Registration of Non-Owner-Occupied Dwellings, Rooming Houses, and Vacant Structures

Baltimore City Code art. 13, div. II, subtit. 4

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-1 Definitions.

§ 4-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Commissioner. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development or the Commissioner’s designee. (c) Dwelling unit. “Dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Property Maintenance Code. (d) Multiple-family dwelling. “Multiple-family dwelling” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Property Maintenance Code. (e) Non-owner-occupied dwelling unit. (1) In general. “Non-owner-occupied dwelling unit” means any: (i) dwelling unit that is unoccupied; (ii) dwelling unit that, even if occupied, is not occupied by an owner of record; or (iii) dwelling unit that, even if occupied, is not designated by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation as the owner’s principal residence in accordance with the criteria governing the State Homestead Tax Credit. (2) Qualifications. For purposes of this definition: (i) an owner may only have one owner-occupied dwelling unit in Baltimore City; and (ii) an owner-occupied unit must be titled to a natural person. (f) Person. (1) In general. “Person” has the meaning stated in § 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”} of the City Code’s General Provisions Article. (2) Qualified inclusion of governmental entities. Notwithstanding § 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”} of the General Provisions Article, in this subtitle “person” also includes, except as used in § 4-17 {“Penalties”} of this subtitle, a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity. (g) Rooming house. “Rooming house” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Property Maintenance Code. (h) Rooming unit. “Rooming unit” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Property Maintenance Code. (i) Vacant structure. (1) In general. “Vacant structure” means any structure that is subject to an unabated violation notice issued under § 116 {“Unsafe Structures”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. (2) Exclusions. “Vacant structure” does not include an accessory structure that is not intended for occupancy, such as a garage, shed, or storage building. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 22-125; Ord. 22-124; Ord. 20-428; Ord. 19-332; Ord. 18-130; Ord. 17-068; Ord. 13-093; Ord. 10-372; Ord. 10-342; Ord. 05-170; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-2 Scope.

§ 4-2. Scope. This subtitle applies to: (1) every non-owner-occupied dwelling unit, whether or not it is occupied, fit for human habitation, or revenue producing; (2) every vacant structure, whether it is a residential structure, a non-residential structure, or other; and (3) every rooming house. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 10-372; Ord. 10-342; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-3 Rules and regulations.

§ 4-3. Rules and regulations. Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Text Conformed 02/19/21; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-4 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-5 Registration required.

§ 4-5. Registration required. (a) In general. (1) The owner of any non-owner-occupied dwelling unit or of any rooming house must file an annual registration statement for that unit or rooming house with the Commissioner. (2) The owner of any vacant structure must file an annual registration statement for that structure with the Commissioner. (b) New owner. (1) A new owner of a non-owner-occupied dwelling unit or of a rooming house must file the registration statement within 10 days of acquiring title to the unit or rooming house. (2) If the previous owner had registered the unit or rooming house and paid the applicable registration fee for the current registration period, the new owner need not pay any registration fee for that registration period. (c) Newly vacant structure. The owner of a vacant structure, whether or not previously registered as a non-owner-occupied dwelling unit or as a rooming house, must file a new registration statement and pay the fee applicable to vacant structures, within 10 days of the property’s becoming a vacant structure. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 10-372; Ord. 10-342; Ord. 05-170; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-6 Registration statement.

§ 4-6. Registration statement. (a) Form and contents. Each registration statement must be in the form that the Commissioner requires and contain the following information: (1) a description of the premises by street number or by block-and-lot; (2) the name, street address, telephone number, and email address of the premises’ owner of record; (3) the name, street address, telephone number, and email address of the premises’ managing operator, if other than the owner; and (4) if the owner is a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or similar entity, the name, street address, telephone number, and email address of a natural person who serves as the owner’s chief executive officer, managing partner, or managing member, or in a similarly authoritative position. (b) Change of listed information. The Commissioner must be notified within 10 days of any change in the identity of or contact information for the owner of record or any other person listed in the registration statement. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 18-130; Ord. 10-342; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-7 {Repealed by Ord. 20-428}

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-8 Registration fees.

§ 4-8. Registration fees. (a) Rooming houses. (1) Base fee. Except as otherwise specified in this section, an annual registration fee must be paid for rooming houses at the rate of $25 per rooming unit. (2) Increased fee. For any rooming house that has had the term of its rental dwelling license reduced under § 5-9(c) or (d) {“Rental dwellings: Tiered license terms”} of this article to a 1-year term, the annual registration fee under paragraph (1) of this subsection for each succeeding registration year beginning after the start of each 1-year rental dwelling license term is increased by an additional $15 per rooming unit, which additional amount shall be deposited in the continuing, nonlapsing fund created by City Charter Article I, § 14 {“Affordable Housing Trust Fund”}. (b) Non-owner-occupied dwelling units. (1) Base fee. Except as otherwise specified in this section, an annual registration fee must be paid for non-owner-occupied dwelling units at the following rates: (1) for properties with 1 and 2 dwelling units – | $30 per dwelling unit. (2) for multiple-family dwellings – | $35 per dwelling unit, plus $25 per rooming unit. (2) Increased fee. For any dwelling that has had the term of its rental dwelling license reduced under § 5-9(c) or (d) {“Rental dwellings: Tiered license terms”} of this article to a 1-year term, the annual registration fee under paragraph (1) of this subsection for each succeeding registration year beginning after the start of each 1-year rental dwelling license term is increased by an additional $15 per dwelling or rooming unit, which additional amount shall be deposited in the continuing, nonlapsing fund created by City Charter Article I, § 14 {“Affordable Housing Trust Fund”}. (c) Vacant structures. Except as otherwise specified in this section, an annual registration fee, in addition to any fee that might also be required by subsection (a) or (b) of this section, must be paid for vacant structures at the following rates: (1) for residential structures – | $100 per structure. (2) for all other structures – | $250 per structure. (d) When payable. These fees must all be paid at the time of registration. (e) Exceptions. No fee is charged for: (1) any dwelling unit, rooming house, or vacant structure that is owned by a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity; or (2) any dwelling unit that is not in a vacant structure and is owned by a nonprofit religious, charitable, or educational institution or organization. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 19-332; Ord. 18-130; Ord. 10-372; Ord. 10-342; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-9 Term and renewal.

§ 4-9. Term and renewal. A registration expires on December 31 of each year, unless it is renewed and the annual registration fee paid before then. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 18-130; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-10 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-11 Interest and late fees.

§ 4-11. Interest and late fees. (a) In general. If a person fails to pay the registration fee imposed by this subtitle within 30 days of the date on which it is due, the person is liable for the following, in addition to the registration fee: (1) interest at the rate of 1% for each month or fraction of a month that the registration fee is overdue; and (2) a late fee at the rate of 1% for each month or fraction of a month that the registration fee is overdue. (b) Unpaid sum a personal debt and lien. (1) All registration fees, interest, and late fees provided for in this section are a personal debt owed by the owner of the property. (2) These fees and interest: (i) are a lien on the property in favor of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore; and (ii) may be collected or enforced the same as any other debts or liens due to or in favor of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 10-372; Ord. 04-832; Ord. 02-475.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-12 Vacant structures: Posting ownership information.

§ 4-12. Vacant structures: Posting ownership information. (a) In general. The Department of Housing and Community Development shall affix, in a position that is conspicuous and visible from the street or road fronting the property, a sign containing: (1) the information set forth in § 4-6(a) {“Registration statement: Form and contents”} of this subtitle; or (2) at a minimum, information on how to access the information set forth in § 4-6(a) {“Registration statement: Form and contents”} of this subtitle. (b) Time. The sign required by subsection (a) of this section must be posted within 10 days of registering the vacant structure with the Commissioner under § 4-5 {“Registration required”} of this subtitle. (c) Vacant structures in default or foreclosure. In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section, if the property is in default or in foreclosure, the sign required by this section must also include the name, address, and telephone number of any creditors or lien holders. (d) Sign specifications. A sign required by this section must be: (1) impervious to weather conditions; (2) legibly written in a font size of not less than 18 points; and (3) no smaller than 8 ½ inches by 11 inches in size. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 20-428.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-13 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-14 Annual report.

§ 4-14. Annual report. On or before June 30 of each year, the Commissioner shall submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council detailing compliance with this subtitle, including: (1) the number of properties registered under § 4-5 {“Registration required”} of this subtitle; and (2) the number of signs that the Department of Housing and Community Development has posted on vacant structures as required by § 4-12 {“Vacant structures: Posting ownership information”} of this subtitle. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 20-428.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-15 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-16 Enforcement by citation.

§ 4-16. Enforcement by citation. (a) In general. In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of an environmental citation as authorized by City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}. (b) Process not exclusive. The issuance of an environmental citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 20-428; Ord. 18-130; Ord. 07-424.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 4-17 Penalties.

§ 4-17. Penalties. (a) In general. Any person who violates a provision of this subtitle or of a rule, regulation, or order adopted or issued under this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each offense. (b) Each day a separate offense. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 20-428; Ord. 18-130; Ord. 02-475.)

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/13/II/4Fetched: 10/25/2026