EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Curran
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Title
Campaign Signs in Residential Areas - Size
FOR the purpose of limiting the size of campaign signs permitted in residential areas; increasing the penalties for violating the laws governing these signs; imposing certain civil fines; correcting, clarifying, and conforming certain language; and generally relating to campaign signs in residential areas.
Body
BY repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article 19 - Police Ordinances
Section(s) 46-1 through 46-5
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
BY adding
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Section(s) 40-14(e)(3)(Subtitle 46) and 41-14(2)(Subtitle 46)
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 19. Police Ordinances
Subtitle 46. Signs - Campaign Signs in Residential Areas
§ 46-1. When signs may be displayed.
(a) Earliest date.
Signs announcing candidates seeking elected public office may be erected on the exterior of structures or in yards in Residence and Office-Residence Zoning Districts in Baltimore City no earlier than on the last day on which a certificate of candidacy must be withdrawn.
(b) Latest date.
The signs must be removed within 30 days after any primary election day by an unsuccessful primary candidate and within 30 days after any general election day by all other candidates whenever the signs were erected at the direction of[,] or with the consent of[,] the [said] candidates.
§ 46-2. Where and how displayed.
(a) In general.
[These] ALL signs:
(1) shall be confined within private property; and
(2) [shall] MAY not BE PLACED SO AS TO obstruct the vision of operators of motor vehicles.
(b) Required relocation.
The Police Commissioner or [his] THE COMMISSIONER'S agent may require that a sign be relocated:
(1) if he OR SHE reasonably determines that its placement may obstruct the vision of operators of motor vehicles; or
(2) for other public safety reasons.
§ 46-3. MAXIMUM SIZE.
(A) IN GENERAL.
NO SIGN ERECTED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE MAY EXCEED AN AREA OF 16 SQUARE FEET.
(B) COMPUTING AREA.
A SIGN'S AREA SHALL BE COMPUTED AS PROVIDED IN § 11-203 OF THE CITY ZONING CODE.
§ 46-4. [§ 46-3.] Permitted inferences.
For [the purpose] PURPOSES of enforcing this subtitle, the presence of a violative [political campaign] sign permits, but does not require, an inference that it was placed or erected at the direction of or with the consent of the candidate whose name appears [thereon] ON THE SIGN.
§ 46-5. 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) 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.
§ 46-6. [§ 46-5.] Penalties.
(A) IN GENERAL.
Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, [upon] ON conviction [thereof], [shall be fined] IS SUBJECT TO A FINE OF not more than [$25] $100 for each [separate] offense.
(B) EACH DAY A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
EACH DAY THAT A VIOLATION CONTINUES IS A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
Article 1. Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 40. Environmental Control Board
§ 40-14. Violations to which subtitle applies.
(e) Provisions and penalties enumerated.
(3) Article 19. Police Ordinances
. . .
SUBTITLE 46. SIGNS - CAMPAIGN SIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS $100
. . .
Subtitle 41. Civil Citations
§ 41-14. Offenses to which subtitle applies - Listing.
(2) Article 19. Police Ordinances
. . .
SUBTITLE 46. SIGNS - CAMPAIGN SIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS $100
. . .
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
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