Subtitle 5 – Landscape 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, § 4-501 (2026)
§ 4-501 Purpose.LinkCopy Citation
Landscape review is intended to provide a procedure to ensure that certain development proposals comply with landscaping and screening standards of this Code.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-502 (2026)
§ 4-502 Landscape Manual.LinkCopy Citation
The Planning Commission must develop and may revise from time to time a Landscape Manual that sets forth the required design, review, approval, installation, and maintenance of landscape in accordance with the goals and objectives set forth in this subtitle.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-503 (2026)
§ 4-503 Goals.LinkCopy Citation
The goals governing development of the Landscape Manual are:
(1)
to improve and increase the City’s environmental quality and green infrastructure network;
(2)
to preserve and enhance the City’s character and sense of place;
(3)
to foster the economic vitality of the City’s neighborhoods and commercial districts;
(4)
to provide a clear process for the design, review, and approval of landscape plans within the City’s development review process; and
(5)
to promote the long-term health and maintenance of the City’s landscape and tree canopy.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-504 (2026)
§ 4-504 Objectives – Environmental.LinkCopy Citation
The environmental objectives governing development of the Landscape Manual are:
(1)
to foster environmentally sensitive site design that preserves natural vegetation and landforms when appropriate; and
(2)
to complement the built environment through planting that:
(i)
improves water quality and reduces stormwater run-off;
(ii)
reduces soil erosion;
(iii)
increases the City’s tree canopy;
(iv)
promotes biodiversity; and
(v)
helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-505 (2026)
§ 4-505 Objectives – Character and sense of place.LinkCopy Citation
The character-and-sense-of-place objectives governing development of the Landscape Manual are:
(1)
to articulate spatial relationships, provide image, develop sense of place, and improve the aesthetics of the built environment;
(2)
to enhance the quality of life of residents through planting that provides comfortable outdoor spaces for people to occupy;
(3)
to create pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environments; and
(4)
to provide visual screens, buffers, and shade that:
(i)
diminish undesirable views;
(ii)
reduce glare, noise, and heat; and
(iii)
mitigate the impacts of intensive uses.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-506 (2026)
§ 4-506 Objectives – Economic.LinkCopy Citation
The economic objectives governing development of the Landscape Manual are:
(1)
to provide landscape design that is functional, cost effective, and sound; and
(2)
to create environments that are safe for residents and visitors and deterrents to potential criminals.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-507 (2026)
§ 4-507 Objectives – Landscape installation and maintenance.LinkCopy Citation
The landscape-installation-and-maintenance objectives governing development of the Landscape Manual are
(1)
to ensure that landscape is installed and maintained in conformance with approved landscape plans;
(2)
to ensure that landscape is installed and maintained in a manner that will promote the proper health, function, and appearance of the landscape; and
(3)
to encourage the use of sustainable landscape construction and maintenance techniques that support the goals established by the Baltimore Sustainability Plan.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-508 (2026)
§ 4-508 Review process.LinkCopy Citation
The Landscape Manual must provide for a review process that:
(1)
integrates the preparation, review, and approval of landscape plans into the City process for development review and approval;
(2)
coordinates landscape requirements with related regulations, including those for forest conservation, stormwater management, green building standards, and the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area; and
(3)
allows flexibility and encourages creative solutions to meet the goals and objectives of the Landscape Manual.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-509 (2026)
§ 4-509 Applicability.LinkCopy Citation
Landscape review is required for the types of development specified in the Landscape Manual.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-510 (2026)
§ 4-510 Approval prerequisite to permit.LinkCopy Citation
Landscape review approval is required before any permits may be issued for any development to which <cite data-path="|32|§4-509">§ 4-509 {“Applicability”} of this subtitle</cite> applies.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-511 (2026)
§ 4-511 Submittal requirements.LinkCopy Citation
Submittal requirements for landscape review are as found in the Landscape Manual.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-512 (2026)
§ 4-512 Procedures.LinkCopy Citation
The Director of Planning must review the project in accordance with the procedures found in the Landscape Manual.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-513 (2026)
§ 4-513 Review standards.LinkCopy Citation
Landscape review standards are as found in the Landscape Manual.
History: Ord. 16-581
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 4-514 (2026)
§ 4-514 Administrative appeals.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Appeal to Commission.
An applicant who is aggrieved by the final landscape review 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 landscape review.
(c)Hearing.
The Planning Commission must review the decision at a public hearing held within 45 days of receiving the appeal.
History: Ord. 16-581