Baltimore's small businesses don't just create jobs — every $100 spent at a local Baltimore business keeps $48 circulating in our local economy. At a national chain? Less than $14 stays here. Independent businesses are the tax base, the community anchors, and the soul of neighborhoods across this city — from Fells Point to Hampden, Federal Hill to Waverly. And right now, they have almost no legal protection against a landlord who decides to push them out.
Real Businesses. Real Stories.
These aren't stock photos. These are Baltimore's neighborhoods — beloved businesses pushed out, storefronts boarded up, commercial spaces sitting empty while landlords collect write-offs and communities lose their soul.
The Problem Is Real
Right now in Fells Point, beloved businesses are having their leases broken by landlords while owners have zero meaningful legal protection. Small business owners pour tens of thousands of dollars into buildouts, equipment, and staff — and can be pushed out on a whim. In Baltimore, that investment simply disappears.
Drive down Fleet Street. Count the vacant storefronts — many have been dark for years, many are for sale. We've been told by people in the know that it's actually more profitable for some landlords to collect residential rent upstairs while leaving the commercial space below completely empty. A broken incentive structure is hollowing out our neighborhoods block by block.
Many of Baltimore's commercial properties are owned by people who don't live here, don't shop here, and don't care about this community. They prioritize tax write-offs and speculative returns over the businesses and neighbors who actually make Baltimore worth living in. When our city suffers, they don't feel it.
"There is more money to be made keeping a Baltimore storefront dark than renting it to a small business. That is a broken system, and it is hollowing out our neighborhoods block by block."
The Small Business Bill of Rights
Make it illegal for landlords to break leases or use bad-faith tactics to force tenants out, with meaningful civil penalties — like NYC's $10,000–$50,000 fines.
Require landlords to give small businesses advance notice before significant rent increases or termination, so they have a real chance to plan and stay.
Impose a surcharge on commercial properties intentionally left vacant, creating real financial pressure to either use them or sell to someone who will.
Higher tax rates on commercial properties owned by out-of-state or absentee landlords. If you profit from Baltimore without living here, you pay your fair share back.
Other Cities Are Acting. Baltimore Isn't.
Commercial Tenant Anti-Harassment Law bans bad-faith tactics with civil penalties up to $50,000, plus free legal aid through the Dept. of Small Business Services.
SB 1103 requires 90 days' notice for rent increases above 10% and protects microenterprises and small restaurants statewide, effective 2025.
Made commercial tenant protections permanent in 2022 for businesses with 9 or fewer employees, including full anti-harassment provisions.
Businesses That Support This
These Baltimore small businesses stand behind the Small Business Bill of Rights. Is your business in? Get in touch to add your logo here.
Add Your Name
Adding your name tells Baltimore City Council that real constituents — across every district — are demanding change. The more names we have, the harder this is to ignore.
Thank You, Baltimore.
Your signature has been added. We're building a movement — and every name brings us closer to real change for small businesses across this city. Help spread the word by sharing the petition.