Regulation of Electric & Gas Franchises in Baltimore

Utilities and Infrastructure Maryland 4 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland grants and enforces franchises and street-occupancy rights for electric and natural gas utilities through municipal rules, franchise agreements, and coordination with state regulators. This article explains which city offices administer franchise terms, how enforcement and penalties work, what applications or permits are used, and the practical steps residents and businesses can take to report violations or seek relief. It cites official Baltimore and Maryland sources and notes where the code does not specify numeric fines or deadlines.

Who has authority over utility franchises

The City of Baltimore has the authority to grant franchises, easements, and street occupancy permissions to utilities for placing infrastructure in public rights-of-way. Franchise terms and conditions are contained in enacted ordinances and franchise agreements, and day-to-day oversight of street and right-of-way work is typically managed by the Department of Public Works and the city’s permitting offices. For statewide regulation of rates and safety standards, the Maryland Public Service Commission retains authority over investor-owned electric and gas utilities; municipal franchises do not replace state regulatory jurisdiction.Baltimore City Code[1] Baltimore Department of Public Works[2] Maryland Public Service Commission[3]

City franchises govern use of public streets but do not set utility rates.

How franchise agreements and permits work

  • Franchise agreements: negotiated ordinances or contracts granting use of right-of-way, specifying restoration, insurance, and work hours.
  • Permits and street openings: utilities must obtain street/opening permits and comply with DPW standards for excavation, traffic control, and restoration.
  • Inspections and compliance: DPW inspectors monitor restoration, safety, and permit conditions; noncompliance triggers enforcement actions.
Permits and restoration standards are the usual lever cities use to control utility work quality.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for franchise and permit violations is primarily handled by the Baltimore Department of Public Works and the city’s permitting offices; some contractual remedies may be pursued by the City Law Department. State-level safety or service violations may be referred to the Maryland Public Service Commission. Specific monetary fines, daily penalties, or statutory fee amounts for franchise violations are not consistently listed on the cited municipal pages; where the city code or franchise agreement published a figure it is cited below, otherwise the text notes "not specified on the cited page." See city code and enacted ordinances[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for general franchise violations; individual ordinances or permit conditions may set fines or restoration cost recovery.
  • Escalation: information on first, repeat, or continuing offence ranges is not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: work stoppage orders, permit suspensions, requirements to complete restoration, contractual indemnities, and civil actions are available remedies under municipal authority.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: Baltimore Department of Public Works handles permits and inspections; to report or complain use the DPW contact and permitting pages for submission and inspection requests.DPW contact[2]
  • Appeals and review: formal appeal routes and statutory time limits for contesting enforcement or permit decisions are not specified on the cited municipal permit pages; appeals may require filings with the administrative office that issued the permit or pursuing relief in state court depending on the matter.
  • Defences and discretion: emergency work, contractor mistakes corrected under city direction, or permits issued by the city are common bases for defenses; specific clauses depend on the franchise agreement or permit terms.

Applications & Forms

Permit applications for street openings, excavation, and related right-of-way work are administered by the Department of Public Works; the city publishes permit application procedures and contact information on its DPW site. If a specific franchise application form exists for granting a long-term franchise, that form or ordinance text is published with the enacted council ordinance or in the municipal code. Where a named form or fee is not listed on the cited pages the article notes that no specific form is published on that page.

Action steps for residents and businesses

  • Report unsafe or noncompliant street work to DPW via the official contact or permit complaint process.
  • Document the location, date, photos, and any permit numbers; save communications with the utility and city.
  • If the issue involves service quality, rates, or safety compliance, contact the Maryland Public Service Commission for possible state-level action.
Collect permit numbers and photos before contacting the city to speed enforcement.

FAQ

Who grants franchises for electric and gas utilities in Baltimore?
The City of Baltimore grants franchises or street-use permissions, typically enacted by ordinance and administered through permits and DPW oversight.
Does the city set utility rates?
No. The Maryland Public Service Commission regulates rates and many service standards for investor-owned electric and gas utilities.
How do I report unsafe work or a damaged street after utility work?
Report to the Baltimore Department of Public Works using the DPW permitting or complaint contact procedures; include photos and permit numbers if available.

How-To

  1. Locate the exact street address and take clear photos of the work area and any damage.
  2. Check for posted permit numbers on-site and write them down.
  3. Visit the Baltimore Department of Public Works website to find the permit complaint or contact form and submit the details and photos.[2]
  4. If the issue concerns service interruption or safety (gas smells, outages), also contact the utility directly and then notify the Maryland Public Service Commission if unsatisfied with the response.[3]

Key Takeaways

  • Baltimore grants franchises and controls right-of-way use; DPW enforces permit and restoration rules.
  • Maryland PSC regulates rates and broad safety standards; municipal franchises do not replace state oversight.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Baltimore City Code - Municipal ordinances and enacted franchise language
  2. [2] Baltimore Department of Public Works - Permits, inspections, and contact
  3. [3] Maryland Public Service Commission - State regulation of utilities

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data