Subtitle 17 – Ticket Sales – Ticket Purchasing Software
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Part 1 – Definitions; General Provisions
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-1 (2026)
§ 17-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Entertainment.
“Entertainment” includes any of the following, whether presented live, recorded, televised, or otherwise:
(1)
any theatrical, musical, sports, dance, movie, cultural, or educational event, performance, competition, or exhibition; and
(2)
any other form of diversion, recreation, or show.
(c)Entertainment venue.
(1)In general.
“Entertainment venue” means any place in Baltimore City for which a charge is imposed for admission to any form of entertainment.
(2)Inclusions.
“Entertainment venue” includes:
(i)
any theater, hall, stage, arena, stadium, field, amusement park, circus, carnival, or fairgrounds; or
(ii)
or any other place, including any area within a venue for which a separate charge is imposed.
(e)Operator.
“Operator” means any person who:
(1)
owns, operates, or controls an entertainment venue in Baltimore City; or
(2)
promotes or produces entertainment in Baltimore City.
(f)Person.
(1)In general.
“Person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(a)">§ 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”}</cite> of the City Code’s <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>.
(2)Qualified inclusion of governmental entities.
Notwithstanding <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(b)">§ 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”}</cite> of the <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>, in this subtitle “person” also includes, except for the application of <cite data-path="|general|17|1|17-11">§ 17-11{“Prepayable citation”}</cite> and <cite data-path="|2|§17-12">§ 17-12 {“Criminal penalties”} of this subtitle</cite>, a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.
(g)Retail ticket purchasing platform.
“Retail ticket purchasing platform” means a retail ticket purchasing website, application, phone system, or other technology platform used to sell tickets.
(h)Ticket.
“Ticket” means any ticket, card, token, receipt, or other evidence of the privilege of admission to any entertainment venue.
(i)Ticket purchasing software.
“Ticket purchasing software” means any machine, device, computer program, or computer software that, on its own or with human assistance, bypasses security measures or access control systems on a retail ticket purchasing platform, or other controls or measures on a retail ticket purchasing platform that assist in implementing a limit on the number of tickets that can be purchased.
History: Ord. 16-545
History: Ord. 22-125
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-2 to 17-5 (2026)
§§ 17-2 to 17-5LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part 2 – Prohibited Conduct
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-6 (2026)
§ 17-6 Using ticket purchasing software.LinkCopy Citation
No person may use ticket purchasing software to purchase tickets.
History: Ord. 16-545
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-7 (2026)
§ 17-7 Resale of tickets obtained by using ticket purchasing software.LinkCopy Citation
No person may resell or offer to resell a ticket that the person knows was obtained by using ticket purchasing software.
History: Ord. 16-545
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-8 (2026)
§ 17-8 Maintaining interest in or control of ticket purchasing software.LinkCopy Citation
No person may intentionally maintain any interest in or control of ticket purchasing software.
History: Ord. 16-545
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-9 to 17-10 (2026)
§§ 17-9 to 17-10LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part 3 – Enforcement
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-11 (2026)
§ 17-11 Prepayable citation.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
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)Process not exclusive.
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. 16-545
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 17-12 (2026)
§ 17-12 Criminal penalties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to:
(1)
a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or both fine and imprisonment for each offense;
(2)
forfeiture of all profits from the sale of tickets obtained in violation of this subtitle; and
(3)
forfeiture of any equipment used to purchase tickets in violation of this subtitle.
(b)Each ticket a separate offense.
Each ticket purchased, resold, or offered for resale in violation of this subtitle is a separate offense.
History: Ord. 16-545