Subtitle 4 – Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-1 (2026)
§ 4-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
The following terms have the meanings stated in Title 13 of the State Commercial Law Article:
(1)
“advertisement”;
(2)
“consumer”;
(3)
“consumer credit”;
(4)
“consumer debts”;
(5)
“consumer goods”;
(6)
“consumer realty”;
(7)
“consumer services”;
(8)
“merchandise”;
(9)
“merchant”;
(10)
“person”;
(11)
“sale”;
(12)
“service”; and
(13)
“unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices”.
History: Ord. 23-266
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-2 (2026)
§ 4-2 Practices generally prohibited.LinkCopy Citation
In Baltimore City, a person may not engage in any unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice in:
(1)
the sale, lease, rental, loan, or bailment of any:
(i)
consumer good;
(ii)
consumer realty; or
(iii)
consumer service;
(2)
the offer for sale, lease, rental, loan, or bailment of any:
(i)
consumer good;
(ii)
consumer realty; or
(iii)
consumer service;
(3)
the offer for sale of course credit or other educational services;
(4)
the extension of consumer credit;
(5)
the collection of a consumer debt; or
(6)
the purchase or offer for purchase of a consumer good or consumer realty from a consumer, by a merchant whose business includes paying off consumer debt in connection with the purchase of any consumer good or consumer realty from a consumer.
History: Ord. 23-266
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-3 (2026)
§ 4-3 Civil penalties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
A person who violates this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.
(b)Each violation a separate offense.
Each violation of this subtitle shall be considered a separate offense.
(c)Each day a separate violation.
Each day upon which a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
History: Ord. 23-266
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-4 (2026)
§ 4-4 Criminal penalties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
A person who violates this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000.
(b)Each violation a separate offense.
Each violation of this subtitle shall be considered a separate offense.
(c)Each day a separate violation.
Each day upon which a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
History: Ord. 23-266
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-5 (2026)
§ 4-5 Action by City Solicitor.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Investigation.
In determining whether to initiate legal proceedings under this subtitle, the City Solicitor, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, may conduct an investigation when there is reason to believe a person is engaging in or has engaged in a violation of this subtitle.
(b)Issuance of a subpoena.
In the course of an investigation under this subtitle the City Solicitor may issue in writing, and caused to be served, a subpoena to require any person to:
(1)
appear under oath to provide testimonial information related to the alleged violation under investigation; or
(2)
produce any of the following related to the alleged violation:
(i)
information;
(ii)
documents;
(iii)
reports;
(iv)
records;
(v)
accounts; or
(vi)
any other relevant material.
(c)Enforcement of a subpoena.
The City Solicitor may enforce any subpoena issued pursuant to the section in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d)Initiation of legal proceeding.
In addition to any other enforcement action authorized by law, the City Solicitor, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, may initiate a legal proceeding for injunctive relief and for the imposition and collection of civil penalties in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 23-266
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-6 (2026)
§ 4-6 Rules and regulations.LinkCopy Citation
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the City Solicitor may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.
Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-7 (2026)
§ 4-7 Exception.LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle does not apply to the entities exempted by Title 13 of the State Commercial Law Article.
History: Ord. 23-266