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<baltimore-city-law heading="Subtitle 6 – Notices">
  <section prefix="§" num="5-601" heading="Map or text amendments; PUDs.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Hearing required.">For a bill proposing a zoning map amendment, a zoning text amendment, or the creation, modification, or repeal of a planned unit development, the City Council committee to which the bill has been referred must conduct a hearing at which:<para num="(1)">the parties in interest and the general public will have an opportunity to be heard; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">all agency reports will be reviewed.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Notice of hearing required.">Notice of the hearing must be given by each of the following methods, as applicable:<para num="(1)">by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City;</para>
      <para num="(2)">for the creation or modification of a planned unit development and for a zoning map amendment, other than a comprehensive rezoning:<para num="(i)">by posting in a conspicuous place on the subject property; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">by first-class mailing of a written notice, on forms provided by the Zoning Administrator, to each person who appears on the tax records of the City as an owner of the property to be rezoned and each person that appears on the tax records of the City as an owner of property that is within the planned unit development to be amended; and</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">for a comprehensive rezoning:<para num="(i)">by posting in conspicuous places within and around the perimeter of the subject area or district, as the Department of Planning designates; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">by first-class mailing of a written notice, on forms provided by the Zoning Administrator, to each person who appears on the tax records of the City as an owner of property within the subject area or district.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Contents of notice.">The notice must include:<para num="(1)">the date, time, place, and purpose of the public hearing;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the address of the subject property or a drawing or description of the boundaries of the area affected by the proposed rezoning; and</para>
      <para num="(3)">the name of the applicant.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Number and manner of posted notices.">
      <para num="(1)">For a zoning map amendment or the creation or modification of a planned unit development, the number and manner of posting is as follows:<para num="(i)">for an individual property, at least 1 sign must be visible from each of the property’s street frontages;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">for a comprehensive rezoning, a change in the boundaries of a zoning district, or the creation or modification of a planned unit development, at least 2 or more signs are required, as the Department of Planning designates;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">each sign must be posted at a prominent location, near the sidewalk or public right-of-way, so that it is visible to passing pedestrians and motorists;</para>
        <para num="(iv)">a window-mounted sign must be mounted inside the window glass and placed so that it is clearly visible to passing pedestrians and motorists; and</para>
        <para num="(v)">each sign must be at least 3 feet by 4 feet in size.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">Nothing in this subtitle prevents the voluntary posting of more notices than required by this subtitle.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Timing of notices – In general.">The notice must be published, mailed, and, except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, posted:<para num="(1)">at least 15 days before the public hearing; or</para>
      <para num="(2)">for a comprehensive rezoning, at least 30 days before the public hearing.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(f)" heading="Timing of notices – Posting for map amendment or PUDs.">For a zoning map amendment or the creation or modification of a planned unit development, the posted notice must be:<para num="(1)">posted at least 30 days before the public hearing; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">removed within 48 hours after conclusion of the public hearing.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(g)" heading="Additional notice for proposed rezoning in MI District.">If an application is made to rezone any property in the MI District, the Director of Planning must notify the Maryland Port Administration and the owners of any adjacent property of the application.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 17-015</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 19-252</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-602" heading="Major variances; Conditional uses.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Hearing required.">For major variances and conditional uses, the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals or the City Council, as the case may be, must conduct a hearing at which:<para num="(1)">the parties in interest and the general public will have an opportunity to be heard; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">all agency reports will be read.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Notice of hearing required.">Notice of the hearing must be given by posting in a conspicuous place on the subject property.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Contents of notice.">The notice must include:<para num="(1)">the date, time, place, and purpose of the public hearing;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the address of the subject property or a drawing or description of the boundaries of the area affected by the proposed variance or conditional use;</para>
      <para num="(3)">the name of the applicant; and</para>
      <para num="(4)">how additional information on the matter can be obtained.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Number and manner of posted notices.">
      <para num="(1)">The number and manner of posting is as follows:<para num="(i)">for an individual property, at least 1 sign must be visible from each of the property’s street frontages;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">each sign must be posted at a prominent location, near the sidewalk or public right-of-way, so that it is visible to passing pedestrians and motorists;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">a window-mounted sign must be mounted inside the window glass and placed so that it is clearly visible to passing pedestrians and motorists; and</para>
        <para num="(iv)">each sign must be at least 3 feet by 4 feet in size.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">Nothing in this subtitle prevents the voluntary posting of more notices than required by this subtitle.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Timing of notice.">The posted notice must be:<para num="(1)">posted at least 21 days before the public hearing; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">removed within 48 hours after conclusion of the public hearing.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 17-015</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-603" heading="Minor variances.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Notice of application required.">Notice of an application for a minor variance must be given by posting in a conspicuous place on the subject property.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Contents of notice.">The notice must include:<para num="(1)">the purpose of the application;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the address of the subject property or a drawing or description of the boundaries of the area affected by the proposed rezoning;</para>
      <para num="(3)">the name of the applicant; and</para>
      <para num="(4)">where, how, and by when any objections must be filed.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Number and manner of posted notices.">
      <para num="(1)">The number and manner of posting is as follows:<para num="(i)">for a property with more than 1 street frontage, at least 1 sign must be visible from each street frontage;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">each sign must be posted at a prominent location, near the sidewalk or public right-of-way, so that it is visible to passing pedestrians and motorists;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">a window-mounted sign must be mounted inside the window glass and placed so that it is clearly visible to passing pedestrians and motorists; and</para>
        <para num="(iv)">each sign must be at least 3 feet by 4 feet in size.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">Nothing in this subtitle prevents the voluntary posting of more notices than required by this subtitle.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Timing of notice.">The posted notice must be:<para num="(1)">posted at least 21 days before the Zoning Administrator makes a decision on the application; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">removed within 48 hours after a written decision is issued.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 17-015</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-604" heading="Planning Commission consideration of site-specific projects.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Hearing required.">For any site-specific matter, the Planning Commission must conduct a public hearing at which:<para num="(1)">the parties in interest and general public will have an opportunity to be heard; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">staff reports and recommendations will be read.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Notice of hearing.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">In addition to any other form of notice required by law or regulation, notice of the hearing must be given by posting in conspicuous places within and around the perimeter of the subject property or area.</para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Exceptions.">Where a property is added to a proposal by amendment, the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection (b) do not apply if:<para num="(i)">a notice was previously mailed to the owner of record of the property about the proposed inclusion; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">the property owner of record has agreed to the proposed inclusion by amendment either in person at a public meeting or in writing.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Contents of notice.">The posted notice must include:<para num="(1)">the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the address of the subject property or a drawing or description of the boundaries of the subject area;</para>
      <para num="(3)">the name and address of the applicant; and</para>
      <para num="(4)">how additional information on the matter can be obtained.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Number and manner of posted notices.">The number of posted notices and the manner of their posting are as follows:<para num="(1)">For a notice applicable only to an individual property, at least one sign must be visible from each of the property’s street frontages.</para>
      <para num="(2)">For a notice applicable to more than one property (e.g., a modification to a Planned Unit Development), at least 2 or more signs are required, as the Department of Planning designates.</para>
      <para num="(3)">Each sign must be at least 3 feet by 4 feet in size.</para>
      <para num="(4)">Each sign must be composed of waterproof materials sufficient to ensure the sign will last the required posting period (corrugated vinyl and polyurethane banner being acceptable).</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Timing of notice.">The posted notice must be:<para num="(1)">posted at least 10 days before the public hearing; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">removed within 48 hours after conclusion of the hearing.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(f)" heading="Copy of agenda to Councilmembers.">At least 4 calendar days before any meeting of the Planning Commission, the Commission must deliver to each member of the City Council, by email or in person, an agenda of all matters that the Planning Commission proposes to consider at that meeting.</para>
    <para num="(g)" heading="Written notice to property owners within PUD.">When applying for the creation of a new planned unit development or for a major change or repeal of a planned unit development, the applicant must provide written notification to all other owners, or their authorized agents, of property within the proposed or existing planned unit development boundaries, as the Department of Planning requires.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 17-015</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 19-252</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-605" reserved="true" />
  <section prefix="§" num="5-606" heading="Responsibility for notices.">
    <text>The notices required by this subtitle must be given by and at the expense of the following:</text>
    <para num="(1)">the applicant, for applications initiated by or on behalf of a property owner; and</para>
    <para num="(2)">the Mayor and City Council, for applications initiated by the City.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="5-607" heading="Electronic notice.">
    <text>Additional electronic notice by website or email for public hearings under this Code may be provided.  This notice is discretionary, and any defect in or failure to strictly adhere to an electronic notice is not a basis for declaring any legislative authorization invalid or void.</text>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
