lexflow:md:baltimore
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| - | ===== How do I request public records in City of Baltimore? | + | ===== Processes |
| - | In Baltimore City, you request public records under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), Md. Code, General Provisions Title 4. There is no single citywide online portal on official city pages. | + | Each process has its own page: what state law requires, what this place adds, whom to contact |
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| - | ==== What state law requires | + | ===== Contacts |
| - | + | ||
| - | - **Submit written application to the custodian** — Applicant (person or governmental unit) (§ 4-202(a)) | + | |
| - | - **Tell applicant who the custodian is** — Individual who received the application (not the custodian) · within 10 business days (§ 4-202%%(c)%%(1)) | + | |
| - | - **Notify applicant the record does not exist** — Custodian of the public record · within 30 days (§ 4-202(d)) | + | |
| - | - **Send delay notice: time, fee range, reason** — Custodian of the public record · within 10 business days (§ 4-203(b)(2)) | + | |
| - | - **Grant or deny the application** — Custodian of the public record · within 30 days (§ 4-203(a)(1)) | + | |
| - | - **Send written denial: reasons, authority, record description, | + | |
| - | - **Allow inspection of any inspectable part** — Custodian of the public record (§ 4-203%%(c)%%(1)(ii)) | + | |
| - | - **Decide what fee to charge** — Official custodian (fees) (§ 4-206(b)(1)) | + | |
| - | - **Decide whether to waive the fee** — Official custodian (fees) (§ 4-206(e)) | + | |
| - | - **Produce the public record** — Custodian of the public record · within 30 days (§ 4-203(b)(1)) | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== What City of Baltimore adds ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | - **Identify which city agency holds the records (each agency handles its own requests; there is no single citywide portal)** — Requester; use the agency' | + | |
| - | - **Put the request in writing, describe the records specifically, | + | |
| - | - **Use an agency webform where one exists (example: Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals)** — Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (BMZA). Fill out the BMZA MPIA Request Webform. Or download the BMZA Document Request Form and email it to bmza@baltimorecity.gov with the subject line 'MPIA Request' | + | |
| - | - **Agencies that take requests by email (example: Housing & Community Development)** — Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), which routes MPIA requests for processing. Fill out the DHCD MPIA request form and email it to dhcd.mpia@baltimorecity.gov. If you want a search for outstanding fees and violations on a property, that is not an MPIA request. You apply for it through a separate process run by the City's Finance Department. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **Requests to the Office of the Inspector General** — Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Email oig@baltimorecity.gov and Dereka.Bolden@baltimorecity.gov with the subject line 'MD Public Information Act Request' | + | |
| - | - **Know the fee rules: the first 2 hours are free, and after that fees must be reasonable and tied to actual costs** — Agency records custodian (state law applies to all city agencies). Under GP § 4-206%%(c)%%, | + | |
| - | - **Ask for a fee waiver if you cannot pay or the request serves the public interest** — Requester, asking the custodian. Ask for a waiver. Under GP § 4-206(e), the custodian may waive fees if you are indigent and file an affidavit of indigency. It may also waive fees if, after considering your ability to pay and other factors, it finds a waiver is in the public interest. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **Expect a response within the legal deadline** — Agency records custodian. State law requires the custodian to grant or deny the request promptly, and no later than 30 days after receiving it. Within 10 days of receipt, DPW sends either the records or a written notice that processing may take up to 30 days. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **If you are denied, get a written statement of the reasons, the legal basis, and your options** — Agency records custodian. A denial must come in writing within 10 working days. It must give the reasons, the legal authority, a brief description of the record being withheld, and notice of your remedies. You must still be allowed to see any part of the record that is open to inspection (GP § 4-203%%(c)%%). ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **Appeal option 1: ask the Maryland Public Access Ombudsman for help resolving the dispute** — Maryland Public Access Ombudsman (state office, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202). Use the Request Mediation link on the Ombudsman' | + | |
| - | - **Appeal option 2: file a complaint in circuit court** — Circuit court for the county where you live or have your principal place of business, or where the record is located (for Baltimore City, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City). After you are denied inspection, file a complaint under GP § 4-362(a). ([[https:// | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Who to contact ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * Department of Public Works MPIA contact: dominic.lamartina@baltimorecity.gov; | + | |
| - | * Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals MPIA requests: bmza@baltimorecity.gov (subject: MPIA Request); BMZA, Attn: Carolyn Young, 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 922, Baltimore, MD 21202 | + | |
| - | * Department of Housing & Community Development MPIA requests: [[dhcd.mpia@baltimorecity.gov]] | + | |
| - | * Office of the Inspector General PIA requests: oig@baltimorecity.gov; | + | |
| - | * Law Department (as listed on the OIG PIA page): Baltimore City Law Department, City Hall, Room 101, 100 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202; (410) 396-3297 | + | |
| - | * Board of Finance MPIA contact: Jennell Rogers, 200 N. Holliday Street, Room 7, Baltimore, MD 21202; 410-396-4570; | + | |
| - | * Maryland Public Access Ombudsman: Request Mediation link; 410-576-6560; | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Local law ==== | + | |
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| - | * [[https:// | + | |
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| - | **Fees.** There is no application fee. Under GP § 4-206%%(c)%%, | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Caveats ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * There is no single citywide MPIA portal on official Baltimore City pages. Requests go agency by agency, and BMZA was the only agency with a webform among the pages checked. | + | |
| - | * The city website has moved to www.baltimorecity.gov, | + | |
| - | * The Baltimore Police Department reportedly handles its own MPIA requests through its Document Compliance Unit (baltimorepolice.org). This was not checked against an official page. | + | |
| - | * The Ombudsman' | + | |
| - | * Agency contact names and emails change. Confirm them before you send a request. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ===== How do I start a business in City of Baltimore? ===== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | To start a business in Baltimore City, first register your business with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) through Maryland Business Express and make sure it stays in good standing. The City's business license application asks for your SDAT number. Most businesses that sell goods also need a state trader' | + | |
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| - | ==== What state law requires ==== | + | |
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| - | - **File articles of organization for record** — Founder (person forming the business) (§ 4A-202(a)) | + | |
| - | - **Collect the $100 processing fee** — State Department of Assessments and Taxation (§ 1-203(b)(4)) | + | |
| - | - **Accept no nonconforming or unpaid articles** — State Department of Assessments and Taxation (§ 4A-207(a)(1)) | + | |
| - | - **Endorse acceptance with date and time** — State Department of Assessments and Taxation (§ 4A-207%%(c)%%(1)) | + | |
| - | - **Record the articles promptly** — State Department of Assessments and Taxation (§ 4A-207%%(c)%%(2)) | + | |
| - | - **Send acknowledgment of acceptance** — State Department of Assessments and Taxation (§ 4A-207%%(c)%%(3)) | + | |
| - | - **File trade name certificate before trading** — The limited liability company, its attorney, or its agent (§ 1-406(a)) | + | |
| - | - **Collect $25 trade name recording fee** — State Department of Assessments and Taxation (§ 1-406(e)(1)) | + | |
| - | - **Record certificate in agency record** — State Department of Assessments and Taxation (§ 1-406(d)(2)) | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Which business structure fits, and what must be filed with the state? ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ^ Organized for a nonprofit or charitable purpose ^ Owners render a licensed professional service ^ Number of owners ^ Owners want protection from the business' | + | |
| - | | true | - | - | - | - | - | Nonstock (nonprofit) corporation | Articles of incorporation whose charter provides the corporation has no authority to issue capital stock, filed for record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation | $100 + $20 organization and capitalization fee ($120), or $150 + $20 ($170) for a 501%%(c)%%(3), | + | |
| - | | - | true | - | true | - | - | Professional corporation (a limited liability company may also render professional services; Maryland has no separate professional LLC form; architects, professional engineers, real estate licensees and veterinarians may instead use an ordinary corporation, | + | |
| - | | - | - | - | true | true | - | Stock corporation | Articles of incorporation signed and acknowledged by one or more adult incorporators, | + | |
| - | | - | - | %%>%%= 2 | true | - | true | Limited partnership (limited partners who stay out of control of the business are not liable for its obligations; | + | |
| - | | - | - | - | true | - | - | Limited liability company (worker-owned businesses may elect in the articles to be a limited worker cooperative association) | Articles of organization filed for record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation | $100 | § 4A-202(a) | | + | |
| - | | - | - | 1 | false | - | - | Sole proprietorship | No formation filing; before trading under any name other than the owner' | + | |
| - | | - | - | %%>%%= 2 | false | - | - | General partnership | No formation filing (a partnership forms by association); | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== What City of Baltimore adds ==== | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | - **Register the business with the state and get an SDAT number** — Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), through Maryland Business Express. Register online at Maryland Business Express. You will need the SDAT number for the Baltimore City business license application. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **Confirm your business is in good standing with Maryland** — SDAT / Maryland Business Express. Check your good standing on Maryland Business Express before you apply for city licenses. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **Open a Maryland sales and use tax account and get a trader' | + | |
| - | - **Check the trader' | + | |
| - | - **Apply for a Baltimore City business license if your activity is regulated** — Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing (DCPBL), Business Licensing Division. Pay the application fee online at pay.baltimorecity.gov. Submit the application and any required addendum online (Jotform), by email to COBBusinessLicense@baltimorecity.gov, | + | |
| - | - **Get a Use & Occupancy permit for a new tenant, change of use, or change of ownership** — Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), through ePermits. Apply in the ePermits system under the 'Use and occupancy permit' | + | |
| - | - **Get an annual Fire Prevention Permit if your license type or occupancy requires one** — Baltimore City Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau. Buildings where the public works, plays or spends time are inspected every year. Check whether your license type needs a Fire Prevention Permit, and get it before you apply for the business license. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **Food businesses: complete Health Department plan review and get a food facility license** — Baltimore City Health Department, Environmental Health (Plan Review), 1001 E. Fayette Street; 410-396-4544. New food service facilities, and facilities under new ownership, must submit plans and pass a plan review inspection before the license is approved. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | - **Home-based businesses: follow the Zoning Code home-occupation limits** — Business owner (zoning enforcement). Under § 15-507, the business must be run entirely inside the dwelling and stay secondary to living there. You may employ no more than 1 person who is not a family member living there. Client visits are limited to 3 a day and 10 a week. Outside storage and motor-vehicle repair are not allowed. ([[https:// | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Who to contact | + | |
| * Baltimore City business license applications (DCPBL): COBBusinessLicense@baltimorecity.gov; | * Baltimore City business license applications (DCPBL): COBBusinessLicense@baltimorecity.gov; | ||
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| * DHCD ePermits for Use & Occupancy permits: ePermits (Use and occupancy permit category) | * DHCD ePermits for Use & Occupancy permits: ePermits (Use and occupancy permit category) | ||
| * Health Department Plan Review (food facilities): | * Health Department Plan Review (food facilities): | ||
| + | * Department of Public Works MPIA contact: 200 Holliday Street, Suite 203, Baltimore, MD 21202; 410-396-3312 (the request address is on the linked page) | ||
| + | * Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals MPIA requests: bmza@baltimorecity.gov (subject: MPIA Request); BMZA, 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 922, Baltimore, MD 21202 | ||
| + | * Department of Housing & Community Development MPIA requests: [[dhcd.mpia@baltimorecity.gov]] | ||
| + | * Office of the Inspector General PIA requests: oig@baltimorecity.gov (subject: MD Public Information Act Request) | ||
| + | * Law Department (as listed on the OIG PIA page): Baltimore City Law Department, City Hall, Room 101, 100 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202; (410) 396-3297 | ||
| + | * Board of Finance MPIA contact: Board of Finance, 200 N. Holliday Street, Room 7, Baltimore, MD 21202; 410-396-4570 | ||
| + | * Maryland Public Access Ombudsman: Request Mediation link; 410-576-6560; | ||
| - | ==== Local law ==== | + | ← [[lexflow: |
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| - | * [[https:// | + | |
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| - | **Fees.** Trader' | + | |
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| - | ==== Caveats ==== | + | |
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| - | * The original research said DCPBL was created in 2025 and that the city license does not accept trade-name (' | + | |
| - | * The license-type table seen on the DCPBL page covered addenda A–F. Other regulated categories from the original research (employment agencies, towing, second-hand dealers) were not confirmed and may be on parts of the page that were not retrieved. | + | |
| - | * The Comptroller' | + | |
| - | * The original business research arrived cut off after the trader' | + | |
| - | * The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City's trader' | + | |
| - | * Forming the entity (LLC, corporation, | + | |
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| - | ===== Sources ===== | + | |
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lexflow/md/baltimore.1791595319.txt.gz · Last modified: by alibama
