Baltimore shuts down restaurants for license issues while operators complain of permitting delays from city agencies

More than half of the restaurants shuttered by the city’s health department so far this year have been cited, not for the usual offenses, such as rodents or lack of hot water, but for operating without a valid license or permit. That’s significantly higher than in prior years and many restaurant owners blame the city, saying it is behind on issuing the paid-for permits as well as scheduling necessary zoning hearings, leading to delays in opening and affecting their ability to do business as the pandemic eases.