License Required

Baltimore City Code div. Health Code, tit. 6, subtit. 2

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-201 In general.

§ 6-201. In general. (a) Operation without license prohibited. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person may operate a food service facility without a license to do so from the Commissioner of Health. (b) Exception for certain excluded organizations. A food service facility may operate without a license issued by the Commissioner of Health if it: (i) is operated by an excluded organization; and (ii) has, in accordance with COMAR 10.15.03.26A, elected to operate without a license and in compliance with the minimum food safety requirements of COMAR 10.15.03.26B-E. (c) License not transferable. A license may not be transferred from place to place or person to person. (Ord. 14-308; Ord. 06-185; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-202 Applications.

§ 6-202. Applications. (a) In general. An applicant for a license must: (1) submit an application on the form that the Commissioner provides; and (2) pay the applicable processing fees. (b) Contents. In addition to any other information that the Commissioner requires, the application must contain building and installation plans and specifications. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-203 Inspection and priority assessment of facility.

§ 6-203. Inspection and priority assessment of facility. (a) Inspection. On receipt of an application, the Commissioner must inspect the food service facility to determine compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. (b) Priority assessment. To determine the degree of risk that a food service facility poses for a food-borne disease occurrence, the Commissioner must assess each food service facility and classify it in one of the following priority assessment categories, as defined in COMAR 10.15.03.33: (1) high priority facilities, which are at high risk for a food-borne disease occurrence; (2) moderate priority facilities, which are at moderate risk for a food-borne disease occurrence; and (3) low priority facilities, which are at low risk for a food-borne disease occurrence. (Ord. 14-308; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-204 Issuance of license.

§ 6-204. Issuance of license. The Commissioner must issue a license to the applicant if: (1) the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, and regulations have been met; and (2) the applicant pays the applicable annual fee. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-205 Scope of license.

§ 6-205. Scope of license. While a license is in effect, it authorizes the operation of the food service facility in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. (Ord. 06-185; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-206 Material alterations.

§ 6-206. Material alterations. (a) Permit required. No person may materially alter a food service facility (e.g., install new or additional equipment, make structural changes, or change the type of operation) without a permit to do so from the Commissioner. (b) Application. The application for a permit under this section must be: (1) submitted on the form that the Commissioner provides; (2) contain the information that the Commissioner requires; and (3) be accompanied by the applicable permit fee. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-207 Term and renewal of license.

§ 6-207. Term and renewal of license. (a) Term of license. Unless sooner suspended or revoked, a license expires on the 1st anniversary of its effective date. (b) Application for renewal. Before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an additional 1-year term, if the license holder: (1) otherwise is entitled to a license; (2) submits a renewal application to the Commissioner, on the form that the Commissioner provides; and (3) pays the applicable annual fee. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 6-208 Provisional licenses.

§ 6-208. Provisional licenses. (a) In general. If a licensed food service facility is sold or otherwise transferred to a new owner, the new owner may apply for a short-term, provisional license to permit the continued operation of the facility pending the Commissioner’s inspection of the facility. (b) Term and renewal. Unless sooner suspended or revoked: (1) the term of a provisional license is 60 days; and (2) the license may be renewed for one additional 60-day term. (Ord. 06-185.)

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/6/2Fetched: 10/25/2026