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Baltimore City Code div. Building Codes, pt. X, pt. III, ch. 3
in effect

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 301 Design Criteria

Section 301. Design Criteria 301.1 Application {As in IRC} 301.2 Climatic and geographic design criteria {As in IRC} 301.2.1 to 301.2.3 {As in IRC} 301.2.4 Floodplain construction. {Not Adopted} {Note: For the establishment of Regulated Flood Hazard Areas and the special regulations and limitations governing development within those areas, see the Floodplain Management Code, City Code Article 7 {“Natural Resources”}, Division I {“Floodplain Management”}.} Table 301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria Ground Snow Load | Wind Speed | Wind Topographic Effects | Special Wind Region | Wind-Borne Debris Zone | Seismic Design Category 30 psf | 90 mph | No | No | No | B Weathering | Frost Line Depth | Termite Severe | 30" (762 mm) | Moderate to Heavy Winter Design Temp | Ice Barrier Underlayment Required | Air Freezing Index | Mean Annual Temp 13○ F | No | 231 | 57○ F Flood Hazards a. Entry into National Flood Insurance Program: 3/15/78. Updated Code: 6/16/2021. b. Flood Insurance Study: Revised 6/16/2021. c. Panel numbers and dates of currently effective FIRMs: Panels | Effective Date 0001 F - 0005 F | 6/16/2021 0008 F - 0016 F | 6/16/2021 0018 G | 6/16/2021 0019 F | 4/2/14 0020 F - 0023 F | 6/16/2021 0024 G - 0025 G | 6/16/2021 0026 F - 0028 F | 4/2/14 0030 G | 6/16/2021 0031 F - 0033 F | 4/2/14 0035 F | 6/16/2021 0036 G 301.3 to 301.8 {As in IRC} (Ord. 21-020.)

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 302 Fire-Resistant Construction

Section 302. Fire-Resistant Construction 302.1 Exterior walls. {As in IRC} 302.1.1 Porch roofs – Abutting. In new construction, renovation, or replacement of a porch roof that abuts another porch roof fire-retardant-treated wood sheathing shall be installed. 302.2 to 302.14 {As in IRC} (Ord. 24-341 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 309 Garages and Carports

Section 309. Garages and Carports 309.1 to 309.2 {As in IRC} 309.3 Flood hazard areas. {Not Adopted} {Note: For the establishment of Regulated Flood Hazard Areas and the special regulations and limitations governing development within those areas, see the Floodplain Management Code, City Code Article 7 {“Natural Resources”}, Division I {“Floodplain Management”}.} 309.4 to 309.5 {As in IRC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 311 Means of Egress

Section 311. Means of Egress 311.1 to 311.6 {As in IRC} 311.7 Stairways 311.7.1 to 311.7.4 {As in IRC} 311.7.5 Stair treads and risers. {As in IRC} 311.7.5.1 Risers. The maximum riser height is 8¼ inches (210 mm). The riser must be measured vertically between leading edges of the adjacent treads. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs may not exceed the smallest by more than ⅜ inch (9.5 mm). Risers must be vertical or sloped from the underside of the nosing of the tread above at an angle not more than 30 degrees (0.51 rad) from the vertical. Open risers are permitted as long as the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere. Exception: The opening between adjacent treads is not limited on stairs with a total rise of 30 inches (762 mm) or less. 311.7.5.2 Treads. The minimum tread depth is 9 inches (229 mm). The tread depth must be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread’s leading edge. The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairsmay not exceed the smallest by more than ⅜ inch (9.5 mm). 311.7.5.2.1 Winder treads. Winder treads must have a minimum tread depth of 9 inches (229 mm) measured between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads at the intersections with the walkline. Winder treads must have a minimum tread depth of 6 inches (152 mm) at any point within the clear width of the stair. Within any flight of stairs, the largest winder tread depth at the walkline may not exceed the smallest winder tread by more than ⅜ inch (9.5 mm). Consistently shaped winders at the walkline are allowed within the same flight of stairs as rectangular treads and do not have to be within ⅜ inch (9.5 mm) of the rectangular tread depth. 311.7.5.3 to 311.7.5.4 {As in IRC} 311.7.6 to 311.7.12 {As in IRC} 311.8 Ramps {As in IRC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 312 Guards and Window Fall Protection

Section 312. Guards and Window Fall Protection 312.1 Guards {As in IRC} 312.1.1 to 312.1.2 {As in IRC} 312.1.3 Opening limitations. Required guards on open sides of stairways, raised floor areas, balconies, and porches: 1. must have intermediate rails or ornamental closures that do not allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102mm) or more in diameter, and 2. may not be constructed with horizontal rails or any ornamental pattern that results in a ladder effect. Exceptions: {As in IRC} 312.1.4 Exterior plastic composite guards. {As in IRC} 312.2 Window fall protection. {As in IRC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 313 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems

Section 313. Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems 313.1 Automatic fire sprinkler systems required. An approved automatic residential fire sprinkler system must be installed in any new: 1. townhouse, or 2. 1- or 2-family dwelling. 313.2 Design and installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for townhouses and 1-and 2-family dwellings must be designed and installed in accordance with Baltimore City Building Code § 903.3 {“Installation requirements”}. 313.3 DPW regulations. In accordance with its {rules and} regulations, the Department of Public Works must require minimum service sizes for water lines and meters for buildings with sprinklers.

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 319 Site Address

Section 319. Site Address 319.1 Address identification. Address identification must be provided and maintained for all buildings in accordance with: 1. International Building Code § 502 {“Building Address”}, and 2. City Code Article 26, Subtitle 6 {“Building Address Numbers”}.

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 322 Flood-Resistant Construction {Not Adopted}

Section 322. Flood-Resistant Construction {Not Adopted} {Note: For the establishment of Regulated Flood Hazard Areas and the special regulations and limitations governing development within those areas, see the Floodplain Management Code, City Code Article 7 {“Natural Resources”}, Division I {“Floodplain Management”}.}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 333 Driveways and Other Paved Surfaces

Section 333. Driveways and Other Paved Surfaces 333.1 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. 333.2 Surface paving. 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. 333.3 Parking areas. The size, layout, and arrangement of parking areas must comply with: 1. the Baltimore City Zoning Code, and 2. the rules and regulations of the City Planning Commission. 333.4 Surface drainage. Storm drainage off paved surface areas must be properly conveyed to paved alleys, paved streets, or other approved water courses. 333.4.1 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. (Ord. 24-341 Section 1.)
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/X/III/3Fetched: 10/25/2026

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