It is the policy of the State that: the orderly development and use of land and structures requires comprehensive regulation through the implementation of planning and zoning controls; and planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local government. To achieve the public purposes of this regulatory scheme, the General Assembly recognizes that local government action will limit free business enterprise and competition by owners and users of property through the planning and zoning controls set forth in this title and elsewhere in the public general and public local laws.

To promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City may regulate: the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of a lot that may be occupied; off–street parking; the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces; population density; and the location and use of buildings, signs, structures, and land.

The powers granted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City under this title do not: grant to the Mayor and City Council powers in any substantive area not otherwise granted to the Mayor and City Council by any other public general or public local law; restrict the Mayor and City Council from exercising any power granted to the Mayor and City Council by any other public general or public local law or otherwise; authorize the Mayor and City Council or the officers of Baltimore City to engage in any activity that is beyond their power under any other public general law or public local law or otherwise; or preempt or supersede the regulatory authority of any unit of the State under any public general law.

To preserve structures and landmarks of historic and architectural value as a public purpose of the State, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City may enact laws for historic and landmark zoning and preservation. This section does not restrict any charter power or other power of Baltimore City.