# Subtitle 2 – Nuisance Abatement — Generally

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

## § 5-201 Responsibility of persons in charge.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-201 (2026)

Every person in charge of any property is obligated, jointly and severally with all other persons in charge of that property, to:

(1) remove or abate all nuisances on or originating from the property; and

(2) comply with all health- or safety-related laws that affect the property.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 5-202 Notice to persons in charge.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-202 (2026)

Whenever the Commissioner of Health discovers a condition that the Commissioner considers to be a nuisance or potential nuisance, the Commissioner may issue a written notice to one or more of the following persons or their respective agents:

(1) the person in charge of the property on which the condition exists;

(2) the person in charge of the property from which the condition originates; and

(3) the person in charge of any property that fronts on the street in which the condition exists.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 5-203 Contents of notice.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-203 (2026)

A notice issued under this subtitle must:

(1) identify the property and the condition;

(2) specify the law being violated;

(3) specify the corrective action to be taken;

(4) state the time within which that action must be taken; and

(5) state that, if corrective action is not timely taken:

  (i) the Commissioner may do the needed work; and

  (ii) all costs and expenses will be a lien on the property.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 5-204 Service of notice.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-204 (2026)

(a) A notice issued under this subtitle may be served by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(b) If the person to be served cannot be found, the Commissioner may:

  (1) post the notice on the property; or

  (2) publish the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the City.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 5-205 Abatement by Commissioner.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-205 (2026)

If the condition is not corrected within the time specified in the notice, the Commissioner may proceed to remove or abate the condition at the expense of the person in charge of the property.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 5-206 Costs and expenses.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-206 (2026)

(a) The person in charge is liable to the City for all costs and expenses incurred in:

  (1) removing or abating the condition identified in the notice; and

  (2) posting or publishing notice under <cite data-path="|health|§5-204">§ 5-204 {“Service of notice”} of this subtitle</cite>.

(b) Until paid in full, these costs and expenses are a lien on the entire property from which the condition was removed or abated.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## §§ 5-207 to 5-208

Balt., Md., Code § 5-207 to 5-208 (2026)

Reserved

## § 5-209 Enforcement by citation.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-209 (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 to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 5-210 Penalties: $1,000.

Balt., Md., Code § 5-210 (2026)

Any person in charge who refuses, neglects, or otherwise fails to comply with a notice issued under this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense.

*History: Ord. 99-548*