Subtitle 23 – Judicial Enforcement; Penalties
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. 25, § 23-1 (2026)
§ 23-1 Injunctive relief.LinkCopy Citation
Whenever a discharge of wastewater is in violation of the provisions of <cite data-path="|25">this article</cite> or otherwise causes or threatens to cause a condition which could present an imminent and substantial danger to life, safety, the POTW, or environment, the Director of Public Works may petition the courts for issuance of an ex parte preliminary or permanent injunction or both, as may be appropriate to restrain the continuance of such discharge.
History: Ord. 91-775
Balt., Md., Code art. 25, § 23-2 (2026)
§ 23-2 Civil penalties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
(1)
Any person who violates any provision of Subtitles 2 through 11 or of §§ <cite data-path="|25|§1-4">1-4</cite>, <cite data-path="|25|§21-1">21-1</cite>, or <cite data-path="|25|§21-5|(d)">21-5(d)</cite> of <cite data-path="|25">this article</cite>, a wastewater discharge permit condition, order, prohibition, effluent limitation, or pretreatment or toxicity standard shall be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $250 nor more than that allowed under state law for each day in which such violation occurs, plus actual damages incurred by the POTW.
(2)
In addition, the Director may recover reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, and other expenses associated with the enforcement action, including sampling and analytical expenses.
(b)Judicial considerations.
In determining the amount of liability, the court shall take into account all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to:
(1)
the extent of harm caused by the violation;
(2)
its magnitude and duration;
(3)
any economic benefit gained through the user’s violation;
(4)
corrective actions by the user;
(5)
the compliance history of the user; and
(6)
any other factors as justice requires.
History: Ord. 75-941
History: Ord. 91-775
Balt., Md., Code art. 25, § 23-3 (2026)
§ 23-3 Penalties — § 16-10(a) and Subtitle 17.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Any person who shall violate any provision of § 16-10(a) or of Subtitle 17 of <cite data-path="|25">this article</cite> shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof by any court of competent jurisdiction, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000, or imprisonment not to exceed 10 days, or both, in the discretion of the court, for each and every offense.
(b)Additional penalty after notice.
Every such person who shall fail to comply with the notice shall upon conviction be subject to an additional fine not to exceed $100 for each and every day that he shall neglect or refuse to comply.
(c)Enforcement of penalties.
All said fines are to be collected as other fines are collected, and all said imprisonment imposed as other imprisonment is imposed, for violation of the City’s ordinances.
History: Ord. 91-775
Balt., Md., Code art. 25, § 23-4 (2026)
§ 23-4 Penalties — Subtitles 2 to 11 and §§ 1-4, 21-1, and 21-5(d).LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Any person who intentionally violates any provision of Subtitles 2 through 11 or of §§ <cite data-path="|25|§1-4">1-4</cite>, <cite data-path="|25|§21-1">21-1</cite>, or <cite data-path="|25|§21-5|(d)">21-5(d)</cite> of <cite data-path="|25">this article</cite>, a wastewater discharge permit condition, cease and desist order, prohibition, effluent limitation, or pretreatment or toxicity standard shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof by any court of competent jurisdiction, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than that allowed under state law for each day in which such violation occurs, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both, in the discretion of the court.
(b)Subsequent violations.
If the conviction is for a violation committed after the first conviction of such person, punishment shall be a fine not to exceed that allowed under state law for each day in which such violation occurs, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.
History: Ord. 75-914
History: Ord. 84-129
History: Ord. 91-775