Subtitle 3 – Measurement Methodologies
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. 32, § 15-301 (2026)
§ 15-301 Measurement of building height.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
(1)
In this subsection, “street wall” means the wall of a building nearest to and facing a street.
(2)
For purposes of determining compliance with height limitations, the height of a building is determined by measuring the vertical distance:
(i)
from the following, as applicable:
(A)
from the mean curb level of the right-of-way on which the property fronts;
(B)
if the front wall of the building is not within 30 feet of the curb, from the average elevation of the ground adjoining that wall; or
(C)
if the building is in a Regulated Flood-Hazard Area (as defined in and subject to City Code <cite data-path="|7">Article 7 {“Natural Resources”}</cite>, Division I {“Floodplain Management”}), from the required design-flood elevation (also as defined in and subject to <cite data-path="|7">Article 7</cite>, Division I); and
(ii)
to the following, as applicable:
(A)
in the case of a flat roof, to the highest point of the roof that adjoins the street wall; or
(B)
in the case of a pitched roof, to the mean height level of the roof as measured between the eaves and the peak in the case of pitched roofs.
(b)Exclusions from height regulations.
The height regulations of this Code do not apply to the following:
(1)
belfries, chimneys, cupolas, domes, grain elevators, fire escapes, flagpoles, flues, minarets, monuments, spires, stacks, steeples, ventilators, and utility poles;
(2)
water towers or tanks other than those located on the roof of a structure;
(3)
bulkheads, cooling towers, elevator enclosures, monitors, elevator or stairway penthouses, skylights, stage towers and water tanks, and air conditioning units, as long as these structures do not occupy more than 25% in the aggregate of the area of the roof of the structure on which they are located;
(4)
roof decks, subject to design review;
(5)
parapet walls used to screen mechanical equipment, as long as these walls do not exceed the height necessary to screen the mechanical equipment listed in item (3) of this subsection;
(6)
any accessory structures in Subtitle 5 of this title that are allowed to exceed height limitations, subject to any limitations imposed by Subtitle 5 of this title; and
(7)
rooftop greenhouses, as long as:
(i)
the greenhouses do not exceed 15 feet above the applicable district height limit;
(ii)
the greenhouses do not occupy more than 50% of the roof area;
(iii)
all lighting used to illuminate a rooftop greenhouse is directed and shielded to prevent illumination of any adjacent lots; and
(iv)
all exterior lighting complies with the requirements of <cite data-path="|32|§15-505">§ 15-505 {“Exterior lighting”} of this title</cite>.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
History: Ord. 18-171
History: Ord. 22-181
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 15-302 (2026)
§ 15-302 Measurement of density.LinkCopy Citation
In the residential districts, the maximum number of permitted dwelling units on a lot is determined by dividing the total area of the lot by the lot area requirement that applies to the district in which the lot is located. On a lot with 3 or more dwelling units, a fraction of the total area that is 50% or more of the required lot area factor counts as an additional permitted dwelling unit.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 15-303 (2026)
§ 15-303 Measurement of floor area ratio.LinkCopy Citation
For determining floor area ratio, the floor area of a structure is the gross floor area of all floors of the structure, including parking, measured from the outside faces of exterior walls or from the centerlines of party walls.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 15-304 (2026)
§ 15-304 Measurement of lot coverage.LinkCopy Citation
In computing the percentage of lot area covered by a structure, the area of the maximum horizontal plane of the entire structure is used.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 15-305 (2026)
§ 15-305 Measurement of distance between properties.LinkCopy Citation
In determining the distance between properties, the measurement shall be calculated using the shortest separation between the property boundary lines.
History: