Baltimore City Question GCharter Amendment – Franchises and Minor Privileges (Use of City Property)
What your vote means
A YES vote bars the city from selling or renting out its stormwater system as a franchise and lets city agencies, not the Board of Estimates, approve minor uses of city property like sidewalk signs.
A NO vote keeps the current charter rules on franchises and minor privileges, with the Board of Estimates approving minor privileges.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- Adds the city's stormwater system to the list of city property that cannot be sold or rented out as a franchise. source: elections.maryland.gov
- Says space in the city's conduit (underground cable pipes) can be rented as a franchise, but the conduit system itself still cannot be sold. source: elections.maryland.gov
- A 'minor privilege' is a use of a small part of city property, such as a sidewalk display or sign. The Board of Estimates would lose the power to grant them; an executive agency would grant them under a process set by city law. source: elections.maryland.gov
- Removes old rules on street railways and trackless trolleys. Effective Dec. 3, 2026, except removed sections (Nov. 7, 2028 unless a city law comes sooner). source: elections.maryland.gov
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Part of Council Bill 26-0172, introduced April 6, 2026. Councilman Zac Blanchard said small business signs or sidewalk displays now need Board of Estimates approval, calling it 'an absurd level of red tape.' source: foxbaltimore.com
Why supporters want it
- Councilman Zac Blanchard said Board of Estimates approval for small signs or sidewalk displays is 'an absurd level of red tape.' source: foxbaltimore.com
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Baltimore City ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment Franchises and Minor Privileges
Question G amends the City Charter language governing how the City allows third parties to use certain City property. It adds the City's stormwater system to the list of City property that cannot be sold or rented out as a franchise. It clarifies that space in the City's conduit system can be rented out as a franchise, but the conduit system itself still cannot be sold. The Amendment also simplifies the general provisions governing franchise agreements and other such grants. The Amendment updates the language for granting minor privileges to use a portion of City property by clarifying the definition of minor privilege, including temporary and permanent varieties, and permitting minor privileges to be further identified and defined by ordinance. It also removes the Board of Estimates' authority to grant minor privileges, along with related processes, and instead allows minor privileges to be granted by an executive agency under a new process to be established by City ordinance. The Amendment also eliminates certain obsolete provisions in the Charter pertaining to street railways and trackless trolleys. Voting for this amendment brings about the changes described above with the following effective dates: November 7, 2028, for Charter sections that are removed, unless an ordinance or regulation governing that topic is adopted sooner; and December 3, 2026, for all other changes. Voting against the amendment leaves the current Charter language governing franchises and minor privileges in place.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Latest news
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