# 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.

## § 4-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-1 (2026)

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*

## § 4-2 Practices generally prohibited.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-2 (2026)

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*

## § 4-3 Civil penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-3 (2026)

(a) A person who violates this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.

(b) Each violation of this subtitle shall be considered a separate offense.

(c) Each day upon which a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.

*History: Ord. 23-266*

## § 4-4 Criminal penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-4 (2026)

(a) 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 of this subtitle shall be considered a separate offense.

(c) Each day upon which a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.

*History: Ord. 23-266*

## § 4-5 Action by City Solicitor.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-5 (2026)

(a) 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) 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) The City Solicitor may enforce any subpoena issued pursuant to the section in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(d) 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*

## § 4-6 Rules and regulations.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-6 (2026)

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.

## § 4-7 Exception.

Balt., Md., Code art. 2, § 4-7 (2026)

This subtitle does not apply to the entities exempted by Title 13 of the State Commercial Law Article.

*History: Ord. 23-266*