Commercial Parking Facilities

Baltimore City Code art. 15, subtit. 12

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-1 Definitions.

§ 12-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Commercial parking facility. “Commercial parking facility” means any: (1) garage, structure, or part of a structure for the parking, storage, housing, or keeping of 3 or more motor vehicles in exchange for a fee or other consideration; or (2) parking lot or outdoor area or space for the parking, storage, housing, or keeping of 3 or more motor vehicles in exchange for a fee or other consideration. (c) 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) Inclusion of governmental entities. Notwithstanding § 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”} of the General Provisions Article, in this subtitle “person” also includes a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity. (Ord. 22-125; Ord. 19-264; Ord. 01-271; Ord. 53-904; Ord. 49-620; Ord. 41-534.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-2 Subtitle inapplicable to special-event parking.

§ 12-2. Subtitle inapplicable to special-event parking. This subtitle does not apply to special-event parking lots operating under and in compliance with Subtitle 13 {“Special-Event Parking Lots”} of this article. (Ord. 19-264; Ord. 11-572.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-3 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-4 License required; fee.

§ 12-4. License required; fee. (a) In general. (1) No person may operate a commercial parking facility in the City of Baltimore unless the person has first obtained an annual license for the facility from the Director of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing and has paid the annual fee for the license to the Director of Finance. (2) The term of a license is from May 1 of each year through April 30 of the next year. (b) Fee. (1) The annual fee for a commercial parking facility license is $5.10 for every 100 square feet (or fraction of 100 square feet) of the gross area used for parking facility purposes, including all parking spaces, offices, ramps, driveways, aisles, toilets, car washing, greasing, or other facilities used in connection with the operation of the parking facility. (2) For a license issued after July 31 and before November 1, the fee is 75% of that prescribed for the entire year. (3) For a license issued after October 31 and before February 1, the fee is 50% of that prescribed for the entire year. (4) For a license issued after January 31, the fee is 25% of that prescribed for the entire year. (c) Partial-year license. (1) Any person desiring to operate a commercial parking facility for an aggregate of no more than 6 months in any 1 license year may obtain a special partial-year license. (2) The fee for a partial-year license is 1/12 of the annual license fee for each month or fraction of a month that the parking facility is in operation. (d) Online licensee list. The Director of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing shall maintain and post on the Department’s website a current list of all commercial parking facilities licensed under this subtitle. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1; Ord. 19-332; Ord. 19-264; Ord. 01-271; Ord. 90-512; Ord 83-918; Ord. 82-813; Ord. 79-968; Ord. 70-861; Ord. 60-275; Ord. 58-1245; Ord. 57-1146; Ord. 57-1116; Ord. 55-078; Ord. 53-904; Ord. 49-620; Ord. 41-534.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-5 Transfer of licenses.

§ 12-5. Transfer of licenses. Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a license issued under this subtitle is transferable during the license year. (Ord. 19-264; Ord. 01-271; Ord. 53-904; Ord. 49-620; Ord. 41-534.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-6 Tax arrearage bars renewal or transfer.

§ 12-6. Tax arrearage bars renewal or transfer. A license may not be issued to, renewed by, or transferred from or to any person from whom taxes, interest, or penalties are due and unpaid under City Code Article 28, Subtitle 22. (Ord. 19-264; Ord. 01-271.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-7 Refund on acquisition, etc., by City.

§ 12-7. Refund on acquisition, etc., by City. If the City acquires title to or control of a commercial parking facility or terminates an existing lease covering any property used as a parking facility, and the owner, lessee, or operator of the commercial parking facility is thereby required to terminate the operation of the facility, then the owner, lessee, or operator is entitled to a refund of that portion of the license fee paid for the unexpired term of the license. (Ord. 01-271; Ord. 74-748.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-8 Rules and regulations.

§ 12-8. Rules and regulations. Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Director of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing may adopt rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this subtitle. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1; Text Conformed 03/01/21; Ord. 19-264; Ord. 01-271; Ord. 76-067; Ord. 53-904.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-9 Cars left in street.

§ 12-9. Cars left in street. (a) Prohibited conduct. Except as specifically authorized in subsection (b) of this section, no person operating or employed by a commercial parking facility may store, park, or place a motor vehicle left for storage or parking on any street, alley, or highway in the City. (b) Exception. (1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to the parking or placement of a vehicle on a street, alley, or highway if it is parked or placed there only for a sufficient time to permit the removal of another car from the commercial parking facility. (2) This exception does not apply between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Ord. 19-264; Ord. 01-271; Ord. 54-958; Ord. 41-388.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-10 Proof-of-payment required.

§ 12-10. Proof-of-payment required. (a) In general. As a condition of licensure, a commercial parking facility must provide proof of payment to each customer of the facility at the time of payment. (b) Form. The proof of payment required by this section may be provided in either paper or electronic form. (Ord. 19-332; Ord. 19-264.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-11 Removal of vehicles.

§ 12-11. Removal of vehicles. A commercial parking lot may not tow or contract with another person to tow a motor vehicle from a commercial parking lot without the motor vehicle’s or authorized representative’s authorization, unless the facility holds a valid license under § 12-4 {“License required; fee” of this subtitle. (Ord. 19-264.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-12 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-13 License revocation.

§ 12-13. License revocation. (a) In general. After a hearing conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle and with proper notice to the license holder, the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing may revoke a license if the Department finds that the license holder violated any provision of this subtitle. (b) Form and effect of revocation. Any revocation under this subtitle must be in writing from the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing and specify the reasons for the action. (c) Administrative appeals. (1) A license holder aggrieved by a decision of the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing may appeal that decision to the Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing in writing within 10 days of the Department’s decision. (2) The Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing must issue a written decision within 30 days of receipt of the license holder’s appeal. (Ord. 25-013 Section 1; Ord. 19-264.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-14 Enforcement by citation.

§ 12-14. 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 under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}. (b) Process not exclusive. The issuance of a citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law. (c) Each day a separate offense. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. (d) Each vehicle towed a separate offense. Each vehicle towed in violation of § 12-11 {“Removal of vehicles”} of this subtitle is a separate offense. (Ord. 19-264; Ord. 09-169.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 15, § 12-15 Criminal penalties.

§ 12-15. Criminal penalties. (a) In general. Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle or of a rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both fine and imprisonment for each offense. (b) Each day a separate offense. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. (c) Each vehicle towed a separate offense. Each vehicle towed in violation of § 12-11 {“Removal of vehicles”} of this subtitle is a separate offense. (Ord. 19-264; Ord. 09-169.)

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/15/12Fetched: 10/25/2026