Hydraulic Fracturing

Baltimore City Code div. Health Code, tit. 7, subtit. 5

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 7-501 Definitions.

§ 7-501. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Flow back. “Flow back” means the fracturing fluids that return to the surface after a hydraulic fracture is completed. (c) Hydraulic fracturing. “Hydraulic fracturing” means the drilling technique (also known colloquially as “fracking”, “hydrofracking”, or “hydrofracturing”) of expanding or creating fractures in rock by injecting fluids, often a mixture of water and chemicals, sand, or other substances, and often under pressure, into or underneath the surface of the rock for various purposes, including well drilling and natural gas exploration and production. (Ord. 13-113.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 7-502 Hydraulic fracturing prohibited

§ 7-502. Hydraulic fracturing prohibited No person may make use of hydraulic fracturing to extract oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons within the City of Baltimore. (Ord. 16-591.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 7-503 Storing, treating, disposing, etc., wastewater prohibited.

§ 7-503. Storing, treating, disposing, etc., wastewater prohibited. No person may store, treat, discharge, or dispose of in the City or in or on any City-owned facility or property, wherever situated, any flow back or other wastewater resulting from hydraulic fracturing. (Ord. 16-591; Ord. 13-113.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 7-504 Penalties: $1,000 and 90 days.

§ 7-504. Penalties: $1,000 and 90 days. (a) In general. Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both fine and imprisonment for each offense. (b) Each day a separate offense. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. (Ord. 16-591; Ord. 13-113.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/health/7/5Fetched: 10/25/2026