# Part II – Licensing

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 17-15 License required.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-15 (2026)

No street vendor may operate in Baltimore City without first having obtained a license to do so from the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing.

*History: Ord. 74-590*

*History: Ord. 77-493*

*History: Ord. 99-526 Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 14-237*

*History: Ord. 22-124*

*History: *

## § 17-16 Classes and scope of licenses.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-16 (2026)

(a) In its rules and regulations, the Department may:

  (1) designate various classes of licenses to be issued; and

  (2) for each class of license, specify:

    (i) the types of merchandise that may be sold 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;

    (iv) the maximum number of licenses to be issued for a particular location or area or for a particular day or time of day;

    (v) the maximum number of licenses of each class that may be issued in total; and

    (vi) the maximum number of licenses that may be issued to a single person.

(b) In designating classes and specifying limitations, the Department, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, must consider:

  (1) the volume and types of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in a proposed vending location or area;

  (2) the proximity to a proposed vending location or area of schools, religious institutions, parks, and residences;

  (3) the number of licenses issued to the same person;

  (4) the impact of street vending activities on the health, safety, and general welfare of the public; and

  (5) comments from area schools, businesses, institutions, and residents.

*History: Ord. 74-590*

*History: Ord. 77-493*

*History: Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 14-237*

*History: *

## § 17-17 Limitations and conditions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-17 (2026)

(a) The Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing may impose reasonable limitations and conditions on any license issued under this subtitle, as necessary or proper to carry out the purpose and intent of this subtitle.

(b)

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department may determine the size, shape, design, and dimensions of any container, conveyance, sign, table, chair, other appurtenance, or vendor vehicle to be used in connection with a license issued under this subtitle.

  (2) The Department may not issue a new or renewal license for a mobile vendor to operate out of any vehicle with a total operating space that is longer than 25 feet, including any generator, hitch, trailer, or other motor vehicle attachment.

*History: Ord. 74-590*

*History: Ord. 77-493*

*History: Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 14-237*

*History: Ord. 22-124*

*History: *

## § 17-18 Applications.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-18 (2026)

(a) An application for a license must be made in the form that the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing requires.

(b) The application must contain:

  (1) the applicant’s name and address;

  (2) the applicant’s age;

  (3) the type of merchandise or service for which the license is sought;

  (4) the location or area for which the license is sought;

  (5) for the sale of any food product, evidence that the applicant has obtained the appropriate license from the Health Department; and

  (6) any other information that the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing requires.

(c)

  (1) The application must be signed and verified before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths.

  (2) If the application is by a sole proprietorship, it must be signed by the owner; if by a partnership, it must be signed by an authorized partner; or, if by a corporation, limited liability company, or similar entity, it must be signed by an authorized officer.

*History: Ord. 74-590*

*History: Ord. 77-493*

*History: Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 04-237*

*History: Ord. 22-124*

*History: *

## § 17-19 Term and renewal.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-19 (2026)

(a) Except as provided in <cite data-path="|15|§17-20">§ 17-20 {“Temporary Licenses”} of this subtitle</cite>, a license expires on the 1<sup>st</sup> anniversary of its effective date.

(b)

  (1) Before a license expires, the street vendor may renew it for an additional 1-year term.

  (2) A renewal application must be:

    (i) in the form the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing requires; and

    (ii) submitted to the Department, with the applicable annual fee, at least 30 days before the current license expires.

*History: Ord. 14-237*

*History: Ord. 22-124*

*History: *

## § 17-20 Temporary licenses.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-20 (2026)

(a) The Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing may issue a temporary license to be used in connection with a charitable, educational, artistic, civic, or other public function or activity.

(b)

  (1) The term of a temporary license is 4 days.

  (2) A temporary license may be renewed for 1 additional 4-day period on application and payment of an additional license fee for that renewal period.

  (3) Further renewal periods beyond the 1 authorized by paragraph (2) of this subsection require the approval of the Department after consultation with affected businesses, residents, and community organizations.

*History: Ord. 74-590*

*History: Ord. 77-491*

*History: Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 14-237*

*History: Ord. 22-124*

*History: *

## § 17-21 Fees.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-21 (2026)

(a) Application, license, and other fees are as set by the Board of Estimates from time to time.

(b) The fees established by the Board of Estimates may vary based on the license class, vendor type, or location at which a vendor is authorized to operate.

*History: Ord. 74-590*

*History: Ord. 77-435*

*History: Ord. 77-491*

*History: Ord. 77-493*

*History: Ord. 90-507*

*History: Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 14-237*

## § 17-22 Department to maintain list of licenses.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-22 (2026)

The Department must maintain a list of all current licenses issued under this subtitle.

*History: Ord. 14-237*

## § 17-23

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-23 (2026)

Reserved

## § 17-24 Vendor identification – In general.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-24 (2026)

(a) This section does not apply to a person who obtains a country grower’s license under<cite data-path="|15|§17-25">§ 17-25 {“Vendor identification – Country growers”} of this subtitle</cite>.

(b) The Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing must issue an identification badge for each license issued.

(c) The identification badge:

  (1) must be of laminated plastic or other durable substance; and

  (2) must bear:

    (i) the street vendor’s name and address;

    (ii) the type of merchandise or service 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 date on which the license expires; and

    (vi) an identifying number that corresponds with number of the license.

(d) While vending, each street vendor must prominently display the badge in the manner specified in the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.

(e) If a badge is lost, the Department must issue a replacement badge on payment by the licensee of the applicable fee.

*History: Ord. 74-590*

*History: Ord. 77-493*

*History: Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 14-237*

*History: Ord.  22-124*

*History: *

## § 17-25 Vendor identification – Country growers.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-25 (2026)

(a) A street vendor who sells fruits, vegetables, or other perishable articles that have been produced or grown by that vendor may apply for a special, country grower’s license under this section.

(b) The application for a country grower’s license must contain, in addition to the information required by <cite data-path="|15|§17-18">§ 17-18 {“Applications”} of this subtitle</cite>:

  (1) the location of the land from which the fruits, vegetables, and other perishable articles are produced or grown;

  (2) whether the applicant owns or leases that land and, if the latter, the name of the owner and the term of the lease; and

  (3) a statement that the applicant:

    (i) intends to use the license personally or by agent solely for the sale of his or her own produce; and

    (ii) will not permit the license or the sign issued under this section to be used by any other person or for the sale of any produce other than that which he or she produces or grows.

(c)

  (1) Instead of the badge provided for in <cite data-doc="City of Balt., Md., Ord. 25-013" data-path="|15|§17-24">§ 17-24 {“Vendor identification – In general”} of this subtitle</cite>, the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing must provide the producer or grower with a sign to be displayed on his or her vehicle.

  (2) This sign must be:

    (i) of the size and design the Department determines; and

    (ii) imprinted with:

      (A) the words “Country Grower’s License No.            ”; and

      (B) the date the license expires.

  (3) The producer or grower must display this sign in a conspicuous place on his or her vendor vehicle.

*History: Ord.13-252*

*History: Ord. 76-067*

*History: Ord. 99-526*

*History: Ord. 04-854*

*History: Ord. 14-237*

*History: Ord. 22-124*

*History: *

## §§ 17-26 to 17-29

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 17-26 to 17-29 (2026)

Reserved