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Baltimore City Office of Sustainability

Baltimore City Code art. 1, subtit. 34
in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-1 Definitions.

§ 34-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Carbon offset. “Carbon offset” means one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) that is kept out of the atmosphere by either: (1) preventing the creation of the emissions; or (2) sequestering carbon in: (i) vegetation; (ii) soils; (iii) rock; or (iv) water. (c) Director. “Director” means the Director of Planning or the Director’s designee. (d) Environmental justice. “Environmental justice” means the fair treatment of all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. (e) Greenhouse gas. “Greenhouse gas” includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. (f) Net-zero emissions. “Net-zero emissions” means the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions with emissions off-sets that cause an equivalent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. (g) Office. “Office” means the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability. (Ord. 22-131; Ord. 22-125; Ord. 07-484.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-3 Office established.

§ 34-3. Office established. (a) In general. There is a Baltimore City Office of Sustainability. (b) A Division of Planning. The Office is a Division in the Department of Planning. (Ord. 07-484.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-5 Staff and consultants.

§ 34-5. Staff and consultants. The Director may employ a staff and may contract for consultants and other experts as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates. (Ord. 07-484.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-7 Mission of Office.

§ 34-7. Mission of Office. (a) “Sustainable community” defined. A sustainable community is one in which economic, ecological, and social well-being are integrated to ensure all live well, within nature’s means. (b) Programs, policies, and actions. (1) The mission of the Office is to develop and advocate for programs, policies, and actions by government, citizens, and businesses that lead to sustainable communities in the City. (2) These programs, policies, and actions include those that: (i) support a diverse and vibrant economy; (ii) promote an equitable distribution of resources; (iii) protect and restore the integrity of the natural systems that support life, including air, water, and land; (iv) preserve the diversity of plant and animal life; and (v) reduce human impacts on local and worldwide ecosystems. (Ord. 07-484.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-9 Sustainability and Environmental Management Program.

§ 34-9. Sustainability and Environmental Management Program. (a) Office to develop. The Office shall develop a Sustainability and Environmental Management Program for the City. (b) Components. (1) The Program shall incorporate the Sustainability Plan developed by the Commission on Sustainability and any other recommendations made by the Commission. (2) The Program shall include appropriate measures for: (i) developing, implementing, and coordinating City policies that make all City operations achieve; (A) by January 1, 2025, a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels; (B) by January 1, 2030, a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels; and (C) by January 1, 2045, net-zero emissions, as defined in § 34-1(f) of this subtitle; (ii) developing or coordinating City policies and programs that will improve environmental performance in City operations; (iii) facilitating the City’s compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations; (iv) advancing the City’s environmental priorities; (v) integrating sustainability and environmental values into City plans, programs, and policies; and (vi) setting sustainability and environmental targets and objectives for the City. (c) Implementation. The Office shall oversee implementation of the Program. (Ord. 22-131; Ord. 07-484.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-10 Support for other programs and policies.

§ 34-10. Support for other programs and policies. (a) In general. The Office shall seek to assure proper City support for the City’s green building, energy policy, and solid waste and recycling programs. (b) Specific duties. To this end, the Office shall: (1) direct and evaluate energy policy and global warming action plan implementation; (2) administer and monitor direct City government energy efficiency activities; (3) review City policies and programs for consistency with the policy; (4) make recommendations to the City Council on the policies and programs; and (5) administer and monitor programs in support of green building and sustainable development principles. (Ord. 07-484.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-11 Director’s powers and duties – In general.

§ 34-11. Director’s powers and duties – In general. The Director shall: (1) prepare and update annually a sustainability and environmental management planning agenda for the City; (2) report to the Mayor and City Council on the performance in meeting sustainability and environmental targets and objectives of: (i) each City agency; and (ii) the City overall; (3) serve, in conjunction with other affected agency heads, as the City’s representative to boards, commissions, and organizations engaged in issues relating to sustainability and environmental management; (4) manage the activities, as described in City Code Article 5, Subtitle 34, of the Commission on Sustainability; (5) regularly review and propose appropriate changes to the Environmental Management Program; and (6) perform any other duties prescribed by law. (Ord. 07-484.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 1, § 34-12 Director’s powers and duties – Rules and regulations.

§ 34-12. Director’s powers and duties – Rules and regulations. (a) In general. Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Director may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle. (b) Scope. These rules and regulations shall require transparency and community-based public participation mechanisms to provide input to and track the progress of the City’s development and implementation of City policies that make all City operations achieve: (1) by January 1, 2025, a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels; (2) by January 1, 2030, a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels; and (3) by January 1, 2045, net-zero emissions, as defined in § 34-1(f) of this subtitle. (Ord. 22-131; Text Conformed 02/09/21; Ord. 07-484.)
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/1/34Fetched: 10/25/2026

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