<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Subtitle 6 – Mosquitoes">
  <section prefix="§" num="5-601" heading="Definitions.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Collection of water.">
      <para num="(1)">“Collection of water” means any collection of standing or running water.</para>
      <para num="(2)">“Collection of water” includes water contained in any ditch, roof or other gutter, pond, pool, excavation, depression, fountain, tank, well, barrel, tire, urn, can, box, bottle, tub, bucket, or other similar container.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §94</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-602" heading="Purpose of subtitle.">
    <text>The purpose of this subtitle is to get rid of the discomfort, annoyance, and health hazards that are caused by mosquitoes.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §93(1st cl.)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-603" heading="Responsibility of persons in charge.">
    <text>Every person in charge of any property is obligated, jointly and severally, to comply with the requirements of this subtitle.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §93( 2nd par.( 2nd cl.))</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-604" heading="Collections prohibited unless treated.">
    <text>No person in charge may keep or permit to be kept any collection of water in which mosquitoes are likely to breed, unless the collection of water is treated to effectively prevent breeding.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §93(3rd par.)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-605" heading="Methods of treatment.">
    <text>The method for treating a collection of water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding must be one or more of the following:</text>
    <para num="(1)">emptying all water at least once every 5 days;</para>
    <para num="(2)">using a larvicide approved by and applied in accordance with the requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency;</para>
    <para num="(3)">cleaning and keeping the water free of vegetable growth and other obstructions and stocking with mosquito-destroying fish (the absence of half-grown or larger mosquito larvae to be evidence of having complied with this method);</para>
    <para num="(4)">filling or draining to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Health;</para>
    <para num="(5)">removing, at least once every 5 days, all tin cans, tin boxes, broken or empty bottles, and similar articles likely to hold water;</para>
    <para num="(6)">screening with wire netting of at least 16 meshes to the inch each way;</para>
    <para num="(7)">screening with any other material that will prevent the ingress or egress of mosquitoes; or</para>
    <para num="(8)">any other method that the Commissioner approves.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §95</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-606" heading="Prima facie evidence of breeding.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">The natural presence of mosquito larvae in standing or running water is evidence that mosquitoes are breeding there.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Required action.">Within 5 days of notice from the Commissioner, the person in charge of the premises must act to prevent further breeding.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §96</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-607" heading="Notice to person in charge.">
    <text>Whenever the Commissioner discovers a condition that could give rise to the breeding of mosquitoes, the Commissioner must issue a written notice to the person in charge, as provided in Subtitle 2 {“Nuisance Abatement — Generally”} of this title.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §97(part)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-608" heading="Abatement by Commissioner.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">If the condition is not corrected within 10 days of the notice, the Commissioner may proceed to correct the condition at the expense of the person in charge.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Costs and expenses.">All costs and expenses incurred by the Commissioner are a lien on the property as provided in Subtitle 2 {“Nuisance Abatement — Generally”} of this title.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §97</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§§" num="5-609 to 5-610" reserved="true" />
  <section prefix="§" num="5-611" heading="Penalties: $500.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">Any person 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 $500 for each offense.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Each day a separate offense.">Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §§98(2nd, 3rd cls.), 100</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
