# Subtitle 46 – Forest Conservation Fund

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

## § 46-1 Forest Conservation Fund established.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 46-1 (2026)

There is hereby created a Baltimore City Forest Conservation Fund that meets the requirements of <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gnr|5-1610">Natural Resources Article, §5-1610(h-l), Annotated Code of Maryland</cite>.

*History: Ord. 93-170*

*History: Ord. 20-401*

## § 46-2 When payments in lieu permitted.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 46-2 (2026)

If reforestation, afforestation, or specimen tree mitigation is not possible, and appropriate credits generated by a forest mitigation bank in the City are not available, the applicant may make payment into the Forest Conservation Fund.  Payment may be accepted into the Conservation Fund under the following circumstances:

(1) satisfying all or a portion of the required reforestation, afforestation, or specimen tree mitigation on site is technically infeasible;

(2) an acceptable planting site cannot be found on other land within Baltimore City; and

(3) appropriate credits generated by a forest mitigation bank in the City are not available.

*History: Ord. 93-170*

*History: Ord. 20-401*

## § 46-3 Contribution rate.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 46-3 (2026)

(a) A person permitted by <cite data-path="|7|§46-2">§ 46-2 of this subtitle</cite> to contribute to this fund in lieu of reforestation or afforestation shall make a payment to the Baltimore City Conservation Fund of $60,000 per acre of the area requiring planting or at a rate  determined and adjusted periodically by the Planning Commission and approved by the Board of Estimates.

(b) A person permitted by <cite data-path="|7|§46-2">§ 46-2 of this subtitle</cite> to contribute to this fund in lieu of specimen tree mitigation shall make a payment to the Baltimore City Conservation Fund of $300 per inch of required mitigation, or at a rate as determined and adjusted periodically by the Planning Commission and approved by the Board of Estimates.

*History: Ord. 93-170*

*History: Ord. 20-401*

## § 46-4 When payable.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 46-4 (2026)

Money contributed in lieu of afforestation, reforestation, or specimen tree mitigation  shall be paid at the time of the issuance of the grading or building permit for the development project.

*History: Ord. 93-170*

*History: Ord. 20-401*

## § 46-5 Period for City reforestation, etc.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 46-5 (2026)

(a) The City shall accomplish the reforestation or afforestation for the equivalent number of acres for which the money is deposited within 2 years or 3 growing seasons, whichever is a greater time period, after receipt of the money.

(b) At the end of that time, any part that has not been used to meet the afforestation or reforestation requirements shall be returned to the person who provided the money.

*History: Ord. 93-170*

*History: Ord. 20-401*

## § 46-6 Management of Fund.

Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 46-6 (2026)

(a) Money contributed under this title:

  (1) may be used only for reforestation and afforestration, including site identification, acquisition, preparation, management, and maintenance of existing forests, and achieving urban canopy goals;

  (2) shall be deposited in a separate Forest Conservation Fund; and

  (3) shall not revert to the General Fund.

(b) Sites selected for use of funds shall be located in the City of Baltimore.

*History: Ord. 93-170*

*History: Ord. 20-401*