Chapter 03 – Fixed Pricing Program
Current through 2026-01-20. Source: COBRA Register Volume 04, Issue 02. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.01 (2026)
Regulation .01 Scope.LinkCopy Citation
<cite data-path="07.03.03">This chapter</cite> establishes regulations governing the Fixed Pricing Program including:
A.
Application requirements;
B.
Review criteria;
C.
Approval criteria;
D.
Applicant responsibilities; and
E.
Departmental responsibilities.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.02 (2026)
Regulation .02 Exclusions.LinkCopy Citation
The Department may not list a property for sale through the Fixed Pricing Program if the property:
A.
Is valued over $100,000;
B.
Is identified for site assemblage;
C.
Is part of an existing development project; or
D.
Is needed to implement a Departmental whole block strategy.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.03 (2026)
Regulation .03 Property Types.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Department may sell a property through the Fixed Pricing Program if:
(1)
The property is listed as available on the City’s BuyIntoBmore webpage;
(2)
The property is located within a housing market typology category approved for sale in the Fixed Pricing Policy; and
(3)
The property will be redeveloped for:
(a)
Residential use;
(b)
Residential mixed-use; or
(c)
Green space.
B.
Homeowner Side Yard.
(1)
The Department may sell a property through the Fixed Pricing Program for use as a side yard if:
(a)
The property is a vacant lot;
(b)
The property is:
(i)
Adjacent to an occupied lot; and
(ii)
Being sold as for use as a side yard to the owner of the occupied lot; and
(c)
The property is located in housing market typologies A-J.
(2)
The Department shall ensure a property sold as homeowner side yard remains subject to a 3-year use restriction that prohibits new construction during that period.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.04 (2026)
Regulation .04 Price.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In General.
The Department shall sell a property through the Fixed Pricing Program at the price established in the approved Fixed Pricing Policy and required by these regulations.
B.
Fixed Price Established for Vacant Buildings.
(1)
A developer shall pay $3000.
(2)
A large 501(c)(3) nonprofit shall pay $3000.
(3)
A small 501(c)(3) nonprofit shall pay $1000.
(4)
A community land trust shall pay $1.
(5)
A homeowner shall pay $1.
C.
Fixed Price Established for Vacant Lots.
(1)
A developer shall pay $1000.
(2)
A large 501(c)(3) nonprofit shall pay $1000.
(3)
A small 501(c)(3) nonprofit shall pay $500.
(4)
A community land trust shall pay $1.
(5)
A homeowner shall pay $1.
D.
If a property is assessed for less than the fixed price established in <cite data-path="07.03.03.04">this regulation</cite>, then the Department shall sell the property at the value assessed.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.05 (2026)
Regulation .05 Applicant Specific Requirements – Developers and Nonprofits.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The following applicant types will be subject to <cite data-path="07.03.03.05">this regulation</cite>:
(1)
A developer; and
(2)
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, including a:
(a)
Small 501(c)(3) nonprofit; and
(b)
Large 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
B.
An applicant type provided for in <cite data-path="07.03.03.05|A.">§A of this regulation</cite> shall ensure:
(1)
A vacant building acquired through the Fixed Pricing Program is developed for:
(a)
Residential use;
(b)
Residential mixed-use; or
(c)
Residential mixed-use that includes a green space; and
(2)
An occupancy permit is obtained within 12 months from the date of settlement.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.06 (2026)
Regulation .06 Applicant Specific Requirements – Affordable Housing Land Trusts.LinkCopy Citation
An affordable housing land trust applying to the Fixed Pricing Program shall ensure that the affordable housing land trusts are:
A.
Registered as an affordable housing land trust with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation; and
B.
In compliance with applicable State affordable housing land trust laws.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.07 (2026)
Regulation .07 Applicant Specific Requirements – Homeowners.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Vacant Buildings.
(1)
A homeowner applying to purchase a vacant building through the Fixed Pricing Program shall:
(a)
Ensure an occupancy permit is obtained within 12 months from the date of settlement; and
(b)
Maintain primary residency at the property for a minimum of 5 years from the date of issuance of the occupancy permit.
(2)
If a property purchased by a homeowner for primary residency is sold or leased within the 6-year period, the homeowner shall be:
(a)
Deemed to be a developer of the property; and
(b)
Required to pay a pro-rated portion of $3,000 calculated based on the year that the property is sold.
B.
Vacant Lots.
A homeowner applying to purchase a vacant lot through the Fixed Pricing Program shall:
(1)
Construct a new residential unit and satisfy the requirements in <cite data-path="07.03.03.07|A.">§A of this regulation</cite>; or
(2)
Ensure the lot is used as a side yard in accordance with <cite data-path="07.03.03.03|B.|(2)">§03(B)(2) of this chapter</cite>.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.08 (2026)
Regulation .08 Property Eligibility.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Department may consider a property eligible for the Fixed Pricing Program if the property is assessed at less than $100,000.
B.
Properties Assessed Over $100,000
For a property assessed at over $100,000, the Department may perform an internal valuation to determine:
(1)
Whether the property is eligible for the Fixed Pricing Program; and
(2)
A sale price for a property through the Fixed Pricing Program.
C.
If the valuation determined under <cite data-path="07.03.03.08|B.|(1)">§B(1) of this regulation</cite> finds the true value of the assessed property to be less than $100,000, the Department may consider the property eligible for sale under the Fixed Pricing Program.
D.
If the valuation determined under <cite data-path="07.03.03.08|B.|(1)">§B(1) of this regulation</cite> finds the true value of the assessed property to be $100,000 or greater, the Department may not consider the property eligible under the Fixed Pricing Program.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.09 (2026)
Regulation .09 Applicant Eligibility.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In General.
To be eligible for the Fixed Pricing Program, an applicant shall:
(1)
Possess financial documents indicating no less than the minimum amount required by the Department for application, per applicable property;
(2)
Be in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, if they are a business entity; and
(3)
Be free of:
(a)
An open federal lien;
(b)
An open state lien; or
(c)
An applicable legal matter, in accordance with <cite data-path="07.03.03.09|C.">§C of this regulation</cite>.
B.
Vacant Building Notices.
(1)
In addition to the requirements specified in <cite data-path="07.03.03.09|A.">§A of this regulation</cite>, the Department shall consider whether an applicant owns a building with a vacant building notice in determining eligibility for the Fixed Pricing Program.
(2)
The Department may determine an applicant to be ineligible if:
(a)
The applicant possesses a vacant building notice older than 2 years; or
(b)
The applicant possesses a vacant building notice that is less than 2 years old, but there are no open or active construction permits on the property.
C.
Legal Matters.
(1)
Pending Civil Proceedings.
(a)
The Department shall assess whether an applicant has a pending civil proceeding during review of applicant eligibility, including a:
(i)
Pending federal judgement; or
(ii)
Pending State judgement.
(b)
The Department may reject an applicant based on a pending civil proceeding if the Department determines that the pending legal proceeding could inhibit the applicant from:
(i)
Adhering to the terms of a land disposition agreement; or
(ii)
Financing a purchase.
(c)
If an applicant rejected in accordance with <cite data-path="07.03.03.09|C.|(2)">§(2) of this section</cite> has a pending civil proceeding dropped or resolved in their favor, the applicant may re-apply for the Fixed Pricing Program.
(2)
Criminal Cases.
(a)
The Department may reject an applicant based on a criminal case that could lead to imprisonment.
(b)
If an applicant rejected in accordance with <cite data-path="07.03.03.09|C.|(2)|(a)">§(2)(a) of this section</cite> is found not guilty, the applicant may re-apply for the Fixed Pricing Program.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.10 (2026)
Regulation .10 Fixed Pricing Program - Applications.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In addition to the general application requirements for a disposition program listed in <cite data-path="07.03.02">chapter 02 of this subtitle</cite>, an applicant applying for the Fixed Pricing Program shall adhere to the requirements of <cite data-path="07.03.03.10">this regulation</cite>.
B.
An applicant applying for the Fixed Pricing Program may not:
(1)
Exceed 12 properties per application; or
(2)
Submit multiple applications under different applicant names for more than 12 properties at a time.
C.
An applicant may apply for additional properties as use and occupancy permits on a previously purchased property are obtained in accordance with <cite data-path="07.03.03">this chapter</cite>, not to exceed 12 properties at any given time.
D.
Side Yard Application.
To apply to purchase a side yard through the Fixed Pricing Program, an applicant shall provide:
(1)
Documentation verifying that the applicant owns the property adjacent to the lot to be purchased for use as a side yard;
(2)
Documentation that the applicant’s adjacent property has a confirmed use and occupancy permit; and
(3)
Documentation of an approved Homestead Tax application through the State Department of Assessments and Taxation confirming use and primary residence of the applicant’s adjacent property.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.11 (2026)
Regulation .11 Approval.LinkCopy Citation
The Department shall approve an application to the Fixed Pricing Program in accordance with <cite data-path="07.03.02">Chapter 02 of this subtitle</cite>.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.12 (2026)
Regulation .12 Board of Estimates.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Department shall:
(1)
Submit a list of the following items through the BOE portal:
(a)
The address of a property awarded through the Fixed Pricing Program;
(b)
The purchase price of a property awarded through the Fixed Pricing Program;
(c)
The contact information of the prospective purchaser; and
(d)
The type of purchaser; and
(2)
Post the list required by <cite data-path="07.03.03.12|A.|(1)">§A(1) of this regulation</cite> on the Department’s website the Monday prior to the next Board Meeting.
B.
The Board of Estimates shall:
(1)
Maintain a recurring item on the Board meeting agenda titled “Fixed Pricing Policy Dispositions” to review the list provided by the Department in <cite data-path="07.03.03.12|A.|(1)">§A(1) of this regulation</cite>; and
(2)
Consider a purchaser’s inclusion on the agenda as an indication of the purchaser’s approval of the terms of the land disposition agreement approved by the Board in accordance with <cite data-path="07.03.02">chapter 02 of this subtitle</cite>.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.03.03.13 (2026)
Regulation .13 Land Disposition Agreement – Fixed Pricing Program.LinkCopy Citation
In addition to the provisions of <cite data-path="07.03.02">chapter 02 of this subtitle</cite>:
A.
The Department shall post an approved land disposition agreement executed for a Fixed Pricing Program disposition online for the purchaser to review.
B.
The Department may not send a land disposition agreement executed for a Fixed Pricing Program disposition directly to the purchaser.
C.
The purchaser shall be responsible for:
(1)
Reading the terms of a land disposition agreement executed for a Fixed Pricing Program disposition; and
(2)
Signing the land disposition agreement posted online by the Department.