Subtitle 2 – Site Plan Review
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, § 4-201 (2026)
§ 4-201 Purpose.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Intent – Guidance, interagency review, and ensuring compliance.
Site plan review is intended:
(1)
to provide guidance to the applicant early in the design process;
(2)
to provide for interagency review; and
(3)
to ensure that the proposed development complies with this Code, the Subdivision Rules and Regulations, the Site Plan Review Manual, the Building, Fire and Related Codes, and other applicable guidelines and requirements.
(b)Intent – Safe and functional, etc., development.
The recommendations of site plan review are intended to ensure safe, functional, efficient, and orderly development with high standards of design.
(c)General purposes.
In general, the purpose of the site plan review process is to:
(1)
protect public health, safety, and welfare;
(2)
minimize adverse effects upon pedestrian and vehicular traffic;
(3)
ensure the design is safe, environmentally sound, aesthetically responsive, and protects properties, streets, and rights-of-way in the immediate vicinity, and the general public;
(4)
ensure compliance with the Comprehensive Master Plan and this Code; and
(5)
provide a consistent and uniform method of review.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-202 (2026)
§ 4-202 Site Plan Review Manual.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Planning Commission must develop and may revise from time to time a Site Plan Review Manual that sets forth standards and procedures for site plan review in accordance with this Code.
(b)Requisites for effectiveness.
This Manual and any revisions of it may take effect only after:
(1)
Planning Commission approval at a public session;
(2)
filing with the Department of Legislative Reference; and
(3)
posting on the City website.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-203 (2026)
§ 4-203 Applicability.LinkCopy Citation
Site plan review is required for the following types of development applications:
(1)
new construction that involves any of the following:
(i)
any proposed development over 15,000 square feet of gross floor area;
(ii)
developments with multiple structures on a single lot, excluding accessory structures; and
(iii)
all multi-tenant commercial development, including mixed-use development;
(2)
subdivision of land;
(3)
additions or structural alterations to an existing structure, other than a single-family detached or semi-detached dwelling, that results in a 50% increase in gross floor area over the gross floor area of the existing structure prior to the addition or alteration;
(4)
planned unit development;
(5)
conditional use, unless the conditional use can and will be fully contained within an existing structure;
(6)
parking lot or structures containing 5 or more motor vehicle parking spaces;
(7)
any development within an environmentally sensitive area, including projects in a Floodplain District and projects within the Buffer of the Critical Area (<em>see</em> Subtitle 3 {“Environmentally Sensitive Areas Review”} of this title);
(8)
urban agriculture or community-managed open-space farm;
(9)
any development within the C-5-IH Subdistrict; and
(10)
multiple principal structures on a residential lot per <cite data-path="32|§15-203">§ 15-203</cite>.
History: Ord. 16-581
History: Ord. 17-015
History: Ord. 18-171
History: Ord. 21-020
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-204 (2026)
§ 4-204 Approval prerequisite to permit.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Site plan approval is required before any permits may be issued for any development to which <cite data-path="|32|§4-203">§ 4-203 {“Applicability”} of this subtitle</cite> applies.
(b)Required for plan change; Time lapse.
Site plan approval is also required if:
(1)
no permits have been issued; and
(2)
either:
(i)
a final approved site plan has been changed; or
(ii)
more than 1 year has passed since final approval.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-205 (2026)
§ 4-205 Submittal requirements.LinkCopy Citation
Submittal requirements for site plan review are as found in:
(1)
the Site Plan Review Manual; and
(2)
for environmentally sensitive areas, in Subtitle 3 {“Environmentally Sensitive Areas Review”} of this title.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-206 (2026)
§ 4-206 Procedures.LinkCopy Citation
The Director of Planning must review the project in accordance with the procedures found in the Site Plan Review Manual.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-207 (2026)
§ 4-207 Review standards.LinkCopy Citation
Site plan review standards are as found in:
(1)
the Site Plan Review Manual; and
(2)
for environmentally sensitive areas, in Subtitle 3 {“Environmentally Sensitive Areas Review”} of this title.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-208 (2026)
§ 4-208 Administrative appeals.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Appeal to Commission.
An applicant who is aggrieved by the final site plan decision of the Director of Planning may appeal that decision to the Planning Commission.
(b)When filed.
Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the Planning Director’s final decision on the site plan.
(c)Hearing.
The Planning Commission must review the Director’s decision at a public hearing held within 45 days of receiving the appeal.
History: Ord. 16-581