Baltimore County Unincorporated City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections
- SECTION 100 - Zones and Districts; Boundaries
- § 100.1. - Division into zones and districts.
- § 100.2. - Zoning Map.
- § 100.3. - Change in present zone designations.
- § 100.3A. - Further zone changes.
- § 100.4. - Determination of zone boundaries.
- § 100.5. - Zoning classification for historic properties.
- § 100.6. - Land used for stabling and pasturing of animals.
- SECTION 101 - Definitions
- SECTION 101A. - Critical Area Definitions
- SECTION 102. - General Requirements
- § 102.1. - Conformance with regulations.
- § 102.2. - Sharing of yard space and minimum area.
- § 102.3. - Alleys.
- § 102.4. - Panhandle lots.
- § 102.5. - Corner lots.
- § 102.6. - Vehicular access to commercial, industrial and apartment developments.
- § 102.7. - Calculation of residential density in subdivisions with special exception uses.
- SECTION 103. - Application of Zoning Regulations[44]
- SECTION 104 - Nonconforming Uses
- § 104.1. - Continuation of nonconformance; exceptions.
- § 104.2. - Restoration of damaged or destroyed structures.
- § 104.3. - Limit on extension of nonconforming buildings and uses; exception.
- § 104.4. - Exception for certain office buildings.
- § 104.5. - Uses in Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
- § 104.6. - Striptease businesses.
- § 104.7. - Nonconforming signs.
- § 104.8. - Termination of nonconforming use.
- SECTION 105 - Prohibited Uses in Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
ARTICLE 1A
RESOURCE CONSERVATION ZONES
Sections
- SECTION 1A00 - General Provisions for All R.C. Classifications
- SECTION 1A01 - R.C.2 (Agricultural) Zone
- SECTION 1A02 - R.C.3 (Deferral of Planning and Development) Zone
- SECTION 1A03 - R.C.4 (Watershed Protection) Zone
- § 1A03.1. - Findings and legislative policy.
- § 1A03.2. - Rezoning by petition.
- § 1A03.3. - Use regulations.
- § 1A03.4. - Height and area regulations.
- § 1A03.5. - Performance standards for rural cluster development.
- § 1A03.6. - Optional development in R.C.4 Zones.
- § 1A03.7. - Additional standards.
- § 1A03.8. - Inconveniences arising from agricultural operations.
- SECTION 1A04 - R.C.5 (Rural-Residential) Zone
- SECTION 1A05 - R.C.20 (Critical Area) and R.C.50 (Critical Area, Agricultural) Zones
- SECTION 1A06 - R.C.C. (Commercial) Zone
- SECTION 1A07 - R.C.6 (Rural Conservation and Residential) Zone
- § 1A07.1. - Legislative goals.
- § 1A07.2. - Definitions.
- § 1A07.3. - Permitted uses.
- § 1A07.4. - Plans and permits.
- § 1A07.5. - Concept statement.
- § 1A07.6. - Scenic views.
- § 1A07.7. - Conservancy area.
- § 1A07.8. - Development area and standards.
- § 1A07.9. - Ownership of conservancy and common areas.
- § 1A07.10. - Covenants and easements.
- SECTION 1A08 - R.C.7 (Resource Preservation) Zone
- SECTION 1A09 - R.C.8 (Environmental Enhancement) Zone
ARTICLE 1B
DENSITY RESIDENTIAL D.R. ZONES
Sections
- SECTION 1B00 - Legislative Statement of Findings; Policy With Respect to D.R. Zones in General
- SECTION 1B01 - Regulations With Respect to D.R. Zones in General
- SECTION 1B02 - Use, Parking, Bulk Density and Open Space Regulations, Standards and Controls Applied According to Zoning Classification
- § 1B02.1. - Uses permitted as of right or by special exception according to zoning classification.
- § 1B02.2. - Regulations, standards and controls for density, bulk, open space and parking.
- § 1B02.3. - Special regulations for certain existing or proposed developments or subdivisions and for small lots or tracts in D.R. Zones.
ARTICLE 2
ELEVATOR-APARTMENT RESIDENCE ZONES, RESIDENTIAL-OFFICE ZONES, OFFICE ZONES, BUSINESS ZONES, MANUFACTURING ZONES AND DISTRICTS
Sections
- SECTION 200 - R.A.E.1 Zones: Residence, Apartment, Elevator
- SECTION 201 - R.A.E.2 Zones: Residence, Apartment, Elevator
- SECTION 202 - Residential — Office, Class A Office (R-O-A) Zones
- SECTION 203 - General Provisions: All Office Classifications
- SECTION 204 - R-O (Residential — Office) Zone
- SECTION 205 - OR-1 (Office Building — Residential) Zone
- SECTION 206 - OR-2 (Office Building — Residential) Zone[11]
- SECTION 207 - O-3 (Office Park) Zone
- SECTION 208 - Plans for OR-1, OR-2 and O-3 Zones
- SECTION 209 - O.T. (Office and Technology) Zone
- § 209.1.- Declaration of findings.
- § 209.2. - Statement of legislative policy.
- § 209.3. - Permitted uses.
- § 209.4. - Bulk regulations.
- § 209.5. - Proximity of research institutes, laboratories and manufacturing structures to residential zones.
- § 209.6. - Off-street parking and loading areas.
- § 209.7. - Performance requirements.
- § 209.8. - Plans for O.T. (Office and Technology) Zones.
- SECTION 210 - S-E (Service Employment) Zone
- SECTION 215 - Business Maritime Zones: General Statement of Legislative Intent
- SECTION 216 - Business Maritime Marina (B.M.M.) Zone Use Regulations
- SECTION 217 - B.M.M. Height Regulations
- SECTION 218 - B.M.M. Area Regulations
- SECTION 219 - B.M.M. Signage
- SECTION 220 - B.M.M. Performance Standards
- SECTION 221 - Business Maritime Boatyard (B.M.B.) Zone: Use Regulations
- SECTION 222 - B.M.B. Height Regulations
- SECTION 223 - B.M.B. Area Regulations
- SECTION 224 - B.M.B. Signage and Performance Standards
- SECTION 225 - Business Maritime Yacht Club (B.M.Y.C.) Zone: Use Regulations
- SECTION 226 - B.M.Y.C. Height Regulations
- SECTION 227 - B.M.Y.C. Area Regulations
- SECTION 228 - B.M.Y.C. Signage and Performance Standards
- SECTION 229 - Performance Based Business Zones: C.B. and B.L.R. Zones
- § 229.1.- Statement of legislative policy for C.B. and B.L.R. Zones.
- § 229.2. - Procedure for petitioning for new Community Business or Business Local Restricted Zone.
- § 229.3. - Performance standards for C.B. and B.L.R. Zones.
- § 229.4. - Uses in C.B. Zone.
- § 229.5. - Uses in B.L.R. Zone.
- § 229.6. - Bulk and area regulations for community business zones and business local restricted zones.
- § 229.7. - Signage standards for community business and business local restricted zones.
- SECTION 230 - Business, Local (B.L.) Zone Use Regulations
- § 230.1.- Permitted uses.
- § 230.2. - Permitted use conditions.
- § 230.3. - Special exception uses.
- § 230.4. - Uses in B.L. Zones nearby the MD 43 Overlay District.
- § 230.5. - Residential Uses in the B.L. Zone adjacent to Institutional Uses.
- § 230.6. - Residential uses in the B.L. Zone within the Liberty West Community Plan Area.
- SECTION 231 - B.L. Zone Height Regulations[29]
- SECTION 232 - B.L. Zone Area Regulations
- SECTION 232A - Special Regulations for C.C.C. Districts
- SECTION 232B - Special Regulations for C.T. Districts
- SECTION 232C - Special Regulations for B.L. Lots Within 750 Feet of an R.C. Zone
- SECTION 233 - Business, Major (B.M.) Zone Use Regulations
- SECTION 234 - B.M. Zone Height Regulations[46]
- SECTION 235 - B.M. Zone Area Regulations
- SECTION 235A - Special Regulations for C.C.C. Districts
- SECTION 235B - Special Regulations for C.T. Districts
- § 235B.1.- Apartments; elderly housing facilities.
- § 235B.2. - Apartment windows.
- § 235B.3. - Floor area ratio; number of dwelling units.
- § 235B.4. - Open space ratio; streetscaping.
- § 235B.5. - Building height.
- § 235B.6. - Off-street parking.
- § 235B.7. - Middle River Employment Center.
- § 235B.8. - (Reserved)[48]
- § 235B.9. - C.T. District of Owings Mills.
- § 235B.10. - Front, side and rear yards.
- SECTION 235C - Special Regulations for B.M. Lots Within 750 Feet of an R.C. Zone
- SECTION 236 - Business, Roadside (B.R.) Zone Use Regulations
- SECTION 237 - B.R. Zone Height Regulations[58]
- SECTION 238 - B.R. Zone Area Regulations
- SECTION 238A - Special Regulations for C.C.C. Districts
- SECTION 238B - Special Regulations for C.T. Districts
- SECTION 238C - Special Regulations for B.R. Lots Within 750 Feet of an R.C. Zone
- SECTION 240 - Manufacturing, Restricted (M.R.) Zone: Purpose, Size Limitation, Procedure and Use
- SECTION 241 - M.R. Zone Use Regulations
- SECTION 242 - M.R. Zone Height Regulations
- SECTION 243 - M.R. Zone Area Regulations
- SECTION 247 - Manufacturing, Light, Restricted (M.L.R.) Zone: Purpose
- SECTION 248 - M.L.R. Zone Use Regulations
- SECTION 249 - M.L.R. Zone Height Regulations
- SECTION 250 - M.L.R. Zone Area Regulations[68]
- SECTION 251 - M.L.R. Zone Subdivision Plan
- SECTION 252 - M.L.R. Zone Site Development Plans
- SECTION 253 - Manufacturing, Light (M.L.) Zone Use Regulations
- SECTION 254 - M.L. Zone Height Regulations
- SECTION 255 - M.L. Zone Area Regulations
- SECTION 256 - Manufacturing, Heavy (M.H.) Zone Use Regulations
- § 256.1.- Permitted uses.
- § 256.2. - Special exception uses.
- § 256.3. - Uses within 150 feet of residential boundaries and motorways; screening.
- § 256.4. - Uses on historic properties.
- § 256.5. - Uses on certain large tracts.
- § 256.6. - Compressed natural gas fueling facility.
- § 256.7 - Uses on certain tracts zoned M.L.-I.M. and M.H.-I.M.
- SECTION 257 - M.H. Zone Height Regulations
- SECTION 258 - M.H. Zone Area Regulations
- SECTION 259 - Districts
- § 259.1.- General.
- § 259.2. - Statements of legislative intent for districts.
- § 259.3. - Special regulations for C.R. Districts.
- § 259.4. - Statement of legislative intent for Honeygo Area and H and H1 Overlay Districts.
- § 259.5. - Definitions.
- § 259.6. - Application of H and HI Overlay Districts — Honeygo Area.
- § 259.7. - Area limits — Honeygo Area.
- § 259.8. - Zoning Commissioner's powers.
- § 259.9. - Development standards for H and H1 Overlay Districts.
- § 259.10. - Statement of legislative intent for Middle River Employment Center Area and MD 43 Overlay District.
- § 259.11. - Development standards for MD 43 Overlay District.
- § 259.12. - Application.
- § 259.13. - Middle River Area: building permits.
- § 259.14. - Neighborhood Commons Overlay District.
- § 259.15. - Mercantile Exposition Overlay District.[114]
- § 259.16. - Downtown Towson District.
- § 259.17. - Mixed-Use (M.U.) District.
- § 259.18. - Elderly and Senior Housing Overlay District.
- § 259.19. - ECO Park (E.P.) Overlay District.
- SECTION 260 - Residential Performance Standards
- SECTION 270 - Schedule of Special Exceptions
ARTICLE 3
EXCEPTIONS TO HEIGHT AND AREA REQUIREMENTS
Sections
- SECTION 300 - Height Exceptions
- SECTION 301 - Projections Into Yards
- SECTION 302 - Height and Area Regulations for New Residences in Business and Manufacturing Zones
- SECTION 303 - Front Yard Depths in Residence and Business Zones
- SECTION 304 - Use of Undersized Single-Family Lots
- SECTION 305 - Replacement of Destroyed or Damaged Dwellings
- SECTION 306 - Minor Public Utility Structures
- SECTION 307 - Variances
- SECTION 308 - Variances and Special Exceptions for Radiation Fallout Shelters
ARTICLE 4
SPECIAL REGULATIONS
Sections
- SECTION A400 - Purpose
- SECTION B400 - Application of This Article's Provisions
- SECTION 400 - Accessory Buildings in Residence Zones
- SECTION 401 - Cemeteries and Alternative Burial Grounds[2]
- SECTION 402 - Conversion of Dwellings
- SECTION 402B - Antique Shops In Residential Zones
- SECTION 402C - Residential Art Salons
- SECTION 402D - Museums in R.C. Zones[7]
- SECTION 403 - Excavations, Controlled
- SECTION 404 - Farm and Agricultural Operations[10]
- § 404.1.- General regulations.
- § 404.2. - Horticultural nurseries.
- § 404.3. - Landscape service operations.
- § 404.4. - Agricultural roadside businesses.
- § 404.5. - On-farm composting[11]
- § 404.6. - Prohibited uses.
- § 404.7. - Hog raising.
- § 404.8. - Manure storage.
- § 404.9. - Firewood operations.
- § 404.10. - Farms.
- § 404.11. - Setbacks for agricultural buildings.
- § 404.12. - Review of zoning violations.
- § 404.13. - Farmstead creameries.
- § 404.14. - Anemometers.
- SECTION 405 - Fuel Service Stations
- § 405.1.- Statement of legislative findings and policy.
- § 405.2. - Locations in which fuel service stations are permitted.
- § 405.3. - Condition for disapproving special exception.
- § 405.4. - Standards.
- § 405.5. - Plan approvals.
- § 405.6. - Fuel service stations existing prior to effective date of Bill No. 172-1993.
- § 405.7. - Abandoned fuel service stations.
- § 405.8. - Conversions of abandoned stations.
- SECTION 405A - Storage of Damaged or Disabled Motor Vehicles on Service Garage Premises
- SECTION 406 - Golf Driving Range, Miniature Golf and Baseball Batting Range
- SECTION 406A - Tennis Facilities
- SECTION 407 - Churches, Synagogues and Other Houses of Worship in Manufacturing Zones
- SECTION 408 - Junkyards[17]
- SECTION 408A - Neighborhood Car Rental Agencies[18]
- SECTION 408B - Boarding- or Rooming Houses in D.R. Zones
- SECTION 409 - Off-Street Parking and Loading
- § 409.1.- Applicability.
- § 409.2. - Plan.
- § 409.3. - Parking space dimensions.
- § 409.4. - Access to parking spaces.
- § 409.5. - Number of small car spaces.
- § 409.6. - Required number of parking spaces.
- § 409.7. - Location of parking.
- § 409.8. - Design standards.
- § 409.9. - Provisions for physically handicapped.
- § 409.10. - Requirements for drive-through facilities.
- § 409.11. - Off-street loading.
- § 409.12. - Other requirements.
- § 409.13. - Reduction of parking requirements for large shopping centers.
- § 409.14. - Bicycle parking.
- SECTION 410 - Class I Trucking Facilities (Truck Terminals)
- SECTION 410A - Class II Trucking Facilities (Truck Yards, etc.)
- SECTION 411 - Public Utility Uses
- SECTION 412 - Sanitary Landfills and Rubble Landfills
- SECTION 412A - Disposal of Community, Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Sludge
- SECTION 413 - Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Facility[26]
- SECTION 414 - Mobile Home Parks
- § 414.1.- Lot area of mobile home park.
- § 414.2. - Lot area of mobile home; connection to utilities.
- § 414.3. - Driveways; access to public highway.
- § 414.4. - Location of mobile homes on lot.
- § 414.5. - Space between mobile homes.
- § 414.6. - County Health Department approval.
- § 414.7. - Revisions to site plan.
- SECTION 415 - Trailers and Mobile Homes
- SECTION 415A - Recreational Vehicles and Boats
- SECTION 415B - DONATION BINS
- SECTION 416 - Dry Cleaning (Store-Plant) Retail
- SECTION 417 - Waterfront Construction
- § 417.1.- Application of provisions.
- § 417.2. - Plot diagram required with application; construction plan details.
- § 417.3. - Establishment of divisional lines.
- § 417.4. - Open access strip.
- § 417.5. - Structures beyond mean low tide.
- § 417.6. - County Department of Health approval for new facilities.
- § 417.7. - Out-of-water storage facilities.
- § 417.8. - Compliance with other provisions.
- § 417.9. - Public notice for pier or mooring pile construction. [Bill. No. ]
- SECTION 418 - Backyard Chickens and Hens[32]
- SECTION 419 - Car Wash
- SECTION 420 - Helicopter Operations
- SECTION 421 - Animal Boarding Place, Kennel, Pet Shop, Veterinarian's Office, Veterinarium
- § 421.1.- Animal boarding places, kennels, and pet shops in residential zones.
- § 421.2. - Animal boarding places, kennels and pet shops in office, business and manufacturing zones.
- § 421.3. - Veterinarian's offices and veterinariums in residential zones.
- § 421.4. - Number of dogs in private kennels restricted.
- § 421.5. - Authority to impose additional conditions.
- § 421.6. - Animal grooming facility standards.
- § 421.7. - Effect of animal grooming facilities on residential uses.
- § 421.8. - Domestic animal sanctuary.
- SECTION 422 - Amusement Devices
- SECTION 423 - Arcades
- SECTION 424 - Family Child-Care Homes, Group Child-Care Centers and Nursery Schools
- § 424.1.- General.
- § 424.2. - Group child-care centers and nursery schools.
- § 424.3. - Family child-care homes.
- § 424.4. - Group child-care centers as accessory use.
- § 424.5. - Child-care centers as principal use.
- § 424.6. - Sign and display regulations.
- § 424.7. - Bulk standards for group centers in D.R. Zones.
- § 424.8. - Group child-care centers in the R.C.6 Zone.
- SECTION 425 - Alcoholic Beverages License
- SECTION 426 - Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
- § 426.1.- Definitions.
- § 426.2. - Legislative policy for siting of wireless telecommunications antennas and towers.
- § 426.3. - Exceptions.
- § 426.4. - Tower Review Committee.
- § 426.5. - Location and height restrictions for wireless telecommunications towers and antennas.
- § 426.6. - Setback requirements for wireless telecommunications towers.
- § 426.7. - Security bond.
- § 426.8. - Unsafe or hazardous conditions.
- § 426.9. - Additional conditions for towers permitted by exception.
- § 426.10. - Removal of towers.
- § 426.11. - Variances.
- § 426.12. - Issuance of building permits.
- SECTION 426A - Radio Operator Antennas
- SECTION 427 - Fences
- SECTION 428 - Outside Storage of Unlicensed or Inoperative Motor Vehicles on Residential Property
- SECTION 429 - Satellite Receiving Dishes
- SECTION 430 - Planned Unit Developments
- SECTION 430A - Renaissance Redevelopment Pilot Program
- § 430A.1.- Legislative findings.
- § 430A.2. - Legislative intent.
- § 430A.3. - Redevelopment principles.
- § 430A.4. - Legislative purpose.
- § 430A.5. - Definitions.
- § 430A.6. - Scope.
- § 430A.7. - Designation of renaissance opportunity areas.
- § 430A.8. - Selection of renaissance pilot project.
- § 430A.9. - Preparation for collaborative design process.
- § 430A.10. - Collaborative design process.
- § 430A.11. - Pattern book.
- § 430A.12. - Approval of pattern book.
- § 430A.13. - Final redevelopment plan.
- § 430A.14. - Amendments.
- § 430A.15. - Compliance with final redevelopment plan.
- § 430A.16. - Waiver of deadlines.
- § 430A.17. - Essex Renaissance Opportunity Area.
- SECTION 431 - Parking of Vehicles on Residential Property
- SECTION 432A - Assisted-Living Facility; Housing for the Elderly
- SECTION 433 - Bed-and-Breakfast Inn[48]
- SECTION 434 - Public Transportation Facilities
- SECTION 435 - Commercial Film Production
- SECTION 436 - Pawnshops
- SECTION 437 - Limitations on Hours of Operation
- SECTION 438 - Health-Care and Surgery Centers
- SECTION 439 - Veterans Housing and Treatment Campuses
- SECTION 440 - Central Community Hub[50]
- SECTION 441 - Purpose built student housing; Dormitories in M.L.-I.M. Zone. [51]
- SECTION 442 - University Based Retirement Communities
- SECTION 443 - Data centers and energy storage devices
- SECTION 444 - Security Guard Booths
- SECTION 445 - Bus Shelters
- SECTION 446 - Wild Animals
- SECTION 447 - Restaurants and Taverns in B.L.R. Zone
- SECTION 448 - Hookah and Vapor Lounges
- SECTION 449 - Live Musical Entertainment
- SECTION 450 - Signs
- § 450.1.- Statement of general findings and policies.
- § 450.2. - Organization and applicability.
- § 450.3. - General sign definitions.
- § 450.4. - Table of Sign Regulations.
- § 450.5. - Structural types of signs.
- § 450.6. - General sign requirements.
- § 450.7. - Special requirements for particular classes.
- § 450.8. - Administration and compliance.
- TABLE OF SIGN REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 4A
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Sections
- SECTION 4A00 - Purpose and Definitions
- SECTION 4A02 - Basic Services Maps
- SECTION 4A03 - Growth Management Plan for Bowleys Quarters and Back River Neck Areas[10]
- § 4A03.1. - Definitions.
- § 4A03.2. - Application.
- § 4A03.3. - Connection to public sewer or water.
- § 4A03.4. - Building permits.
- § 4A03.5. - Building permit application.
- § 4A03.6. - Public notice.
- § 4A03.7. - Public hearing.
- § 4A03.8. - Final approval.
- § 4A03.9. - Appeals.
- § 4A03.10. - Fees.
- § 4A03.11. - Growth allocation not applicable.
- § 4A03.12. - Regulations.
- § 4A03.13. - Growth allocation: Back River Neck District.
- § 4A03.14. - R.C. 20 properties.
- Article 4A—Appendices Maps
ARTICLE 4D
CANNABIS FACILITIES
Sections
ARTICLE 5
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Sections
- SECTION 500 - Zoning Commissioner and/or Deputy Zoning Commissioner[1]
- § 500.1. - Approval of building permit applications.
- § 500.2. - Petitions for zone or district classification or reclassification.[3]
- § 500.3. - Refusal to grant reclassification.
- § 500.4. - Issuance of use permits.
- § 500.5. - Petitions for special exceptions.
- § 500.6. - Authority to conduct hearings.
- § 500.7. - Petitions for public hearing; notice.
- § 500.8. - Authority to prescribe rules for hearings.
- § 500.9. - Authority to require plats; plat specifications.
- § 500.10. - Right to appeal; filing of notice.
- § 500.11. - Duties of Commissioner upon appeal.
- § 500.12. - Subsequent petitions after denial of zoning reclassification or special exception petition.
- § 500.13. - Recordkeeping.
- § 500.14. - Within Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
- SECTION 501 - Board of Zoning Appeals[15]
- § 501.1. - Establishment of Board; Chairman.
- § 501.2. - Quorum.
- § 501.3. - Meetings; hearings.
- § 501.4. - Right to employ experts, summon witnesses and administer oaths; record of proceedings.
- § 501.5. - Record of testimony.
- § 501.6. - Appeals from Zoning Commissioner.
- § 501.7. - Affirming, modifying or reversing of decisions.
- § 501.8. - Charges and fees for procedures.
- SECTION 502 - Special Exceptions
- § 502.1. - Conditions determining granting of special exception.
- § 502.2. - Protection of surrounding properties; agreement governing special exception.
- § 502.3. - Time limit for utilization of special exception; extensions.
- § 502.4. - Special exception for certain elevator apartment buildings and office buildings.
- § 502.5. - Limitations on certain community care centers, boardinghouses and rooming houses.
- § 502.5A. - Special exception for certain offices and office buildings.
- § 502.6. - Uses within residential transition areas.
- § 502.7. - Wireless telecommunications towers.
- § 502.8. - Special exception for certain Class B office buildings.
- § 502.9. - Validity of special exceptions previously granted.
- § 502.10. - Amendment of prior special exceptions for trailer parks.
- SECTION 503 - Violations
- SECTION 504 - Furthering Policies and Procedures