Part 4 – Other Subdistrict Regulations
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. 7, § 3-33 (2026)
§ 3-33 Approximated Floodplain.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In the Approximated Floodplain (Zones A and AO), the following additional regulations apply.
(b)Use of available data.
In the enforcement of this Division I, the Planning Department must obtain, review, and reasonably use any base-flood elevation and floodway data available from Federal, State, or other sources, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Soil Conservation Service, the State Water & Science Administration, or any regional planning organization.
(c)When data unavailable.
When the base-flood elevation is not known, the Planning Department, in consultation with the State Water & Science Administration, must evaluate each site and establish an approximate base-flood elevation.
History: Ord. 88-188
History: Ord. 11-516
History: Ord. 14-208
History: Ord. 21-020
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 3-34 (2026)
§ 3-34 Coastal Floodplain and Flood Resilience Area.LinkCopy Citation
In the Coastal Floodplain and the Flood Resilience Area, the regulations specified in ASCE 24, § 4.0 {“Coastal High Hazard Areas and Coastal A Zones”} apply.
History: Ord. 88-188
History: Ord. 14-208
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 3-35 (2026)
§ 3-35 Coastal High Hazard Area.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In the Coastal High Hazard Area (Zones V and VE):
(1)
the regulations of this section apply; and
(2)
except as otherwise provided in this Division I, the regulations specified in ASCE 24, § 4.0 {“Coastal High Hazard Areas and Coastal a Zones”} also apply.
(b)Land below base flood level.
No land below the level of the base flood may be developed unless the new construction or substantial improvement:
(1)
is located landward of the reach of mean high tide;
(2)
is elevated on adequately anchored pilings or columns to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement due to the effects of base-flood wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components, and the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural members of the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to at least the flood-protection elevation;
(3)
has been certified by a licensed professional engineer or professional architect that it is securely anchored to adequately anchored pilings or columns so as to withstand velocity waters and hurricane wave wash and that it will meet the requirements of item (2) of this subsection;
(4)
has no basement and has the space below the lowest floor free of obstructions (which space may not be used for human habitation, but may be used solely for parking, building access, or limited storage) and is constructed with breakaway walls, as that term is defined in ASCE 24, § 1.2 {“Definitions”}; and
(5)
does not utilize fill for structural support of structures.
(c)Required showings.
No new development in the Coastal High Hazard Area may be permitted unless the applicant demonstrates that:
(1)
the encroachment into the Coastal High Hazard Area is the minimum necessary;
(2)
the development will withstand, without damage, the wind and water loads attendant a base flood; and
(3)
the development will not create an additional hazard to existing structures.
(d)Existing structures.
An existing nonconforming structure located on land below the level of the base flood may not be expanded, vertically, horizontally, or otherwise, unless:
(1)
the foundation system is certified by a licensed professional engineer or professional architect as capable of supporting the existing structure and the proposed improvements during a base flood; and
(2)
all construction is in full compliance with this and all other applicable laws.
(e)Manufactured homes or buildings.
The placement of manufactured homes or buildings is strictly prohibited.
(f)Record management.
For all new construction and every substantially improved structure in the Coastal High Hazard Area, the developer must submit and the Floodplain Manager must maintain on file an elevation certificate that certifies the elevation of the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor.
(g)Recreational vehicles.
(1)
In this subsection, “recreational vehicle” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|7|§3-19">§ 3-19 {“Recreational vehicles”} of this subtitle</cite>.
(2)
In the Coastal High Hazard Area, recreational vehicles are prohibited.
History: Ord. 88-188
History: Ord. 92-134
History: Ord. 11-516
History: Ord. 14-208
History: Ord. 14-283