# Subtitle 1 – Definitions; General Provisions

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

## § 1-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 23, § 1-1 (2026)

(a) In <cite data-path="|23">this article</cite>, the following terms have the meaning indicated.

(b) “Director” means the Director of Public Works or the Director’s designee.

(c)

  (1) “Mixed refuse” means, except as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection, putrescible and non-putrescible solid waste.

  (2) “Mixed refuse” includes:

    (i) kitchen discards, residue, and other food wastes;

    (ii) rubbish;

    (iii) yard sweepings and yard waste;

    (iv) plastic and glass products;

    (v) ferrous and non-ferrous metals;

    (vi) paper products;

    (vii) textiles;

    (viii) rubber products; and

    (ix) inorganic materials, such as soaps, detergents, and other household cleaners in solid form.

  (3) “Mixed refuse” does not include:

    (i) hazardous waste;

    (ii) liquid wastes;

    (iii) industrial and manufacturing wastes;

    (iv) construction materials;

    (v) concrete;

    (vi) lumber;

    (vii) large rocks;

    (viii) automotive fluids;

    (ix) herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides;

    (x) solvents;

    (xi) electronics;

    (xii) “white goods”; and

    (xiii) other similar materials.

(d)

  (1) “Recyclable materials” means materials designated by the Director of Public Works for separate collection by the Department for processing and return to the market place in the form of raw materials or products.

  (2) Materials designated by the Director shall include, at a minimum:

    (i) non-food-contaminated paper and cardboard;

    (ii) emptied food containers made of aluminum, steel, or tin;

    (iii) bottles and jars made of clear-, brown-, or green-colored glass; and

    (iv) appropriate grades of plastic bottles and jars.

(e)

  (1) “Yard waste” means, except as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection, compostable vegetative matter that is the byproduct of lawn care and gardening activities.

  (2) “Yard waste” includes:

    (i) grass clippings;

    (ii) plants and weeds;

    (iii) leaves;

    (iv) shrub trimmings; and

    (v) except as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection, tree trimmings.

  (3) “Yard waste” does not include:

    (i) soil;

    (ii) tree trunks; or

    (iii) tree branches that are more than 4 inches in diameter or 3 feet in length.

*History: Ord. 09-175*

## § 1-2

Balt., Md., Code art. 23, § 1-2 (2026)

Reserved

<strong>Comment:</strong> For the Code-wide standard uses of <em>mandatory terms </em> (“must” and “shall”), <em>prohibitory terms </em>(“may not”, “must not”, and “no ... may”), and<em> permissive terms </em> (“may”).

## § 1-3

Balt., Md., Code art. 23, § 1-3 (2026)

Reserved

## § 1-4 Public Works to provide sanitation services.

Balt., Md., Code art. 23, § 1-4 (2026)

(a) The Director of Public Works has charge of the following services, as authorized or required to be done by the City:

  (1) the cleaning of the public streets, lanes, and alleys; and

  (2) the collection and removal of mixed refuse and recyclable materials.

(b) For premises that receive collection services, the Director of Public Works shall provide for:

  (1) the collection of mixed refuse once a week; and

  (2) the collection of recyclable materials once a week.

*History: Ord. 1882-006*

*History: Ord. 1887-021*

*History: Ord. 10-478*

*History: Ord. 48-402*

*History: Ord. 76-144*

*History: Ord. 09-175*

## § 1-5 Rules and regulations.

Balt., Md., Code art. 23, § 1-5 (2026)

Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Director of Public Works may adopt rules and regulations to carry out <cite data-path="|23">this article</cite>.

*History: Ord. 09-175*

*History: Text Conformed 02/23/21*

## § 1-6

Balt., Md., Code art. 23, § 1-6 (2026)

Reserved

## § 1-7 Use of hydrants.

Balt., Md., Code art. 23, § 1-7 (2026)

The Director of Public Works may use the water from fire hydrants in order to flush the gutters, streets, lanes, and alleys of the City.

*History: Ord. 1880-102*

*History: Ord. 48-400*

*History: Ord. 76-144*

*History: Ord. 09-175*