Obstructing Traffic

Baltimore City Code art. 31, subtit. 16, pt. 1

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 16-1 Slowly moving vehicles.

§ 16-1. Slowly moving vehicles. Vehicles moving slowly along streets having no car tracks shall keep as close as practicable to the curb line on the right so as to allow faster moving vehicles free passage on the left. (Ord. 08-139.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 16-2 Snow tires on public passenger vehicles.

§ 16-2. Snow tires on public passenger vehicles. (a) Winter-type mud and snow tire defined. For the purposes of this section, a winter-type mud and snow tire is any new, recapped, retreaded, or rebuilt tire for the rear wheels of motor vehicles or trackless trolleys having anti-skid patterns impressed or cut into the treaded surfaces to form bars, buttons, or blocks which may contain perforations, ingredients, or metallic elements specially designed to give effective traction on snow-, mud-, or ice-covered streets; and which tire is subject to approval as to type and condition by the Director of Transportation. (b) When required. It is unlawful for any non-fixed wheel vehicle for the public transportation of passengers for a fee or charge, including the vehicles commonly referred to as buses, trackless trolley, and taxicabs, to be or operate on any street or public place in Baltimore City during the period in any year commencing on November 1 and ending on the following April 1 without being properly equipped with winter-type mud and snow tires. (c) Penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to the general penalties provided in this article, and a violation as to each and every vehicle is a separate violation. (Ord. 15-435; Ord. 58-1226.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 16-3 Obstructions by certain public passenger vehicles for want of chains or snow tires.

§ 16-3. Obstructions by certain public passenger vehicles for want of chains or snow tires. (a) Director to regulate. Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Director of Transportation may adopt rules and regulations to require that, whenever certain named streets in the City are covered or partially covered with snow, sleet, or freezing rain, no non-fixed wheel vehicle for the public transportation of 10 or more people may operate on those streets in a manner that stalls, impedes, or obstructs traffic, if that stalling, impeding, or obstructing is caused by the failure to equip the vehicle with effective skid chains or effective snow tread tires. (b) Penalties. (1) Every separate stalling, impeding, or obstructing on such named streets and in violation of any applicable such rules or regulation, shall be considered a separate offense. (2) Upon conviction thereof, the person, firm, or corporation which owns and/or manages the public transportation business in which the particular vehicle is operated shall be subject to a fine of not exceeding $50 for each and every offense. (Text Conformed 02/28/21; Ord. 15-435; Ord. 54-944.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 16-4 Obstructing railroad tracks.

§ 16-4. Obstructing railroad tracks. (a) Morning hours. Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., no vehicle shall be placed to load thereon or unload therefrom in which the rails of any railroad or street railway company are laid, so as to obstruct or hinder the passing of cars of any such railroad or street railway. (b) Other times. Nor at any other time shall any such vehicle be permitted to obstruct such tracks for a longer period than may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of loading or unloading said vehicle. (Ord. 21-664.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 16-5 Repairing vehicles on streets.

§ 16-5. Repairing vehicles on streets. (a) Prohibited conduct. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to make any repairs to a motor vehicle or to replace or repair any tire or other part of a motor vehicle on any public street where the standing of such vehicle or vehicles will wholly or partially obstruct any lane of traffic. (2) It shall be unlawful for any vehicle in the process of being repaired or waiting to be repaired or any vehicle on which a tire or other part thereof is being replaced or waiting for a tire or other part thereof to be replaced to stand double or to do any work or place any tools or equipment on any sidewalk in connection with the repair of any vehicle or the replacement or repair of any tire or other part thereof. (3) It shall be unlawful for a motor vehicle repair service to make a repair, replacement, or adjustment to a motor vehicle or part of a motor vehicle on any public street or footway. (b) Emergency repairs excepted. The provisions of this section shall not apply to emergency repairs, which are defined as repairs necessary as the result of an unexpected malfunction or breakdown and which are necessary in order to move the vehicle safely and without damage to same. (c) Penalties. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to: (1) In general. Any person violating paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section shall be subject to: (i) a penalty of not less than $5 or more than $25 for the 1st offense; and (ii) a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100 for subsequent offenses. (2) Repair in street or footway. Any person who violates paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall be subject to: (i) a penalty of not less than $100 or more than $250 for the 1st offense; and (ii) a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $350 for subsequent offenses. (Ord. 25-067 Section 1; Ord. 74-527; Ord. 47-814; Ord. 46-657.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, §§ 16-6 to 16-10 {Reserved}

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/31/16/1Fetched: 10/25/2026