# Title 9 – Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
## Subtitle 1 – Purpose of Title
### § 9-101 Purpose.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-101 (2026)
The purpose of this title is to set out the use regulations and the bulk and yard regulations for Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
## Subtitle 2 – District Descriptions
### § 9-201 R-5 Transitional Residential District.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-201 (2026)
(a) The R-5 Transitional Residential Zoning District is intended for those areas that facilitate a transition from primarily single-family neighborhoods to neighborhoods that contain a wider mix of housing types.
(b) The R-5 District is meant to accommodate single-family units in both detached and semi-detached dwellings, rowhouse developments, and limited low-rise multi-family garden apartment developments of a moderate density.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-202 R-6 Garden Rowhouse Residential District.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-202 (2026)
(a) The R-6 Garden Rowhouse Residential Zoning District is intended for primarily low density rowhouse neighborhoods that reflect a naturalistic environment typified by open and landscaped front yards of buildings that are set back and that contain stoops and porches oriented to those yards.
(b) The R-6 District is meant to accommodate single-family units in both detached and semi-detached dwellings, rowhouse developments, and multi-family developments of a moderate density.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-203 R-7 Mixed Residential District.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-203 (2026)
(a) The R-7 Mixed Residential Zoning District is intended for those areas that offer a diverse range of housing types. Development in this district accommodates a transition between naturalistic and urban residential settings.
(b) The R-7 District is meant to accommodate a diverse range of housing types, including detached and semi-detached dwellings, rowhouse developments, and multi-family developments of a larger scale than found in the more restrictive residential districts.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-204 R-8 Rowhouse Residential District.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-204 (2026)
(a) The R-8 Rowhouse Residential Zoning District is intended to accommodate and maintain the traditional form of urban rowhouse development typical of many of the City’s inner neighborhoods, which contain continuous, block-long rowhouse development built to or only modestly set back from the street.
(b) Although rowhouse is the predominant housing type, this district also accommodates other residential types, of a similar density, including detached and semi-detached dwellings, and multi-family developments of a larger scale than found in more restrictive zoning districts.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-205 R-9 Multi-Family Residential District.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-205 (2026)
(a) The R-9 Multi-Family Residential Zoning District is intended for those areas with significant green space surrounding development, particularly higher density housing and non-residential uses.
(b) The R-9 District contains a mix of higher density, but predominantly mid-rise, housing types. Permitted housing types include single-family homes, both detached and semi-detached, rowhouse developments, and multi-family developments, all with significant front yard open space. Characteristic of this district are multi-family developments sited with significant front yard open space and rowhouse developments with open space both along the perimeter of the site and within the development.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-206 R-10 High-Density Residential District.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-206 (2026)
The R-10 High-Density Residential Zoning District is intended for areas of significant density accommodated in concentrated high rise and rowhouse development environments.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
## Subtitle 3 – Use Regulations
### § 9-301 As listed in Table 9-301.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-301 (2026)
Only those uses of land listed in Table 9-301: Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts – Permitted and Conditional Uses are allowed within these zoning districts.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
## Subtitle 4 – Bulk and Yard Regulations
### § 9-401 In general.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-401 (2026)
Table 9-401: Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts – Bulk and Yard Regulations sets forth the applicable bulk and yard regulations for these zoning districts.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-402 Measurement methodologies; Exceptions, etc.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-402 (2026)
(a) Measurement methodologies are as set forth in Title 15, Subtitle 3 {“Measurement Methodologies”} of this Code.
(b) Exceptions and requirements are as set forth in Title 15, Subtitle 4 {“Exceptions and Requirements”} of this Code.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-403 Setback reduction for courtyard design.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-403 (2026)
(a) Multi-family dwellings designed with a courtyard are permitted a reduction of the front yard requirement.
(b) Front yards may be reduced for courtyard building design as long as:
(1) no more than 75% of the building’s frontage maintains a minimum front yard of 15 feet;
(2) the remaining frontage meets the minimum required front yard or 30 feet, whichever is greater; and
(3) those portions of the courtyard building located at a reduced front yard are evenly spaced or within 10% of even spacing.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
## Subtitles 5 and 6
## Subtitle 7 – Residential Conversions
### § 9-701 Where allowed.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-701 (2026)
In the Residence Districts, the conversion of a single-family dwelling to a multi-family dwelling is allowed only in the R-7, R-8, R-9, and R-10 Districts, subject to:
(1) the requirements of this subtitle; and
(2) in the R-7 and R-8 Districts, conditional-use approval by Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-702 Design review.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-702 (2026)
(a) Design review approval is required if exterior modifications are proposed.
(b) As part of the submittal for design review, construction drawings and plans that describe the proposed conversion in detail are required.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-703 Conversion standards.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-703 (2026)
(a) All conversions must meet the standards set forth in this section.
(b) The dwelling must continue to conform to the applicable bulk and yard regulations, including lot area per dwelling unit, for the district in which the building is located.
(c) No residential conversion may violate any dwelling unit occupancy regulations or restrictions of the City Code.
(d) Following the conversion, the exterior of the dwelling must retain its existing residential character.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 17-015*
*History: *
## Subtitle 8 – Other Applicable Standards
### § 9-801 In general.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-801 (2026)
The Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Zoning Districts are also subject to the standards listed in this subtitle.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-802 Accessory structures and uses.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-802 (2026)
Standards governing accessory structures and uses are set forth in Title 15, Subtitle 5 {“Accessory Structures and Uses”} of this Code.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-803 Site development.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-803 (2026)
On-site development standards are set forth in Title 15 {“Site Development Standards”} of this Code.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 17-015*
### § 9-804 Off-street parking and loading.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-804 (2026)
Standards governing off-street parking and loading are set forth in Title 16 {“Off-Street Parking and Loading”} of this Code.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-805 Design standards.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-805 (2026)
All developments of the type described in § 4-405 {“Design Review: Applicability”} of this Code must comply with the applicable design standards required by the Baltimore City Design Manual.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-806 Landscaping and screening.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-806 (2026)
All landscaping and screening must comply with the requirements of the Baltimore City Landscape Manual.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
*History: Ord. 17-015*
### § 9-807 Signs.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-807 (2026)
Standards governing signs are set forth in Title 17 {“Signs”} of this Code.
*History: Ord. 16-581*
### § 9-808 Temporary uses.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 9-808 (2026)
Standards governing temporary uses are set forth in Title 14, Subtitle 4 {“Temporary-Use Standards”} of this Code.
*History: Ord. 16-581*