Subtitle 34 – Baltimore City Office of Sustainability
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-1 (2026)
§ 34-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Carbon offset.
“Carbon offset” means one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) that is kept out of the atmosphere by either:
(1)
preventing the creation of the emissions; or
(2)
sequestering carbon in:
(i)
vegetation;
(ii)
soils;
(iii)
rock; or
(iv)
water.
(c)Director.
“Director” means the Director of Planning or the Director’s designee.
(d)Environmental justice.
“Environmental justice” means the fair treatment of all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
(e)Greenhouse gas.
“Greenhouse gas” includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
(f)Net-zero emissions.
“Net-zero emissions” means the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions with emissions off-sets that cause an equivalent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
(g)Office.
“Office” means the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability.
History: Ord. 07-484
History: Ord. 22-125
History: Ord. 22-131
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-2 (2026)
§ 34-2LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-3 (2026)
§ 34-3 Office established.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
There is a Baltimore City Office of Sustainability.
(b)A Division of Planning.
The Office is a Division in the Department of Planning.
History: Ord. 07-484
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-4 (2026)
§ 34-4 Sustainability Manager.LinkCopy Citation
The Director of Planning shall employ a Sustainability Manager.
History: Ord. 07-484
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-5 (2026)
§ 34-5 Staff and consultants.LinkCopy Citation
The Director may employ a staff and may contract for consultants and other experts as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
History: Ord. 07-484
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-6 (2026)
§ 34-6LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-7 (2026)
§ 34-7 Mission of Office.LinkCopy Citation
(a)“Sustainable community” defined.
A sustainable community is one in which economic, ecological, and social well-being are integrated to ensure all live well, within nature’s means.
(b)Programs, policies, and actions.
(1)
The mission of the Office is to develop and advocate for programs, policies, and actions by government, citizens, and businesses that lead to sustainable communities in the City.
(2)
These programs, policies, and actions include those that:
(i)
support a diverse and vibrant economy;
(ii)
promote an equitable distribution of resources;
(iii)
protect and restore the integrity of the natural systems that support life, including air, water, and land;
(iv)
preserve the diversity of plant and animal life; and
(v)
reduce human impacts on local and worldwide ecosystems.
History: Ord. 07-484
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-8 (2026)
§ 34-8LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-9 (2026)
§ 34-9 Sustainability and Environmental Management Program.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Office to develop.
The Office shall develop a Sustainability and Environmental Management Program for the City.
(b)Components.
(1)
The Program shall incorporate the Sustainability Plan developed by the Commission on Sustainability and any other recommendations made by the Commission.
(2)
The Program shall include appropriate measures for:
(i)
developing, implementing, and coordinating City policies that make all City operations achieve;
(A)
by January 1, 2025, a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels;
(B)
by January 1, 2030, a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels; and
(C)
by January 1, 2045, net-zero emissions, as defined in <cite data-path="|1|§34-1|(f)">§ 34-1(f) of this subtitle</cite>;
(ii)
developing or coordinating City policies and programs that will improve environmental performance in City operations;
(iii)
facilitating the City’s compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations;
(iv)
advancing the City’s environmental priorities;
(v)
integrating sustainability and environmental values into City plans, programs, and policies; and
(vi)
setting sustainability and environmental targets and objectives for the City.
(c)Implementation.
The Office shall oversee implementation of the Program.
History: Ord. 07-484
History: Ord. 22-131
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-10 (2026)
§ 34-10 Support for other programs and policies.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Office shall seek to assure proper City support for the City’s green building, energy policy, and solid waste and recycling programs.
(b)Specific duties.
To this end, the Office shall:
(1)
direct and evaluate energy policy and global warming action plan implementation;
(2)
administer and monitor direct City government energy efficiency activities;
(3)
review City policies and programs for consistency with the policy;
(4)
make recommendations to the City Council on the policies and programs; and
(5)
administer and monitor programs in support of green building and sustainable development principles.
History: Ord. 07-484
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-11 (2026)
§ 34-11 Director’s powers and duties – In general.LinkCopy Citation
The Director shall:
(1)
prepare and update annually a sustainability and environmental management planning agenda for the City;
(2)
report to the Mayor and City Council on the performance in meeting sustainability and environmental targets and objectives of:
(i)
each City agency; and
(ii)
the City overall;
(3)
serve, in conjunction with other affected agency heads, as the City’s representative to boards, commissions, and organizations engaged in issues relating to sustainability and environmental management;
(4)
manage the activities, as described in City Code <cite data-path="|5">Article 5</cite>, Subtitle 34, of the Commission on Sustainability;
(5)
regularly review and propose appropriate changes to the Environmental Management Program; and
(6)
perform any other duties prescribed by law.
History: Ord. 07-484
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 34-12 (2026)
§ 34-12 Director’s powers and duties – Rules and regulations.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Director may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.
(b)Scope.
These rules and regulations shall require transparency and community-based public participation mechanisms to provide input to and track the progress of the City’s development and implementation of City policies that make all City operations achieve:
(1)
by January 1, 2025, a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels;
(2)
by January 1, 2030, a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels; and
(3)
by January 1, 2045, net-zero emissions, as defined in <cite data-path="|1|§34-1|(f)">§ 34-1(f) of this subtitle</cite>.
History: Ord. 07-484
History: Text Conformed 02/09/21
History: Ord. 22-131