# Part III – Denials, Suspensions, and Revocations

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

## § 10-219 Grounds for denial, etc.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-219 (2026)

(a) 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) 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*

## § 10-220 Additional grounds for denial, etc.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-220 (2026)

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*

## § 10-221

Balt., Md., Code § 10-221 (2026)

Reserved

## § 10-222 No refund on suspension, amendment, or revocation.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-222 (2026)

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*

## § 10-223 Surrender or removal of animal on denial, etc.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-223 (2026)

(a) 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) 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)

  (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) 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) 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*

## § 10-224 Reapplication after denial or revocation.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-224 (2026)

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*