Subtitle 2 – Licensing
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Part I – Dog and Cat Licenses
Balt., Md., Code § 10-201 (2026)
§ 10-201 License required.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The owner of any dog or cat must obtain and renew a license for that dog or cat, as provided in this Part I.
(b)When to be obtained.
The license must be obtained within 10 days of the following, whichever is later:
(1)
when the dog or cat becomes 4 months old; or
(2)
when the dog or cat was acquired by the owner, whether or not the previous owner had a license for the animal.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-202 (2026)
§ 10-202 License fees.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Classes.
The Commissioner must provide for the following classes of licenses:
(1)
Class A Licenses, for:
(i)
dogs and cats that have been altered; and
(ii)
dogs and cats that have not been altered, but for which a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that, because of age or bad health, the animal should not be altered.
(2)
Class B Licenses, for disability service animals, whether or not altered, on the applicant’s submission of an affidavit claiming the person has a disability.
(3)
Class C Licenses, for the lifetime of dogs and cats that are altered and microchiped.
(4)
Class D Licenses, for all other dogs and cats.
(b)Fees.
(1)
The license fee for each class is as set under <cite data-path="|health|§10-106">§ 10-106 of this title</cite>.
(2)
For owners 65 years old or older, the annual fee for each license class is 50% of the annual fee otherwise set for that class.
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 02-323
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-203 (2026)
§ 10-203 Applications.LinkCopy Citation
The application for a license must:
(1)
be in the form that the Commissioner requires;
(2)
be accompanied by the required fee;
(3)
be accompanied by an affidavit certifying that neither the applicant nor anyone residing on the applicant’s household has ever been convicted of animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect; and
(4)
contain:
(i)
the name and address of the owner;
(ii)
a description of the dog or cat;
(iii)
proof of a still-current rabies vaccination, unless this requirement is waived by the Public Health Veterinarian; and
(iv)
any other information that the Commissioner requires.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-204 (2026)
§ 10-204 Issuance of licenses and tags.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
(1)
On approval of the application and receipt of the required fee, the Office must issue the license.
(2)
Together with the license, the Office must issue an identification tag that is:
(i)
durably constructed;
(ii)
designed so that it can be conveniently fastened or riveted to a well-fitted collar or harness; and
(iii)
stamped with the year of its issuance and an identifying number.
(b)Animal from animal shelter.
For an unlicensed dog or cat that is reclaimed or adopted from an animal shelter, the animal shelter must:
(1)
require a license application and the required fee to be submitted to it; and
(2)
on receipt of the application and receipt of the required fee, issue the license and identification tag for that dog or cat.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-205 (2026)
§ 10-205 Term.LinkCopy Citation
Unless sooner suspended or revoked, a dog or cat license (except for a Class C License) expires annually on the anniversary of its issuance.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-206 (2026)
§ 10-206 Records; replacements.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Public record of identifying numbers.
The Office and the animal shelter must:
(1)
keep a record of the identifying numbers of all licenses, identification tags, and microchips issued; and
(2)
make this record available to the public and other City agencies, subject to a copy fee.
(b)Replacements.
If a license, microchip, or an identification tag is lost or destroyed, a replacement must be obtained and the required fee paid.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-207 (2026)
§ 10-207 Prohibited conduct.LinkCopy Citation
No person may:
(1)
fail to obtain a license as required by this Part I;
(2)
permit any cat or dog for which the person is required to obtain a license to be outdoors at any time unless it is wearing a valid identification tag issued under this subtitle;
(3)
use any license or identification tag for any dog or cat other than the one for which it was issued;
(4)
use any license or identification tag that was issued to a previous owner of the dog or cat;
(5)
remove any identification tag from any dog or cat without the consent of its owner;
(6)
use any microchip required by this subtitle for any dog or cat other than the one to which the microchip applies; or
(7)
except as authorized by the Commissioner, remove from any dog or cat any microchip required by this subtitle.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 02-323
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-208 (2026)
§ 10-208 Owner to provide copy to custodian.LinkCopy Citation
Whenever the owner of an animal places it in the care or custody of another person, the owner must provide that custodian with a copy of the license and identification tag issued under this Part for the animal.
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-209 (2026)
§ 10-209LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part II – Facility Licenses
Balt., Md., Code § 10-210 (2026)
§ 10-210 License required.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
No person may operate any of the following facilities without a license to do so from the Commissioner, as provided in this Part II:
(1)
animal clinic;
(2)
animal shelter;
(3)
commercial establishment; or
(4)
animal fancier.
(b)Separate license for each facility.
Every facility subject to this Part II is considered a separate enterprise and requires a separate license.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-211 (2026)
§ 10-211 Applications.LinkCopy Citation
The application for a facility license must:
(1)
be in the form that the Commissioner requires;
(2)
be accompanied by an affidavit certifying that neither the applicant nor any operator, employee, or agent of the applicant has ever been convicted of animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect;
(3)
contain the information that the Commissioner requires; and
(4)
be accompanied by the required fee.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-212 (2026)
§ 10-212 Issuance.LinkCopy Citation
The Office must issue the license if the applicant:
(1)
meets the requirements of this Part II; and
(2)
shows the willingness and ability to comply with the requirements of this title and the rules and regulations adopted under it.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-213 (2026)
§ 10-213LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code § 10-214 (2026)
§ 10-214 Term.LinkCopy Citation
Unless sooner suspended or revoked, a facility license expires annually on the anniversary date of its issuance.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-215 (2026)
§ 10-215 Animal records.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Required records.
Every facility that sells or gives away any animal must keep a record of:
(1)
the name, address, and telephone number of the person to whom the animal was sold or given; and
(2)
the breed, color, sex, and age of the animal; and
(3)
any other information concerning an animal that the Commissioner requires.
(b)Retention and inspection.
The facility must:
(1)
retain these records for at least 2 years; and
(2)
make them available for inspection by the Office during normal business hours.
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-216 (2026)
§ 10-216 Prohibited conduct.LinkCopy Citation
No person may operate any facility subject to this Part II in violation of:
(1)
any condition imposed on the facility’s license; or
(2)
any provision of this title or of a rule or regulation adopted under this title.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-217 to 10-218 (2026)
§§ 10-217 to 10-218LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part III – Denials, Suspensions, and Revocations
Balt., Md., Code § 10-219 (2026)
§ 10-219 Grounds for denial, etc.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Required denial or revocation.
Subject to the hearing procedures of Subtitle 10 of this title, the Commissioner must deny or revoke any dog or cat license issued under this subtitle if the applicant or licensee, at any time, has been convicted of animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect.
(b)Permissive denial, suspension, or revocation.
Subject to the hearing procedures of Subtitle 10 of this title, the Commissioner may deny, amend, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license or permit issued under this title if the applicant, licensee, or permittee:
(1)
has withheld or falsified any information on an application;
(2)
during the preceding year, has failed to reclaim an impounded animal within the time required by Subtitle 8 {“Impoundment”} of this title;
(3)
during the preceding year, has surrendered an animal after receiving a violation notice or citation; or
(4)
within any 12-month period, has committed 3 or more violations of this title for which the applicant, licensee, or permitee:
(i)
has been convicted; or
(ii)
received environmental or civil citations that have been disposed of other than by a decision of “not guilty”.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 03-595
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-220 (2026)
§ 10-220 Additional grounds for denial, etc.LinkCopy Citation
Subject to the hearing procedures of Subtitle 10 of this title, the Commissioner also may deny, suspend, amend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license or permit issued under this title if the applicant, licensee, or permitee neglects, refuses, or otherwise fails to comply with any provision of:
(1)
this title;
(2)
a rule or regulation adopted under this title; or
(3)
any other law governing the keeping and protection of animals.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-221 (2026)
§ 10-221LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code § 10-222 (2026)
§ 10-222 No refund on suspension, amendment, or revocation.LinkCopy Citation
No part of a license or permit fee may be refunded when the license or permit is suspended, amended, or revoked.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-223 (2026)
§ 10-223 Surrender or removal of animal on denial, etc.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
A person whose license or permit for an animal is denied, suspended, or revoked must, within 5 days of the denial, suspension, or revocation:
(1)
surrender the animal to the Office; or
(2)
elect to transfer the animal to a new owner and provide the Office with the two notarized affidavits required by subsection (b) of this section.
(b)Affidavits required for transfer of animal to new owner.
If the current owner elects to permanently transfer the animal to a new owner, then:
(1)
within 5 days of the denial, suspension, or revocation of the owner’s license or permit for the animal, the current owner must provide an affidavit to the Office, on the form designated by Office, that includes the following:
(i)
the name, breed, age, weight, and physical description of the animal;
(ii)
the new owner’s name, address, phone number, and email address;
(iii)
the address where the animal will reside;
(iv)
an acknowledgment that, after transferring the animal to the new owner, the current owner will make no attempt to regain ownership or possession of the animal for the remainder of the animal’s life;
(v)
any other information that the Office requires; and
(vi)
the current owner’s notarized signature; and
(2)
within the same 5-day period, the new owner must provide an affidavit to the Office, on the form designated by Office, that includes the following:
(i)
the name, breed, age, weight, and physical description of the animal;
(ii)
the new owner’s name, address, phone number, and email address;
(iii)
the address where the animal will reside;
(iv)
an acknowledgment that, after the transfer of the animal to the new owner, the new owner accepts permanent ownership and possession of the animal;
(v)
an acknowledgment that, after the transfer of the animal to the new owner, the new owner will not transfer the animal back to the current owner for the remainder of the animal’s life;
(vi)
an acknowledgment that the new owner consents to an inspection of the address where the animal will reside prior to the transfer of the animal;
(vii)
any other information that the Office requires; and
(viii)
the new owner’s notarized signature.
(c)Office to verify affidavits and suitability of new owner.
(1)
Before transferring the animal to the proposed new owner, the Office must:
(i)
verify the information provided in the affidavits provided pursuant to subsection (b) of this section;
(ii)
verify that the proposed new owner meets the Office’s standards for animal adoption; and
(iii)
verify the suitability of the new environment for the animal.
(2)
If the Office, in its sole discretion, determines that any information contained in the notarized affidavits is false, or that another of the requirements of subsection (c)(1) of this section cannot be met, the Office may immediately confiscate the animal.
(d)Reclaiming animal to be transferred.
After the Office’s verification and approval of the notarized affidavits, the new owner must reclaim the animal in accordance with <cite data-path="|health|§10-805">§ 10-805 {“ Reclaiming animal”} of this title</cite> within 72 hours of notice of the approval from the Office.
(e)Confiscation for failure to comply.
Failure to comply with any of the requirements of this section may result in the immediate confiscation by the Office of the animal for which a license has been denied, suspended, or revoked.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
History: Ord. 15-322
Balt., Md., Code § 10-224 (2026)
§ 10-224 Reapplication after denial or revocation.LinkCopy Citation
Any person who is denied a license or permit under this title, or who has had a license or permit revoked under this title, may not reapply for for any license or permit under this title for:
(1)
3 years; or
(2)
if the person was convicted of cruelty to or neglect of animals, 5 years.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 00-024
History: Ord. 11-573
History: Ord. 15-322