Title 5. Powers — Subtitle 2. Enumeration of Express Law Making Powers

A municipality may change its corporate name.

Before an ordinance under this subsection takes effect, a municipality shall submit the ordinance to the qualified voters of the municipality for their approval at a regular or special municipal election.

A change of name may not affect any right, duty, or obligation of the municipality.

acquire by conveyance, purchase, or condemnation any real or leasehold property needed for a public purpose;

construct buildings on municipal property for the benefit of the municipality; and

sell, at public or private sale after 20 days’ public notice, and convey to the purchaser any real or leasehold property belonging to the municipality if the legislative body of the municipality determines that the property is no longer needed for public use.

A municipality may grant franchises in accordance with public general law or public local law.

A municipality may grant a franchise for a cable television system as provided in § 1–708 of this article.

For any franchise granted under this subsection, a municipality may:

establish and regulate markets in the municipality; and

license the sale of merchandise in the markets.

A municipality may provide for the control and management of its finances.

The municipality may:

A municipality may spend money for any public purpose and to affect the safety, health, and general welfare of the municipality and its occupants.

Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a municipality may not spend money under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the money was not appropriated at the time of the annual levy.

Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a municipality may spend money only for the purpose for which the money was appropriated.

A municipality may spend money for a purpose different from the purpose for which the money was appropriated or spend money not appropriated at the time of the annual levy if approved by a two–thirds vote of all the individuals elected to the legislative body.

the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment through the Department of General Services;

municipal advertising;

printing and publishing statements of its receipts and expenditures; and

codifying and publishing laws, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations.

Except as otherwise provided under this article, the Tax – General Article, and the Tax – Property Article, a municipality may establish and collect reasonable fees and charges:

A municipality may provide that any valid charge, tax, or assessment made against real property in the municipality is a lien on the property to be collected in the same manner as municipal taxes.

the joint administration of the municipalities;

the cooperative procurement of goods and services, including construction services;

the provision of municipal services; and

the joint funding and management of any project that is centrally located to the municipalities.

A municipality may establish a merit system in connection with the appointment of any municipal official or employee not elected or appointed under the Maryland Constitution, public general law, or public local law.

In accordance with § 4–303 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article, a municipality may request and use the facilities of the Department of Budget and Management in the administration of a merit system established under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

a retirement or pension system or a group insurance plan for its officers and employees; or

including its officers and employees in any retirement or pension system operated by or in conjunction with the State, on the terms and conditions set forth in State law.

Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a municipality may provide for the removal or temporary suspension from office of an appointed municipal officer for:

Before removing or suspending any officer, the municipality shall notify the officer and conduct a hearing.

A municipality may provide for filling the vacancy caused by the removal or suspension.

a fire department; and

a police force.

provide for the removal of fire hazards;

control the use and handling of dangerous and explosive materials; and

prevent the discharge of firearms or other explosive instruments.

pay rewards for information relating to crime committed in the municipality;

prohibit vagrancy, vice, gambling, and houses of prostitution in the municipality;

enforce all ordinances relating to disorderly conduct and nuisances equally:

prohibit minors from being on the streets and in public places at certain hours of the night.

A board of port wardens may regulate the placement or construction of structures or other barriers in or on the waters of the municipality.

The board may:

When issuing licenses or permits under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the board shall consider:

The board shall ensure that the improvements do not render navigation too close and confined.

The board may regulate the materials for and construction of the improvements.

This subsection does not affect the zoning power of the municipality.

Unless a person has been granted a license or permit from the board of port wardens, a person may not:

A person may not build a wharf or pier:

A person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine set by the legislative body of the municipality.

to the legislative body of the municipality; or

if authorized by ordinance, to the circuit court of the appropriate county.

the Secretary of Health; or

a county board of health.

establish quarantine regulations;

authorize the removal or confinement of individuals having infectious or contagious diseases;

prevent and remove nuisances;

prevent the introduction of contagious diseases into the municipality; and

regulate any place where noxious things are manufactured, offensive trades are conducted, or that may cause unsanitary conditions or conditions detrimental to health.

regulate or prohibit the throwing or depositing of dirt, garbage, trash, or liquids in a public place; and

provide for the proper disposal of these materials.

regulate the interment of bodies; and

control the location and establishment of cemeteries.

a building code; and

requirements for building permits.

drainage and sewage systems;

electric lines and wires;

gas pipes;

plumbing apparatus; and

water pipes.

the orderly development and use of land and structures requires comprehensive regulation through implementation of planning and zoning controls; and

planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local government.

To achieve the public purposes of the policy set forth under subsection (a) of this section, the General Assembly recognizes that local government action will displace or limit economic competition by owners and users of property.

It is the policy of the State that competition and enterprise shall be displaced or limited for the attainment of the purposes of the State policy for implementing planning and zoning controls as set forth in this article and elsewhere in public general law and public local law.

grant to a municipality powers in any substantive area not otherwise granted to the municipality by other public general law or public local law;

restrict a municipality from exercising any power otherwise granted to the municipality;

authorize a municipality or its officers to engage in any activity that is otherwise beyond the power of the municipality or its officers; or

preempt or supersede the regulatory authority of any State unit.

In this subsection, “authority” means a commercial district management authority.

A municipality may establish an authority for any commercial district in the municipality.

For each authority established, a municipality shall:

An authority may not:

Any fee or tax imposed under this subsection shall be used only for the purposes stated in this subsection and may not revert to the general fund of the municipality.

acquire property of any kind in the municipality, including any right, interest, franchise, easement, or privilege attached to the property, by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or any other legal means for development or redevelopment of the property, including comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation; and

sell, lease, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired under item (1) of this subsection, to any person or public or quasi–public entity:

A municipality shall provide just compensation to the owner of any property acquired by the municipality under subsection (b) of this section if the property is taken by eminent domain.

The amount of compensation paid to an owner under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be determined by:

A municipality shall pay the amount of compensation determined under paragraph (2) of this subsection to the owner before taking the property.

the dwelling unit or structure has deteriorated to an extent that constitutes a serious and growing menace to the public health, safety, and welfare;

the dwelling unit or structure is likely to continue to deteriorate;

the continued deterioration of the dwelling unit or structure will contribute to the blighting or deterioration of the area immediately surrounding the dwelling unit or structure; and

the owner of the dwelling unit or structure has not corrected the deterioration.

Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a municipality may acquire by gift, grant, bequest, or devise and hold property absolutely or in trust for:

The municipality shall acquire, hold, or use property under this subsection on the terms and conditions required by the grantor or donor and accepted by the municipality.

The municipality shall provide for the administration of any property accepted by the municipality under this subsection.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the original grant, the municipality may convey any property accepted by the municipality under this subsection if the municipality determines that the property is no longer needed for public purposes.