# 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.

## § 62-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-1 (2026)

(a) In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)

  (1) 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)

    (i) “Dealer” means any person engaged in the retail sale of goods.

    (ii) “Dealer” includes any:

      (A) supermarket;

      (B) convenience store;

      (C) restaurant;

      (D) shop;

      (E) service station; or

      (F) other sales outlet.

(c)

  (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*

## § 62-2

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-2 (2026)

Reserved

## § 62-3 Prohibited conduct.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-3 (2026)

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*

## § 62-4 Exemption: Bags for certain products.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-4 (2026)

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*

## §§ 62-5 to 62-6

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-5 to 62-6 (2026)

Reserved

## § 62-7 Data Reporting.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-7 (2026)

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*

## §§ 62-8 to 62-9

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-8 to 62-9 (2026)

Reserved

## § 62-10 Enforcement by citation.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-10 (2026)

(a) 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) 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*

## § 62-11 Criminal penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 62-11 (2026)

(a) 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 plastic checkout bag supplied to a customer in violation of this subtitle is a separate offense.

*History: Ord. 20-337*