Md. Code, Local Government § 1–706

(a) It is the policy of the State to authorize each county and municipality to

displace or limit competition in the awarding of concessions on, over, or under

property owned or leased by the county or municipality and in the leasing or

subleasing of property owned or leased by the county or municipality to:

(1) use its assets properly for the best public purpose;

(2) protect the public from unscrupulous business practices and

excessive prices;

(3) provide maximum accessibility to public property;

(4) provide desirable or necessary governmental services at the

lowest possible cost; and

(5) promote the general welfare by using public property for the

benefit of the residents of the county or municipality.

(b) Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, a county or municipality

may:

(1) (i) grant one or more franchises for any concession on, over, or

under property owned or leased by the county or municipality on an exclusive or

nonexclusive basis;

(ii) control prices and rates for the franchise; and

(iii) adopt rules and regulations for the operation of the

franchise; and

(2) lease or sublease publicly owned or leased real property on terms

that the county or municipality determines.