<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Subtitle 24 – Variances">
  <section prefix="§" num="24-1" heading="When authorized.">
    <text>The Department may grant a variance from any requirement of this Division II if, because of exceptional circumstances applicable to the site, strict adherence to that requirement will result in unnecessary hardship and not fulfill the intent of this Division II.</text>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 02-367</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="24-2" heading="Application for variance.">
    <text>The application for a variance must:</text>
    <para num="(1)">be in the form that the Department requires;</para>
    <para num="(2)">state the specific variance sought;</para>
    <para num="(3)">explain why the variance is needed;</para>
    <para num="(4)">contain any other information that the Department requires; and</para>
    <para num="(5)">be submitted to the Department with the applicant’s proposed stormwater management plan.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 02-367</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 10-277</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="24-2.1" heading="Public notices and comment.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Website notice.">
      <para num="(1)">When an application for a variance is submitted, the Department shall prepare and post on its website, available for download, a public notice of the application.</para>
      <para num="(2)">The public notice shall include:<para num="(i)">the applicant’s name and address;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">a description of the location and nature of the activity for which the application is made;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">the name, address, and telephone number of the office within the Department from which persons may obtain information about the application;</para>
        <para num="(iv)">a statement that any further notices about actions on the application will be posted on the Department’s website;</para>
        <para num="(v)">a description of how persons may submit information or comments about the application; and</para>
        <para num="(vi)">the date when the public comment period closes, not to exceed 30 days, and by which information or comments must be received by the Department.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Mail and email notices.">The Department also shall mail or email public notices to:<para num="(1)">all contiguous property owners;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the City Councilmember in whose district the property is located; and</para>
      <para num="(3)">persons who have submitted information or comments about the application.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Comments.">Comments on an application must be submitted in writing to the Department before the close of the public comment period, as specified in the public notice.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 10-277</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="24-3" heading="Justification required.">
    <text>The Department may not grant a variance unless the applicant provides sufficient satisfactorily demonstrates that the implementation of environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable has been thoroughly investigated.</text>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 02-367</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 10-277</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="24-4" heading="Offset fee.">
    <text>The Department may require a person who is granted a variance to pay an offset fee to the City.</text>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 02-367</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
