# Subtitle 1 – Definitions; General Provisions

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 1-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 6, § 1-1 (2026)

(a) In <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Authorization to Proceed” means approval from the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation that:

  (1) permits an applicant to complete alterations to a historic structure, as proposed in the application;

  (2) is issued by the Director or the Director’s designee following the Commission’s approval;

  (3) includes a description of the proposed work; and

  (4) may be approved by the Commission or issued by the Director with conditions.

(c) “Building Official” has the meaning stated in § 103.1 of the Baltimore City <cite data-path="|building-codes|II">Building Code</cite>.

(d) “Commission” or “CHAP” means the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation established under <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>.

(e) “Conservation District” or “Historical Conservation District” means an area designated as a Conservation District under <cite data-path="|6|3">subtitle 3 {“Designation of Preservation Districts and Conservation Districts”}</cite> of <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>.

(f) “Demolition” includes “demolition by neglect”, which means neglect in the maintenance or repair of a structure, resulting in any of the following conditions:

  (1) the deterioration of any architectural feature so as to create or permit the creation of a hazardous or unsafe condition;

  (2) the deterioration of walls or other vertical supports;

  (3) the deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members;

  (4) the deterioration of chimneys;

  (5) the deterioration or crumbling of plaster or mortar; or

  (6) the ineffective waterproofing of walls, roofs, and foundations, including broken windows and doors.

(g) “District” means a Historical and Architectural Preservation District or a Historical Conservation District.

(h) “Executive Director” or “Director” means the Executive Director of the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation or the Director’s designee.

(i) “Historical and Architectural Preservation District” or “Preservation District” means an area designated as a Historical and Architectural Preservation District under <cite data-path="|6|3">Subtitle 3 {“Designation of Historical Districts and Historical Conservation Districts”}</cite>, of <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>.

(j) “Landmark” means a property listed on a Landmark List.

(k) “Landmark List” means either or both of the following, as established and maintained under Subtitle 4 {“Designation of Landmarks”}, of <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>:

  (1) the Landmark List: Exteriors; and

  (2) the Landmark List: Public Interiors.

(l)

  (1) “Person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(a)">§ 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”}</cite> of the City Code’s <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>.

  (2) Notwithstanding <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(b)">§ 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”}</cite> of the <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>, in <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite> “person” also includes, except as used in <cite data-path="|6|§9-4">§ 9-4 {“Criminal penalties”} of this article</cite>, a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.

(m) “Potential Landmark” means a property listed on a Potential-Landmark List.

(n) “Potential-Landmark List” means either or both of the following, as established and maintained under Subtitle 5 {“Designation of Potential Landmarks”}, of <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>:

  (1) the Potential-Landmark List: Exteriors; and

  (2) the Potential-Landmark List: Public Interiors.

(o) “Public interior” means any part of a structure’s interior that is determined by the Commission to be:

  (1) customarily open or accessible to the public; and

  (2) of historical or architectural significance.

(p) “Regulated alteration” means any addition, alteration or other action described in § 8-2(a) {“Building permit required: Exterior structures”} or § 8-2(b) {“Building permit required: Public interiors”}, as the case may be, of <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>.

(q) “Structure” means any creation of humans or nature.

*History: Ord. 64-229*

*History: Ord. 67-939*

*History: Ord. 04-672*

*History: Ord. 07-550*

*History: Ord. 15-408*

*History: Ord. 22-125*

*History: *

## § 1-2

Balt., Md., Code art. 6, § 1-2 (2026)

Reserved

*History: Ord. 93-169*

*History: Ord. 15-408*

*History: Ord. 22-125*

## § 1-3

Balt., Md., Code art. 6, § 1-3 (2026)

Reserved

## § 1-4 Purpose of article.

Balt., Md., Code art. 6, § 1-4 (2026)

(a)

  (1) Baltimore City contains a number of significant areas within which are located various buildings and other structures that contribute to the historical or architectural significance of the area.  The preservation of these areas is appropriate and necessary for the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public.

  (2) Baltimore City contains an even greater number of individually significant buildings and other structures that have special historical or architectural significance.  The preservation of these individual structures is equally appropriate and necessary for the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public.

(b) To preserve these significant areas and individual structures, it is necessary to impose controls and restrictions on or in connection with them.

(c) For these purposes, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore has enacted <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>, establishing the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation and vesting it with the powers and duties needed to administer and enforce the provisions of <cite data-path="|6">this article</cite>.

*History: Ord. 64-229 (Preamble)*

*History: Ord. 15-408*