§ 5-204. Legislative authority -- General powers of municipalities

   (a) Change name of municipality. --

   (1) A municipality may change its corporate name.

   (2) Before an ordinance under this subsection takes effect, a municipality shall submit the ordinance to the qualified voters of the municipality for their approval at a regular or special municipal election.

   (3) A change of name may not affect any right, duty, or obligation of the municipality.

(b) Establish seal. -- A municipality may have a seal.

(c) Acquisition and transfer of real property of municipality. -- A municipality may:

   (1) acquire by conveyance, purchase, or condemnation any real or leasehold property needed for a public purpose;

   (2) construct buildings on municipal property for the benefit of the municipality; and

   (3) sell, at public or private sale after 20 days' public notice, and convey to the purchaser any real or leasehold property belonging to the municipality if the legislative body of the municipality determines that the property is no longer needed for public use.

(d) Franchises. --

   (1) A municipality may grant franchises in accordance with public general law or public local law.

   (2) A municipality may grant a franchise for a cable television system as provided in § 1-708 of this article.

   (3) For any franchise granted under this subsection, a municipality may:

      (i) impose franchise fees; and

      (ii) adopt rates, rules, and regulations.

(e) Licensing authority. -- A municipality may exercise the licensing authority granted by law.

(f) Markets. -- A municipality may:

   (1) establish and regulate markets in the municipality; and

   (2) license the sale of merchandise in the markets.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 23A, § 2(b)(8), (13), (18), (24), (27), (32); 2013, ch. 119, § 2.