Department Established

Baltimore City Code art. 1, subtit. 42, pt. I

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-1 Definitions.

§ 42-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Board. “Board” means the Baltimore City Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing. (c) Business. “Business” means any person engaged in an enterprise for profit that operates in Baltimore City. (d) Complainant. “Complainant” means the person who initiated a complaint to the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing under this subtitle. (e) Department. “Department” means the Baltimore City Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing. (f) Director. “Director” means the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing or the Director’s designee. (g) Respondent. “Respondent” means a business that is the subject of a complaint under this subtitle. (h) Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices. “Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices” has the meaning stated in Title 13 of the State Commercial Law Article. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-2 Department established.

§ 42-2. Department established. There is a Baltimore City Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-3 Purpose.

§ 42-3. Purpose. The purpose of the Department is: (1) to centralize the administration of City business licenses, permits, and practices specified in subsection § 42-9 {“Business practices under oversight of the Department – Listing”} of this subtitle; (2) to ensure compliance with City licensing requirements; (3) to ensure City businesses are properly licensed and operating in accordance with City law; (4) to investigate claims of unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices; and (5) to enforce business licensing and consumer protection provisions of the City Code. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-4 Powers.

§ 42-4. Powers. The Department may: (1) administer, oversee, and enforce City business licenses, permits, and practices, including business processes and related licenses created by the subtitles specified in § 42-9 {“Business practices under oversight of the Department – Listing”} of this subtitle; (2) receive complaints and take action to investigate complaints of: (i) businesses operating without a license; (ii) businesses operating with improper licensing; (iii) businesses violating the terms of a business license; and (iv) unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices against consumers under City Code Article 2, Subtitle 4 {“Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices”}; (3) set licensing fees, with the approval of the Board of Estimates; (4) bring enforcement actions against a business for violating City law, including initiating a hearing before the Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing; (5) issue summonses and subpoenas during an investigation under this subtitle; (6) issue environmental citations, as described under subtitle 40 of this article; (7) issue civil citations, as described under subtitle 41 of this article; (8) report to any appropriate government agency with jurisdiction any information concerning violation of any consumer protection law; and (9) advise the Mayor and City Council on issues relevant to City business licensing and consumer protection. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-5 Director of the Department.

§ 42-5. Director of the Department. (a) In general. The Director is responsible for the administration and oversight of the Department. (b) Appointment. The Director is appointed by the Mayor in accordance with Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter. (c) Salary. The Director shall receive such salary as may be provided for in the Ordinance of Estimates. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-6 Staff and budget.

§ 42-6. Staff and budget. (a) Staff. The Department may employ staff in accordance with the Ordinance of Estimates. (b) Budget. The Department may expend funds authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates or any supplemental appropriations. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-7 Rules and regulations.

§ 42-7. Rules and regulations. Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Director must adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-8 Annual report.

§ 42-8. Annual report. On or before June 30 of each year, the Department must submit an annual report for the previous calendar year to the Mayor and City Council that details: (1) the activities of the Department; and (2) complaints received by the Department, including the following information: (i) number of complaints filed and investigated by the Department; (ii) number of investigations initiated by the Department; (iii) nature of complaints filed with the Department; and (iv) the disposition or resolution of each complaint or investigation; and (3) recommendations for additional legislation and policy to regulate business licensing and protect consumers. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 42-9 Business practices under oversight of the Department – Listing.

§ 42-9. Business practices under oversight of the Department – Listing. The Department is responsible for the administration, oversight, and enforcement of the business processes, related licenses, and prohibitions created by the subtitles listed below: (1) Article 2. Consumer Protection Subtitle 1. Auctions Subtitle 4. Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices Subtitle 6. “Going Out of Business” Sales Subtitle 7. Scrap Collectors and Scavengers Subtitle 8. Scrap Metal Dealers Subtitle 10. Motor Fuel Sales Subtitle 11. Pawnbrokers Subtitle 12. Second-Hand Property, Antiques, and Consignment Goods (2) Article 13. Housing and Urban Renewal Subtitle 13. Licensing of Peep Show Establishments (3) Article 15. Licensing and Regulation Subtitle 2. Amusements Subtitle 3. Amusement Device Location Permits Subtitle 6. Carriages, Wagons, Boats, and Scows Subtitle 7. Employment Agencies Subtitle 9. Late-Night Commercial Operations Subtitle 11. Massage Establishments Subtitle 12. Commercial Parking Facilities Subtitle 13. Special-Event Parking Lots Subtitle 15. Street Entertainers Subtitle 17. Street Vendors Subtitle 18. Itinerant Wholesale Produce Dealers Subtitle 20. Transient Merchants Subtitle 22. Towing Services – Trespass Towing (Ord. 25-013 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, §§ 42-10 to 42-15 {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/1/42/IFetched: 10/25/2026