Part III – Valet Parking Zone Permit
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. 31, § 14-16 (2026)
§ 14-16 Permit required.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
No host may provide or offer to provide any valet parking service that uses any portion of a public right-of-way for drop-off, pick-up, parking, or temporary stopping or standing, except in compliance with a valet parking zone permit issued under this subtitle.
(b)Issuance.
A valet parking zone permit may be issued by the Authority, with the approval of the Director of Transportation.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-17 (2026)
§ 14-17 Qualifications.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
To qualify for a valet parking zone permit, a host must meet the requirements of this Part III.
(b)Operator’s license.
The host must:
(1)
hold a valid operator’s license issued under Part II of this subtitle; or
(2)
provide all valet parking services under contract with an operator that holds a valid operator’s license issued under Part II of this subtitle.
(c)Prior infractions.
Neither the host, operator, nor any of the host’s or operator’s principals, employees, attendants, or other agents may have committed an act or omission within the preceding 12 months that, under § 14-41 or <cite data-path="|31|§14-42">§ 14-42 of this subtitle</cite>, is cause for the denial, suspension, or revocation of an operator’s license or a valet zone parking permit.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-18 (2026)
§ 14-18 Applications.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Form.
An application for a valet parking zone permit must be submitted by the host in the form required by the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
(b)Application fee.
(1)
The application must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee to cover the cost of investigating and processing the application.
(2)
The amount of the fee is as set forth in the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
(c)Contents.
The application must contain:
(1)
the host’s full legal name and any trade name(s) under which it operates;
(2)
the street address, telephone number, and email address of the host’s principal place of business;
(3)
the location at which the host proposes to provide valet parking services;
(4)
the nature of the business or other activity conducted by the host at that location;
(5)
if the host will be providing the valet parking services through its own employees and agents, the identification number of its host-operator’s application or license under Part II of this subtitle;
(6)
if the host will be providing the valet parking services under contract with an operator, the identification number of the contract-operator’s license issued under Part II of this subtitle;
(7)
a valet parking plan for the location that complies with <cite data-path="|31|§14-19">§ 14-19 {“Valet parking plan”} of this subtitle</cite>;
(8)
certification that neither the applicant nor any of the applicant’s principals, employees, attendants or other agents have committed an act or omission within the preceding 12 months that, under <cite data-path="|31|§14-41">§ 14-41 of this subtitle</cite>, is cause for the denial, suspension, or revocation of an operator’s license; and
(9)
any other information required by the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
(d)Signature and verification.
(1)
The application must be signed, under oath or affirmation, subject to the penalties of perjury, by:
(i)
the host; and
(ii)
any contract-operator to be used to provide the service.
(2)
The individual signing on behalf of the host or a contract-operator must be:
(i)
if for a sole proprietorship, its owner;
(ii)
if for a partnership, an authorized partner; and
(iii)
if for a corporation, limited liability company, or similar entity, an authorized officer.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-19 (2026)
§ 14-19 Valet parking plan.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The application must be accompanied by a valet parking plan that contains the following information.
(b)Times of operation; occupancy.
The plan must specify:
(1)
the days of the week and the hours of those days during which valet parking services will be provided; and
(2)
the host’s seating or other occupancy capacity.
(c)Photos of location.
(1)
The plan must include photographs of the proposed valet parking zone, including the curb space and roadway.
(2)
The number of photographs and the views to be shown are as set forth in the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
(d)Pattern of drop-off and pick-up.
The Plan must describe the proposed pattern of drop-off and pick-up of vehicles.
(e)Location of off-street parking facility.
(1)
The plan must identify, by name, address, telephone number, and, if available, email address, the off-street parking facility at which vehicles will be parked.
(2)
The parking facility must be:
(i)
licensed to the extent required by City Code <cite data-path="|15">Article 15</cite>, Subtitle 12 {“Parking Facilities”}; and
(ii)
located within a 1-mile radius of the valet parking zone.
(3)
(i)
Unless the parking facility is on the host’s premises or otherwise owned or controlled by the host, the plan must include a copy of the lease or other agreement that authorizes the facility’s use for valet parking services.
(ii)
The lease or other agreement must specify:
(A)
the total number of parking spaces at the facility; and
(B)
the number of those spaces that are set aside for the exclusive use of vehicles from the valet parking service.
(f)Traffic flow.
The plan must specify the route(s) to be driven between the valet parking zone and the off-street parking facility.
(g)Number of vehicles, employees.
The plan must state:
(1)
the estimated number of vehicles that will be valet parked during each hour of operation; and
(2)
the estimated number of employees or agents that will provide valet parking services during each hour of operation.
(h)Site manager.
The plan must provide the name(s), the daytime and nighttime telephone numbers, and the email address(es) of the individual(s) who will manage the valet parking services at the location.
(i)Notice to public.
The plan must contain verification that advance written notice of the application and valet parking plan has been provided to:
(1)
the owners of the properties adjoining the host property;
(2)
the owners of the properties immediately across the street from the host property;
(3)
the neighborhood associations on file with the Department of Planning as representing the affected area; and
(4)
the Councilmember(s) who represent the affected area.
(j)Other information.
The plan must include any other information required by the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-20 (2026)
§ 14-20 Public notice; objections; hearing.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Posting required.
On filing an application and valet parking plan for a permit (other than a renewal permit), the applicant must post the proposed host property for 15 days, in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
(b)9 or fewer objections.
If, within the 15-day posting period, the Director of Transportation receives no more than 9 written objections from property owners or residents within the same election precinct as the proposed host property, the valet parking zone permit may be issued as provided in this subtitle.
(c)10 or more objections.
(1)
If, within the 15-day posting period, the Director of Transportation receives 10 or more written objections from property owners or residents within the same election precinct as the proposed host property, the Director of Transportation must hold a hearing on the matter.
(2)
Unless the applicant agrees to a later date, the hearing must be held within 15 days after the last day of the 15-day posting period.
(3)
Written notice of the hearing shall be provided by first class mail at least 15 days prior to the hearing to all persons listed in <cite data-path="|31|§14-19|(i)">§ 14-19(i) of this subtitle</cite>.
(4)
At the hearing, parties in interest and citizens must be given an opportunity to be heard.
(d)Decision.
(1)
The Director of Transportation must notify the applicant in writing of his or her decision to grant or deny the permit as follows:
(i)
if no hearing is held under <cite data-path="|31|§14-20|(c)">§ 14-20(c) of this subtitle</cite>, within 15 days after the last day of the 15-day posting period; and
(ii)
if a hearing is held under <cite data-path="|31|§14-20|(c)">§ 14-20(c) of this subtitle</cite>, within 15 days after conclusion of the hearing.
(2)
Any denial of a permit must be based solely on the qualifications, standards, and considerations set forth in this subtitle.
(3)
A notice of denial must:
(i)
specify the reasons for the denial; and
(ii)
notify the applicant of the opportunity to appeal the denial of the permit under <cite data-path="|31|§14-46">§ 14-46 {“Administrative appeals”} of this subtitle</cite>.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-21 (2026)
§ 14-21 Review and considerations.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Review.
The Executive Director must:
(1)
review the valet parking plan for compliance with this subtitle; and
(2)
submit the plan, together with his or her findings and recommendations, to the Director of Transportation for approval or disapproval.
(b)Minimum findings.
A valet parking plan may be approved only if:
(1)
the valet parking services will not unreasonably disrupt vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
(2)
the valet parking services will not pose a threat to public safety; and
(3)
the valet parking plan provides for enough attendants and other employees and agents to efficiently handle the projected number of vehicles during all hours of valet parking services.
(c)Additional considerations.
The following criteria may also be considered in deciding whether to approve a valet parking plan:
(1)
the number of off-street parking spaces that will be available during valet parking services;
(2)
normal traffic conditions at the time of valet parking services;
(3)
the time required to travel safely, on foot and by vehicle, to and from the valet parking zone and the off-street parking facility in which vehicles will be parked;
(4)
the estimated number of vehicles that will be parked during each hour of valet parking services;
(5)
the average length of time a vehicle will be parked during valet parking hours; and
(6)
the distance between the valet parking zone and the off-street parking facility in which vehicles will be parked.
(d)Final determination.
In approving a plan, the Director of Transportation makes the final determination of:
(1)
the location of the valet parking zone;
(2)
the size of the zone;
(3)
the hours of operation; and
(4)
the conditions of operation.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-22 (2026)
§ 14-22 Special conditions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Indemnification.
The issuance of a valet parking zone permit is conditioned on receipt of a written agreement by the host and by any contract-operator providing services under the permit that they each, jointly and severally, will save harmless and indemnify the Parking Authority of Baltimore City the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and their officers, agents, and employees from all suits, losses, claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses to which any of them is subjected as a result of a valet parking zone permit or the operation of valet parking services.
(b)Other conditions.
The Director of Transportation may impose reasonable limitations and conditions on any valet parking zone permit issued under this part as necessary or proper to:
(1)
protect the public safety;
(2)
protect the public’s right to equal access of public property; and
(3)
ensure that normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow is not unreasonably disrupted.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-23 (2026)
§ 14-23 Establishment of zone; issuance of permit.LinkCopy Citation
On approval of the application and the valet parking plan, the Director of Transportation may establish a valet parking zone for and issue a valet parking zone permit to any host who:
(1)
commits to abide by an approved valet parking plan;
(2)
commits to meet all of the other requirements of this subtitle; and
(3)
pays the applicable permit fee.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-24 (2026)
§ 14-24 Posting of zone.LinkCopy Citation
As soon as practical after the approval of a valet parking zone, the Director of Transportation shall place appropriate signs that:
(1)
indicate the location of the zone; and
(2)
state the operational hours during which restrictions apply.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-25 (2026)
§ 14-25 Term and renewal.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Term.
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a permit issued under this part expires on the 1<sup>st</sup> anniversary of its effective date and is renewable as provided in this section.
(2)
By rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle, the Director of Transportation may provide for the issuance of short-term permits for special events.
(b)Annual renewal.
(1)
To renew an annual permit, the host must apply no less than 60 nor more than 90 days before the license expires.
(2)
The application for renewal must be in the form and contain the information required by the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
(c)Protest and hearing.
(1)
If, before the end of the renewal period, 10 or more written objections from property owners or residents within the same election precinct as the permitted premises are filed with the Director of Transportation, the Director of Transportation must hold a public hearing on the proposed renewal.
(2)
Parties in interest and citizens must be given an opportunity to be heard.
(3)
Any denial of a renewal permit must be based solely on the qualifications, standards, and considerations set forth in this subtitle.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-26 (2026)
§ 14-26 Permit fees.LinkCopy Citation
The amount of the permit fees are as set forth in the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-27 (2026)
§ 14-27 Permit not transferable or shareable.LinkCopy Citation
A permit issued under this part to any host is not assignable or transferable to, or shareable with, any other host not identified in the permit.
History: Ord. 13-098
Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 14-28 to 14-30 (2026)
§§ 14-28 to 14-30LinkCopy Citation
Reserved