# Subtitle 1 – Definitions; General Provisions

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

## § 7-101 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code § 7-101 (2026)

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

(b) “Dispose” includes abandon, deposit, discard, discharge, dump, junk, leave, place, scrap, or throw.

(c) “Garbage” means waste that results from the distribution, preparation, or serving of food.

(d)

  (1) “Hauler” means any person who:

    (i) contracts with others for the collection, transportation, or disposal of solid waste; or

    (ii) except as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection, engages in the collection, transportation, or disposal of solid waste generated by that person him-, her-, or itself.

  (2) “Hauler” includes a person described in paragraph (1) of this subsection even if that person is operating under a demolition permit issued by the City.

  (3) “Hauler” does not include any person who occupies residential property and collects, transports, or disposes of solid waste generated by the residential use of that property.

(e) “Land clearance debris” means any trees, other vegetation, or their roots that result from land clearance for streets, parks, playgrounds, construction projects, or other similar projects.

(f) “Landfill” means any private or public property where waste is disposed of by placement on or burial in the ground.

(g) “Rock” means rock, stones, or boulders that result from land clearance, grading, and the preparation of construction sites and similar projects.

(h) “Rubbish” includes paper, rags, ashes, leaves, tree branches, yard trimmings, furniture, appliances, cans, glass, crockery, junk vehicles, tires, automotive parts, paints, and oils.

(i)

  (1) “Rubble” means any waste that results from the demolition of buildings, structures, or streets.

  (2) “Rubble” includes masonry, concrete, asphalt, wood, plaster, paper, glass, metal, roof materials, or other materials used in the construction of buildings, structures, or streets.

(j) “Solid waste” means all waste that is neither gaseous nor liquid.

(k)

  (1) “Trade waste” means waste that results from construction or from any other business, commercial, or industrial operation.

  (2) “Trade waste” includes plastics, cartons, chemicals, paints, greases, oils, and other petroleum products, sawdust, and dead animals.

(l)

  (1) “Waste” includes any of the following material, as defined in this section, whether putrescible or nonputrescible:

    (i) garbage;

    (ii) land clearance debris;

    (iii) rock;

    (iv) rubbish;

    (v) rubble; and

    (vi) trade waste.

  (2) “Waste” also includes any of the following material, whether putrescible or nonputrescible:

    (i) asbestos;

    (ii) ashes;

    (iii) dead animals;

    (iv) hazardous waste;

    (v) incinerator residue;

    (vi) medical waste;

    (vii) refuse;

    (viii) street cleanings;

    (ix) trash; and

    (x) wastewater treatment residue.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 7-102 Findings and declaration of public policy.

Balt., Md., Code § 7-102 (2026)

(a) The Mayor and City Council finds that:

  (1) the dumping of waste and other material is a sickening blight on the streets, sidewalks, parks, open spaces, and waters of the City;

  (2) as the available amount of landfill space decreases, incidents of dumping have increased, most notoriously (though not exclusively) by those involved in the construction business; and

  (3) this dumping of waste, as well as its collection and transportation, is a serious threat to the environment and the health, welfare, safety, peace, and comfort of the City’s inhabitants.

(b) The Mayor and City Council declares as a matter of policy that, to eliminate these hazards, it is necessary to:

  (1) strictly regulate the collection, transportation, and disposal of all waste in the City;

  (2) expand the prohibitions against illegal dumping; and

  (3) increase the penalties for violations.

(c) Because of the serious health and environmental consequences, the Commissioner of Health is granted jurisdiction over the collection, transportation, and disposition of waste by commercial haulers and other persons in the City.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

## § 7-103 Rules and regulations.

Balt., Md., Code § 7-103 (2026)

In the rules and regulations adopted under <cite data-path="|health|§2-106">§ 2-106 {“Rules and regulations”} of this article</cite>, the Commissioner may include provisions, consistent with this title and State law, that govern:

(1) the storage facilities, vehicles, equipment, and operations of all persons transporting waste; and

(2) the construction, design, operation, maintenance, and completion of landfills in the City.

*History: Ord. 99-548*