Subtitle 15 – Street Entertainers
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. 15, § 15-1 (2026)
§ 15-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In General.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meaning indicated.
(b)Department.
“Department” means the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing.
(f)Street.
“Street” means any street, boulevard, road, highway, alley, lane, sidewalk, footway, mall, esplanade, or other way or place that is owned by the City or habitually used by the public.
(g)Street entertainer.
(1)In general.
“Street entertainer” means any person who, either alone or as part of a group:
(i)
performs on the streets of this City; and
(ii)
solicits, encourages, or accepts donations before, during, or after the performance.
(2)Illustrations.
“Street entertainer” includes a:
(i)
musician;
(ii)
juggler;
(iii)
mime;
(iv)
puppeteer;
(v)
unicyclist;
(vi)
clown;
(vii)
magician
(viii)
sword swallower;
(ix)
dancer;
(x)
poet;
(xi)
performance artist; or
(xii)
comedian.
History: Ord. 04-801
History: Ord. 06-191
History: Ord. 22-124
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-2 (2026)
§ 15-2LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-3 (2026)
§ 15-3LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-4 (2026)
§ 15-4LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
History: Ord. 04-801
History: Ord. 06-191
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-5 (2026)
§ 15-5LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
History: Ord. 04-801
History: Ord. 16-503
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-6 (2026)
§ 15-6LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
History: Ord. 04-801
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-7 (2026)
§ 15-7 Rules and regulations.LinkCopy Citation
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-doc="City of Balt., Md., Ord. 25-013" data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Department shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.
History: Ord. 04-801
History: Text Conformed 03/01/21
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-8 (2026)
§ 15-8LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-9 (2026)
§ 15-9 License required.LinkCopy Citation
No person may perform as a street entertainer without first having obtained a license to do so from the Department.
History: Ord. 04-801
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-10 (2026)
§ 15-10 Classes and scope of licenses.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In its rules and regulations, the Department shall:
(1)
designate various classes of licenses to be issued; and
(2)
for each class of license, specify:
(i)
the types of entertainment that may be performed under the license;
(ii)
the locations or areas for which the license is effective;
(iii)
the days and times for which the license is effective; and
(iv)
the maximum number of licenses to be issued for a particular location or area or for a particular day or time of day.
(b)Required considerations.
In designating classes and specifying limitations, the Department shall consider:
(1)
the volume and types of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in a proposed street entertainment location or area;
(2)
the proximity of schools, religious institutions, parks, or residencies to a proposed street entertainment location or area;
(3)
the number of licenses issued to the same person; and
(4)
the impact of street entertainment activities on the health, safety, and general welfare of the public.
History: Ord. 04-801
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-11 (2026)
§ 15-11 Limitations and conditions.LinkCopy Citation
The Department may impose reasonable limitations on any license issued under this subtitle, as necessary or proper to carry out the purpose and intent of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 04-801
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-12 (2026)
§ 15-12 Applications.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Form.
An application for a license must be made in the form the Department requires.
(b)Application fee.
The application must be accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $25, to cover the cost of investigating and processing the application.
(c)Contents.
The application must contain:
(1)
the applicant’s name and address;
(2)
the applicant’s age;
(3)
the type of entertainment for which the license is sought;
(4)
the location or area for which the license is sought; and
(5)
any other information the Department requires.
(d)Verification.
The application must be verified before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths.
History: Ord. 04-801
History: Ord. 06-191
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-13 (2026)
§ 15-13 Term, renewal, fees.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Term.
Unless renewed, a license expires on the 1<sup>st</sup> anniversary of its effective date.
(b)Renewal.
Before a license expires, a licensee may renew it for an additional 1-year term, if the licensee submits to the Department a renewal application in the form the Department requires.
(c)Fees.
(1)
Except as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, no fee may be imposed for the timely renewal of a license.
(2)
If a licensee seeks to modify the terms of her or his license (e.g., location or type of entertainment), the renewal application must be accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $25.
History: Ord. 04-801
History: Ord. 06-191
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-14 (2026)
§ 15-14 Entertainer identification.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Department to issue.
The Department shall issue an identification badge for each license issued.
(b)Form and contents.
The identification badge:
(1)
shall be of laminated plastic or other durable substance; and
(2)
shall bear:
(i)
the name and address of the licensee;
(ii)
the type of entertainment for which the license is issued;
(iii)
the location or area for which the license is issued;
(iv)
the days or times to which the license is limited;
(v)
the year for which the license is issued; and
(vi)
an identifying number that corresponds with the number of the license.
(c)Entertainer to display.
Each entertainer must prominently display the badge while entertaining.
(d)Replacement badges.
If a badge is lost, the Department shall issue a replacement badge on payment by the licensee of a $10 fee.
History: Ord. 04-801
History: Ord. 06-191
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-15 (2026)
§ 15-15 BOPA to assist.LinkCopy Citation
The Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts, or its successor, shall assist the Department by:
(1)
advertising and promoting the availability of licenses under this subtitle; and
(2)
distributing to licensees the licenses and badges issued under this subtitle.
History: Ord. 06-191
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-16 (2026)
§ 15-16 Prohibited conduct.LinkCopy Citation
A street entertainer may not:
(1)
set any fee or require any donation for his or her performance; or
(2)
suggest any minimum or maximum donation.
History: Ord. 04-801
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-17 (2026)
§ 15-17LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-18 (2026)
§ 15-18 Revocations and suspensions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Authorized suspension or revocation.
The Department may suspend or revoke a license if the licensee violates any provision of:
(1)
this subtitle;
(2)
the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle; or
(3)
any other applicable law of the State or City.
(b)Mandatory revocation.
On a street entertainer’s 3<sup>rd</sup> violation of any provision, the Department must revoke the street entertainer’s license.
(c)Application following revocation.
If a license is revoked, the former licensee may not apply for a new license until 1 year from the date of revocation.
History: Ord. 04-801
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-19 (2026)
§ 15-19 Administrative appeals.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Right of appeal.
An aggrieved party may appeal to the Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing:
(1)
the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license; or
(2)
any other decision or ruling by the Department.
(b)How and when taken.
The appeal must be taken in writing within 10 days from the date of notice of the denial, suspension, revocation, decision, or ruling.
(c)Hearing and decision.
The Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing:
(1)
shall hold a hearing on the appeal as soon as practicable; and
(2)
may affirm, modify, or reverse the action of the Department.
History: Ord. 04-801
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-20 (2026)
§ 15-20LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 15-21 (2026)
§ 15-21 Penalties.LinkCopy Citation
Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle or of the rules and regulations adopted under it is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.
History: Ord. 04-801