Dog and Cat Licenses

Baltimore City Code div. Health Code, tit. 10, subtit. 2, pt. I

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-201 License required.

§ 10-201. License required. (a) In general. The owner of any dog or cat must obtain and renew a license for that dog or cat, as provided in this Part I. (b) When to be obtained. The license must be obtained within 10 days of the following, whichever is later: (1) when the dog or cat becomes 4 months old; or (2) when the dog or cat was acquired by the owner, whether or not the previous owner had a license for the animal. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 00-024; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-202 License fees.

§ 10-202. License fees. (a) Classes. The Commissioner must provide for the following classes of licenses: (1) Class A Licenses, for: (i) dogs and cats that have been altered; and (ii) dogs and cats that have not been altered, but for which a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that, because of age or bad health, the animal should not be altered. (2) Class B Licenses, for disability service animals, whether or not altered, on the applicant’s submission of an affidavit claiming the person has a disability. (3) Class C Licenses, for the lifetime of dogs and cats that are altered and microchiped. (4) Class D Licenses, for all other dogs and cats. (b) Fees. (1) The license fee for each class is as set under § 10-106 of this title. (2) For owners 65 years old or older, the annual fee for each license class is 50% of the annual fee otherwise set for that class. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 02-323; Ord. 00-024.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-203 Applications.

§ 10-203. Applications. The application for a license must: (1) be in the form that the Commissioner requires; (2) be accompanied by the required fee; (3) be accompanied by an affidavit certifying that neither the applicant nor anyone residing on the applicant’s household has ever been convicted of animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect; and (4) contain: (i) the name and address of the owner; (ii) a description of the dog or cat; (iii) proof of a still-current rabies vaccination, unless this requirement is waived by the Public Health Veterinarian; and (iv) any other information that the Commissioner requires. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 00-024; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-204 Issuance of licenses and tags.

§ 10-204. Issuance of licenses and tags. (a) In general. (1) On approval of the application and receipt of the required fee, the Office must issue the license. (2) Together with the license, the Office must issue an identification tag that is: (i) durably constructed; (ii) designed so that it can be conveniently fastened or riveted to a well-fitted collar or harness; and (iii) stamped with the year of its issuance and an identifying number. (b) Animal from animal shelter. For an unlicensed dog or cat that is reclaimed or adopted from an animal shelter, the animal shelter must: (1) require a license application and the required fee to be submitted to it; and (2) on receipt of the application and receipt of the required fee, issue the license and identification tag for that dog or cat. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 00-024; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-205 Term.

§ 10-205. Term. Unless sooner suspended or revoked, a dog or cat license (except for a Class C License) expires annually on the anniversary of its issuance. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 00-024; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-206 Records; replacements.

§ 10-206. Records; replacements. (a) Public record of identifying numbers. The Office and the animal shelter must: (1) keep a record of the identifying numbers of all licenses, identification tags, and microchips issued; and (2) make this record available to the public and other City agencies, subject to a copy fee. (b) Replacements. If a license, microchip, or an identification tag is lost or destroyed, a replacement must be obtained and the required fee paid. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 00-024; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-207 Prohibited conduct.

§ 10-207. Prohibited conduct. No person may: (1) fail to obtain a license as required by this Part I; (2) permit any cat or dog for which the person is required to obtain a license to be outdoors at any time unless it is wearing a valid identification tag issued under this subtitle; (3) use any license or identification tag for any dog or cat other than the one for which it was issued; (4) use any license or identification tag that was issued to a previous owner of the dog or cat; (5) remove any identification tag from any dog or cat without the consent of its owner; (6) use any microchip required by this subtitle for any dog or cat other than the one to which the microchip applies; or (7) except as authorized by the Commissioner, remove from any dog or cat any microchip required by this subtitle. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 02-323; Ord. 00-024; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-208 Owner to provide copy to custodian.

§ 10-208. Owner to provide copy to custodian. Whenever the owner of an animal places it in the care or custody of another person, the owner must provide that custodian with a copy of the license and identification tag issued under this Part for the animal. (Ord. 11-573.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-209 {Reserved}

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/10/2/IFetched: 10/25/2026