Vehicles moving slowly along streets having no car tracks shall keep as close as practicable to the curb line on the right so as to allow faster moving vehicles free passage on the left.
City Code, 1927, art. 4, §43
1950, art. 38, §35
1966, art. 31, §47
1976/83, art. 31, §36
Ord. 08-139
For the purposes of this section, a winter-type mud and snow tire is any new, recapped, retreaded, or rebuilt tire for the rear wheels of motor vehicles or trackless trolleys having anti-skid patterns impressed or cut into the treaded surfaces to form bars, buttons, or blocks which may contain perforations, ingredients, or metallic elements specially designed to give effective traction on snow-, mud-, or ice-covered streets; and which tire is subject to approval as to type and condition by the Director of Transportation.
It is unlawful for any non-fixed wheel vehicle for the public transportation of passengers for a fee or charge, including the vehicles commonly referred to as buses, trackless trolley, and taxicabs, to be or operate on any street or public place in Baltimore City during the period in any year commencing on November 1 and ending on the following April 1 without being properly equipped with winter-type mud and snow tires.
Any person, firm, or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to the general penalties provided in <cite data-path="|31">this article</cite>, and a violation as to each and every vehicle is a separate violation.
City Code, 1966, art. 31, §86
1976/83, art. 31, §62
Ord. 58-1226
Ord. 15-435
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Director of Transportation may adopt rules and regulations to require that, whenever certain named streets in the City are covered or partially covered with snow, sleet, or freezing rain, no non-fixed wheel vehicle for the public transportation of 10 or more people may operate on those streets in a manner that stalls, impedes, or obstructs traffic, if that stalling, impeding, or obstructing is caused by the failure to equip the vehicle with effective skid chains or effective snow tread tires.
Every separate stalling, impeding, or obstructing on such named streets and in violation of any applicable such rules or regulation, shall be considered a separate offense.
Upon conviction thereof, the person, firm, or corporation which owns and/or manages the public transportation business in which the particular vehicle is operated shall be subject to a fine of not exceeding $50 for each and every offense.
City Code, 1966, art. 31, §85
1976/83, art. 31, §61
Ord. 54-944
Ord. 15-435
Text Conformed 02/28/21
By authority of Ordinance 20-431, Section 5, the Director of Legislative Reference, in consultation with the Law Department, has conformed subsection (a) to refer expressly to and reflect the requirements of the recently-enacted Administrative Procedure Act that, effective January 15, 2021, governs the proposal, adoption, and publication of administrative rules and regulations.
Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., no vehicle shall be placed to load thereon or unload therefrom in which the rails of any railroad or street railway company are laid, so as to obstruct or hinder the passing of cars of any such railroad or street railway.
Nor at any other time shall any such vehicle be permitted to obstruct such tracks for a longer period than may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of loading or unloading said vehicle.
City Code, 1927, art. 4, §110
1950, art. 38, §62
1966, art. 31, §74
1976/83, art. 31, §54
Ord. 21-664
It shall be unlawful for any person to make any repairs to a motor vehicle or to replace or repair any tire or other part of a motor vehicle on any public street where the standing of such vehicle or vehicles will wholly or partially obstruct any lane of traffic.
It shall be unlawful for any vehicle in the process of being repaired or waiting to be repaired or any vehicle on which a tire or other part thereof is being replaced or waiting for a tire or other part thereof to be replaced to stand double or to do any work or place any tools or equipment on any sidewalk in connection with the repair of any vehicle or the replacement or repair of any tire or other part thereof.
It shall be unlawful for a motor vehicle repair service to make a repair, replacement, or adjustment to a motor vehicle or part of a motor vehicle on any public street or footway.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to emergency repairs, which are defined as repairs necessary as the result of an unexpected malfunction or breakdown and which are necessary in order to move the vehicle safely and without damage to same.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to:Any person violating paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section shall be subject to:a penalty of not less than $5 or more than $25 for the 1<sup>st</sup> offense; and
a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100 for subsequent offenses.
Any person who violates paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall be subject to:a penalty of not less than $100 or more than $250 for the 1<sup>st</sup> offense; and
a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $350 for subsequent offenses.
City Code, 1950, art. 24, §36
1966, art. 19, §72
1976/83, art. 19, §84
Ord. 46-657
Ord. 47-814
Ord. 74-527
It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to enter a street intersection or a marked crosswalk or to drive across a sidewalk in entering or leaving a garage or parking lot unless there is sufficient space beyond the intersection or crosswalk on the right half of the roadway or in the garage or on the parking lot to accommodate the vehicle he is driving or operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed.
Except that on a 1-way street, drivers shall not be restricted to the use of the right half of the road but may have access to the entire width thereof beyond the intersection or crosswalk provided sufficient space be available.
City Code, 1950, art. 38, §46
1966, art. 31, §59
1976/83, art. 31, §53
Ord. 56-692
No person may back, draw, move, propel, drive, or operate any motor vehicle of any kind or any vehicle of any kind that is drawn by a horse or mule on or over any sidewalk or curbing of the City unless:the curbing is lowered to grade and the sidewalk so paved and arranged as to allow the passage of these vehicles; or
the person has special permission to do so from the Director of Transportation.
In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this section may be enforced by issuance of:an environmental citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}; or
a civil citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}.
The issuance of a citation to enforce this section does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.
Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $100 for each offense.
City Code, 1893, art. 48, §138
1927, art. 32, §52
1950, art. 24, §96
1966, art. 19, §135
1976/83, art. 19, §160
Ord. 1885-033
Ord. 26-756
Ord. 45-267
Ord. 77-573
Ord. 99-548
Ord. 15-435
It shall not be lawful for any public cartman, or for any person driving or having charge of any public cart, wagon, or other vehicle, to:drive or back any such public cart or any other cart, wagon, or other vehicle on to the sidewalk of any of the streets of said City, except as hereinafter provided;
stop any such cart, or any other vehicle, on any of the crosswalks or intersections of streets so as to obstruct or hinder the travel along such crosswalks or intersections of street; or
place any such carts or other vehicles crosswise of any street of said city except to load thereon or unload therefrom, but in no case shall it be lawful for any person to permit such cart or other vehicle to remain so crosswise of any street for a longer period than may be actually necessary for such purposes.
But it shall be lawful for the owner or occupant of any store, warehouse, or building in any street or avenue in which the rails of any railroad company are laid so close to the curbstones as to prevent the owners or occupants from keeping any such cart or other vehicle in the carriageway in front of his place of business without interference with the passing cars of any such railroad company, to occupy with such cart or other vehicle during business hours so much of the sidewalk as may be necessary for such cart or other vehicle, provided that sufficient space be retained for the passage of pedestrians between the cart or other vehicle so permitted to occupy such portion of the sidewalk and the front of every such store, warehouse, or other building.
City Code, 1927, art. 4, §3
1950, art. 38, §33
1966, art. 31, §45
1976/83, art. 31, §34
Ord. 08-139
No horse or vehicle shall be driven, backed, led, or allowed to stand on any sidewalk, or on any driveway across a sidewalk, whether with or without curbs, except that wares or merchandise in process of loading and unloading, shipment, or being received from shipment, may be transferred from trucks or other vehicles over the sidewalk by the use of skids, provided a passageway be kept open for the free passage of pedestrians.
City Code, 1927, art. 4, §53
1950, art. 38, §34
1966, art. 31, §46
1976/83, art. 31, §35
Ord. 08-139
Ord. 55-1428
The driver of every vehicle and the operator of every street car and trackless trolley on the streets and public ways of this City shall comply with any lawful order or direction of any school crossing guard vested with authority by the Police Commissioner to direct, control, or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Any person failing to comply with any such lawful order or direction or in any other manner violating the provisions of this section, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $100 for each offense.
City Code, 1966, art. 31, §97
1976/83, art. 31, §73
Ord. 53-793
Where the Board of School Commissioners and the Director of Transportation jointly designate particular public school properties, the roadways on those properties that are open to the use of the public are, on the placing of appropriate traffic-control devices, subject to the same vehicle and traffic laws, rules, and regulations that apply to highways within the City.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed as dedicating the aforementioned roadways by the City or as meaning that any City or State agency other than the Department of Education of the City of Baltimore shall defray or aid in defraying the costs of maintaining or marking the roadways.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §74
Ord. 72-207
Ord. 15-435
Ordinance 04-854 repealed former § 16-23 {“Selling food near schools”} and rewrote City Code <cite data-path="|15">Article 15</cite>, Subtitle 17, to include a similar provision.
In this section, “school vehicle” means any motor vehicle that:is used for the transportation of children, students, or teachers for educational purposes; and
is either:registered as a Type I school vehicle, as defined in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gtr|11-173">State Transportation Article § 11-173, </cite>or as a Type II school vehicle, as defined in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gtr|11-174">State Transportation Article § 11-174</cite>; or
otherwise discernable by color or markings as a school vehicle.
“School vehicle” includes any motor vehicle that is of a type described in paragraph (1) of this section, whether owned and operated by a non-governmental entity or owned or leased by or under contract with a governmental entity.
The Department of Transportation, with assistance from the Department of Finance, shall prepare and submit to the Mayor, the President of the City Council, and the City Board of School Commissioners, or their respective designees, periodic reports on all citations or warnings issued to school vehicles under:<cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gtr|21-202">State Transportation Article § 21-202</cite>.1 {“Traffic control signal monitoring systems”}; and
City Code <cite data-path="|32">Article 32</cite>, Subtitle 33 {“Speed Monitoring Systems”}.
Each report shall contain:a copy of all citations or warnings issued for violations by school vehicles during the reporting period;
the disposition of the citations (e.g., pending, paid, overdue, on appeal, or charges dismissed); and
any changes in the disposition of citations that had been the subject of previous reports.
Each report shall be submitted on a quarter-annual basis, within 30 days after the end of each quarter, for the quarters ending September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30 of each fiscal year.
Ord. 13-096
Every person who is driving, or riding on as a passenger, a moving motor-driven 2- or 3-wheel vehicle known generally as a motorcycle or motor bike shall at such time be wearing a firm and durable protective helmet or headgear.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §39(a)
Ord. 68-250
Every person who is driving or riding as a passenger on a moving motor-driven 2- or 3-wheel vehicle known generally as a motorcycle or motor bike shall at all times be wearing safety goggles or a face shield approved by the Director of Transportation.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §39(b)
Ord. 68-250
Ord. 25-435
No person shall operate a motor-driven 2- or 3-wheel vehicle known generally as a motorcycle or motor bike on the streets or highways of Baltimore City unless its speed capability is at least equal to the posted speed limit on said highway.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §39(c)
Ord. 68-250
A violation of any provision of this subtitle is a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than $10 or more than $100 for each such violation.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §39(d)
Ord. 68-250
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle across the line of a funeral procession in the streets, lanes, or alleys of the City, under a penalty for each and every offense of $2.
City Code, 1879, art. 8, §24
1893, art. 8, §24
1927, art. 4, §112
1950, art. 38, §38
1966, art. 31, §50
1976/83, art. 31, §37
Rev. Ords. 1858-032
Ord. 75-920
The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing or stopping if need be, in order to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing a roadway within a crosswalk when:the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling; or
the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger from the vehicle.
The driver of a vehicle making a right or left turn shall yield the right-of-way, slowing or stopping if need be, in order to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing a roadway within a crosswalk when:the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which said turning vehicle is entering, or
the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the half of the roadway opposite to that upon which said turning vehicle is entering as to be in danger from the vehicle.
A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield as otherwise required in this section.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(a), (c)
Ord. 68-187
Pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to authorized emergency vehicles provided that these vehicles are operating with siren and/or bell.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(b)
Ord. 68-187
If a vehicle is stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross a roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
No person shall stop or park any vehicle in such manner as to obstruct a crosswalk.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(d)
Ord. 68-187
While a “Walk” signal indication is displayed:pedestrians may proceed across the roadway toward said indication within any marked or unmarked crosswalk; or
where an exclusive all-pedestrian interval is provided, pedestrians may proceed across the roadway in any direction within the intersection.
While a “Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal indication, whether flashing or steady, controlling their direction of travel is displayed, pedestrians shall not enter the roadway.
In the case of an exclusive all-pedestrian interval, pedestrians shall not enter a roadway while any “Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal indication, whether flashing or steady, is displayed.
This provision is to be effective between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. only.
Any pedestrian who has entered an intersection on the “Walk” signal indication shall proceed without delay to a sidewalk or safety zone while the “Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal indication is showing.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(e)
Ord. 68-187
For the purpose of this section, “controlled access highway” shall mean every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street, or roadway.
No pedestrian shall be permitted to enter upon any controlled access highway nor any ramp or access road leading to or from any controlled access highway.
No pedestrian shall debark from any vehicle proceeding upon any controlled access highway nor any ramp or access road leading to or from any controlled access highway except under emergency circumstances which preclude the possibility that the vehicle in which he is riding proceed in a reasonable and proper manner.
In such case, said pedestrian may proceed only to the nearest emergency telephone. He may not solicit a ride or assistance from any passing vehicle.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(f)
Ord. 68-187
No person shall stand within a highway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of any vehicle or for the purpose of presenting a gift to or performing a service, whether gratuitous or for a fee, for the occupant of a vehicle.
No parent or guardian shall knowingly permit any minor under the age of 18 years to violate the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
This section does not prohibit the solicitation by any person for lawful employment or business from the occupant of any vehicle which is properly and lawfully parked or properly and lawfully standing out of the free flow of traffic.
A police officer who finds any person 18 years of age or older violating provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall order the person to cease and desist. Persons failing to comply with this order may be issued a citation containing their signed promise to pay the fine provided or to appear in court for trial.
The officer is not required to take the person into physical custody for the violation unless:the person charged does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity; or
the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person charged will disregard a written promise to appear.
A person receiving a citation under this section shall pay the fine provided for in the citation to the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, or stand trial for the violation.
A police officer who finds any person under 18 years of age violating provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall order the person to cease and desist.
Any person under 18 years of age who fails to comply with this order:may be taken into custody; and
subsequent to recording information necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, shall be promptly released to their parent or guardian.
The released person under 18 years of age shall be referred to the Baltimore City Police Department’s court sanctioned pre-intake adjustment program.
Any parent or guardian who shall violate subsection (b) of this section after having received written notice of their child or ward having committed a violation of subsection (a) occurring within the preceding 12 months, may receive a written citation and is subject to a fine of $50 for each offense.
Any person 18 years of age or older violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section after being ordered to cease and desist is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined $50.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(g), (j)
Ord. 68-187
Ord. 85-449
Nothing in this subtitle affects or limits the right of police officers or school crossing guards to control vehicular and pedestrian traffic in cases of emergency, special events, or other unusual traffic conditions.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(h)
Ord. 68-187
Ord. 85-449
In addition to the foregoing provisions of this subtitle, every driver of a vehicle shall:
exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any highway; and
exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or confused or incapacitated person upon a highway.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(i)
Ord. 68-187
Ord. 85-449
The Director of Transportation shall:
identify intersections commonly used by the elderly, the disabled, or other persons who may need extra time to cross an intersection;
conduct studies of those intersections, using pedestrian accident statistics, direct observation, or other sources of information, to determine the need for extra time for pedestrian crossing and the length of time needed; and
wherever feasible, reset the timing of traffic signals or make other adjustments to the intersection to accommodate the need for extra time for pedestrian crossing.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69A
Ord. 95-589
Ord. 15-435
Pursuant to the provisions of § 24-102(d) of the State Transportation Article, the operation within the corporate limits of Baltimore City of a motor bus or trackless trolley with a maximum outside width of not to exceed 102 inches is permitted.
City Code, 1966, art. 31, §32
1976/83, art. 31, §21
Ord. 52-242
The Company or companies operating public passenger vehicles, trackless trolleys, or street railway cars discharging passengers within Baltimore City at bus, trackless trolley, or street railway car “Stops”, heretofore or hereafter established, by public motor vehicles, trackless trolleys, or by street railway cars upon fixed routes shall, at its or their expense, maintain at each “Stop” the area or space of ground within the footway area of the streets adjacent to or within said “Stops”, as designated and approved by the Director of Transportation and in a manner and with material approved by the Director, for the protection, safety, health, and welfare of the public of Baltimore City.
Upon the failure of any company or companies operating public passenger motor vehicles, trackless trolleys, or street railway cars receiving and discharging passengers within Baltimore City at bus, trackless trolley, or street railway car “Stops” heretofore or hereafter established, by public motor vehicles, trackless trolleys, or by street railway cars upon fixed routes, at its or their expense, to maintain at each “Stop” the area or space of ground within the footway area of the streets adjacent to or within said “Stops”, as required by this section and after written notice from the Director of Transportation, the Director of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to place the area or space in a safe and satisfactory condition and to charge the cost thereof to company or companies in default.
The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore is hereby authorized to recover, by suit or action at law, from the company or companies in default the cost of the work necessary to place said “Stops” in a satisfactory condition.
City Code, 1966, art. 31, §31
1976/83, art. 31, §20
Ord. 55-1379
Ord. 75-920
Ord. 15-435
Ord. 17-038
No trucks and no tractor-trailer or tractor-semitrailer combination with a registered maximum gross weight in excess of 39,000 pounds shall be permitted to use or traverse in any way:
Odell Street between Hilltop Avenue and the northerly end of Odell Street; or
Woodruff Street between Hilltop Avenue and the northerly end of Woodruff Street.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §84
Ord. 68-101
It is unlawful for the operator of any taxicab to take on or discharge passengers except at the curb of any street, lane, alley, or other public way, unless no reasonably adequate space at the curb is available therefor.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty of not exceeding $10 for each and every such violation.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §80
Ord. 75-896
Only those vehicles licensed as taxicabs by the Public Service Commission of the State of Maryland shall be deemed to be a taxicab within the meaning of this section.
No vehicle, other than a taxicab, may stand at any time in those places set aside and designated by the Director of Transportation, to be occupied and used as public or private stands for taxicabs.
But nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any taxicab to stand in any place so designated during the hours when parking is prohibited at such location, except where such taxicab stands have been established at hotels.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, forfeit and pay a fine of not exceeding $10.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §81
Ord. 75-896
Ord. 15-435
Spaces designated by the Director of Transportation as taxicab stands in front of hotels and other places may not be for the exclusive use of the person, firm, or corporation given the permit, but shall be open to any person operating a taxicab, who has equal rights to enter these spaces and secure or solicit patrons.
Any person interfering with any taxicab operator in entering or standing in these places is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a penalty of not more than $100 for each violation.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §82
Ord. 75-896
Ord. 15-435
No person shall:sit or stand in or upon any carriage, or any horse or beast harnessed thereto, in order to drive the same, unless he shall have strong reins or lines fastened to the bridle of his beasts and held in his hands, sufficient to guide and restrain them;
while driving any carriage, or riding any horse, mare, gelding, or other beast in or through the said City, permit or suffer the beast or beasts he shall so ride or drive to go at an immoderate gait;
turn any horse, mare, or gelding loose within the City or drive such horse, mare, or gelding loose through any of the streets, lanes, or alleys of the said City; or
drive, lead, or place any horse or beast of burden, or any horse attached to a cart, dray, or other carriage, laden or unladen, on any of the footways of the City.
And all porters, carters, and other persons having the care of any carriage who shall not hold reins in their hands to guide or restrain their beasts, shall walk by the head of the shaft or wheel-horse, holding, or within reach of the bridle or halter of the said horse.
Provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent any person from riding, driving, or leading across any of the footways any horse or beast of burden into or out of any lot or tenement.
Every person offending in any or either of the cases aforesaid shall forfeit and pay for every such offense a sum not exceeding $20.
City Code, 1879, art. 8, §3
1893, art. 8, §3
1927, art. 4, §3
1950, art. 38, §31
1966, art. 31, §43
1976/83, art. 31, §32
Rev. Ords. 1858-032
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride on horseback on any street, alley, or highway, or over any bridge other than those on bridle paths in the parks, within the City limits, at a gait other than a walk.
Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to police or military officers or employees when engaged in the performance of their duties.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §78
Any rider of any horse, mare, or gelding, and any driver of any vehicles engaged in any contest of speed, within the limits of the City, shall be subjected to a fine of $20.
City Code, 1879, art. 8, §7
1893, art. 8, §7
1927, art. 4, §7
1950, art. 38, §32
1966, art. 31, §44
1976/83, art. 31, §33
Rev. Ords. 1858-032