Maintenance of Piers, Wharves, etc.

Baltimore City Code art. 10, subtit. 5

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-1 Public piers, etc.

§ 5-1. Public piers, etc. Whenever the same may be proper and necessary, the Harbor Engineer shall cause public piers, wharves, and bulkheads to be built, rebuilt, and repaired at any water front property of the City. (Ord. 48-509; Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-2 Private piers, etc.

§ 5-2. Private piers, etc. (a) Notice to correct. The Harbor Engineer shall require all private piers, wharves, docks, and bulkheads (bordering on the Patapsco River or its tributaries) that are decayed or defective, or in need of cleaning, rebuilding, or repair, or likely to be injurious to navigation or to health or safety, to be cleaned, repaired, or rebuilt within a reasonable time to be prescribed in a written notice (not less than 30 days) to be served on the agent, owner, or occupier of such pier, wharf, dock, or bulkhead. (b) Owner to comply. The owners of any such water front property shall promptly cause to be done any and all such work as required by said notice from the Harbor Engineer. (c) Work by Harbor Engineer. If the owner is a minor, or under other legal disability, or cannot be found, or, being found, fails to comply with said notice, then the Harbor Engineer shall cause such work to be done, at the expense of such owner or owners, to be recovered by the Mayor and City Council in due course of law. (d) Penalties. Any such property owner or owners who fail to comply with the requirements of this section, or the aforesaid requirements of the Harbor Engineer, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof shall pay a fine of not less than $10 and not more than $50 for every day of noncompliance. (Ord. 48-509; Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-3 Consent needed for work.

§ 5-3. Consent needed for work. (a) In general. No piles shall be driven and no platform erected, nor shall any filling in or construction, repairs, alterations, removals, dredging, demolitions, or work of any kind be made or done in the Patapsco River or tributaries below mean high tide, or involving work below mean high tide, without the written consent of the Harbor Engineer. (b) Penalties. If any person shall violate the provisions of this section: (1) he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not exceeding $250; and (2) the Harbor Engineer is hereby empowered to remove forthwith at the expense of the person violating this section the structure, obstruction, extension, or filling in complained of. (Ord. 48-509; Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-4 Permit needed for structures.

§ 5-4. Permit needed for structures. (a) In general. No shed, building, office, tally-house, booth, or stand shall be erected, nor shall any derrick, hoisting mast, coal hopper, sign, or advertising device, or obstruction of any kind be placed or maintained on any pier, bulkhead, marginal street, quay, or wharf structure, nor upon any reclaimed land, without a written permit from the Harbor Engineer. (b) Penalties. If the owner, lessee, occupant, or agent of said wharf property or land, shall place or permit the erection, placing, or maintaining of any erection or any structure without such permit from the Harbor Engineer then for failure to remove same: (1) said owner, lessee, occupant, or agent shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $200, in addition to all damages for each and every violation of this section; and (2) the Harbor Engineer is hereby empowered to remove forthwith, at the expense of the person violating this section, the structure or obstruction complained of. (Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-5 Pier endangered by additional cargo.

§ 5-5. Pier endangered by additional cargo. (a) In general. No cargo shall be discharged from any vessel or other water craft upon any pier, bulkhead, or wharf structure, at which such vessel or other water craft is being unladen after notice signed and served by the Harbor Master or the Harbor Engineer upon the owner, or stevedore, consignee, master, or other officer of such vessel or other water craft, that such pier, bulkhead, or structure will be endangered by the placing of additional cargo thereon. (b) Penalties. If any person shall violate the provisions of this section he shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $200, in addition to all damages caused thereby after the service of said notice. (Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-6 Injury to wharf or dock.

§ 5-6. Injury to wharf or dock. (a) In general. No vessel or other water craft shall load or discharge at any City wharf, pier, or dock, or adjoining same, in such manner as to injure or damage or unreasonably to interfere with the use of said structure. (b) Penalties. The owner or consignee of said vessel or other water craft who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of $20, in addition to all damages caused by such violation. (Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-7 Bulk cargoes on piers.

§ 5-7. Bulk cargoes on piers. (a) In general. All lumber, brick, or other material in bulk, discharged on any pier or bulkhead must be placed at least 5 feet from the edge of the pier or bulkhead pending removal. (b) Penalties. The owner or consignee of such lumber, brick, or other material, or the person placing or causing the same to be placed on such prohibited space shall be subject to a fine of $20 per day for each and every violation of this section. (Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-8 Vehicles on piers.

§ 5-8. Vehicles on piers. (a) In general. Except as otherwise provided by ordinance, no vehicle of any description shall be parked or stored at any time on any street, driveway, wharf, bridge, bulkhead, or land under the charge and control of the Harbor Engineer. (b) Penalties. If any person shall violate the provisions of this section, (1) he shall be subject to a fine of $10; and (2) the Harbor Engineer is hereby empowered to remove forthwith such obstructing vehicle and hold same until said fine and all other charges shall have been paid. (Ord. 50-1240; Ord. 09-293.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 5-9 Work done under permit.

§ 5-9. Work done under permit. (a) In general. All work under a permit issued by the Harbor Engineer shall be done: (1) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Department; (2) in accordance with plans and specifications submitted by the permittee; and (3) wholly at the expense of the permittee. (b) Indemnification. The permittee shall indemnify and save harmless the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, its officers, agents, and servants, against and from all damages, cost, and expense which they may suffer, or to which they may be put by reason of injury to the person or property of another resulting from carelessness or negligence on the part of the permittee. (c) Procedures. The procedure under the permit issued by the Harbor Engineer shall be in strict compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances and the rules and regulations of the city departments established for the purpose of enforcing them. (d) Revocation of permit. The Harbor Engineer shall have the right to revoke a permit at any time. (Ord. 09-293.)

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/10/5Fetched: 10/25/2026