# Subtitle 24 – Telephone Wires

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

## § 24-1 Authority to lay wires.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 24-1 (2026)

The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, of Baltimore City, and the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company acting separately, or in conjunction, are respectively authorized to lay their or their respective telephone wires intended to be used in connection with the Telephone Exchange to be established in the building belonging to The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, at the corner of St. Paul Street and Bank Lane, in the City of Baltimore, in cables, laid in suitable conduits under the surface of the streets, alleys, or highways in said City, now traversed, or to be so traversed by their said respective wires, with the necessary manholes for affording access to said cables.

*History: Ord. 1889-041*

## § 24-2 Conditions and limitations.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 24-2 (2026)

(a) Such conduits and manholes shall be constructed by either or both of said companies as parts of one system, at their, or their respective cost and expense.

(b)

  (1) Before constructing any portion of the conduit or conduits, the companies shall file with the Director of Transportation a plan showing the location and character of the portion or portions of the conduit or conduits next proposed to be constructed.

  (2) Every conduit or part thereof shall be constructed under the supervision of the Director of Transportation.

(c)

  (1) Such conduits and manholes shall be constructed in such manner as not to injure any vault, sewer, water pipe, or gas pipe.

  (2) All paving that is temporarily removed by the the companies in the course of constructing any conduit or conduits authorized by <cite data-path="|26|§24-1">§ 24-1 of this subtitle</cite>, shall be restored or replaced, under the direction and superintendence of the Director of Transportation, by the companies or company constructing the conduit or conduits, at their or its expense, in a manner satisfactory to the Director.

(d) Provided, however, that the said two companies, if acting together, shall have and possess the powers and privileges only which might have been exercised by one of said companies if acting alone under this subtitle.

(e) And said companies so acting separately or jointly in constructing said system of underground wires shall have power to make the necessary house-connections in localities where the same may be required, in such manner as may be best adapted to the location by means of any wire or wires from such cable or cables.

*History: Ord. 1889-041*

*History: Ord. 76-056*

*History: Ord. 15-435*

## § 24-3 Agreement; annual fee.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 24-3 (2026)

(a) Said companies shall, in consideration of the rights and privileges granted to them by this subtitle, before constructing any portion of the conduit or conduits hereinbefore authorized, enter into an agreement in a form to be approved by the Mayor of the City of Baltimore, and with sufficient security, certified by the Comptroller and approved by the Mayor, to pay annually to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore:

  (1) 30¢ for each lineal yard of the 1<sup>st</sup> 4 miles in aggregate lineal length of conduit or conduits, constructed under the provisions of this subtitle; and

  (2) 20¢ per lineal yard for each succeeding mile or fraction of a mile of the aggregate lineal length of such conduit or conduits exceeding such aggregate lineal length of 4 miles.

(b) Provided, however, that the annual payment so to be made in any year accounting from May 9, 1889, shall not be less than the sum of $3,000.

*History: Ord. 1889-041*

*History: Ord. 76-056*

## § 24-4 Bond.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 24-4 (2026)

The said companies shall, before exercising any privileges under this subtitle, enter into a bond in the sum of $10,000, with good and sufficient securities to be approved by the Mayor and Comptroller, conditioned that the company or companies exercising the privileges granted by this subtitle will faithfully perform the obligations imposed upon it or them, respectively, thereby.

*History: Ord. 1889-041*

## § 24-5 Space for police and fire needs.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 24-5 (2026)

(a) In every underground conduit constructed under the provisions of this subtitle, space shall be provided, if required, free of cost or rent for the laying therein by the Fire Department of Baltimore City of a cable for the exclusive and official use only of the police and the Fire Communications Division and police and patrol wires.

(b) In every underground conduit heretofore or hereafter constructed by the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Baltimore City, or the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, or both, by virtue of this subtitle, space shall be provided free of cost or rent, if required by the Fire Department, for the laying therein by the said Fire Department of a cable, or cables or wires for the exclusive and official use only of the Police and Fire Communications Division and police and patrol wires and such wire or wires as may be necessary for supplying current to electric lights upon or over the fire alarm boxes under the jurisdiction of the said Fire Department.

*History: Ord. 1889-041, Ord. 13-177*

*History: Ord. 76-056*

## § 24-6 Grant of authority not exclusive.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 24-6 (2026)

Nothing contained in this subtitle may be construed as granting these telephone companies any exclusive right to lay underground wire cables within the limits of the City of Baltimore.

*History: Ord. 1889-041*

*History: Ord. 99-526*