Subtitle 62 – Plastic Bag Reduction
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. 7, § 62-1 (2026)
§ 62-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)Dealer.
(1)“Person” defined.
In this subsection:
(i)
“person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(a)">§ 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”}</cite> of the City Code’s <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>; but
(ii)
notwithstanding § 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”} of that article, “person” also includes a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.
(2)“Dealer” defined.
(i)In general.
“Dealer” means any person engaged in the retail sale of goods.
(ii)Inclusions.
“Dealer” includes any:
(A)
supermarket;
(B)
convenience store;
(C)
restaurant;
(D)
shop;
(E)
service station; or
(F)
other sales outlet.
(c)Plastic checkout bag.
(1)
“Plastic checkout bag” means any plastic bag that is:
(i)
supplied by a dealer at the point of sale, pickup, or delivery to carry purchased items; and
(ii)
less than 4 mils thick.
(2)
“Plastic checkout bag” does not include a compostable plastic bag that:
(i)
is certified and labeled as meeting the ASTM D6400 standard specification by a recognized verification entity; and
(ii)
is capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site such that the material breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent with known compostable materials.
History: Ord. 20-337
History: Ord. 22-125
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-2 (2026)
§ 62-2LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-3 (2026)
§ 62-3 Prohibited conduct.LinkCopy Citation
Except as provided in <cite data-path="|7|§62-4">§ 62-4 {“Exemption: Bags for certain products”} of this subtitle</cite>, no dealer may supply customers with plastic checkout bags.
History: Ord. 20-337
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-4 (2026)
§ 62-4 Exemption: Bags for certain products.LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle does not apply to a plastic checkout bag solely used to contain:
(1)
fresh fish and fresh fish products;
(2)
fresh meat and fresh meat products;
(3)
fresh poultry and fresh poultry products;
(4)
otherwise unpackaged fruits, nuts, or vegetables;
(5)
otherwise unpackaged confectionery;
(6)
otherwise unpackaged fresh cheese;
(7)
otherwise unpackaged baked goods;
(8)
ice;
(9)
food and goods obtained at a farmers’ market;
(10)
prescription drugs obtained from a pharmacy;
(11)
newspapers; or
(12)
dry-cleaned goods.
History: Ord. 20-337
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-5 to 62-6 (2026)
§§ 62-5 to 62-6LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-7 (2026)
§ 62-7 Data Reporting.LinkCopy Citation
The Baltimore City Department of Information Technology, using available data from the 311 system and the Environmental Control Board, shall publish data on the Open Baltimore web portal that reflects:
(1)
the number of complaints received by the City of Baltimore under this subtitle; and
(2)
the number of citations issued under this subtitle.
History: Ord. 20-337
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-8 to 62-9 (2026)
§§ 62-8 to 62-9LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-10 (2026)
§ 62-10 Enforcement by citation.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of an environmental citation as authorized by City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}.
(b)Process not exclusive.
The issuance of an environmental citation does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.
History: Ord. 20-337
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-11 (2026)
§ 62-11 Criminal penalties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Any dealer who violates any provision of this subtitle after having twice received an environmental citation, each resulting in any final disposition other than not guilty, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense.
(b)Each bag a separate offense.
Each plastic checkout bag supplied to a customer in violation of this subtitle is a separate offense.
History: Ord. 20-337