City of Baltimore
Baltimore City Code

§ 2-1. Obstruction of streets.

(a) DoT to examine.

It is the duty of the Department of Transportation from time to time:

(1) to examine the construction or maintenance of the several railway tracks authorized by ordinances to be laid within the limits of the City; and

(2) to report to the Mayor any obstruction or impediment to the ordinary use of any street or streets, caused by the tracks' being improperly laid and not being in conformity with the provisions of all ordinances authorizing their construction.

(b) Mayor to enforce removal ordinance or order abatement.

And it shall be the duty of the Mayor to enforce the ordinance relating to the removal of said tracks, unless in his judgment the remedy shall be furnished by the enactment contained in subsection (c) of this section.

(c) Abatement order.

In all cases where an obstruction or impediment to the use of any street is caused by the mode of construction or maintenance of any railway within the City, the Mayor may exercise his or her discretion to have the track entirely removed, or to have the track so altered or arranged as to abate the evil complained of, by giving notice to the companies or owners of the railway tracks, who shall be allowed a reasonable time to make the alteration under the direction of the Department of Transportation.

(d) City action on owner's failure to comply.

Upon a failure of the companies or owners to comply with the notice, the Department of Transportation shall have the work done, and the bills shall be collected from the owners of the railway tracks by legal proceedings, if the bills are disputed or remain unpaid for the space of 30 days.