Drinking in Public Places

Baltimore City Code art. 19, subtit. 14

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 14-1 Exemptions from subtitle.

§ 14-1. Exemptions from subtitle. (a) Home or tavern. This subtitle shall not be applicable: (1) to the drinking or consumption of any alcoholic beverage by an owner or lessee of property or the guest of either, on the property owned or leased; nor (2) to the drinking or consumption of any alcoholic beverage on any premises licensed under Article 2B of the Annotated Code for the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. (b) City property with permit. Drinking in public parks and public buildings and on public ground may be allowed subject to the terms of a permit therefor issued by the City agency having jurisdiction over the park, building, or ground. (Ord. 79-990; Ord. 78-822; Ord. 64-352.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 14-2 Prohibited conduct - in general.

§ 14-2. Prohibited conduct - in general. (a) While on streets, etc. It is unlawful for any person to drink or consume any alcoholic beverage (as that term is defined from time to time in Article 2B of the Annotated Code of Maryland) or to possess in an open container any alcoholic beverage, in or on any public street, avenue, alley, lane, sidewalk, park, building, or ground in this City. (b) While in or on motor vehicle. This section shall be applicable to drinking or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on any Class A {passenger} or Class D {motorcycle} or Class M {multipurpose} vehicle (as these classes of vehicles are designated from time to time in the State Transportation Article). (Ord. 79-990; Ord. 78-822; Ord. 64-352.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 14-3 Prohibited conduct - parents or guardians of minors.

§ 14-3. Prohibited conduct - parents or guardians of minors. A parent or guardian shall not knowingly permit a minor under the age of 18 years for whom the parent or guardian has responsibility to violate the provisions of this subtitle. (Ord. 90-615.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 14-4 Enforcement - by citation.

§ 14-4. 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: (1) an environmental citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}; or (2) a civil citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}. (b) Methods 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. (Ord. 03-595; Ord. 99-548; Ord. 90-615.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 14-5 Enforcement - minors.

§ 14-5. Enforcement - minors. (a) Order to cease and desist. A police officer who finds any person under 18 years of age violating this subtitle shall order the person to cease and desist. (b) Action on failure to comply. (1) Any person under 18 years of age who fails to comply with such order: (i) may be taken into custody; and (ii) after the information necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle has been recorded, shall be promptly released to his or her parent or guardian with written notice of said violation. (2) The released person shall be referred to the Baltimore City Police Department’s court-sanctioned pre-intake adjustment program. (Ord. 90-615.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 14-6 Penalties.

§ 14-6. Penalties. (a) In general. Any person who violates the provisions of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to the penalties specified below. (b) Parent or guardian of minor. Any parent or guardian who violates § 14-3 of this subtitle after having received written notice of his or her child or ward having committed a violation of this subtitle within the preceding 12 months may receive a citation and is subject to a fine of $50 for each offense. (c) Adult offender. Any person 18 years of age or older who violates a provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both fine and imprisonment for each offense. (Ord. 10-340; Ord. 90-615; Ord. 79-990.; Ord. 78-822; Ord. 64-352.)

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/19/14Fetched: 10/25/2026