# Subtitle 14 – Drinking in Public Places

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

## § 14-1 Exemptions from subtitle.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 14-1 (2026)

(a) This subtitle shall not be applicable:

  (1) to the drinking or consumption of any alcoholic beverage by an owner or lessee of property or the guest of either, on the property owned or leased; nor

  (2) to the drinking or consumption of any alcoholic beverage on any premises licensed under <cite data-path="|2">Article 2</cite>B of the Annotated Code for the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages.

(b) Drinking in public parks and public buildings and on public ground may be allowed subject to the terms of a permit therefor issued by the City agency having jurisdiction over the park, building, or ground.

*History: Ord. 64-352*

*History: Ord. 78-822*

*History: Ord. 79-990*

## § 14-2 Prohibited conduct - in general.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 14-2 (2026)

(a) It is unlawful for any person to drink or consume any alcoholic beverage (as that term is defined from time to time in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="2B">Article 2B of the Annotated Code of Maryland</cite>) or to possess in an open container any alcoholic beverage, in or on any public street, avenue, alley, lane, sidewalk, park, building, or ground in this City.

(b) This section shall be applicable to drinking or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on any Class A <em>{passenger}</em> or Class D <em>{motorcycle}</em> or Class M <em>{multipurpose}</em> vehicle (as these classes of vehicles are designated from time to time in the State Transportation Article).

*History: Ord. 64-352*

*History: Ord. 78-822*

*History: Ord. 79-990*

## § 14-3 Prohibited conduct - parents or guardians of minors.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 14-3 (2026)

A parent or guardian shall not knowingly permit a minor under the age of 18 years for whom the parent or guardian has responsibility to violate the provisions of this subtitle.

*History: Ord. 90-615*

## § 14-4 Enforcement - by citation.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 14-4 (2026)

(a) In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of:

  (1) an environmental citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}; or

  (2) a civil citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}.

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

*History: Ord. 90-615*

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Ord. 03-595*

## § 14-5 Enforcement - minors.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 14-5 (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*

## § 14-6 Penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 14-6 (2026)

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

(b) Any parent or guardian who violates <cite data-path="|19|§14-3">§ 14-3 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 receive a citation 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, subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both fine and imprisonment for each offense.

*History: Ord. 64-352*

*History: Ord. 78-822*

*History: Ord. 79-990.*

*History: Ord. 90-615*

*History: Ord. 10-340*