Subtitle 2 – Enforcement
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Part I – Definitions
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-201 (2026)
§ 19-201 “Person responsible” defined.LinkCopy Citation
In this subtitle, “person responsible” means any owner, operator, manager, or tenant of a property or use subject to this Code, or any other person responsible for or having the care, control, or possession of that property or use, whether as a principal or as an agent, personal representative, trustee, guardian, or otherwise, and whether alone or jointly with any other person.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-202 to 9-205 (2026)
§§ 9-202 to 9-205LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part II – Violation Notice
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-206 (2026)
§ 19-206 Issuance.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Whenever the Zoning Administrator learns of a violation of § 19-101 {“Prohibited conduct”} of this Code, the Zoning Administrator may issue a violation notice to:
(1)
the owner of record of the property, as shown on the tax records of Baltimore City; and
(2)
any other person who the Zoning Administrator has reason to believe is a person responsible for the violation.
(b)Contents of notice.
The notice must:
(1)
specify the location and nature of the violation;
(2)
cite the provisions of this Code or of the rules, regulations, manual, permit, notice, or order that have been violated;
(3)
state the requirements that must be complied with to rectify the violation and the time within which the violation must be rectified; and
(4)
advise the recipient of the right to request a hearing within 10 days of the date on which the notice was served.
(c)Compliance required.
On receipt of a violation notice from the Zoning Administrator, the recipient must immediately take appropriate steps to correct the violation.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-207 (2026)
§ 19-207 Service.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Except as otherwise specified in this Code, all notices issued by the Zoning Administrator must be served on:
(1)
the person for whom the notice is intended; or
(2)
an authorized agent or representative of that person.
(b)More than 1 person responsible.
If more than 1 person is responsible for the violation or otherwise responsible for complying with this Code, as in a case of property owned by more than 1 person, notice may be served on any 1 of those persons or on any authorized agent or representative of any of them.
(c)Method of service – In general.
A notice is properly served on a person if:
(1)
served personally on that person (or on that person’s authorized agent or representative);
(2)
hand-delivered to the home or business address of that person (or of that person’s authorized agent or representative); or
(3)
sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the home or business address of that person (or of that person’s authorized agent or representative).
(d)Method of service – Posting.
Adequate and sufficient notice may be made by posting a copy of the notice on the property in question if:
(1)
the identity or whereabouts of the person responsible is unknown; or
(2)
a notice that was hand-delivered or mailed under subsection (c) of this section is refused, returned unclaimed, or designated undeliverable by the post office for any reason, and neither of the following sources can provide a more accurate address:
(i)
the tax records of the City’s Bureau of Treasury Management, Collections Division; and
(ii)
the property registration files of the Department of Housing and Community Development.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
History: Ord. 18-171
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-208 (2026)
§ 19-208 Extension of time limit.LinkCopy Citation
The Zoning Administrator may extend the time within which to comply with a violation notice if, in the Administrator’s judgment, more time is needed to comply.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-209 to 19-210 (2026)
§§ 19-209 to 19-210LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part III – Subsequent Proceedings
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-211 (2026)
§ 19-211 Remedies generally.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Administrator may seek.
If a violation is not promptly discontinued and rectified or if a violation notice is not complied with promptly, the Zoning Administrator may institute or cause to be instituted any appropriate civil or criminal action or proceeding to secure compliance.
(b)Types of proceedings.
These enforcement proceedings include:
(1)
civil court proceedings (<em>see </em>§ 19-213);
(2)
service of citations (<em>see</em> § 19-214; and
(3)
criminal prosecution (<em>see </em>§ 19-215).
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-212 (2026)
§ 19-212 Remedies not exclusive.LinkCopy Citation
In pursuing a violation, the Zoning Administrator may use any one or more available remedies or enforcement actions. The initiation of any one remedy or enforcement action does not preclude pursuing any other remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-213 (2026)
§ 19-213 Civil court proceedings.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Zoning Administrator, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, may file a petition in District Court to compel compliance with or obtain other relief under this Code.
(b)Judicial relief.
In an action brought under this section, the court may compel compliance with this Code by:
(1)
issuing an order to cease and desist from a violation; and
(2)
granting other injunctive relief, as appropriate to:
(i)
prevent unlawful construction;
(ii)
restrain, correct, or abate a violation;
(iii)
prevent illegal occupancy of a structure or premises; or
(iv)
stop an illegal act, conduct, business, or use of a structure on or about any premises.
(c)Civil fines and costs.
In an action brought under this section, the court may also:
(1)
impose a civil fine of up to $500 for each day that a violation continues; and
(2)
award to the City reasonable enforcement costs and attorney’s fees, whether or not the attorney is a salaried employee of the City.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
History: Ord. 18-171
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-214 (2026)
§ 19-214 Enforcement by citation.LinkCopy Citation
In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this Code may be enforced by issuance of the following:
(1)
an environmental citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”};
(2)
a civil citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}; and
(3)
a pre-payable criminal citation under City Code <cite data-path="|19">Article 19</cite>, Subtitle 71 {“Special Enforcement Officers”}.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 19-215 (2026)
§ 19-215 Criminal penalties.LinkCopy Citation
Any person who violates any provision of <cite data-path="|32|§19-101">§ 19-101 {“Prohibited conduct”} of this title</cite> is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both fine and imprisonment for each offense.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015