# Subtitle 7 – Street Names

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

## § 7-1 Brune report approved.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 7-1 (2026)

The report of William H. Brune to the Commissioners for Opening Streets is hereby approved, concurred in, and adopted, and the revision and the change of the names of such public streets, avenues, and highways in the City of Baltimore, as suggested and recommended in said report is hereby approved, ordered, and directed, as therein recommended.

*History: Ord. 08-162*

## § 7-2 Procedure for new streets.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 7-2 (2026)

(a) Whenever a proposed ordinance or resolution is introduced in the City Council to authorize the acceptance by the Mayor or by the Mayor and City Council of a deed to the bed of any street, avenue, or other thoroughfare in the City, the proposal shall at once be referred to the Department of Transportation for a report as to the name of the street, avenue, or other thoroughfare.

(b) If the same name by which such street, avenue, or other thoroughfare has been known is a duplicate of the name of any public street, avenue, or thoroughfare in the City of Baltimore, the said Department in its report shall so state, and in that event, it shall suggest to the City Council in said report a new name for such street, avenue, or thoroughfare.

*History: Ord. 08-163*

*History: Ord. 28-281*

*History: Ord. 76-140*

*History: Ord. 15-435*

## § 7-3 Procedure for naming or renaming.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 7-3 (2026)

(a) Whenever a bill is introduced in the City Council to name or rename any public street, avenue, or other thoroughfare in Baltimore City, the bill shall at once be referred to the Department of Transportation and to the Department of Planning’s Historical and Architectural Preservation Division for a written report as to the advisability of the proposed name.

(b) The Department of Transportation and the Historical and Architectural Preservation Division shall submit their reports as soon as practicable, and no further action may be taken by the City Council on the bill pending the receipt of those reports.

(c) In naming or changing the name of any street, avenue, or other thoroughfare, the following guidelines shall be observed:

  (1) the name may not be the same as the name of an existing street, avenue, or thoroughfare;

  (2) the name may not be the name of a living person or persons;

  (3) the name may not be the name of an existing or proposed business or of an existing or proposed product of a business; and

  (4) the name shall be given to the entire length of the street, avenue, or thoroughfare.

*History: Ord. 08-163*

*History: Ord. 28-281*

*History: Ord. 76-140*

*History: Ord. 91-799*

*History: Ord. 15-408*

*History: Ord. 15-435*

## § 7-4 Procedure for revisions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 7-4 (2026)

(a) The Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to revise or change the names of any public streets, avenues, and highways of the City as may appear to be necessary and beneficial to the interests of the City.

(b) Such revision or change shall become effective only upon and after the approval and concurrence of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

*History: Ord. 06-088*

*History: Ord. 76-140*

*History: Ord. 15-435*

## § 7-5 Renaming private streets.

Balt., Md., Code art. 26, § 7-5 (2026)

(a) Whenever a majority of the owners on any private street desire the name of the street to be changed on the municipal records and on the street signs, they shall file a petition with the Department of Transportation requesting the change.

(b) The Department of Transportation shall refer to the City Council the petition and a written report with a recommendation as to the advisability of the name change.

(c)

  (1) If the proposed change is satisfactory to the Department of Transportation and is approved by ordinance of the Mayor and City Council, the Department shall then change the street signs on the streets.

  (2) When the street name signs have been changed, the Department of Transportation shall enter the new name on its official maps, plats, and records, and thenceforth all records of the City shall carry the street under the new name.

*History: Ord. 48-511*

*History: Ord. 76-140*

*History: Ord. 92-029*

*History: Ord. 15-435*