Drainage under Sidewalks

Baltimore City Code art. 26, subtit. 17

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 26, § 17-1 Under-sidewalk construction required.

§ 17-1. Under-sidewalk construction required. All drainage of every character whatsoever within the City of Baltimore, be it from rain-spouts or from any other conceivable source, which naturally or artificially flows outward and across the line of the public sidewalks into the gutter-ways or other means of discharge, shall be conducted under instead of across the surface of said sidewalks. (Ord. 04-111.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 26, § 17-2 Same.

§ 17-2. Same. The owner, owners, or occupiers of any building or other structure from which the drip or drainage as above described is carried, or is to be carried, across the line of the public sidewalks aforesaid, shall provide underground pipes or other agencies so as to conduct the same under the surface of the sidewalks, as required by § 17-1 of this article, the scheme of pipes or other agencies to be subject to the approval of the Director of Public Works. (Ord. 76-139; Ord. 04-111.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 26, § 17-3 Approval required.

§ 17-3. Approval required. No method of conducting drainage under the public sidewalks in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle, shall be deemed a sufficient compliance with the terms of this subtitle unless such method is approved and so certified by the Director of Public Works. (Ord. 76-139; Ord. 04-111.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 26, § 17-4 Work by City.

§ 17-4. Work by City. (a) Director to perform. In all cases where the owner, owners, or occupiers of buildings or other structures shall refuse or neglect to make provisions for the discharge of the drip or drainage in accordance with the intent and purpose of this subtitle, the Director of Public Works shall proceed to have the necessary means or appliances properly constructed, having first given at least 3 days’ notice to such owner, owners, or occupiers to comply with the provisions of this subtitle. (b) Assessment of costs. The cost of said means or appliance and of the laying and construction thereof shall in such case be charged to the owner, owners, or occupier of the building or other structure from which the drip or drainage is so conducted. (c) Assessment as lien. And the said owner, owners, or occupier shall thereupon become indebted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore for the full amount expended as aforesaid, and the claim shall become a lien on the entire lot and premises. (d) Collections. Should the indebtedness not be paid to the City within 1 year from incurring the expense, the same shall be placed in the hands of the City Solicitor for foreclosure and recovery of the money, including all costs and interest. (Ord. 76-139; Ord. 04-111.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 26, § 17-5 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 26, § 17-6 Penalties.

§ 17-6. Penalties. Any person or persons violating the provisions of this subtitle shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $50, nor more than $100, to be enforced and collected as other City fines and penalties are enforced and collected. (Ord. 04-111.)

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/26/17Fetched: 10/25/2026