Subtitle 2 – Construction and Maintenance of Railways
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. 20, § 2-1 (2026)
§ 2-1 Obstruction of streets.LinkCopy Citation
(a)DoT to examine.
It is the duty of the Department of Transportation from time to time:
(1)
to examine the construction or maintenance of the several railway tracks authorized by ordinances to be laid within the limits of the City; and
(2)
to report to the Mayor any obstruction or impediment to the ordinary use of any street or streets, caused by the tracks’ being improperly laid and not being in conformity with the provisions of all ordinances authorizing their construction.
(b)Mayor to enforce removal ordinance or order abatement.
And it shall be the duty of the Mayor to enforce the ordinance relating to the removal of said tracks, unless in his judgment the remedy shall be furnished by the enactment contained in subsection (c) of this section.
(c)Abatement order.
In all cases where an obstruction or impediment to the use of any street is caused by the mode of construction or maintenance of any railway within the City, the Mayor may exercise his or her discretion to have the track entirely removed, or to have the track so altered or arranged as to abate the evil complained of, by giving notice to the companies or owners of the railway tracks, who shall be allowed a reasonable time to make the alteration under the direction of the Department of Transportation.
(d)City action on owner’s failure to comply.
Upon a failure of the companies or owners to comply with the notice, the Department of Transportation shall have the work done, and the bills shall be collected from the owners of the railway tracks by legal proceedings, if the bills are disputed or remain unpaid for the space of 30 days.
History: Ord. 1850-006
History: Ord. 76-143
History: Ord. 80-138
History: Ord. 15-435
Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 2-2 (2026)
§ 2-2 Obstruction of gutters.LinkCopy Citation
(a)DoT to examine and enforce.
It is the duty of the Department of Transportation to:
(1)
examine the construction or maintenance of the railways; and
(2)
enforce strictly all the provisions of ordinances relating to the obstruction of the gutters caused by the laying of railway tracks.
(b)Abatement order; City action.
In all cases of obstruction and impediments of any kind arising from the improper construction or maintenance of railway tracks, in which no other remedy is now provided by ordinance, the Department of Transportation shall give notice to the owners of the railway tracks that, unless the obstruction or impediment is removed or altered so as to remedy the evil complained of within a reasonable time, the Department of Transportation shall proceed to have the railway reconstructed at the cost of the owners.
History: Ord. 1850-006
History: Ord. 76-143, Ord. 80-138
History: Ord. 15-435
Balt., Md., Code art. 20, § 2-3 (2026)
§ 2-3 Prohibited conduct.LinkCopy Citation
If, at any time, any railway is constructed or maintained within the limits of the City in a mode or manner so as to obstruct the ordinary use of the street or streets in which the railway is laid down, the owners of the railway are subject to a penalty of $300 and a fine of $100 for each and every day the obstruction remains after notice of the Department of Transportation to remove it.
History: Ord. 1850-006
History: Ord. 76-143
History: Ord. 80-138
History: Ord. 15-435