Baltimore City Council
File #: 17-0028    Version: 0 Name: Vehicles Obstructing Sidewalks - Removal Authorized
Type: Ordinance Status: Withdrawn
File created: 2/27/2017 In control: City Council
On agenda: Final action: 8/14/2017
Enactment #:
Title: Vehicles Obstructing Sidewalks - Removal Authorized For the purpose of prohibiting vehicles from impeding the free flow of pedestrians on sidewalks; authorizing the removal of vehicles impeding the free flow of pedestrians on sidewalks; clarifying and conforming related provisions; and generally relating to vehicles obstructing traffic.
Sponsors: Ryan Dorsey, Mary Pat Clarke, Robert Stokes, Sr., Brandon M. Scott, Zeke Cohen
Indexes: Removal, Sidewalk, Vehicles
Attachments: 1. 17-0028~1st Reader

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 Dorsey

                                                                                                                                                           

 

                     A Bill Entitled

 

An Ordinance concerning

title

Vehicles Obstructing Sidewalks - Removal Authorized

For the purpose of prohibiting vehicles from impeding the free flow of pedestrians on sidewalks; authorizing the removal of vehicles impeding the free flow of pedestrians on sidewalks; clarifying and conforming related provisions; and generally relating to vehicles obstructing traffic.

body

 

By repealing and reordaining, with amendments

Article 31 - Transit and Traffic

Section(s) 31-6

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 31.  Transit and Traffic

 

                     Subtitle 31Clear Streets and Impoundment

 

                     Part 2.  General Conditions Warranting Impoundment

 

§ 31-6.  Vehicles obstructing traffic.

 

(a)  Prohibited conduct.

 

(1)                     It shall be unlawful for any person to use [City streets] any City street or sidewalk to park, stop, store, or operate a vehicle or part thereof in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the free flow of traffic thereon or the movement of pedestrians.

 

(2)                     [Determination] A determination by the Commissioner that [such] a vehicle is actually obstructing [traffic as aforesaid shall be considered prima facie evidence of a violation hereof] or impeding the free flow of traffic or the movement of pedestrians creates a rebuttable presumption that a violation of this section has occurred.

 

(b)  Removal of vehicle.

 

(1)                     The Commissioner is authorized to cause [such] any vehicle in violation of subsection (a) of this section to be removed immediately so as to clear the [streets] affected street or sidewalk.

 

(2)                     Such removal may be:

 

(i)                     to another part of the same street;

 

(ii)                     to a side street; or

 

(iii) effected in the manner [hereinafter] provided for impounded and abandoned motor vehicles in this subtitle.

 

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.