# Subtitle 1 – Railroad Cars

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

## § 1-1 Unauthorized use or interference.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-1 (2026)

(a) It shall not be lawful for any person, other than an agent or person in the actual service or employ of the railroad company, or other person or persons or company, owning any car or other carriage on any railway within the City, without the consent or permission of the person rightfully having charge of the particular car:

  (1) to put or attempt to assist to put any car in motion on any railway within the City;

  (2) to go on or into, or attempt, or assist any other person to get on or into any such car; or

  (3) to remove, unfasten, or break, or attempt or assist to remove, unfasten, or break any chain, lock, or other fastening by which any such car or carriage shall be fastened or restrained from motion, or from being put in motion.

(b) Any person offending in the premises shall forfeit and pay a sum not less than $1 nor more than $20.

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

## § 1-2 Unloading in streets.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-2 (2026)

It is unlawful to load or unload any railroad car in any of the streets, lanes, or alleys of the City, except with the consent of occupants of houses or lots opposite the proposed loading or unloading.

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

*History: Ord. 48-482*

*History: Ord. 99-526*

## § 1-3 Obstructing pedestrians and vehicles.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-3 (2026)

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it is unlawful for any railroad company or other person to place or cause to be placed any railroad car, locomotive, or other vehicle on any railroad track at a cross street or intersection in any manner that obstructs the passage of pedestrians or vehicles for more than 5 minutes.

(b) This section does not apply to the extent that the placement is authorized by and complies with:

  (1) a rule, regulation, or directive of the Director of Transportation; or

  (2) a contract approved by the Board of Estimates and entered into by the railroad company or other person and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

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

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

*History: Ord. 48-482*

*History: Ord. 76-143*

*History: Ord. 05-056*

## § 1-4 Obstructing street passage.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-4 (2026)

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it is unlawful for any railroad company or other person to place or cause to be placed any railroad car of any description on any turnout or private switch in any manner that obstructs free passage along the line of a street or alley.

(b) This section does not apply to the extent that the placement  is authorized by and complies with:

  (1) a rule, regulation, or directive of the Director of Transportation; or

  (2) a contract approved by the Board of Estimates and entered into by the railroad company or other person and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

*History: Ord. 48-482*

*History: Ord. 05-056*

## § 1-5 Openings between cars.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-5 (2026)

(a) It is unlawful for any company, person, or persons to place any railroad cars of any description along the line of any street, in such manner as to prevent the passage of persons or vehicles from one side of the street to the other, on any one square occupied by railroad cars.

(b) But in all cases, the company, person, or persons so occupying the street with railroad cars shall leave an opening or space of not less than 20 feet at or near the center of the square or at equal distances from the 2 nearest cross streets.

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

*History: Ord. 48-482*

*History: Ord. 99-526*

## § 1-6 Passing on right side of railway.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-6 (2026)

It shall be the duty of every person having charge of, driving, or operating any vehicle on or along any street in which any railway track is laid within the City to travel or pass only on the right hand side, between the curb stone and the track of the railway, except:

(1) when prevented by some obstruction in the street; or

(2) when it shall be necessary, for any sufficient cause, to cross or pass over such railway track to the opposite side.

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

*History: Ord. 48-479*

## § 1-7 Moving railroad cars.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-7 (2026)

It is unlawful for any person or persons, corporation, or company to move or cause to be moved, on any railroad track leading through any of the streets of the City, more than 2 railroad cars in connection without the aid of propelling power.

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

*History: Ord. 48-479*

*History: Ord. 99-526*

## § 1-8 Minors on cars.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-8 (2026)

It is unlawful for any minor not employed by the railroad company to jump on or from any railroad car while the car is in motion.

*History: Ord. 1868-011*

*History: Ord. 48-479*

*History: Ord. 99-526*

## § 1-9 Penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 1-9 (2026)

Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, unless another penalty is provided, is subject on conviction to a fine of not more than $25 for each offense.

*History: Rev. Ords. 1858-034*

*History: Ord. 48-482*

*History: Ord. 99-526*