Mosquitoes

Baltimore City Code div. Health Code, tit. 5, subtit. 6

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-601 Definitions.

§ 5-601. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Collection of water. (1) “Collection of water” means any collection of standing or running water. (2) “Collection of water” includes water contained in any ditch, roof or other gutter, pond, pool, excavation, depression, fountain, tank, well, barrel, tire, urn, can, box, bottle, tub, bucket, or other similar container. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-602 Purpose of subtitle.

§ 5-602. Purpose of subtitle. The purpose of this subtitle is to get rid of the discomfort, annoyance, and health hazards that are caused by mosquitoes. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-603 Responsibility of persons in charge.

§ 5-603. Responsibility of persons in charge. Every person in charge of any property is obligated, jointly and severally, to comply with the requirements of this subtitle. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-604 Collections prohibited unless treated.

§ 5-604. Collections prohibited unless treated. No person in charge may keep or permit to be kept any collection of water in which mosquitoes are likely to breed, unless the collection of water is treated to effectively prevent breeding. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-605 Methods of treatment.

§ 5-605. Methods of treatment. The method for treating a collection of water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding must be one or more of the following: (1) emptying all water at least once every 5 days; (2) using a larvicide approved by and applied in accordance with the requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency; (3) cleaning and keeping the water free of vegetable growth and other obstructions and stocking with mosquito-destroying fish (the absence of half-grown or larger mosquito larvae to be evidence of having complied with this method); (4) filling or draining to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Health; (5) removing, at least once every 5 days, all tin cans, tin boxes, broken or empty bottles, and similar articles likely to hold water; (6) screening with wire netting of at least 16 meshes to the inch each way; (7) screening with any other material that will prevent the ingress or egress of mosquitoes; or (8) any other method that the Commissioner approves. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-606 Prima facie evidence of breeding.

§ 5-606. Prima facie evidence of breeding. (a) In general. The natural presence of mosquito larvae in standing or running water is evidence that mosquitoes are breeding there. (b) Required action. Within 5 days of notice from the Commissioner, the person in charge of the premises must act to prevent further breeding. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-607 Notice to person in charge.

§ 5-607. Notice to person in charge. Whenever the Commissioner discovers a condition that could give rise to the breeding of mosquitoes, the Commissioner must issue a written notice to the person in charge, as provided in Subtitle 2 {“Nuisance Abatement — Generally”} of this title. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-608 Abatement by Commissioner.

§ 5-608. Abatement by Commissioner. (a) In general. If the condition is not corrected within 10 days of the notice, the Commissioner may proceed to correct the condition at the expense of the person in charge. (b) Costs and expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by the Commissioner are a lien on the property as provided in Subtitle 2 {“Nuisance Abatement — Generally”} of this title. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, §§ 5-609 to 5-610 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 5-611 Penalties: $500.

§ 5-611. Penalties: $500. (a) In general. Any person who refuses, neglects, or otherwise fails to comply with a notice 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. 99-548.)

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/5/6Fetched: 10/25/2026