Business Licensing & Operations in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Baltimore County requires a Department-issued license, with a $200 non-refundable application fee and fingerprinting of owners, before anyone may operate an adult store or adult movie theater. Zoning Regulations Article 4B confines these businesses to the M.H. Zone and bars them from sitting within 1,000 feet of a school, church, park, library, daycare or residential zone, or within 2,500 feet of another adult business.
Baltimore County Adult Business License and Spacing
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-2-201; BCZR § 4B-102(B)
§ 21-2-201. - LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may not own or operate an adult entertainment business without a valid license issued by the Department. ... § 4B-102. - Location of adult entertainment businesses, massage establishments and tattoo or body-piercing establishments. ... B.Proximity to other uses.(1)An adult entertainment business, a massage establishment, or a tattoo or body-piercing esta...
Massage Establishments
Baltimore County confines massage establishments to the M.H. Zone and requires 1,000 feet of separation from schools, churches, parks, libraries, licensed day cares and residential lots, plus 2,500 feet from another massage, tattoo/piercing, or adult entertainment business.
Massage Establishment Zoning and Buffer Rules
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Zoning Regulations § 4B-101 (definitions), § 4B-102.A
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT — (1)Any establishment where a massage technician administers a massage to another person for compensation.(2)"Massage establishment" does not include a hospital, nursing home, medical clinic or other establishment where massages are administered by individuals identified under § 24-442 of the Baltimore County Code, 1988 Edition, as revised. ... An adult entertainment busi...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Baltimore County zones tattoo and body-piercing establishments into the M.H. Zone, keeping them at least 1,000 feet from schools, churches, parks, libraries, day cares and residential lots, and 2,500 feet from another such shop. Narrow by-right carve-outs exist on York Road, in Arbutus and near National Pike.
Tattoo and Body-Piercing Shop Siting Rules
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Zoning Regulations § 4B-102.A, B
An adult entertainment business, a massage establishment, or a tattoo or body-piercing establishment may not be located within 1,000 feet of: (a) A house of worship. (b) A public or private school. (c) A public park or public recreational facility. (d) A public library. (e) A child care home, child care institution or family day care home licensed or registered under Maryland law. (f) A lot zon...
Tobacco Retail License
Baltimore County does not issue a separate retail tobacco license; instead Code Section 13-12-103 bars selling tobacco products or paraphernalia to anyone under 21 and Section 13-12-103.1 forces every retailer to check government ID for buyers who look under 30, with escalating fines run by the Health Officer.
Baltimore County Tobacco Retailer Age-Verification Rules
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code Section 13-12-103, 13-12-103.1, 13-12-104
(a)Owner. An owner may not distribute to a person under the age of 21:(1)Any tobacco product;(2)Tobacco paraphernalia; or(3)A coupon redeemable for a tobacco product.(b)Other person. A person other than an owner may not:(1)Buy for or sell any tobacco product to a person under the age of 21; or(2)Distribute tobacco paraphernalia to a person under the age of 21. Section 13-12-103.1(a)Each owner o...
Secondhand Dealers
Baltimore County requires anyone doing business as a junk dealer or scrap metal processor to hold a license from the Director before buying or trading in junk or scrap metal. Licenses run five years, applicants must be 18 or older, and dealing with minors is flatly banned.
Baltimore County Junk Dealer & Scrap Metal License
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-21-103
(a)License required. A person may not do business as a junk dealer or scrap metal processor without having first obtained a license to do so from the Director.(b)Application of state law. Notwithstanding any provision of this title, a junk dealer or scrap metal processor is subject to all applicable provisions of Title 17 of the Business Regulation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Pawnbrokers
Baltimore County limits pawnshops to 12 valid dealer licenses countywide and no more than two per councilmanic district. New shops need a special exception, a buffer wall near homes, schools or churches, and cannot sell firearms or display the word "pawn" without a licensed dealer status.
Baltimore County Caps Pawnshops at 12 Licenses
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Zoning Regulations § 436.2.D, § 436.4.A
The Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections may not accept a special exception petition for a pawnshop if there are 12 valid dealers' licenses in the county used to operate pawnshops. ... Location may not be within a one-mile radius of any other pawnshop, and no more than two pawnshops may be located in a councilmanic district.
Towing Companies
Baltimore County requires a license before anyone may tow a vehicle without the owner's consent from a private parking lot or garage. Trespass towers must post 24-by-30-inch signs at every entrance, cap storage fees at $8 a day, and notify police within one business day, and may never charge more than the Department-approved rate under Article 21, Title 16 of the County Code.
Baltimore County Trespass Towing License Rules
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-16-116
§ 21-16-116. - TRESPASS TOWING - SIGNAGE. (a)Sign requirements. The owner or operator of a parking lot or garage or the owner's or operator's agent may not have a vehicle towed or otherwise removed from the parking lot or garage unless the owner, operator, or agent has placed in a conspicuous location signs that:(1)Are at least 24 inches high and 30 inches wide;(2)Are clearly visible to the dri...
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