Civil Citations

Baltimore City Code art. 1, subtit. 41

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-1 Definitions.

§ 41-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Civil citation. “Civil citation” means a prepayable civil citation issued under this subtitle for violation of any offense listed in § 41-14 of this subtitle. (c) Enforcement officer. “Enforcement officer” means: (1) a police officer; or (2) a Special Enforcement Officer appointed under City Code Article 19, § 71-1 and authorized by the Police Commissioner to issue citations under this subtitle. (d) {Repealed} (Ord . 22-125; Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-2 Subtitle not exclusive.

§ 41-2. Subtitle not exclusive. The issuance and enforcement of a civil citation under this subtitle does not preclude pursuit of any other remedy or enforcement action authorized by law. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-3 Rules and regulations.

§ 41-3. Rules and regulations. Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Police Commissioner, in consultation with the Director of Finance, may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle. (Text Conformed 02/09/21; Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-4 Authority to issue citation.

§ 41-4. Authority to issue citation. (a) In general. An enforcement officer may issue a civil citation to any adult who the officer, on observation, report, or investigation, believes is committing or has committed an offense listed in § 41-14 of this subtitle. (b) Prior notice not required. Notwithstanding any other provision of the City Code to the contrary, notice need not be given before issuance and enforcement of a civil citation under this subtitle. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-5 Form, etc., of citation.

§ 41-5. Form, etc., of citation. (a) Form. The civil citation shall be in the form specified by the Chief Judge of the District Court. (b) Contents. The citation shall contain: (1) the name and address, if known, of the person charged; (2) the violation with which the person is charged, including a narrative statement of the cause for issuing the citation; (3) the time when and place where the violation occurred; (4) the amount of the fine; (5) the manner and time within which the person must either: (i) pay the fine specified in the citation; or (ii) request a trial on the violation. (c) Certification. The citation also shall contain a certification, signed by the issuing enforcement officer under penalties of perjury, that the facts contained in it are true to the best of the officer’s information, knowledge, and belief. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-6 Service; copies.

§ 41-6. Service; copies. (a) In general. The citation may be served on the person charged by 1 of the following methods: (1) in person; (2) by certified mail, return receipt requested; (3) by delivery to a person of suitable age and discretion who resides at the last-known address of the person charged; or (4) for service on an occupant of the premises at which the violation occurred, by: (i) posting on the main entrance of the premises; and (ii) mailing by regular mail to the person charged, at that person’s last-known address. (b) Copy to be retained. The enforcement officer shall retain a copy of the citation and file it with the Department of Finance. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-7 Tenor of citation.

§ 41-7. Tenor of citation. (a) In general. On certification, issuance, and service, the citation: (1) constitutes full and complete notice of the violation charged in it; and (2) is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it. (b) No administrative appeal. The issuance of the civil citation is not appealable to any City board or agency. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-8 Payment of fine.

§ 41-8. Payment of fine. (a) When due. (1) The fine specified in a civil citation is due and payable by the date specified in the citation. (2) The date specified must be at least 30 days from the date the citation is issued. (b) To whom payable. The fine shall be paid to the Director of Finance. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-9 Election to stand trial.

§ 41-9. Election to stand trial. (a) In general. The person charged under a civil citation may elect to stand trial for the alleged violation by filing with the Director of Finance, at least 5 days before the due date of the fine, a notice of intent to stand trial. (b) Notice to Court. On timely receipt of a notice of intent to stand trial, the Director of Finance shall send a copy of the notice and of the citation to the District Court. (c) Scheduling trial. On receipt of the notice and citation, the District Court shall: (1) schedule the case for trial; and (2) notify all parties of the trial date. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-10 Default.

§ 41-10. Default. (a) In general. A person charged under a civil citation is in default and is conclusively considered to have admitted liability for the violation charged if the person neither: (1) pays the fine specified in the citation by its due date; nor (2) files a timely notice of intent to stand trial. (b) Default notice. On a default, the Director of Finance shall send a default notice to the person charged, at that person’s last-known address. (c) Default penalty. If the fine specified in the citation is not paid within 15 days of the date of the default notice, the person is liable to the City for both: (1) the fine specified in the citation; and (2) a default penalty equal to the lesser of: (i) $1,000; or (ii) 3 times the fine specified in the citation. (d) Request for adjudication. (1) If the fine and default penalty are not paid within 35 days of the date of the default notice, the Director of Finance may request the District Court to adjudicate the case. (2) On the Director=s request, the District Court shall: (i) schedule the case for trial; and (ii) notify all parties of the trial date. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-11 Adjudication by District Court.

§ 41-11. Adjudication by District Court. (a) In general. (1) This section applies to proceedings in the District Court to enforce a civil citation issued under this subtitle. (2) Adjudication of a civil citation is not a criminal proceeding, and a finding of guilty does not impose any civil disability ordinarily imposed by a criminal conviction. (b) Burden of proof. Except in the case of a default under § 41-10 of this subtitle, the City has the burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant has committed the offense charged. (c) Right to counsel. The defendant may be represented by counsel of her or his own choice, at her or his own expense. (d) Plea. The defendant shall enter a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty”. (e) Testimony, etc. The defendant may: (1) testify on his or her own behalf; (2) produce evidence and witnesses in his or her own behalf; and (3) cross-examine witnesses who testify against the defendant. (f) Verdict. (1) The court shall issue a verdict of “guilty” or “not guilty” of the offense charged. (2) If the court finds the defendant guilty, the court may: (i) impose on the defendant the fine and, if applicable, default penalty prescribed; (ii) impose court costs on the defendant; and (iii) suspend or defer payment of a fine or penalty under conditions, including the performance of community service, that the court sets. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-12 Enforcement of court verdict.

§ 41-12. Enforcement of court verdict. (a) In general. Any fine or penalty imposed by the District Court under this subtitle is a judgment in favor of the City. (b) Contempt for willful failure to pay. If a defendant willfully fails to pay any fine, penalty, or costs imposed by the court, the court may punish that failure as a contempt of court. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-13 Offenses to which subtitle applies – General.

§ 41-13. Offenses to which subtitle applies – General. (a) In general. A civil citation may be issued under this subtitle only for violation of a provision of the Baltimore City Code listed in § 41-14 of this subtitle. (b) Prepayable-fine amounts. The prepayable civil fine for the violation of a provision is as specified next to the listing of that provision in § 41-14 of this subtitle. (c) Continuing or recurring violations. (1) If a provision of law provides that the continuation or recurrence of a violation constitutes a separate offense, a separate civil citation may be issued for each separate offense. (2) The payment of a fine or penalty under this subtitle does not relieve the offender of the duty to fully abate and correct any continuing violation or other unlawful act. (Ord. 03-595.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 41-14 Offenses to which subtitle applies – Listing.

§ 41-14. Offenses to which subtitle applies – Listing. (1) Article 1. Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies § 38-13. Counterfeit and fraudulent Baltimore City ID Cards | $100 § 42-30. Licensing violations - Penalties Operating without a valid business license | $1,000 Operating with improper business licensure | $1,000 Operating in violation of the terms of a business license | $1,000 (2) Article 2 Consumer Protections Subtitle 4. Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices | $1,000 Subtitle 10. Motor Fuel Sales § 10-4(c). Failure to display highest credit price for motor fuel 1st offense | $100 2nd offense | $250 3rd offense | $500 4th or subsequent offense | $1,000 Subtitle 16. Ticket Sales – Charges by Operators and Agents | $750 Subtitle 17. Ticket Sales – Ticket Purchasing Software | $750 (3) Article 5. Finance, Property, and Procurement Subtitle 11. Fair Election Fund | $500 (4) Article 7. Natural Resources Division I. Floodplain Management | $500 (5) Article 13. Housing and Urban Renewal § 5-4. License Required | $1000 (6) Article 15. Licensing and Regulation Subtitle 17. Street Vendors | $500 Subtitle 18. Itinerant Wholesale Produce Dealers | $50 Subtitle 42. Human Trafficking Notice Requirements 1st offense | $500 Subsequent offense | $1,000 Subtitle 43. Public Restrooms | $100 (7) Article 19. Police Ordinances § 1-2. Placement {of advertising circulars} without permission 1st offense | $50 2nd offense | $100 3rd or subsequent offense | $500 § 7-2. Vehicle alarms: Prohibited devices | $100 Subtitle 8. Burglar Alarms - Registration and Regulation § 8-8. False alarm fees. Failure to pay - Residential users | $100 Non-residential users | $500 All other provisions Users | $100 Contractors, Monitors, Others | $500 § 13-1. Disorderly drinking – In general | $500 § 13-2. Disorderly drinking – Parents or guardians of minors | $150 § 14-2. Drinking or possessing open containers in public places – In general | $250 § 14-3. Drinking or possessing open containers in public places – Parents or guardians of minors | $150 Subtitle 25. Loitering – General | $50 § 26-6. Loitering – Drug-Free Zone | $50 § 27-3. Loitering – For assignation, etc. | $50 § 27-15. Loitering – Prostitution-Free Zone | $50 § 32-3. Sales to minors [in proximity to liquor stores] | $500 § 32-4. Inducing minor to purchase | $500 § 32-5. False representation by minor 1st offense | $50 2nd or subsequent offense | $150 § 34-5. Curfews: Prohibited conduct of parents, guardians, etc. | $50 § 34-6. Curfews: Prohibited conduct of establishments | $500 § 39-2. Replica gun possession prohibited. 1st offense | $250 2nd or subsequent offense | $1,000 § 40-9. Dirt Bikes, etc. – Motor fuel sales | $100 § 41-2. Outdoor telephones: Prohibited placement | $500 Subtitle 43B. Neighborhood Nuisances and Unruly Social Events 1st offense | $500 2nd or subsequent offense within 12 months of previous offense | $1,000 § 45-2. Signs on or affecting public property: Posting prohibited | $500 § 47-5. Nighttime soliciting | $100 § 50-1. Obstructing street: racing or stunt driving | $1,000 § 50-2. Obstructing street, etc., or gutter | $50 § 50-3. Merchandise projecting from building | $50 § 50-56. Soliciting customers. | $100 § 51-2. Compliance with park rules 1st offense | $250 2nd offense | $500 3rd or subsequent offense | $1,000 § 59-18. Reporting {theft or loss of firearm} required 1st offense | $500 Subsequent offense | $750 (8) Article 24. Water § 21-1. Rules and regulations {to protect water supply and facilities} Watershed Regulations Polluting or depositing trash, etc., in reservoir waters or tributaries | $500 Trespassing or otherwise entering or traversing property in violation of rule or regulation | $150 Boating without a required permit or otherwise in violation of rule or regulation | $100 Hunting without a required permit or otherwise in violation of rule or regulation | $100 Fishing without a required permit or otherwise in violation of rule or regulation | $60 Other recreational activity (horseback riding, bicycling, picnicking, etc.) in violation of rule or regulation | $60 Smoking except where expressly allowed | $75 All other violations | $100 All other rules and regulations of Department to protect water supply and facilities | $250 § 21-2. Suspension, etc., of certain uses | $100 § 21-3. Injuring fire hydrants | $250 § 21-4. Wrongful use after cut-off | $150 § 21-5. Refusal of entry | $100 § 21-6. Interference with equipment; illegal use of water | $500 (9) Article 26. Surveys, Streets, and Highways Subtitle 23. Underground Conduit System | $1,000 (10) Article 31. Transit and Traffic Subtitle 10. Residential Permit Parking Program § 10-40. Falsifying or concealing information | $500 § 10-41. Fraudulent obtaining, etc., permit | $500 § 10-42. Counterfeiting or altering permits | $500 § 10-43. Using invalid permits | $500 § 10-44. Misusing visitor’s permit | $500 § 10-45. Landlord abuse | $500 § 10-46. Aiding another in violation | $500 Subtitle 16. Use-of-the-Road Regulations § 16-5. Repairing vehicles on streets As a motor vehicle repair service on a public street or footway 1st offense | $250 Subsequent offense | $350 All other violations 1st offense | $25 Subsequent offense | $100 § 16-12. Vehicles on sidewalks | $50 Subtitle 18. Bicycles § 18-8. Riding {bicycles} on sidewalk | $50 Subtitle 22. Towing Services – Accident Towing | $750 Subtitle 38. Dockless Vehicles § 38-7(b)(2). Exceeding the maximum number or type of dockless vehicles permitted to operate | $1,000 § 38-8(a). Operating a dockless-vehicle-for-hire business without a permit | $1,000 § 38-12. Failure of provider to provide required data or reports | $1,000 § 38-15. Failure of provider to notify of data breach | $1,000 § 38-18. Unlawful operation of e-bike or e-scooter | $20 § 38-19. Unlawful parking of dockless vehicle | $20 § 38-21. Display of advertisements on dockless vehicles | $1,000 § 38-22. Provider operational responsibilities: Item (1). Failure to maintain 24-hour customer service phone support | $1,000 Item (2). Failure to remove dockless vehicles from public rights-of-way between dusk and dawn, as determined in rules and regulations | $500 Item (3). Failure to ensure that dockless vehicles are parked as required by law, rule, or regulation | $500 Item (4). Failure to remove or reposition illegally parked dockless vehicles within required time | $500 Item (5). Failure to ensure that dockless vehicles adhere to national safety standards | $1,000 Item (6). Failure to ensure that provider operations adhere to equitable access requirements | $1,000 Item (7). Failure to comply with any other requirement established by the Director | $1,000 (11) Article 32. Zoning § 19-101. Prohibited conduct | $500 (12) Building, Fire, and Related Codes Article – Fire Code § 108.6. Maintenance: Overcrowding 1-99 persons over capacity | $250 100-199 persons over capacity | $500 200 or more persons over capacity | $1,000 § 405.2. Emergency Evacuation Drills: Frequency 405.2.3. Buildings housing seniors and individuals requiring mobility devices | $1000 § 1001.2. Means of Egress: Minimum requirements | $250 (13) Building, Fire, and Related Codes Article – Property Maintenance Code § 305.9. Snow and ice on sidewalks Residential properties | $50 Commercial properties | $100 (14) Health Code Title 3: Health Facilities Subtitle 5: Limited-Service Pregnancy Centers | $150 Title 5: Nuisance Control Subtitle 5: Bodily Wastes § 5-501. Spitting | $100 § 5-503. Urinating, etc. - In general | $500 § 5-504. Urinating, etc. - Parents | $150 Title 7: Waste Control Subtitle 2: Solid Waste Collection | $100 Subtitle 4: Landfills | $200 Subtitle 6: Prohibited Disposal | $1,000 Subtitle 7: Littering | $500 Title 8: Air Pollution | $100 Subtitle 3: Gas-Powered Debris Removal Equipment § 8-302. Prohibition of gas-powered debris removal equipment Subsequent offense | $250 Title 9: Noise Regulation Subtitle 2: Basic Sound Level Standards | $100 Subtitle 3: Entertainment and Commercial Noise | $50 Subtitle 4: Amplified Sounds in Market Center | $50 Title 10: Animal Control and Protection Subtitle 1: General Provisions § 1-112. Obstructing, etc., officer; False statements | $500 Subtitle 2: Licensing Part I. Dog and Cat Licenses | $100 Part II. Facility Licenses Animal fanciers | $100 All other facilities | $250 Subtitle 3: General Care and Control § 10-301. Rabies – Vaccinations | $250 § 10-302. Rabies – Possible exposure | $250 § 10-303. Humane care required | $500 § 10-307. Restraints required 1st offense | $200 2nd offense within 12 months of 1st | $400 3rd offense within 12 months of 1st | $600 § 10-313. Animal waste | $200 All other provisions | $1,000 Subtitle 4: Animal Protection | $1,000 Subtitle 5: Public Nuisance Animals | $200 Subtitle 6: Wild Animals, etc.; Prohibited Animals | $500 Subtitle 7: Attack Dogs; Dangerous and Vicious Animals § 10-701. Attack dogs | $1,000 § 10-702. Dangerous animals | $250 § 10-706. Vicious animals – Keeping prohibited | $1,000 Subtitle 9: Horse Riding and Driving § 10-918. Sick or injured horses | $1,000 All other provisions | $200 Title 12: Tobacco Products and Smoking Devices Subtitle 1: Indoor Smoking Person smoking | $500 Employer, other person in charge | $750 Subtitle 2: Sale of Unpackaged Cigarettes | $500 Subtitle 4: Placement of Tobacco Products and Smoking Devices | $500 Subtitle 5: Unlawful Distribution | $500 Subtitle 6: Flavored Tobacco Wrappings | $500 Subtitle 7: Mobile Vendors | $500 Subtitle 8: Smoking Near Playgrounds | $500 Subtitle 9: Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products | $100 Subtitle 10: Tobacco Product Use in Stadiums Non-professional sporting event | $50 Professional sporting event | $500 Title 16: Psychoactive Substances Subtitle 2. Prohibited Conduct | $1,000 Title 19: Pesticides | $250 (Ord. 25-067 Section 1; Ord. 24-403 Section 1; Ord. 25-013 Section 1; Ord. 25-020 Section 1; Ord. 24-421 Section 1; Ord. 24-335 Section 1; Ord. 24-341 Section 1; Ord. 24-317 Section 1; Ord. 22-170; Ord. 22-124; Ord. 21-034; Ord. 20-430; Ord. 20-364A; Ord. 20-361; Ord. 20-353; Ord. 20-340; Ord. 20-338; Ord. 19-264; Ord. 19-263; Ord. 19-251; Ord. 19-218; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-593; Ord. 16-586; Ord. 16-581; Ord. 16-545; Ord. 16-503; Ord. 16-440; Ord. 15-435; Ord. 15-427; Ord. 15-389; Ord. 14-310; Ord. 14-237; Ord. 14-212; Ord. 14-208; Ord. 13-161; Ord. 13-157; Ord. 13-111; Ord. 13-093; Ord. 12-065; Ord 12-061; Ord. 12-046; Ord. 11-573; Ord. 11-523; Ord. 11-478; Ord. 10-340; Ord. 09-252; Ord. 09-234; Ord. 09-172; Ord. 09-148; Ord. 09-100; Ord. 08-077; Ord. 08-065; Ord. 08-063; Ord. 08-058; Ord. 08-040; Ord. 07-430; Ord. 07-392; Ord. 06-316; Ord. 06-247; Ord. 06-232; Ord. 06-205; Ord. 06-183; Ord. 04-683; Ord. 04-675; Ord. 04-672; Ord. 03-595.)

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/1/41Fetched: 10/25/2026