Subtitle 6 – Building Address Numbers
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. 26, § 6-1 (2026)
§ 6-1 Numbering scheme.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Decimal system.
The houses and buildings within the City shall be numbered according to the decimal system.
(b)Central points.
(1)
For streets running generally east and west, the point of commencement shall be at Charles Street, going thence easterly and westerly.
(2)
For streets running generally north and south, the point of commencement shall be Baltimore Street, going thence northerly and southerly.
(c)Allocation per block.
100 numbers shall be the proportion for each square, and each successive square shall have its enumeration begin with an even 100.
(d)Beginning elsewhere than Baltimore or Charles.
Where any street does not commence at Baltimore Street or at Charles Street, the enumeration shall conform to other adjacent streets running in the same general direction with an even successive hundred for each additional square, and in all respects adherence to the decimal system shall be observed.
History: Ord. 1899-195
History: Ord. 48-516
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-2 (2026)
§ 6-2 Conformity required.LinkCopy Citation
No house or building and no row of houses or series of buildings, whether or not denominated as or on a “Place”, “Terrace”, or “Square”, now erected or in process of erection or hereafter to be erected, shall be numbered or by figures, letters, or names distinguished in any way different from or in violation of the provisions of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 48-516
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-3 (2026)
§ 6-3 Duty to affix numbers.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Affixing to new buildings.
The owner of any new house or other building shall affix or place on the premises, in the manner prescribed in this subtitle, the correct number of that house or other building, as determined and fixed by the Department of Transportation.
(b)Maintaining on all.
The owner or occupant of any house or other building shall affix and shall at all times maintain on the premises the correct number of that house or other building, as determined and fixed by the Department of Transportation.
History: Ord. 48-516
History: Ord. 76-140
History: Ord. 09-113
History: Ord. 15-435
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-4 (2026)
§ 6-4 Notice of noncompliance.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Director to notify.
If a house or other building is found to be without the correct numbers prescribed by this subtitle, the Director of Transportation shall give written notice to the owner or occupant of the house or other building of the deficiency and of the steps necessary to correct it.
(b)Owner or occupant to comply.
(1)
The owner or occupant shall place or affix the correct number of the house or other building, as ordered by the Director of Transportation, within 30 days of receiving the notice.
(2)
Failure to comply with the notice is subject to enforcement under §§ 6-9 and 6-10 of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 48-516
History: Ord. 76-140
History: Ord. 09-113
History: Ord. 15-435
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-5 (2026)
§ 6-5 Change of number.LinkCopy Citation
Whenever the number of any house or other building is changed by the Department of Transportation, the owner or occupant of that building shall completely remove or obliterate the old number within 10 days after receiving from the Department of Transportation a written notice reporting the changing of the number and notifying the owner or occupant of the new number that has been determined and fixed for the house or other building.
History: Ord. 48-516
History: Ord. 76-140
History: Ord. 15-435
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-6 (2026)
§ 6-6 Correct number required.LinkCopy Citation
No owner or occupant may place or affix or permit to remain placed or affixed or otherwise displayed on any house, building, or premises, any number or number plate except the correct number as determined and fixed or as changed by the Department of Transportation.
History: Ord. 48-516
History: Ord. 76-140
History: Ord. 15-435
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-7 (2026)
§ 6-7 Required display.LinkCopy Citation
The correct number of every house or other building:
(1)
shall be displayed as provided in <cite data-path="|building-codes|II">International Building Code</cite> <cite data-path="|building-codes|II|502">§ 502</cite> {“Building Address”}; and
(2)
shall be affixed or otherwise placed:
(i)
at the front entrance of the house or other building or the front entrance to the premises on which the house or other building is located so that the number is plainly visible and legible in daytime from a point located 4 feet above the curb line immediately in front of the entrance on which the number is placed; and
(ii)
for a property whose rear borders an alley (as defined in Baltimore City Zoning Code § 1-302(l) {“Alley”}), at the rear of the property so that the number is plainly visible and legible in daytime from a point located 4 feet above the grade level of the alley.
History: Ord. 48-516
History: Ord. 76-140
History: Ord. 09-113
History: Ord. 15-427
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 20-361
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-8 (2026)
§ 6-8LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-9 (2026)
§ 6-9 Enforcement by citation.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of an environmental citation as authorized by City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}.
(b)Process not exclusive.
The issuance of an environmental citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.
History: Ord. 09-113
Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 6-10 (2026)
§ 6-10 Penalties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.
(b)Each day a separate offense.
Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.
History: Ord. 48-516
History: Ord. 09-113