons, within 10 days of the hearing.
(2)
In its decision, the Board may order that the license be:
(i)
suspended for a specified term of up to 90 days;
(ii)
suspended indefinitely, until the licensee gives evidence satisfactory to the Board that the condition for which the license was suspended has been corrected and will not recur;
(iii)
revoked, in which case application for reinstatement may not be made until 6 months after the revocation;
(iv)
not renewed under the same conditions as those specified above for a suspension or revocation; or
(v)
continued in full force.
History: Ord. 02-475
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-18 (2026)
§ 18-18LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-19 (2026)
§ 18-19 Enforcement.LinkCopy Citation
In addition to any other remedy provided in this subtitle or otherwise by law, this subtitle may be enforced by the Commissioner in the manner provided in § 104{“Duties and powers of Building Official”} of the Baltimore City <cite data-path="|building-codes|II">Building Code</cite>.
History: Ord. 02-475
History: Ord. 13-093
Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 18-20 (2026)
§ 18-20 Penalties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
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 a separate offense.
Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.
History: Ord. 02-475