# Part 2 – General Conditions Warranting Impoundment

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

## § 31-6 Vehicles obstructing traffic.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-6 (2026)

(a)

  (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to use City streets to park, stop, store, or operate a vehicle or part thereof in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the free flow of traffic thereon or the movement of pedestrians.

  (2) Determination by the Commissioner that such a vehicle is actually obstructing traffic as aforesaid shall be considered prima facie evidence of a violation hereof.

(b)

  (1) The Commissioner is authorized to cause such vehicle to be removed immediately so as to clear the streets.

  (2) Such removal may be:

    (i) to another part of the same street;

    (ii) to a side street; or

    (iii) effected in the manner hereinafter provided for impounded and abandoned motor vehicles.

*History: Ord. 69-343*

*History: Ord. 86-772*

## § 31-7 Vehicles illegally parked, etc.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-7 (2026)

(a)

  (1) It is unlawful for any person to park, stand, or stop a vehicle or part of a vehicle on any street, lane, or alley:

    (i) during the hours when parking, standing, or stopping is restricted or prohibited; or

    (ii) for longer than the time permitted for parking, standing, or stopping.

  (2) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor, punishable by the fine specified in Subtitle 36 of <cite data-path="|31">this article</cite>.

(b)

  (1) In the impounding areas designated in Part 7 of this subtitle, the Department of Transportation shall post conspicuous signs warning the public of the restricted hours and bearing the statement “Cars Towed Away” or “Tow Away Zone”.

  (2) In an impounding area in which the required signs have been clearly posted, the Police Commissioner may cause vehicles that are illegally parked, standing, or stopped to be removed and impounded.

(c)

  (1) In this subsection, “semitrailer” has the meaning given in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gtr|11-158">State Transportation Article § 11-158</cite>.

  (2) If a semitrailer, whether attached or detached, is parked, standing, or stopped in violation of <cite data-path="|31|§6-26|(b)">§ 6-26(b) {“Commercial vehicles: Stopping by residence”} of this article</cite>, the Police Commissioner may cause that semitrailer, together with any other vehicle attached to it, to be removed and impounded.

*History: Ord. 69-343*

*History: Ord. 70-925*

*History: Ord. 75-920*

*History: Ord. 84-023*

*History: Ord. 03-591*

*History: Ord. 15-435*

## § 31-8 Abandoned vehicles.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-8 (2026)

(a) In this section, “Department” means:

  (1) the Department of Transportation, if that agency has been designated for these purposes by the Board of Estimates, as provided in State Transportation Article (“Maryland Vehicle Law”) § 25-201(e)(3); or

  (2) otherwise, the Baltimore City Police Department.

(b) The abandonment of a vehicle on the streets of the City, on any other public property, or on any private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that private property is prohibited by State Transportation Article (“Maryland Vehicle Law”) § 25-202, subject to the penalties provided in Maryland Vehicle Law Title 27.

(c) If a vehicle has been abandoned on a street or any other public property, the Department may have the vehicle removed as provided in this subtitle.

(d)

  (1) If a vehicle has been abandoned on private property, the Department shall first ascertain who owns or controls the property and make a reasonable effort to discover whether the vehicle is parked or stored on the property with the consent of the owner or person in control of the property.

  (2) The vehicle is deemed abandoned and may be towed or otherwise removed, as provided for vehicles found abandoned on public property, if:

    (i) by reasonable investigation, the Department determines that the vehicle is parked on the property without the consent of the owner or person in control;

    (ii) the owner or person in control cannot be located within a reasonable period of time; or

    (iii) the storage of the vehicle is in violation of the zoning laws or regulations of the City as applied to that property.

*History: Ord. 69-343*

*History: Ord. 71-1162*

*History: Ord. 83-1000*

*History: Ord. 99-421*

*History: Ord. 06-347*

*History: Ord. 15-435*

## § 31-9 Vehicles in accidents.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-9 (2026)

When a motor vehicle has been involved in an accident or other disablement so that:

(1) it cannot be operated under its own power; or

(2) the owner or operator thereof is unable to operate it; or

(3) such vehicle is obstructing traffic,
the Commissioner is authorized to cause such vehicle to be removed to the auto pound hereinafter referred to or put in some other place where it will not obstruct, interfere with, or impede the free flow of traffic.

*History: Ord. 69-343*

*History: Ord. 70-806*

## § 31-10 Recovery of stolen, etc., vehicles.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-10 (2026)

(a) When the Commissioner recovers a vehicle which has been reported stolen or has been used without authorization, he may cause such vehicle to be removed to the said auto pound.

(b)

  (1) The Commissioner, upon receiving a report of a stolen vehicle, shall report such alleged theft at once to the Motor Vehicle Administration as required by State law.

  (2) Upon recovery of such car reported stolen, the Commissioner shall at once notify said Motor Vehicle Administration as so required.

*History: Ord. 69-343*

## § 31-11 Maximum charges.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-11 (2026)

(a) The owner of a vehicle removed or impounded under this Part 2 may be charged a maximum of $150 for the tow of the vehicle unless:

  (1) the vehicle is a commercial vehicle under <cite data-path="|31|§1-1|(f)">§ 1-1(f) {“Definitions – A to L: Commercial Vehicle”} of this article</cite>; or

  (2) the tow of the vehicle:

    (i) requires removal from an embankment, ditch, waterway, trench, hole, or heavily wooded area; or

    (ii) otherwise requires specialized and exceptional services for the vehicle’s removal.

(b) Additional storage fees, administrative fees, and fines for outstanding parking violations may also be charged as allowed by applicable laws and regulations.

*History: Ord. 14-266*

*History: Ord. 14-307*

## § 31-12 Unidentifiable vehicles.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-12 (2026)

(a) It is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle or part of a vehicle on any street, lane, or alley if the vehicle:

  (1) is not displaying currently valid registration plates; and

  (2) has its VIN obscured so that it cannot be read from outside the vehicle.

(b) The Commissioner is authorized to cause any vehicle in violation of subsection (a) of this section to be immediately removed and impounded as provided in this subtitle.

*History: Ord. 18-195*

## §§ 31-13 to 31-20

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 31-13 to 31-20 (2026)

Reserved