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Special Construction

Baltimore City Code div. Building Codes, pt. II, ch. 31
in effect

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3105 Awnings and Canopies

Section 3105. Awnings and Canopies 3105.1 General. Awnings and canopies must comply with the requirements of: 1. this section, 2. other applicable sections of this article, and 3. the laws{, rules,} and regulations governing minor privilege permits. 3105.2 Design and construction. {As in IBC} 3105.3 Awning and canopy materials. {As in IBC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3108 Telecommunication and Broadcast Towers

Section 3108. Telecommunication and Broadcast Towers 3108.1 General {As in IBC} 3108.2 Location and access. {As in IBC} 3108.3 Aircraft warning lights. Radio and television towers must be equipped with aircraft warning lights that comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements.

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3109 Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs

Section 3109. Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs 3109.1 General. Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs must comply with the requirements of: 1. the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code {Part XII of this article}, 2. other applicable sections of this article, 3. all {rules and} regulations of the Baltimore City Health Department, and 4. all location and other applicable provisions of the Baltimore City Zoning Code.

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3112 Greenhouses

Section 3112. Greenhouses 3112.1 General. Structures with glazed surfaces that are used for horticulture are classified as greenhouses. These structures must be independent and separated from other buildings on the same lot. All greenhouses must conform to the requirements of this Code for exits and for materials. 3112.1.1 Commercial greenhouses. Commercial greenhouses are classified as Group S-2, Low Hazard Storage Buildings, and must comply with § 503 {“General Building Height and Area Limitations”} and Tables 601 {“Fire-Resistant Rating Requirements for Building Elements”} and 602 {“Fire-Resistant Rating Requirements for Exterior Walls”} of this Code. 3112.1.2 Residential greenhouses. Greenhouses that are located on a lot zoned for residential use are classified as Group U, Utility and Miscellaneous Structures. 3112.1.2.1 Height. Residential greenhouses may not exceed 20 feet (6.10 m) above grade. 3112.1.2.2 Size. The floor area of a residential greenhouse must conform to the requirements of the Baltimore City Zoning Code. 3112.1.2.3 Location. Residential greenhouses must be located at least 36 inches (914 mm) from any property line or other structure. 3112.2 Accessibility. Greenhouses must be accessible in accordance with the Maryland Accessibility Code, COMAR 09.12.53. 3112.3 Structural design. Greenhouses must comply with the structural design requirements for greenhouses in Chapter 16 {“Structural Design”} of this Code. 3112.4 Glass and glazing. Glass and glazing used in greenhouses must comply with § 2405 {“Sloped Glazing and Skylights”} of this Code. 3112.5 Light-transmitting plastics. Light-transmitting plastics are permitted in lieu of plain glass in greenhouses and must comply with § 2606 “Light-Transmitting Plastics”} of this Code. 3112.6 Membrane structures. Greenhouses that are membrane structures must comply with § 3102 {“Membrane Structures”} of this Code. 3112.6.1 Plastic film. Plastic films used in greenhouses must comply with § 3102.3 {“Type of construction”} of this Code.

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3116 Parking Lots, Driveways, and Other Paved Surfaces

Section 3116. Parking Lots, Driveways, and Other Paved Surfaces 3116.1 Section inapplicable to special-event parking. This § 3116 does not apply to special-event parking lots operating under and in compliance with City Code Article 15, Subtitle 13 {“Parking facilities – Special-Event Parking Lots”} as long as the lot complies with all other requirements applicable to the lot’s principal occupancy, use, or structure. 3116.2 Driveway entrances. All driveway entrances located on a public right-of-way must be constructed in accordance with the rules, regulations, and permit requirements of the Department of Transportation. 3116.3 Surface paving. Parking lots, parking pads, driveways, and private roads must be paved with asphalt, brick, concrete, macadam, or stone block. Permeable paving systems may be utilized in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Department of Public Works. All paving must be able to support the design loads for the proposed vehicular traffic. 3116.4 Parking spaces. The size, layout, and arrangement of parking spaces must comply with: 1. the Baltimore City Zoning Code, 2. the Maryland State Accessability Code, and 3. the rules and regulations of the City Planning Commission. 3116.5 Curbs or bumpers. Curbs or bumpers must be installed for all parking spaces. Each curb or bumper must be: 1. made of concrete, wood, or an approved metal wheel stop, 2. at least 6 inches (152 mm) high and 8 inches (203 mm) wide, 3. securely fixed in place, and 4. located: a. at least 4 feet (1.22 m) from the parking lot perimeter, or b. for parking spaces that are parallel to the perimeter of the parking lot, at least 2 feet (0.61 m) from the perimeter. 3116.6 Surface drainage. Storm drainage off paved surface areas, such as parking lots, playgrounds, and plazas, must be properly conveyed to paved alleys, paved streets, or other approved water courses. 3116.6.1 Limitations. No drainage may be discharged: 1. so as to run or flow over any sidewalk or footway, except at a driveway with a depressed curb, or 2. across any adjoining property. 3116.6.2 Methods. Drainage must be piped to a storm drain, to the street or alley, to a paved swale, or to another approved water course. The installation of piping, connections to storm drains, etc., must be made in accordance with the plumbing regulations of Chapter 29 {“Plumbing Systems”} of this Code. (Ord. 24-341 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3117 Piers and Marinas

Section 3117. Piers and Marinas 3117.1 General. All piers, marinas, and related structures constructed or demolished along the shoreline of the City must comply with the requirements of this § 3117, in addition to all other applicable provisions of this Code. 3117.2 Plans and specifications. All proposed work for piers and marinas requires plans and specifications that illustrate, describe, and specify the proposed work in sufficient detail and clarity. 3117.3 Approvals. Before a building permit may be issued for the construction or demolition of a pier, marina, or related structure, the work must be approved by: 1. the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Baltimore District), 2. the State of Maryland, 3. the Division of Construction and Buildings Inspection, 4. the Baltimore City Fire Department, 5. the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, and 6. the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. 3117.4 Design. All shoreline and offshore free-standing piers, with or without buildings, must be designed in accordance with: 1. the design manuals of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and 2. the requirements of this Code. 3117.5 Structural design for piers. Minimum live load requirements are as follows: 1. for static or fixed piers or marinas for light duty uses, 60 pounds per square foot, and 2. for heavy duty live loads and for structures constructed on piers, as required by Chapter 16 {“Structural Design”} of this Code. 3117.6 Structures on piers. Every structure that is constructed on a pier, wharf, dock, bulkhead, breakwater, piles, or other similar structure must comply with this § 3117 and all other applicable provisions of this Code and other law.

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3118 Fences

Section 3118. Fences 3118.1 Location. A fence may be built only on the property of the owner of the fence. However, if the owners of adjoining property agree to build a fence on the property line between them, they may do so if they both submit, with the application for the permit, a written statement of their agreement. 3118.2 Height. Except as otherwise specified in this § 3118.2, the height of a fence may not exceed 42 inches (1067 mm), measured on the high side. 3118.2.1 Enclosing dwellings. Fences enclosing dwellings may be as high as, but may not exceed, 6 feet (1.83 m) if located in side or rear yards. 3118.2.2 Enclosing certain other buildings. Fences enclosing buildings used for public assembly, private assembly, institutions, offices, commercial storage, or industrial occupancies may be as high as, but may not exceed, 8 feet (2.44 m). 3118.2.3 Special purposes. For special purposes like protection around dangerous places, highly hazardous operations, in conjunction with electric security, or protection around athletic fields, and in similar cases where a high fence is necessary for the safety of the public, fences may be higher than 8 feet (2.44 m) to the extent specially authorized by the Building Official. 3118.3 Construction. Fences may be built of any material or construction that is permitted in this Code for exposed structures. However, all fences must be designed and constructed, in accordance with the applicable structural provisions of this Code, to resist from any direction a horizontal force of 20 pounds per square foot, applied normal to and over either the gross area of the fence or the net area of the fence plus 50% of the gross area, whichever is less. 3118.3.1 Wood fences. The posts for wood fences must be: 1. locust, heart cedar, or any other wood that will resist decay underground, 2. any wood that has been treated in accordance with this Code, or 3. any good timber set in concrete. 3118.3.2 Wire fences. Wire fences must be constructed with wire mesh substantially fabricated and constructed so as to resist a nominal horizontal load of 500 pounds without deflecting more than 6 inches (152 mm). The posts for wire fences must be metal posts set in concrete, properly designed masonry posts, or wood posts of the type required for wood fences. 3118.3.3 Metal fences. Metal fences must be of a substantial design and construction approved by the Building Official. The posts for metal fences must be concrete, masonry, or metal set in concrete or masonry. 3118.3.4 Masonry fences. Masonry fences must be of reinforced concrete or other masonry and must be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements governing reinforced concrete or freestanding masonry walls. All masonry fences must extend at least 2 feet (0.61 m) into the ground. 3118.3.5 Combination fences. Fences that consist of 2 or more kinds of materials may be built as long as all applicable requirements of this Code for those materials and construction are met. The total aggregate height of a combination fence must be used in determining the height limitations for that fence. 3118.4 Sharp points, projections, etc. No fence may have any projecting sharp points, jagged edges, or other projections that can injure persons or animals coming in contact with the fence. 3118.4.1 Fence tops. No fence less than 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) high may have any sharp pickets or vertical pointed objects at the top. Barbed wire or other approved retarding material or construction may be placed on the top of any fence that is more than 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) high, unless the barbed wire or other retarding material will create a highly hazardous condition. 3118.4.2 Razor wire. Razor wire may not be used anywhere in any fence. 3118.4.3 Electric security fences. An electric security fence is permitted: 1. only in a C-3, C-4, or Industrial Zoning District, as identified in City Code Article 32 {“Zoning”}; and 2. only as long as long as the fence: a. does not abut any residentially zoned parcel; and b. is installed in conjunction with an exterior, non-electric barrier fence. 3118.5 Maintenance. Every fence must be maintained in good repair by its owner. The Building Official may determine the sufficiency of any fence and the amount and character of repairs required to make it safe. 3118.6 Nonconforming fences. Any existing fence that was compliant when erected but does not comply with the requirements of this § 3118 is permitted to continue to exist and be repaired at any time, unless the fence has deteriorated more than 50%. All nonconforming fences that have deteriorated more than 50% or beyond repair must be removed or reconstructed in accordance with the requirements of this Code.

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 3119 Radio and Television Antennas

Section 3119. Radio and Television Antennas 3119.1 Aircraft warning lights. Radio and television antennas located on a high rise building or on a high terrain feature must comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements for aircraft warning lights.
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/building-codes/II/31Fetched: 10/25/2026

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