# Subtitle 2 – Rules of Interpretation
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
## § 1-201 In general.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-201 (2026)
In interpreting and applying this Code, the following rules of interpretation apply:
(1) those contained in Subtitles 2 and 3 of the City Code’s General Provisions Article; and
(2) any additional rules contained in this subtitle
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
## § 1-202 Code not a permit.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-202 (2026)
Nothing in this Code may be taken to be a consent, license, or permit to:
(1) use any property;
(2) locate, erect, or maintain any structure or facility; or
(3) carry on any trade, industry, occupation, or activity.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
## § 1-203 Conflicting provisions.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-203 (2026)
(a) In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Code are intended as the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, and welfare.
(b) If any condition or requirement imposed by this Code is either more or less restrictive than a comparable condition or requirement imposed by any other provision of this Code or of any other law, rule, or regulation of any kind, including an applicable Urban Renewal Plan, the condition or requirement that is the more restrictive governs.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
## § 1-204 References to “this Code”.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-204 (2026)
Throughout this article, all references to “this Code” refer to this Article, the Zoning Code of Baltimore City.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
## § 1-205 Use symbology.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-205 (2026)
(a) In Tables of Uses:
(1) a “P” indicates that a use is permitted within that zoning district;
(2) a “CB” indicates that a use is a conditional use within that zoning district requiring approval by the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals;
(3) a “CO” indicates that a use is a conditional use within that zoning district requiring approval by Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council;
(4) no letter (that is, a blank space) or the absence of the use from the table indicates that the use is not allowed within that zoning district; and
(5) each Table of Uses organizes its lists of uses under the following “Use Categories”: “Residential”, “Institutional”, “Open-Space”, “Commercial”, “Industrial”, and “Other”.
(b) In Signage Tables
(1) an “A” indicates that a sign type is allowed in that Zoning District;
(2) an “ASSC Only” indicates that a sign type is only allowed in an approved Area of Special Signage Control; and
(3) a “CB” indicates that a sign type requires conditional approval by the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 18-216*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
*History: Ord. 22-181*
*History: *
## § 1-206 Undefined terms.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-206 (2026)
Terms not defined in this Code are to be interpreted in accord with their ordinarily accepted meanings, as their context implies.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
## § 1-207 “Used” or “Occupied”.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-207 (2026)
Whenever the word “used” or “occupied” is used, it is to be construed as though followed by the phrase “or arranged, intended, or designed to be used/occupied”.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
## § 1-208 Uses – generic, specific, and prohibited.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-208 (2026)
(a) Certain uses in this Code are defined to be inclusive of many specific uses so as to minimize overly detailed lists of uses for the various zoning districts established by this Code. These inclusive uses are referred to in this Code as “generic uses”.
(b)
(1) If a specific use is listed in any use table, that specific use cannot be interpreted as falling within any generic use that is listed in the same table.
(2) If the definition of a generic use specifically excludes a specific use, the generic use cannot be interpreted as allowing that specific use.
(c) A use is prohibited in a zoning district unless:
(1) that use is specifically listed as a permitted or conditional use in the use table for that district; or
(2) that use falls within the definition of a generic use that is itself listed as a permitted or conditional use in the use table for that district.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 18-171*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
## § 1-209 Uses prohibited citywide.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-209 (2026)
(a) This section and its listing of certain prohibited uses:
(1) is not exhaustive; and
(2) may not be construed to imply that any use not listed here is a permitted or conditional use.
(b) The following uses are prohibited in all zoning districts of the City:
(1) crude oil terminals;
(2) data centers;
(3) incinerators;
(4) junk or scrap storage and yards;
(5) nuclear power plants;
(6) private detention centers;
(7) solid waste sanitary landfills;
(8) storage on barges and belt conveyor systems used for the transfer of materials, but this prohibition does not apply to the continuous process of unloading or loading processed metal (as defined in § 1-308) for and during its transfer to or from a docked barge or vessel awaiting shipment; and
(9) vehicle dismantling facilities.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 18-110*
*History: Ord. 22-125*
*History: *
*History: *
## § 1-210 Use and Site Development Standards.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 1-210 (2026)
(a) Title 14 {“Use Standards”} of this Code sets forth specific standards for certain permitted and conditional uses listed in the use tables.
(b) Title 15 {“Site Development Standards”} of this Code sets forth specific requirements, including measurement methodologies, for certain accessory structures and uses.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 22-125*