Baltimore City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
Title 1
General Provisions
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Rules of Interpretation
- 1-201. In general.
- 1-202. Code not a permit.
- 1-203. Conflicting provisions.
- 1-204. References to "this Code".
- 1-205. Use symbology.
- 1-206. Undefined terms.
- 1-207. "Used" or "Occupied".
- 1-208. Uses – generic, specific, and prohibited.
- 1-209. Uses prohibited citywide.
- 1-210. Use and Site Development Standards.
- Subtitle 3 Definitions
- 1-301. In general.
- 1-302. "Abut" to "Awning".
- 1-303. "Bail bond establishment" to "Child day-care home".
- 1-304. "Chimney" to "Day-care center: Child".
- 1-305. "Day-care home: Adult" to "Electric substation: Outdoor".
- 1-306. "Encroachment" to "Golf course".
- 1-307. "Government facility" to "Industrial boat repair".
- 1-308. "Industrial: General" to "Lot: Interior".
- 1-309. "Lot line" to "Motel".
- 1-310. "Motor vehicle" to "Owner".
- 1-311. "Parapet" to "Processed metal".
- 1-312. "Property line" to "Roof deck".
- 1-313. "Roofline" to "Substantial construction".
- 1-314. "Tavern" to "Wholesale Goods".
- 1-315. "Yard" to "Zoo".
Title 2
Purpose, Applicability, Short Title
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Code
- Subtitle 2 Applicability
- Subtitle 3 Short Title
Title 3
Outline of Code Administration
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Administrative Agencies and Officials
Title 4
Development Reviews
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Site Plan Review
- Subtitle 3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Review
- Subtitle 4 Design Review
- Subtitle 5 Landscape Review
- 4-501. Purpose.
- 4-502. Landscape Manual.
- 4-503. Goals.
- 4-504. Objectives – Environmental.
- 4-505. Objectives – Character and sense of place.
- 4-506. Objectives – Economic.
- 4-507. Objectives – Landscape installation and maintenance.
- 4-508. Review process.
- 4-509. Applicability.
- 4-510. Approval prerequisite to permit.
- 4-511. Submittal requirements.
- 4-512. Procedures.
- 4-513. Review standards.
- 4-514. Administrative appeals.
Title 5
Applications and Authorizations
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Applications
- Subtitle 3 Variances
- 5-301. Purpose.
- 5-302. Minor and major variances distinguished.
- 5-303. Review of applications.
- 5-304. Minor variances.
- 5-305. Major variances.
- 5-306. Qualifications.
- 5-307. Variance less than requested.
- 5-308. Approval standards.
- 5-309. Time limit for utilization of variance; Extensions.
- 5-310. Code compliance denial.
- Subtitle 4 Conditional Uses
- 5-401. Purpose.
- 5-402. {Reserved}
- 5-403. Referrals.
- 5-404. Actions taken.
- 5-405. Conditions.
- 5-406. Approval standards.
- 5-407. Time limit for utilization of conditional use; Extensions.
- 5-408. Discontinued conditional use or conditional sign.
- 5-409. Revocations, etc., of conditional use.
- 5-410. Code compliance denial.
- Subtitle 5 Legislative Authorizations
- Subtitle 6 Notices
- Subtitle 7 Use Permits
- Subtitle 8 Zoning Consultations
- Subtitle 9 Zoning Verifications
Title 6
Zoning Districts; Maps and Profiles
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Zoning Districts
- Subtitle 3 Maps and Profiles
- Subtitle 4 [Repealed by Ord. 17-015]
Title 7
Open-Space and Environmental Districts
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Open-Space Zoning Districts
- Subtitle 3 Floodplain Overlay Zoning District
- Subtitle 4 Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay Zoning District
- 7-401. Purpose of Critical Area Overlay District.
- 7-402. Definitions.
- 7-403. Designation of Critical Area.
- 7-404. Development areas.
- 7-405. CAMP Map.
- 7-406. Prohibited uses.
- 7-407. Resource Conservation Areas.
- 7-408. Intensely Developed Areas – Waterfront Revitalization; Shoreline Conservation.
- 7-409. Intensely Developed Areas – Waterfront Industrial.
- 7-410. Intensely Developed Areas – Water-dependent facilities within Buffer.
- 7-411. Public utility and government services.
- 7-412. Abandoned uses.
- 7-413. Bulk and yard regulations.
- 7-414. Variances and conditional uses.
- 7-415. Civil penalties.
Title 8
Detached and Semi-Detached Residential Districts
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 District Descriptions
- 8-201. Common standards.
- 8-202. R-1A Detached Residential District.
- 8-203. R-1B Detached Residential District.
- 8-204. R-1C Detached Residential District.
- 8-205. R-1D Detached Residential District.
- 8-206. R-1E Detached Residential District.
- 8-207. R-1 Detached Residential District.
- 8-208. R-2 Detached and Semi-Detached Residential District.
- 8-209. R-3 Detached Residential District.
- 8-210. R-4 Detached and Semi-Detached Residential District.
- Subtitle 3 Use Regulations
- Subtitle 4 Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Subtitle 5 [Reserved]
- Subtitle 6 Other Applicable Standards
Title 9
Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 District Descriptions
- Subtitle 3 Use Regulations
- Subtitle 4 Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Subtitles 5 and 6 [Reserved]
- Subtitle 7 Residential Conversions
- Subtitle 8 Other Applicable Standards
Title 10
Commercial Districts
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 District Descriptions
- 10-201. C-1 Neighborhood Business District.
- 10-202. C-1-E Neighborhood Business and Entertainment District.
- 10-203. C-1-VC Neighborhood Business District (Village Center).
- 10-204. C-2 Community Commercial District.
- 10-205. C-3 General Commercial District.
- 10-206. C-4 Heavy Commercial District.
- 10-207. C-5 Downtown District.
- Subtitle 3 Use Regulations
- Subtitle 4 Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Subtitle 5 Design Standards for C-5 District
- Subtitle 6 Other Applicable Standards
Title 11
Industrial Districts
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 District Descriptions
- Subtitle 3 Use Regulations
- Subtitle 4 Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Subtitle 5 [Reserved]
- Subtitle 6 Other Applicable Standards
Title 12
Special Purpose Districts
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 District Descriptions
- 12-201. OR Office-Residential Districts.
- 12-202. TOD Transit-Oriented Development Districts.
- 12-203. EC Educational Campus Districts.
- 12-204. H Hospital Campus Districts.
- 12-205. T Transportation Districts.
- 12-206. {Reserved}
- 12-207. W Waterfront Overlay Districts.
- 12-208. R-MU Rowhouse Mixed-Use Overlay Districts.
- 12-209. D-MU Detached Dwelling Mixed-Use Overlay Districts.
- 12-210. AU Adult Use Overlay Districts.
- 12-211. PC Port Covington Zoning District.
- 12-212. Harford Road Overlay District.
- Subtitle 3 Office-Residential Districts
- Subtitle 4 Transit-Oriented Development Districts
- Subtitle 5 Educational Campus Districts
- Subtitle 6 Hospital Campus Districts
- Subtitle 7 Transportation Districts
- Subtitle 8 [Reserved]
- Subtitle 9 Waterfront Overlay Districts
- Subtitle 10 Rowhouse Mixed-Use Overlay Districts
- Subtitle 11 Detached Dwelling Mixed-Use Overlay Districts
- Subtitle 12 Adult Use Overlay District
- Subtitle 13 Port Covington District
- Subtitle 14 Harford Road Overlay District
Title 13
Planned Unit Developments
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose; Transition Rules
- Subtitle 2 Requirements; Approval Standards; Exceptions
- Subtitle 3 Procedures for Plan Approval
- Subtitle 4 Modifications to Approved Final Development Plans
- Subtitle 5 Enforcement
Title 14
Use Standards
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Applicability of Use Standards
- Subtitle 3 Use Standards
- 14-301. Adult uses.
- 14-301.1. After-hours establishments.
- 14-302. Banquet halls.
- 14-303. Boat manufacturing, repair, and sales.
- 14-304. Car washes.
- 14-305. Commercial composting facilities.
- 14-306. Community-based alternative energy systems.
- 14-307. Community-managed open-space gardens and farms.
- 14-308. Cultural facilities.
- 14-309. Day-care centers: Adult or child.
- 14-310. Day-care homes: Adult or child.
- 14-311. Drive-through facilities.
- 14-312. Entertainment and recreation facilities: Indoor or outdoor.
- 14-312.1. Farmers' markets.
- 14-313. Fraternity or sorority houses.
- 14-314. Fuel stations.
- 14-315. General industrial (in MI District).
- 14-316. Junk or scrap storage and yards.
- 14-317. Kennels and animal clinics.
- 14-318. Landfill: Industrial.
- 14-319. Live entertainment or dancing.
- 14-320. Lodges and social clubs.
- 14-321. Lounges.
- 14-322. {Reserved}
- 14-323. Marinas; Industrial boat repair facilities.
- 14-324. Materials recovery facilities.
- 14-325. Motor vehicle or recreational vehicle dealerships or rental establishments.
- 14-326. Motor vehicle service and repair: Major or minor.
- 14-327. Multi-family dwellings – Accessory non-residential uses.
- 14-328. Neighborhood commercial establishments.
- 14-329. Outdoor dining and rooftop dining.
- 14-330. Outdoor storage yards and contractor storage yards.
- 14-331. Parking garages and parking lots.
- 14-332. Places of worship.
- 14-333. Recyclable materials recovery facilities.
- 14-333.1. Research and development facilities.
- 14-334. Residential-care facilities.
- 14-335. Resource recovery facilities.
- 14-335.1. Retail: Big box establishments.
- 14-335.2. Retail: Small Box Establisment.
- 14-336. Retail goods establishments – With alcoholic beverage sales.
- 14-337. Taverns.
- 14-338. Telecommunications facilities.
- 14-339. Urban agriculture.
- 14-340. Utilities and electric substations.
- Subtitle 4 Temporary-Use Standards
- 14-401. Permits.
- 14-402. General provisions.
- 14-403 to 14-405. {Reserved}
- 14-406. Permitted temporary uses – Carnivals or circuses.
- 14-407. Permitted temporary uses – Seasonal or holiday sales lots.
- 14-408. {Repealed by Ord. 22-181}
- 14-409. Permitted temporary uses – House, apartment, garage, and yard sales.
- 14-410. Permitted temporary uses – Shows and sales.
- 14-411. Permitted temporary uses – Sidewalk sales.
- 14-412. Permitted temporary uses – Outdoor entertainment.
- 14-413. Permitted temporary uses – Batching plants.
- 14-414. Permitted temporary uses – Contractor trailers; Real estate model units.
- 14-415. Permitted temporary uses – Self-storage containers.
- 14-416. Permitted temporary uses – Tents.
Title 15
Site Development Standards
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Applicability of Development Standards
- Subtitle 3 Measurement Methodologies
- Subtitle 4 Exceptions
- Subtitle 5 Accessory Structures and Uses
- 15-501. General regulations.
- 15-502. Amateur (ham) radio equipment.
- 15-503. Automobile charging station (electric and solar).
- 15-504. Carriage house.
- 15-505. Exterior lighting.
- 15-506. Greenhouses and hoop-houses.
- 15-507. Home occupation.
- 15-508. Mechanical equipment.
- 15-509. Outdoor sales and displays by retail goods establishments.
- 15-510. Outdoor storage.
- 15-511. Parking garages (residential).
- 15-512. Porches.
- 15-513. Public park accessory uses.
- 15-514. Recycling collection stations.
- 15-515. Refuse disposal containers and refuse storage areas.
- 15-516. Satellite dish antennas.
- 15-517. Alternative energy systems: Solar.
- 15-518. Alternative energy systems: Wind.
- Subtitle 6 Permitted Encroachments
- Subtitle 7 Performance Standards
Title 16
Off-Street Parking and Loading
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 General Applicability
- Subtitle 3 Construction of Facilities
- Subtitle 4 Design of Off-Street Parking Facilities
- Subtitle 5 Permitted Parking Alternatives
- Subtitle 7 Required Bicycle Parking
- Subtitle 8 Additional Vehicle Storage Requirements
- Subtitle 9 Off-Street Loading Requirements
Title 17
Signs
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title; Definitions
- Subtitle 2 Placement, Design, and Construction
- Subtitle 3 Sign Dimension and Quantity Measurement Methodology
- 17-301. In general.
- 17-302. Sign area – General.
- 17-303. Sign area – Supports and uprights excluded.
- 17-304. Sign area – Multi-faced signs.
- 17-305. Sign area – Three-dimensional, etc., signs.
- 17-306. Sign area – Maximum cumulative area of signs on lot.
- 17-307. Sign height and width.
- 17-308. Building and tenant frontage measurement methodology.
- 17-309. Maximum area and maximum quantity.
- Subtitle 4 Requirements by Sign Type
- 17-401. A-frame signs.
- 17-402. Alcoholic beverage and cigarette advertising signs.
- 17-403. Attention-getting devices.
- 17-404. Awning or canopy signs and open-structural framework signs.
- 17-405. Banner signs.
- 17-406. Billboards.
- 17-407. Electronic signs.
- 17-408. Freestanding signs.
- 17-409. {Reserved}
- 17-410. Moving or flashing signs.
- 17-411. Obscene signs.
- 17-412. Painted/mural signs.
- 17-413. Portable signs.
- 17-414. Projecting signs.
- 17-415. Roof signs.
- 17-416. Wall signs.
- 17-417. Window signs.
- Subtitle 5 Areas of Special Signage Control
Title 18
Nonconformities
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Purpose of Title
- Subtitle 2 Definitions; General Provisions
- Subtitle 3 Nonconforming Uses
- 18-301. Continuation.
- 18-302. Expansion of use or structure.
- 18-303. Repairs and alterations.
- 18-304. Restoration of damaged structures.
- 18-305. Relocation.
- 18-306. Change of use.
- 18-307. Discontinuance or abandonment.
- 18-308 to 18-309. {Reserved}
- 18-310. Junk or scrap storage and yards; Vehicle dismantling facilities; Landfills.
- Subtitle 4 Nonconforming Structures
- 18-401. Application of subtitle.
- 18-402. Continuation.
- 18-403. Expansion of structure.
- 18-404. Repairs and alterations.
- 18-405. Restoration of damaged structures.
- 18-406. Relocation.
- 18-407 to 18-410. {Reserved}
- 18-411. Exceptions – Administrative bulk adjustments.
- 18-412. Exceptions – Multi-family structures.
- 18-413. Structures in Hospital Campus District.
- Subtitle 5 Nonconforming Signs
- Subtitle 6 Nonconforming Lots
- Subtitle 7 Mandatory Termination of Certain Uses
Title 19
Prohibited Conduct; Enforcement; Administrative and Judicial Review
Sections
- Subtitle 1 Prohibited Conduct
- Subtitle 2 Enforcement
- Part I Definitions
- Part II Violation Notice
- Part III Subsequent Proceedings
- Subtitle 3 Administrative and Judicial Review
Zoning Tables
Sections
- Table 7-202 Open-Space Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 7-203 Open-Space Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 8-301 Detached and Semi-Detached Residential Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 8-401 Detached and Semi-Detached Residential Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 9-301 Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 9-401 Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 10-301 Commercial Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 10-401 Commercial Districts (C-1 to C-4) – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 10-401 Commercial Districts (C-5) – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 11-301 Industrial Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 11-401 Industrial Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 12-301 Office-Residential Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 12-302 Office-Residential Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 12-402 Transit-Oriented Development Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 12-403 Transit-Oriented Development Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 12-501 Educational Campus Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 12-502 Educational Campus Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 12-601 Hospital Campus Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 12-602 Hospital Campus Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 12-903(1) Canton Waterfront Area
- Table 12-903(2) Fells Point Waterfront Area
- Table 12-903(3) Key Highway Waterfront Area
- Table 12-903(4) Middle Branch Waterfront
- Table 12-1302 Port Covington District – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 12-1303 Port Covington District – Bulk and Yard Regulations
- Table 12-1403 Harford Road Overlay District – Office, Commercial, and Industrial Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses
- Table 15-405 Mount Vernon Neighborhood Height Map
- Table 15-601 Permitted Encroachments into Required Yards
- Table 16-204 Off-Street Parking Maximums
- Table 16-402 Off-Street Parking Dimensions
- Table 16-501 Collective Parking Calculation
- Table 16-701 Bicycle Parking Dimensions
- Table 16-705 Required Bicycle Spaces
- Table 16-902 Off-Street Loading Requirements
- Table 17-201 Sign Regulations
- Table 17-306 Maximum Cumulative Area of Signs