{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-5-204","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Local Government § 5–204","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) A municipality may change its corporate name.\n(2) Before an ordinance under this subsection takes effect, a\nmunicipality shall submit the ordinance to the qualified voters of the municipality for\ntheir approval at a regular or special municipal election.\n(3) A change of name may not affect any right, duty, or obligation of\nthe municipality.\n(b) A municipality may have a seal.\n(c) A municipality may:\n(1) acquire by conveyance, purchase, or condemnation any real or\nleasehold property needed for a public purpose;\n(2) construct buildings on municipal property for the benefit of the\nmunicipality; and\n(3) sell, at public or private sale after 20 days’ public notice, and\nconvey to the purchaser any real or leasehold property belonging to the municipality\nif the legislative body of the municipality determines that the property is no longer\nneeded for public use.\n(d) (1) A municipality may grant franchises in accordance with public\ngeneral law or public local law.\n(2) A municipality may grant a franchise for a cable television system\nas provided in § 1–708 of this article.\n(3) For any franchise granted under this subsection, a municipality\nmay:\n(i) impose franchise fees; and\n(ii) adopt rates, rules, and regulations.\n(e) A municipality may exercise the licensing authority granted by law.\n(f) A municipality may:\n(1) establish and regulate markets in the municipality; and\n(2) license the sale of merchandise in the markets.","path":["Article - Local Government"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=glg\u0026section=5-204","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:59:58Z","sha256":"cea72e785b026e38fa1cd36cd1fce23723b16bf687f760df8a4487e8e2cfcd28","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-5-203","next":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-5-205"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}