Attention: City May Begin Enforcing Rear Address Requirement

 

Please be advised that the Baltimore City Charter requires all properties with rear alleys to display rear address signs:

Art. 27 § 6-7.  Required display.

The correct number of every house or other building:

(1) shall be displayed in Arabic numerals;

(2) shall consist of a number plate or other means of numbering satisfactory to the Director of Public Works; and rear address

(3) shall be affixed or otherwise placed:

(i) at the front entrance of the house or other building or the front entrance to the premises on which the house or other building is located so that the number is plainly visible and legible in daytime from a point located 4 feet above the curb line immediately in front of the entrance on which the number is placed; and

(ii) for a property whose rear borders an alley (as defined in Zoning Code § 1-108), at the rear of the property so that the number is plainly visible and legible in daytime from a point located 4 feet above the grade level of the alley.

This has been on the books for several years for good reasons – Police, Fire, and Public Works all need to be able to tell houses apart from the rear from time to time, but while it has been law, it has not generally been enforced. 

Recently though, one of our community associations has formally requested that this law be enforced in their neighborhood and has been informed that Baltimore Housing’s Code Enforcement Division is going to start enforcing this law and issuing violation notices to properties not in compliance. The notice must be abated within 10 days, after which time a $10 fine per day will be administered until the violation is rectified.

While enforcement may remain confined to the neighborhood requesting it, please be aware that this is the law everywhere in the City.  Thanks!