# Subtitle 14 – Real Estate Practices – Disclosures

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

## § 14-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 14-1 (2026)

(a) In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(b) - (d)

(e) “Seller” means:

  (1) the owner of real property being offered for sale; or

  (2) a real estate agent, attorney, lender, or other person acting on behalf of the owner of the property being offered for sale.

*History: Ord. 09-162*

*History: Ord.  12-053*

*History: Ord. 22-125*

## § 14-2

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

Reserved

## § 14-3 Single-family zoning limitation.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 14-3 (2026)

(a) No person may advertise, through any medium, the sale or lease of any property that, under the Zoning Code of Baltimore City, is restricted in its use and occupancy to 1 family, without including  in the advertisement a clear statement to that effect.

(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.

*History: Ord. 62-1313*

*History: Ord. 99-547*

*History: Ord. 09-162*

## § 14-4

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 14-4 (2026)

Reserved

## § 14-5 Property tax.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 14-5 (2026)

(a) If a seller of real property provides property tax information as part of an advertisement, that information must indicate, at a minimum:

  (1) the tax year for which the information is being provided; and

  (2) the product of:

    (i) the sum of the State and local property tax rates, multiplied by

    (ii) the full assessed value for the tax year indicated.

(b) Property tax information to be provided as part of a good-faith estimate of closing costs must be based on the product of:

  (1) the sum of the State and local property tax rates, multiplied by

  (2) the full assessed value for the tax year immediately following the purchase date of the property.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense.

*History: Ord. 09-162*

*History: Ord. 12-053*

## § 14-6 Heavy-industrial and railroad operations.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 14-6 (2026)

On or before entering into a contract for the sale of any real property, the seller must provide the buyer with the following disclosure:


          <strong>Disclosure of Heavy-Industrial and Railroad Operations</strong>
        

Buyer is advised that the property may be located near heavy-industrial operations (that is, land uses limited to an I-2 General Industrial Zoning District, an MI Maritime Industrial Zoning District, or a T Transportation Zoning District) or near railroad operations.

These operations may involve the use of machinery, trucks, or trains, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and may create or cause noises, odors, fumes, bright lights, vibrations, and safety hazards.

Detailed information on the location of heavy-industrial (I-2, MI, and T) zones and on the location of railroad tracks can be found on the “Baltimore CityView” website, at  http://cityview.baltimorecity.gov.

*History: Ord. 12-053*

*History: Ord. 16-581*

## § 14-7 Historic districts.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 14-7 (2026)

(a) On or before entering into a contract for the sale of any real property, the seller must disclose to the buyer in writing whether the property is:

  (1) located in a Historical and Architectural Preservation District, as defined under <cite data-path="|6|§1-1|(f)">Article 6, § 1-1(f) {“Definitions – Historical and Architectural Preservation District; Preservation District; District”}</cite> of the Code;

  (2) included on the Landmark List: Exteriors, as established by <cite data-path="|6">Article 6</cite>, Subtitle 4 {“Designation of Landmarks”} of the Code; or

  (3) included on the Potential-Landmark List: Exteriors, as established by <cite data-path="|6">Article 6</cite>, Subtitle 5 {“Designation of Potential Landmarks”} of the Code.

(b) 
          <table class="layout-table">
            <thead>
              <tr>
                <th>HISTORIC DISTRICT, LANDMARK, OR POTENTIAL LANDMARK — DISCLOSURE</th>
              </tr>
            </thead>
            <tbody>
              <tr>
                <td>This property  [     ]  is   [     ]  is not  located within a Historical and Architectural Preservation District.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>This property  [     ]  is   [     ]  is not  listed on the Landmark List: Exteriors.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>This property  [     ]  is   [     ]  is not  listed on the Potential-Landmark List: Exteriors.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>_____Seller’s Initials</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>Before beginning any exterior alterations to a structure, the owner of the property and the structure must first secure an Authorization to Proceed (“ATP”) from the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (“CHAP”) if the property is:</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>(1) located within a Historical and Architectural Preservation District (a “historic district”);</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>(2) included on the Landmark List: Exteriors; or</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>(3) included on the Potential Landmark List: exteriors.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>Structures that are located within a historic district are designated as being part of a neighborhood that is of particular historical significance and architectural character.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>Structures that are included on the Landmark List: Exteriors are considered to be of such special historical or architectural significance that, even if not located within an Historical and Architectural Preservation District, those structures and their exteriors should be extended the same protections as apply to structures within a District.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>Structures that are include don the Potential-Landmark List: Exteriors are considered to be of such historical or architectural significance that, even if not located within an Historical and Architectural Preservation District, those structures and their exteriors should be extended temporary protection under § 5-5 {“Protections pending decision”}and under Subtitle 8 {“Alterations, etc, to or Affecting Properties”} of <cite data-path="|6">Article 6</cite> of the City Code.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>CHAP is responsible for promoting the preservation of structures located in a historic district, included on the Landmark List: Exteriors, or included on the Potential-Landmark List: Exteriors under <cite data-path="|6">Article 6 {“Historical and Architectural Preservation”}</cite> of the City Code. Relevant excerpts from <cite data-path="|6">Article 6</cite> of the City Code establishing the requirements stated above are provided below.</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>
                  <p>
                    <strong>§ 8-2.  Building permit required.</strong>
                  </p>
                  <p class="text-indent-1">(a) <em>Exterior structures.</em></p>
                  <p class="text-indent-2">No person may undertake, cause, or allow any of the following regulated alterations for or with respect to any structure located within an Historical and Architectural Preservation District or included on the Landmark List: Exteriors or the Potential-Landmark List: Exteriors without first obtaining a permit to do so from the Building Official:</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-3">(1) any reconstruction, alteration, or removal of any exterior architectural feature;</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-3">(2) any change in an exterior color, whether by painting or other means;</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-3">(3) any exterior excavation;</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-3">(4) the construction or erection of any exterior building, fence, wall, or other structure of any kind; or</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-3">(5) any exterior demolition.</p>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>
                  <p>
                    <strong>§ 8-4.  CHAP to review.</strong>
                  </p>
                  <p class="text-indent-1">(c) <em>CHAP approval prerequisite for permit.</em></p>
                  <p class="text-indent-2">The Building Official may not issue a permit for any regulated alteration unless the Commission first issues an Authorization to Proceed. unless the Commission first issues an Authorization to Proceed.</p>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>Learn more about CHAP and the process for securing an ATP:</td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td>
                  <p>Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-2">[<em>insert mailing address</em>]</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-2">[<em>insert telephone number</em>]</p>
                  <p class="text-indent-2">[<em>insert website address</em>]</p>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td></td>
              </tr>
            </tbody>
          </table>
        

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.

*History: Ord. 23-259*

## § 14-8 Vacant structures.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 14-8 (2026)

(a) This section only applies to real property that has a vacant building notice that remained unabated at the time of sale.

(b) On or before entering into a contract for the sale of any real property, the seller must disclose to the buyer in writing:

  (1) <em>{whether} </em>the property had been issued a vacant building notice by the City; and

  (2) whether the vacant building notice has been abated by the seller or if it remains unabated.

(c) The disclosure required by this section shall read as stated:
For someone to legally inhabit a property in Baltimore City, the property must not have a Vacant Building Notice issued by the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development.  Sellers and buyers can check and verify by reviewing the Baltimore City Code Map: [<em>insert link</em>], or by calling Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development: [<em>insert phone number</em>].
This property  has [  ]   does not have [  ]   a current Vacant Building Notice.
_____ Seller’s Initials
Only a validly-issued Use and Occupancy Permit certificate can remove the Vacant Building Notice and permit human occupation.
_____ Seller’s Initials

(d) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense.

*History: Ord. 21-047*