Variances

Baltimore City Code art. 7, div. IV, subtit. 47

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 7, § 47-1 “Variance” defined; When request required.

§ 47-1. “Variance” defined; When request required. “Variance” means the process of obtaining approval for a forest conservation plan that does not strictly conform to the standards and requirements set forth in this Division IV. A variance must be requested in advance of approval of a Forest Conservation Plan and in advance of any activity requiring approval of a Forest Conservation Plan. (Ord. 20-401; Ord. 93-170.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 7, § 47-2 When authorized.

§ 47-2. When authorized. Variances from this Division IV may be granted by the Planning Commission, if the applicant demonstrates that enforcement would result in unwarranted hardship to the applicant. (Ord. 93-170.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 7, § 47-3 Applications.

§ 47-3. Applications. An applicant for a variance shall: (1) describe the special conditions peculiar to the property which would cause the unwarranted hardship; (2) describe how enforcement of these rules will deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by others in similar areas; (3) verify that the granting of the variance will not confer on the applicant a special privilege that would be denied to other applicants; (4) verify that the variance request is not based on conditions or circumstances which are the result of actions by the applicant; (5) verify that the need for the variance is not as a result of a violation of any portion of Division IV; (6) verify that the request does not arise from a condition relating to land or building use, either permitted or nonconforming, on a neighboring property; (7) verify that the granting of a variance will not adversely affect water quality; and (8) such other criteria that, subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Planning Commission may set by rule or regulation. (Text Conformed 02/16/21; Ord. 20-401; Ord. 93-170.)

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/7/IV/47Fetched: 10/25/2026