Local Government (GLG) — Title 18. Local Economic Development
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-101 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Authority” means a parking authority established under this subtitle.
(c)
“Bond” means a revenue bond issued by an authority under this subtitle.
(d)
“Property” includes any interest in real or personal property.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-102 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–102LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The General Assembly finds that:
(1)
unemployment conditions exist in certain areas of the State;
(2)
the establishment of vehicle parking facilities under this subtitle is necessary to relieve the unemployment conditions and establish a balanced economy in these areas; and
(3)
the present and prospective health, happiness, safety, right of gainful employment, and general welfare in these areas will be promoted by the establishment of vehicle parking facilities under this subtitle.
(b)
The General Assembly recognizes that, for certain areas of the State, this subtitle is necessary to:
(1)
relieve unemployment conditions;
(2)
encourage industrial growth and a balanced economy;
(3)
help retain existing industries;
(4)
promote economic development; and
(5)
promote health, welfare, and safety.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-103 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–103LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies only to Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and each municipality.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-104 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–104LinkCopy Citation
A county or municipality may create a body politic and corporate known as the “Parking Authority of (insert name of county or municipality)”.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-105 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–105LinkCopy Citation
To create an authority, a county or municipality shall:
(1)
pass a local law that establishes the charter for the authority; and
(2)
file the charter with the Department of Assessments and Taxation, the Department of Legislative Services, and the Secretary of State.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-106 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–106LinkCopy Citation
A county or municipality may:
(1)
amend the authority’s charter through local law if the amendment is filed with the Department of Assessments and Taxation, the Department of Legislative Services, and the Secretary of State; or
(2)
change the structure or activity of or terminate the authority, unless the change or termination would impair an obligation of the authority under a pre–existing contract.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-107 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–107LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An authority consists of five members.
(b)
By local law, a county or municipality shall establish residency requirements, means of appointment, qualifications, and terms of office for a member.
(c)
Officers and employees of an authority shall be appointed as provided by local law.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-108 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–108LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An authority has the powers granted to it by local law, consistent with this subtitle, to allow it to carry out this subtitle.
(b)
An authority may:
(1)
use a common seal;
(2)
sue and be sued; and
(3)
perform corporate acts necessary to carry out this subtitle.
(c)
By local law, a county or municipality shall establish the budgetary and financial procedures of an authority.
(d)
(1)
An authority may adopt, in the manner provided by local law, rules and regulations for the operation and use of property and facilities under its jurisdiction.
(2)
A person who violates a rule or regulation adopted by an authority is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 180 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-109 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–109LinkCopy Citation
A county or municipality may authorize an authority to:
(1)
acquire by purchase, lease, or other legal means, but not by eminent domain, property of any kind in the county or municipality;
(2)
establish, construct, alter, improve, equip, repair, maintain, operate, and regulate a facility for parking vehicles that is on, under, or in any property owned by the county, municipality, or the authority; and
(3)
establish and collect fees for the use of the property.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-110 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–110LinkCopy Citation
Property owned or controlled by an authority is exempt from all taxation by the State, a political subdivision, or any other public unit.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-111 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–111LinkCopy Citation
The net earnings of an authority, other than those necessary to pay debt services or implement the public purposes of this subtitle, may not be used for the benefit of a person.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-112 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–112LinkCopy Citation
On termination of an authority, all property, obligations, and assets of the authority become the property, obligations, and assets of the county or municipality.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-113 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–113LinkCopy Citation
An act of an authority may not be challenged on the basis of the absence of qualifications of a member of the authority if the member has:
(1)
been appointed by the appropriate entity designated by local law; and
(2)
taken the oath of office.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-114 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–114LinkCopy Citation
(a)
To carry out the purposes of this subtitle, an authority may issue revenue bonds to finance the cost of:
(1)
acquiring property; or
(2)
establishing, constructing, altering, improving, or equipping a facility.
(b)
Each bond issue shall be authorized by a resolution approved by a vote of at least four members of the authority.
(c)
An authority shall determine that a bond issue is necessary to achieve one or more of the authority’s purposes before issuing bonds under this section.
(d)
The resolution authorizing the bond issue shall include:
(1)
the determination that a bond issue is necessary;
(2)
a statement that the authority will acquire the vehicle parking facility or related project in accordance with this subtitle and local law;
(3)
a determination of the probable useful life of the project or average probable useful life of the projects to be financed;
(4)
an estimate of the cost of the project to be financed and the portion to be defrayed from any sources that shall be specifically named, other than the proposed bond issue;
(5)
the procedure for the sale of the proposed bond issue;
(6)
a description sufficient for purposes of identification of each of the projects to be financed by the bond issue; and
(7)
a finding that the amount of the proposed bond issue is sufficient to complete at least a useful portion of each project to be financed.
(e)
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Code or any recitals of the bond, the bonds are negotiable instruments.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-115 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–115LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If bonds are issued for projects having different probable useful lives, the authority shall consider the amount of the bonds to be issued for each project when it determines the average probable useful life of the projects.
(b)
The determination under this section by an authority of probable useful life of the project or average probable useful life of the projects is conclusive.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-116 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–116LinkCopy Citation
By local law consistent with this subtitle, a county or municipality shall determine matters related to the authorization, issuance, sale, delivery, and payment of bonds, including:
(1)
issue date;
(2)
maturity;
(3)
interest rate;
(4)
terms;
(5)
form;
(6)
denomination;
(7)
manner of execution;
(8)
place of payment;
(9)
redemption;
(10)
refunding;
(11)
sale price;
(12)
manner of sale; and
(13)
security.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-117 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–117LinkCopy Citation
(a)
By local law, a county or municipality may guarantee the bonds as to payment of principal, interest, and any redemption premium by the full faith and credit of the county or municipality.
(b)
A municipality may not grant an authority independent taxing authority.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-118 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–118LinkCopy Citation
Bonds, the borrowing that they represent, the project being financed, or the guarantee of the county or municipality with respect to payment of the principal, interest, and redemption premium are not subject to any referendum requirements under a county charter, municipal charter, or local law.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-119 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–119LinkCopy Citation
Bonds are exempt from the conditions of sale requirements under §§ 19–205 and 19–206 of this article.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-120 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–120LinkCopy Citation
Bonds, transfer of the bonds, and the interest payable and income derived from the bonds are exempt from all State, county, and municipal taxation.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-121 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 1. Parking Authorities Act
§ 18–121LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle is the Parking Authorities Act.
Subtitle 2. Ocean City Convention Center
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-201 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 2. Ocean City Convention Center
§ 18–201LinkCopy Citation
In this subtitle, “Convention Center” means the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-202 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 2. Ocean City Convention Center
§ 18–202LinkCopy Citation
The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City shall operate the Convention Center.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-203 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 2. Ocean City Convention Center
§ 18–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City may:
(1)
employ and set the salaries for a Convention Center manager and other necessary personnel;
(2)
accept donations or grants for the maintenance and operation of the Convention Center;
(3)
receive aid for the Convention Center from the federal government, the State, counties, or municipalities;
(4)
set reasonable fees for the use of the Convention Center facilities;
(5)
grant, on the basis of competitive bidding, concessions on the premises of the Convention Center for the sale of food or beverages, including, subject to the Alcoholic Beverages Article, alcoholic beverages; and
(6)
perform any act necessary to operate the Convention Center.
(b)
The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City shall:
(1)
keep records of the Convention Center consistent with sound business practice;
(2)
conduct an audit of the accounts of the Convention Center at the end of each calendar or fiscal year; and
(3)
submit to the Board of Public Works a detailed annual report on the activities and finances of the Convention Center.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-204 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 2. Ocean City Convention Center
§ 18–204LinkCopy Citation
The Convention Center is exempt from State and local taxes.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-205 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 2. Ocean City Convention Center
§ 18–205LinkCopy Citation
The State may not spend any money for capital improvements or capital repairs to the Convention Center.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-206 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 2. Ocean City Convention Center
§ 18–206LinkCopy Citation
A name given to a section of the Convention Center by the Board of Public Works may be changed only by the Board.
Subtitle 3. Commercial or Industrial Development Projects
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-301 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 3. Commercial or Industrial Development Projects
§ 18–301LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a political subdivision may use federal or State financial assistance for commercial or industrial redevelopment projects to make grants or loans, or to guarantee loans, to private entities.
(b)
The authority granted under this section:
(1)
may be used only for commercial or industrial redevelopment projects; and
(2)
may not be used for a residential or housing project.
Subtitle 4. Tourism Zones
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-401 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 4. Tourism Zones
§ 18–401LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Qualifying tourism enterprise” means a for–profit or nonprofit entity that conducts business within a tourism zone, subject to the limitations specified by the political subdivision within which the tourism zone is located.
(c)
“Tourism zone” means a developed zone of public and private uses that is designated by a political subdivision for the development of travel and tourism and located within that political subdivision.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-402 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 4. Tourism Zones
§ 18–402LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City or the governing body of a county or municipality may designate, by law, an area within the political subdivision as a tourism zone.
(b)
In designating a tourism zone under subsection (a) of this section, the political subdivision may provide, by law, for:
(1)
the duration of the designation; and
(2)
eligibility criteria to qualify as a qualifying tourism enterprise.
(c)
The designation of an area as a tourism zone does not preclude the area from also being designated as an arts and entertainment district under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 18-403 (2026)
Title 18. Local Economic Development
Subtitle 4. Tourism Zones
§ 18–403LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In a tourism zone:
(1)
the exemption from the admissions and amusement tax under § 4–104(g) of the Tax – General Article applies to qualifying tourism enterprises; and
(2)
the property tax credits under §§ 9–268 and 9–269 of the Tax – Property Article apply.
(b)
On or before July 1 preceding the effective date of its establishment, the political jurisdiction shall notify the Comptroller that a tourism district is established.
(c)
A political subdivision that establishes a tourism zone shall notify the Comptroller of:
(1)
any qualifying tourism enterprises to which the exemption from the admissions and amusement tax under § 4–104(g) of the Tax – General Article applies;
(2)
the date on which the qualifying tourism enterprise qualified for the exemption; and
(3)
the date, if any, on which the exemption for the qualifying tourism enterprise expires.