# Subtitle 13 – Disorderly Drinking

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

## § 13-1 Prohibited conduct - in general.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 13-1 (2026)

A person may not:

(1) be intoxicated and endanger the safety of another person or property; or

(2) be intoxicated or drink any alcoholic beverage in a public place and cause a public disturbance.

*History: Ord. 90-615*

## § 13-2 Prohibited conduct - parents or guardians of minors.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 13-2 (2026)

A parent or guardian shall not knowingly permit a minor for whom the parent or guardian has responsibility to violate the provisions of this subtitle.

*History: Ord. 90-615*

## § 13-3 Enforcement - adult offenders.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 13-3 (2026)

(a) A police officer who finds any person 18 years of age or older violating this subtitle may issue such person a citation to appear in court for trial.

(b) The officer is not required to take the person into physical custody for the violation unless:

  (1) the person charged does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity; or

  (2) the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person charged will disregard a written promise to appear.

*History: Ord. 90-615*

## § 13-4 Enforcement - minors.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 13-4 (2026)

(a) A police officer who finds any person under 18 years of age violating this subtitle shall order the person to cease and desist.

(b)

  (1) Any person under 18 years of age who fails to comply with such order:

    (i) may be taken into custody; and

    (ii) after the information necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle has been recorded, shall be promptly released to his or her parent or guardian with written notice of said violation.

  (2) The released person shall be referred to the Baltimore City Police Department’s court-sanctioned pre-intake adjustment program.

*History: Ord. 90-615*

## § 13-4.1 Enforcement – citation.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 13-4.1 (2026)

(a) In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of a civil citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}.

(b) The issuance of a civil citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.

*History: Ord. 03-595*

## § 13-5 Penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 13-5 (2026)

(a) Any person who violates the provisions of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to the penalties specified below.

(b) Any parent or guardian who violates <cite data-path="|19|§13-2">§ 13-2 of this subtitle</cite> after having received written notice of his or her child or ward having committed a violation of this subtitle within the preceding 12 months may be issued a citation to appear in court for trial and is subject to a fine of $50 for each offense.

(c) Any person 18 years of age or older who violates a provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or both fine and imprisonment for each offense.

*History: Ord. 90-615*

*History: Ord. 10-340*