Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-301 In general.
§ 1-301. In general.
In this Code, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(Ord. 16-581.)
Definitions
Baltimore City Code art. 32, tit. 1, subtit. 3
in effectBaltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-302 “Abut” to “Awning”.
§ 1-302. “Abut” to “Awning”.
(a) Abut.
“Abut” means to share a common lot line or zoning district boundary without being separated by a street or alley.
(b) Accessory structure.
“Accessory structure” means a structure that is:
(1) customarily incidental and subordinate to the use of the principal structure served;
(2) subordinate in lot coverage and floor area to the principal structure served; and
(3) located on the same lot as the principal structure served.
(c) Accessory use.
“Accessory use” means a use that is:
(1) customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the lot or principal structure served; and
(2) located on the same lot as the principal use or principal structure served.
(d) Addition; Enlargement.
“Addition” or “enlargement”, when referring to a structure, means construction that increases the height, length, width, or floor area of the structure.
(e) Adjacent.
“Adjacent” means to lie near, close to, or in the vicinity of.
(f) Adjoining.
“Adjoining” means to touch, abut, or border on, as distinguished from adjacent.
(g) Adult day-care center.
See “Day-care center: Adult”.
(h) Adult day-care home.
See “Day-care home: Adult”.
(i) Adult use.
(1) General.
“Adult use” means any establishment that offers its customers, for viewing, purchase, loan, or otherwise, sexually explicit materials or entertainment that, applying contemporary standards, the average individual would find, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest.
(2) Inclusions.
“Adult use” includes any:
(i) adult-entertainment business, as defined in City Code Article 15, Subtitle 1 {“Adult-Entertainment Businesses”};
(ii) adult book or video store, as defined in paragraph (3) of this subsection; and
(iii) peep show establishment, as defined in City Code Article 13, Subtitle 13 {“Licensing of Peep Show Establishments”}.
(3) “Adult book or video store” defined.
(i) In general.
“Adult book or video store” means a place of activity the principal use of which is to sell, transfer, or disseminate sexually explicit material, including the following:
(A) any picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, video, or similar visual representation or image of an individual or part of the human body that:
1. depicts nudity, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement; and
2. is harmful to minors; or
(B) any book, pamphlet, magazine, printed matter however reproduced, or sound recording that:
1. contains any matter enumerated in item A of this subparagraph or any explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement; and
2. taken as a whole, is harmful to minors.
(ii) Supplemental definitions.
In this paragraph (3), “harmful to minors”, “nudity”, “sadomasochistic abuse”, “sexual conduct”, and “sexual excitement” have meanings stated in City Code Article 19, § 36-1 {“Minors - Indecent Materials: Definitions”}.
(i-1) After-hours establishment.
“After-hours establishment” means any of the following uses that is open for any period of time after 2 a.m. and before 6 a.m. on any day:
(1) a banquet hall, a lodge or social club, or a similar place; or
(2) an adult use, a lounge, live entertainment as a principal use, or a restaurant that provides live entertainment as an accessory use.
(j) Age-restricted multi-family dwelling.
“Age-restricted multi-family dwelling” means a multi-family dwelling that restricts occupancy to individuals 62 years old or older.
(k) Age-restricted residential-care facility.
“Age-restricted residential-care facility” means a residential-care facility that restricts residents to individuals 62 years old or older.
(l) Alley.
“Alley” means any roadway that is open to the general public and primarily designed and used for the servicing of adjacent buildings through their rear or side entrances.
(m) Alteration.
“Alteration” means a change in the size, shape, occupancy, or use of a structure.
(n) Alternative energy system.
(1) In general.
“Alternative energy system” means equipment used to generate thermal or electrical energy from renewable sources.
(2) Inclusions.
“Alternative energy system” includes:
(i) a commercial alternative energy system;
(ii) a community-based alternative energy system; and
(iii) a private alternative energy system.
(o) Alternative energy system: Commercial.
“Alternative energy system: Commercial” means an alternative energy system designed to produce greater levels of energy for consumers with high energy demands, such as industrial users, or for supply to an electric grid.
(p) Alternative energy system: Community-based.
“Alternative energy system: Community-based” means an alternative energy system that:
(1) primarily produces energy for consumption on site by a property owner or for supply to an electric grid; and
(2) is supported by community members who purchase energy from the system and who might benefit financially from the system.
(q) Amateur (ham) radio equipment.
“Amateur (ham) radio equipment” has the meaning stated in § 15-502 {“Amateur (ham) radio equipment”} of this Code.
(r) Animal clinic.
(1) In general.
“Animal clinic” means an establishment used by a licensed veterinarian:
(i) for the immunization, diagnosis, or treatment of animals or for surgery on animals and
(ii) for boarding animals during their treatment or convalescence.
(2) Exclusions.
“Animal clinic” does not include a kennel.
(s) Architectural feature.
“Architectural feature” means a part or projection of a structure, excluding a sign, that:
(1) contributes to the aesthetics of the structure; and
(2) is not needed either for the structural integrity of the structure or to make the structure habitable.
(t) Art gallery.
(1) In general.
“Art gallery” means an establishment that engages in the sale, loan, or display of paintings, sculptures, photographs, video art, or other works of art.
(2) Exclusions.
“Art gallery” does not include:
(i) a cultural facility, such as a library, museum, or non-commercial gallery that might also display works of art;
(ii) an arts studio; or
(iii) an arts studio - industrial.
(u) Arts studio.
(1) In general.
“Arts studio” means an establishment in which an art, a type of exercise, or an activity is taught, practiced, or studied, such as dance, martial arts, photography, music, painting, gymnastics, or yoga.
(2) Inclusions.
“Arts studio” includes:
(i) performance-space related to the classes taught on-site; and
(ii) recording studios.
(3) Exclusions.
“Arts studio” does not include an establishment that teaches the types of arts taught in an arts studio – industrial.
(v) Arts studio: Industrial.
“Arts studio: Industrial” means a studio for artisan-related crafts, such as small-scale metalworking, glassblowing, furniture making, pottery, leathercraft, and similar activities.
(w) Awning.
“Awning” means an architectural projection that:
(1) comprises a lightweight frame structure over which a covering is attached;
(2) is designed to provide weather protection, identity, or decoration; and
(3) is partially or wholly supported by the building to which it is attached.
(18-171; 17-056; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-303 “Bail bond establishment” to “Child day-care home”.
§ 1-303. “Bail bond establishment” to “Child day-care home”.
(a) Bail bond establishment.
“Bail bond establishment” means an establishment in which a State-licensed or -approved bail bondsman provides bail bondsman services, whether for compensation or not.
(b) {Reserved}
(c) Banquet hall.
(1) In general.
“Banquet hall” means an establishment:
(i) for which all events are directly managed by the owner of the facility or by a person regularly employed by the owner and responsible to the owner for the on-site management of all events held in that facility and for event arrangements;
(ii) that is used regularly for serving food or beverage provided by the owner or by caterers and suppliers approved in advance by the owner;
(iii) that serves designated groups that, before the day of the event, have reserved the facility for banquets or meetings and provided all insurance certificates, security contracts, off-street parking contracts required by the facility’s owner;
(iv) to which the general public is not admitted;
(v) for which no admission fee is charged at the door; and
(vi) in which no third party promoter is involved or stands to profit.
(2) Supplemental definition.
In paragraph (1)(vi) of this subsection, “promoter” means a person whose primary business is to organize, schedule, and operate one-time events in various leased venues through wide-scale promotions and advance sales of general admission tickets advertised primarily by flyers, websites, e-blasts, and social media and customarily selling general admission tickets at the door.
(3) Inclusions.
“Banquet hall” includes an establishment that provides live entertainment as an accessory to the use described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(4) Exclusions.
“Banquet hall” does not include any restaurant or tavern.
(d) Basement.
“Basement” means that portion of a building that has its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
(e) Bay window.
“Bay window” means a window that:
(1) projects outward from a building;
(2) begins at least 2 feet above the ground; and
(3) has no structural support to the ground.
(f) Bed and breakfast.
“Bed and breakfast” means an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling that:
(1) is used primarily as a the owner’s personal home; but
(2) also, while the owner is in residence, provides lodging in 3 or fewer guest rooms to members of the general public who have primary residences elsewhere.
(g) Billboard.
“Billboard” means any sign that directs attention to a business or commodity that is:
(i) sold or offered somewhere other than on the property on which the sign is located; or
(ii) sold or offered on that property only incidentally, if at all.
(h) Blockface.
“Blockface” means all of 1 side of a given street between 2 consecutive intersecting streets, excluding alleys footways, and sidewalks.
(i) Boat manufacturing, repair, and sales.
(1) Inclusions.
“Boat manufacturing, repair, and sales” includes the following activities:
(i) assembly and installation of sails, masts, bridges, or other major components;
(ii) sandblasting or other preparation and painting of hulls;
(iii) installation of navigational instruments;
(iv) testing of electrical, mechanical, and other systems; and
(v) incidental storage.
(2) Exclusions.
“Boat manufacturing, repair, and sales” does not include the leasing of dry dock or marina storage for individual boat owners.
(j) Body art establishment.
(1) In general.
“Body art establishment” means an establishment that offers body piercing, non-medical body modification, or tattooing services.
(2) Exclusions.
“Body art establishment” does not include an establishment that only offers ear piercing.
(k) Broadcasting station (TV or radio).
(1) In general.
“Broadcasting station (tv or radio)” means commercial and public communications facilities, including radio and television broadcasting and receiving stations and studios.
(2) Exclusions.
“Broadcasting station (tv or radio)” does not include freestanding TV or radio antennas.
(l) Buffer (CBCA).
“Buffer”, as it applies to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, has the meaning stated in § 7-402 {“CBCA Overlay: Definitions”} of this Code.
(m) Building.
“Building” means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
(n) Building: Principal.
“Building: Principal” means non-accessory building in which a principal use is conducted.
(o) Canopy.
“Canopy” means a permanent structure or architectural projection that:
(1) is of rigid construction over which a covering is attached;
(2) is designed to provide weather protection, identity or decoration; and
(3) is structurally independent or supported by attachment to a building on one or more sides.
(p) Car wash.
(1) In general.
“Car wash” means an establishment for washing or cleaning motor vehicles, whether by using mechanical devices or hand labor.
(2) Self-Service.
“Car wash” includes facilities for self-service motor vehicle washing or cleaning.
(q) Caretaker’s dwelling.
See “Dwelling: Caretaker’s”.
(r) Carnival; Circus.
“Carnival” or “circus” means a use of land for:
(1) circuses, carnivals, fetes, bazaars, and similar events;
(2) feats of horseback-riding ability, acrobatic stunts, trained animal acts, clowning, and similar performances;
(3) mechanical rides or other amusement devices to which the public is admitted; and
(4) temporary stands or facilities for selling or dispensing products for human consumption in connection with these uses.
(s) Carriage house.
“Carriage house” means an accessory structure of 2-story construction that was formerly used or intended to be used for the storage of horses and carriages.
(t) Carry-out food shop.
“Carry-out food shop” means an establishment where prepared food is served in disposable containers or wrappers from a serving counter, primarily for off-premises consumption.
(u) Cemetery.
(1) In general.
“Cemetery” means land used or dedicated to the burial of the dead.
(2) Inclusions.
“Cemetery” includes:
(i) a crematorium;
(ii) mausoleums;
(iii) a funeral home, if operating within the boundaries of the cemetery; and
(iv) necessary sales and maintenance facilities.
(v) Check-cashing establishment.
“Check-cashing establishment” means an establishment, other than a financial institution, that provides a check-cashing service, for a fee, to the general public.
(w) Child day-care center.
See “Day-care center: Child”.
(x) Child day-care home.
See “Day-care home: Child”.
(Ord. 22-181; Ord. 18-216; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-304 “Chimney” to “Day-care center: Child”.
§ 1-304. “Chimney” to “Day-care center: Child”.
(a) Chimney.
“Chimney”means a vertical shaft of reinforced concrete, masonry, or other approved material that encloses 1 or more flues, for the purpose of removing the products of combustion from solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel.
(b) {Reserved}
(c) Clinic.
See “Animal clinic”; “Health-care clinic”.
(d) Commercial alternative energy system.
See “Alternative energy system: Commercial”.
(e) Commercial college.
See “Educational facility: Commercial-vocational”.
(f) Commercial vehicle.
“Commercial vehicle” has the meaning stated in City Code Article 31 {“Transit and Traffic”}, § 1-1(f) {“Definitions – A to L: Commercial vehicle”}.
(g) Community center.
(1) In general.
“Community center” means a facility in which people who live in the neighborhood or community are able to meet and carry on cultural, social, or recreational activities.
(2) Inclusions.
“Community center” includes indoor or outdoor recreational facilities.
(h) Community-managed open-space garden.
(1) In general.
“Community-managed open-space garden” means an open-space area that:
(i) is maintained by more than 1 household; and
(ii) is used for traditional community-garden activities of planting, cultivating, harvesting, maintaining, and distributing fruits, flowers, vegetables, or ornamental plants.
(2) Inclusions.
“Community-managed open-space garden” includes:
(i) accessory sheds, gazebos, and pergolas;
(ii) temporary greenhouses and similar structures to extend the growing season; and
(iii) the provision of space for related open-air recreation, active or passive, but not including playground equipment.
(i) Community-managed open-space farm.
(1) In general.
“Community-managed open-space farm” means an open-space area that:
(i) is maintained by more than 1 household; and
(ii) in addition to the uses permitted in a community-managed open-space garden, is used for 1 or more of the following:
(A) the keeping of livestock and animals;
(B) temporary farm stands, but no more than 1 per lot; and
(C) the receipt and free redistribution of organic waste material for composting.
(2) Inclusions.
“Community-managed open-space farm” includes on-site storage, including storage for farmstands.
(j) Community-based alternative energy system.
See “Alternative energy system: Community-based”.
(k) Composting.
“Composting” means the processing of organic waste material, such as yard and food waste, under controlled conditions to yield a nuisance-free humus-like product.
(l) Comprehensive Master Plan.
“Comprehensive Master Plan” means the Master Plan adopted under City Charter Article VII, § 74 {“Department of Planning: Master Plan”} and the State Land Use Article.
(m) Comprehensive rezoning.
“Comprehensive rezoning” means an ordinance that is:
(1) initiated by City government to modify the zoning classifications of multiple properties;
(2) based on considerations concerning the common needs of a substantial geographic area, involving a considerable number of properties;
(3) designed to control and direct the use of land and structures according to present and planned future conditions; and
(4) the product of:
(i) careful consideration and extensive study by the Planning Department; and
(ii) review by the Planning Commission.
(n) Conditional use.
See “Use: Conditional”.
(o) Contractor storage yard.
“Contractor storage yard” means land or structures used primarily for the storage of equipment, vehicles, machinery, building materials, paint, piping, or electrical components being used by the owner or occupant of the premises in the conduct of a building trade.
(p) Convention center.
(1) In general.
“Convention center” means an establishment that accommodates conventions, conferences, seminars, product displays, recreation activities, and entertainment functions.
(2) Inclusions.
“Convention center” includes accessory uses such as:
(i) temporary outdoor displays; and
(ii) food and beverage preparation and service for on-premise consumption.
(q) Corner lot.
See “Lot: Corner”.
(r) Corner-side lot line.
See “Lot line: Corner-side”.
(s) Cornice.
“Cornice” means a continuous molded projection that:
(1) extends outward from an exterior wall at the roof line;
(2) crowns a wall; or
(3) divides a wall horizontally.
(t) Country club.
“Country club” means a club organized and operated primarily for social and both indoor and outdoor recreation purposes, with recreation facilities for members, their families, and invited guests.
(u) Critical Area (CBCA).
“Critical Area”, as it applies to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, has the meaning stated in § 7-402 {“CBCA Overlay: Definitions”} of this Code.
(v) Critical Area Management Program (CBCA).
“Critical Area Management Program”, as it applies to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, has the meaning stated in § 7-402 {“CBCA Overlay: Definitions”} of this Code.
(w) Crude oil terminal.
(1) “Crude oil” defined.
(i) In general.
“Crude oil” means any naturally occurring liquid petroleum that is:
(A) extracted from geological formations beneath the earth’s surface; and
(B) requires further refinement before consumer use.
(ii) Exclusions.
“Crude oil” does not include finished products derived from petroleum including asphalt.
(2) “Crude oil terminal” defined.
(i) In general.
“Crude oil terminal” means a facility that receives, stores, transfers, ships, or processes crude oil.
(ii) Exclusions.
“Crude oil terminal” does not include facilities owned or operated by a rail carrier, as defined in U.S. Code Title 49, Subtitle IV, Part A, Chapter 101, § 10102 {“Definitions”}.
(x) Cultural facility.
(1) In general.
“Cultural facility” means a facility that provides cultural services and facilities to the public.
(2) Illustrations.
“Cultural facility” includes any of the following, whether operated by a public, non-profit, or private entity:
(i) a museum;
(ii) an historical society; or
(iii) a library.
(3) Inclusions.
“Cultural facility” includes the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(i) a gift or souvenir shop; and
(ii) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(y) Data center.
“Data center” means a facility or portion of a facility:
(1) that is used primarily for the remote storage, processing, and distribution of data; and
(2) that is capable of using 10 megawatts or more of electricity.
(z) Day-care center: Adult.
(1) In general.
“Day-care center: Adult” means an establishment that provides care for 3 or more elderly or functionally impaired adults on less than a 24-hour basis.
(2) Exclusions.
“Day-care center: Adult” does not include:
(i) a program that, as an accessory use to a place of worship, provides care for elderly or functionally impaired adults; or
(ii) an adult day-care home.
(aa) Day-care center: Child.
(1) In general.
“Day-care center: Child” means an establishment that provides care for 3 or more children on less than a 24-hour basis.
(2) Exclusions.
“Day-care center: Child” does not include:
(i) a program that, as an accessory use to an educational facility or a place of worship, provides care for children; or
(ii) a child day-care home.
(Ord. 26-128 Section 1; Ord. 20-350; Ord. 18-110; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-305 “Day-care home: Adult” to “Electric substation: Outdoor”.
§ 1-305. “Day-care home: Adult” to “Electric substation: Outdoor”.
(a) Day-care home: Adult.
(1) In general.
“Day-care home: Adult” means a dwelling in which a resident of the dwelling provides care for up to 8 elderly or functionally impaired adults who do not spend the night at the dwelling.
(2) Exclusion.
“Day-care home: Adult” does not include an adult day-care center.
(b) Day-care home: Child.
(1) In general.
“Day-care home: Child” means a dwelling in which a resident of the dwelling provides care for up to 8 children, including the resident’s own.
(2) Exclusions.
“Day-care home: Child” does not include a child day-care center.
(c) Dental clinic.
See “Health-care clinic”.
(d) Detached dwelling.
See “Dwelling: Detached”.
(e) Development (CBCA).
“Development”, as it applies to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, has the meaning stated in § 7-402 {“CBCA Overlay: Definitions”} of this Code.
(f) Disturb (CBCA).
“Disturb”, as it applies to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, has the meaning stated in § 7-402 {“CBCA Overlay: Definitions”} of this Code.
(g) Dormitory.
“Dormitory” means a structure that:
(1) is owned or operated by or for an educational institution or a hospital; and
(2) provides group sleeping accommodations in 1 room or in a series of closely associated rooms for students not members of the same family.
(h) Drive-through facility.
“Drive-through facility” means an establishment that provides products or services through an attendant, window, or automated machine to individuals occupying motor vehicles in a designated stacking space.
(i) Driveway.
“Driveway” means a connecting way that runs between a street and an off-street parking or drop-off area and is designed to permit a vehicle to leave the roadway at grade and enter entirely into the off-street area.
(j) Driving range.
(1) In general.
“Driving range” means an area that is equipped with distance markers, clubs, balls, and tees for practicing the striking of golf balls.
(2) Inclusions.
“Driving range” includes an accessory snack bar and pro-shop.
(k) Dry storage marina.
See “Marina: Dry storage”.
(l) Dwelling.
“Dwelling” means a building or part of a building used for residential occupancy.
(m) Dwelling: Caretaker’s.
“Dwelling: Caretaker’s” means a residence for an individual employed on a site to care for and protect individuals and property on the site or on adjacent sites.
(n) Dwelling: Detached.
“Dwelling: Detached” means a dwelling that contains a single dwelling unit and is not attached to any other dwelling.
(o) Dwelling: Live-Work.
“Dwelling: Live-Work” means a structure that combines a single dwelling unit with a non-residential use that:
(1) is permitted in the zoning district in which the structure is located and used predominantly by 1 or more of the unit’s residents; or
(2) is an arts-related activity, such as painting, photography, sculpture, music, and film, and conducted predominantly by 1 or more of the unit’s residents.
(p) Dwelling: Multi-family.
(1) In general.
“Dwelling: Multi-family” means a dwelling that contains 2 or more dwelling units.
(2) Inclusions.
“Dwelling: Multi-family” includes common facilities for residents, such as laundry rooms.
(q) Dwelling: Multi-family (Age-restricted).
See “Age-restricted multi-family dwelling”.
(r) Dwelling: Rowhouse.
“Dwelling: Rowhouse” means 1 of 3 or more buildings, each of which contains a single dwelling unit used for residential occupancy, with each building having its own private entrance and being joined to the others by a party or shared wall.
(s) Dwelling: Semi-detached.
“Dwelling: Semi-detached” means 1 of 2 buildings, each of which contains a single dwelling unit used for residential occupancy, with each building having its own private entrance and being joined to the other by a party or shared wall and not otherwise attached to any other dwelling.
(t) Dwelling: Single-family.
“Dwelling: Single-family” means a dwelling that contains only 1 dwelling unit.
(u) Dwelling unit.
“Dwelling unit” means 1 or more rooms in a dwelling that:
(1) are used as living facilities for no more than 1 family; and
(2) contain permanently installed bathroom and kitchen facilities reserved for the occupants of those rooms.
(v) Easement.
“Easement” means legal permission granted by a property owner to another for the use of the property for specific purposes, such as the construction of accessways, utilities, and roadways.
(w) Eave.
“Eave” means the projecting lower edges of a roof that overhang an exterior wall of a building.
(x) Educational facility: Commercial-vocational.
(1) In general.
“Educational facility: Commercial-vocational” means:
(i) a post-secondary school that teaches industrial, clerical, managerial, commercial, or artistic skills; or
(ii) a school conducted as a commercial enterprise, such as a driving school.
(2) Exclusions.
“Educational facility: Commercial-vocational” does not include a post-secondary educational facility.
(y) Educational facility: Post-secondary.
(1) In general.
“Educational facility: Post-secondary” means a post-secondary institution for higher learning, such as a university or college, that grants associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degrees.
(2) Inclusions.
“Educational facility: Post-secondary” includes post-secondary theological schools for training ministers, priests, rabbis, or other religious functionaries.
(3) Exclusions.
“Educational facility: Post-secondary” does not include a commercial-vocational educational facility.
(z) Educational facility: Primary and secondary.
“Educational facility: Primary and secondary” means a public, private, or parochial school that offers instruction at any of the elementary through high school levels.
(aa) Electric substation.
(1) General.
“Electric substation” means a facility that is:
(i) owned, leased, or otherwise maintained by an electric company regulated by the Maryland Public Service Commission; and
(ii) primarily used to convert, switch, or terminate electric voltages at or above 4,000 volts.
(2) Inclusions.
“Electric substation” includes generation facilities used to support the electric distribution system.
(bb) Electric substation: Indoor.
“Electric substation: Indoor” means an electric substation the major components of which are housed within a covered building.
(cc) Electric substation: Outdoor.
“Electric substation: Outdoor” means an electric substation that is neither an electric substation: enclosed nor an electric substation: indoor.
(Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-306 “Encroachment” to “Golf course”.
§ 1-306. “Encroachment” to “Golf course”.
(a) Encroachment.
“Encroachment” means the placement or extension of any structure or component of a structure into a required yard.
(b) Entertainment: Indoor.
(1) In general.
“Entertainment: Indoor” means a predominantly spectator use conducted within an enclosed structure, such as a movie theater.
(2) Inclusions.
“Entertainment: Indoor” includes the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(i) a gift or souvenir shop; and
(ii) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(3) Exclusions.
“Entertainment: Indoor” does not include:
(i) live entertainment; or
(ii) indoor recreation.
(c) Entertainment: Live.
(1) In general.
“Entertainment: Live” means 1 or more of any of the following, performed live by 1 or more individuals, whether or not done for compensation and whether or not admission is charged:
(i) musical act, including karaoke;
(ii) theatrical act, including a play, revue, or stand-up comedy;
(iii) dance;
(iv) magic act;
(v) disc jockey; or
(vi) similar activity.
(2) Exclusions.
“Entertainment: Live” does not include any adult use.
(d) Environmentally sensitive area.
“Environmentally sensitive area” means land that contains any of the following natural areas:
(1) streams or stream buffers;
(2) habitats of threatened or endangered species;
(3) forests or forested areas;
(4) wetlands or wetland buffers;
(5) steep slopes (i.e., slopes of 20% or more);
(6) floodplains;
(7) any part of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area; and
(8) significant or specimen trees.
(e) Erect.
“Erect” means:
(1) to construct, reconstruct, or move a structure on a lot; or
(2) to excavate, fill, drain, or conduct physical operations of any kind in preparation for or while undertaking the construction, reconstruction, or moving of a structure on a lot.
(f) Fairgrounds.
“Fairgrounds” means an area used variously for one or more of the following, either singularly or in combination with one another:
(1) animal shows;
(2) auctions;
(3) carnivals;
(4) circuses;
(5) concerts;
(6) fairs;
(7) food booths;
(8) games;
(9) rides;
(10) rodeos;
(11) sales; or
(12) similar activities.
(g) Family.
(1) In general.
“Family” means one of the following, together with customary household helpers:
(i) an individual;
(ii) 2 or more people related by blood, marriage, adoption, or State-supervised foster care, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit; or
(iii) a group of not more than 4 people, who need not be related, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit.
(2) Roomers included.
“Family” includes, with respect to those listed in paragraph (1)(i) or (ii) only, up to 2 roomers within the dwelling unit, as long as they share a common entrance and cooking and bathroom facilities.
(3) Exclusions.
“Family” does not include, in any case:
(i) more than 4 unrelated people; or
(ii) the occupants of a rooming house, a hotel or motel, or a fraternity or sorority house.
(g-1) Farmers market.
“Farmers market” means a public market where producers of raw agricultural products sell the products directly to the public. At least 50% of vendors must sell agricultural or food products.
(h) Financial institution.
“Financial institution” includes any bank, savings and loan association, credit union, mortgage company, or standalone automated teller machine.
(i) Fishing pier.
“Fishing pier” means a fixed or floating platform that extends from the shore over the water and is used for fishing activities.
(j) Floor area: gross (GFA).
“Floor area: gross (GFA)” means the sum of the area of all floors of a structure, as measured from the outside faces of the exterior walls or from the centerlines of party walls.
(k) Floor area ratio (FAR).
“Floor area ratio (FAR)” means the gross floor area within a structure divided by the area of the lot.
(l) Food processing: Light.
“Food processing: Light” means an establishment for preparing, processing, canning, or packaging food and beverage products, where all these activities are within an enclosed structure and create no outside impacts.
(m) Food shop: Carry-out.
See “Carry-out food shop”.
(n) Footcandle.
“Footcandle” means the unit of illumination that equals the illumination at all points 1 foot distant from a uniform light source of 1 candlepower.
(o) Forest and nature preserve.
“Forest and nature preserve” means an open space that preserves natural features and protects wildlife and critical environmental features.
(p) Fraternity or sorority house.
(1) In general.
“Fraternity or sorority house” means a primarily residential structure for the housing of undergraduates of local colleges and universities by members of the same fraternal or sororal organization or association.
(2) Inclusions.
“Fraternity or sorority house” includes a structure with shared facilities or separate dwelling units under one roof.
(q) Freight terminal.
“Freight terminal” means an establishment for receiving, transferring, or distributing freight for transport by rail, truck, or ship.
(r) Front lot line.
See “Lot line: Front”.
(s) Frontage.
“Frontage” means the portion of a lot’s perimeter that:
(1) coincides with the right of way line of an existing or dedicated public or private street or pedestrian way;
(2) complies with the design requirements for streets and pedestrian ways; and
(3) does not include any point or portion of perimeter coinciding with an alley, lane, or unimproved street.
(t) Fuel station.
(1) In general.
“Fuel station” means any premises or structure used for the retail sale of fuel, dispensed from fixed equipment into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles.
(2) Inclusions.
“Fuel station” includes:
(i) the accessory sale of convenience items;
(ii) an accessory freestanding self-service car wash; and
(iii) electric charging stations.
(u) Funeral home.
(1) In general.
“Funeral home” means an establishment for preparing deceased individuals for burial or cremation and for conducting rituals before burial or cremation.
(2) Inclusions.
“Funeral home” includes:
(i) chapels for viewing a deceased and for conducting rituals; and
(ii) a crematorium.
(v) Garage.
See “Parking garage (principal use)”.
“Parking garage (residential, detached)”.
(w) Gazebo.
“Gazebo” means a freestanding outdoor structure that is open-sided in design and not used for habitation.
(x) General industrial.
See “Industrial: General”.
(y) Golf course.
(1) In general.
“Golf course” means a tract of land that has holes for playing a game of golf.
(2) Inclusions.
“Golf course” includes the following as accessory uses:
(i) a clubhouse;
(ii) a driving range;
(iii) restrooms; and
(iv) shelters.
(Ord. 22-181; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-307 “Government facility” to “Industrial boat repair”.
§ 1-307. “Government facility” to “Industrial boat repair”.
(a) Government facility.
(1) In general.
“Government facility” means a structure or land that is operated by a government agency.
(2) Inclusions.
“Government facility” includes agency offices, storage yards, public works facilities, recreation: indoor, and utility facilities that are operated by a government agency.
(3) Exclusion.
“Government facility” does not include a private detention center.
(b) Greenhouse.
(1) In general.
“Greenhouse” means a structure that is:
(i) devoted to the protection or cultivation of flowers or other tender plants; and
(ii) constructed chiefly of glass, glass-like or translucent material, cloth, or lath.
(2) By any other name.
“Greenhouse” includes a “high tunnel”, “hoop-house”, “cold-frame”, or similar structure.
(c) Gross floor area.
See “Floor area: Gross”.
(d) Gym.
See “Health and fitness center”.
(e) Ham radio equipment.
See “Amateur (ham) radio equipment”.
(f) Health-care clinic.
“Health-care clinic” means a facility for the examination and treatment of individuals on an outpatient basis by 1 or more physicians, dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, or other licensed healthcare practitioners.
(g) Health and fitness center.
(1) In general.
“Health and fitness center” means a gym or other facility that:
(i) is designed for physical fitness or weight reduction; and
(ii) contains equipment, such as weight resistance machines, treadmills, stationary bicycles, whirlpools, saunas, showers, and lockers, for that purpose.
(2) Inclusions.
“Health and fitness center” includes the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(i) retail sales; and
(ii) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(h) Heavy sales, rental, or service.
(1) In general.
“Heavy sales, rental, or service” means a sales, rental, or service establishment that maintains a service or storage area that is outdoors or in a structure that is only partially enclosed.
(2) Inclusions.
“Heavy sales, rental, or service” includes:
(i) large-scale home improvement centers;
(ii) industrial supply stores;
(iii) lumberyards;
(iv) heavy equipment parts, sales and rental; and
(v) playground equipment, sales and rental.
(i) Heliport.
(1) In general.
“Heliport” means a designated landing area for discharging or picking up passengers or goods by helicopter or similar vertical-lift aircraft.
(2) Inclusions.
“Heliport” includes terminal facilities for passengers, goods, aircraft servicing, or storage.
(j) Helistop.
“Helistop” means an area of land, water, or structure that is used or intended to be used for the landing and take-off of helicopters or similar vertical-lift aircraft, but without facilities for servicing or basing these aircraft.
(k) Holiday sales lot.
See “Seasonal or holiday sales lot”.
(l) Home occupation.
“Home occupation” means an occupation that:
(1) is carried on in a dwelling unit by a resident of the dwelling unit; and
(2) is secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes.
(m) Homeless shelter.
(1) In general.
“Homeless shelter” means a facility that provides temporary housing to homeless or transient individuals.
(2) Inclusions.
“Homeless shelter” includes accessory services such as counseling or vocational training.
(n) Horse stable.
“Horse stable” means any structure or land within the City at or from which horses are boarded, bred, sold, or rented for riding, driving, or other purposes.
(o) Hospital.
(1) In general.
“Hospital” means an institution that provides health services, primarily inpatient medical or surgical care for the sick or injured.
(2) Inclusions.
“Hospital” includes related facilities integral to the hospital, such as laboratories, outpatient centers, health-care clinics, helistops, training facilities, classrooms, staff offices, on-site medical waste and storage facilities, and central service facilities.
(p) Hotel; Motel.
(1) “Guest unit” defined.
In this section, “guest unit” means any room or group of rooms that forms a single habitable unit occupied or designed or intended to be occupied for sleeping or living purposes.
(2) In general.
“Hotel” or “motel” means a building that:
(i) is not a dwelling;
(ii) contains 3 or more guest units occupied or designed or intended to be occupied by guests who, even though they might share common areas and facilities, do not form a single housekeeping unit and do not provide compensation under a single lease for occupancy of the facility; and
(iii) offers lodging in these guest units to members of the general public.
(3) Exclusions.
“Hotel” or “motel” does not include a bed and breakfast or a rooming house.
(q) Housing Commissioner; Commissioner of Housing.
“Housing Commissioner” or “Commissioner of Housing” means the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development or the Commissioner’s designee.
(r) Impervious surface.
(1) In general.
“Impervious surface” means any surface that does not allow stormwater to infiltrate into the ground.
(2) Inclusions.
“Impervious surface” includes rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, and pavement.
(3) Exclusions.
“Impervious surface” does not include ballasted railroad tracks.
(s) Incinerator.
(1) In general.
“Incinerator” means a combustion unit that uses controlled flame combustion for the thermal destruction of solid waste, including municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, special medical waste, or sewage sludge.
(2) Inclusions.
“Incinerator” includes any:
(1) infrared incinerator; or
(2) plasma arc incinerator.
(t) Indoor entertainment.
See “Entertainment: Indoor”.
(u) Indoor recreation.
See “Recreation: Indoor”.
(v) Industrial arts studio.
See “Arts studio: Industrial”.
(w) Industrial boat repair facility.
(1) In general.
“Industrial boat repair facility” means a facility with 5 or more slips (wet or dry) used solely for the manufacture, assembly, or repair of commercial or recreational watercraft.
(2) Exclusions.
“Industrial boat repair facility” does not include docking, storage, or sales of recreational watercraft.
(Ord. 26-127 Section 1; Ord. 25-015 Section 1; Ord. 22-181; Ord. 18-171; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-308 “Industrial: General” to “Lot: Interior”.
§ 1-308. “Industrial: General” to “Lot: Interior”.
(a) Industrial: General.
(1) In general.
“Industrial: General” means the processing, manufacturing, or compounding of materials, products, or energy, having impacts on the environment or significant impacts on the use and enjoyment of adjacent property in terms of noise, smoke, fumes, odors, glare, or health and safety hazards.
(2) Inclusions.
“Industrial: General” includes:
(i) the storage of large volumes of toxic or highly flammable matter or explosives; and
(ii) outdoor operations as part of the processing, manufacturing, or compounding process.
(3) Exclusions.
“Industrial: General” does not include or authorize any use prohibited by § 1-209 {“Uses prohibited citywide”} of this title.
(b) Industrial: Light.
(1) In general.
“Industrial: Light” means the processing, manufacturing, assembly, or compounding of materials or products, where:
(i) all processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, and packaging of products are contained entirely within a building;
(ii) noise, odor, smoke, heat, glare, and vibration resulting from the manufacturing process are confined within the building or otherwise minimized; and
(iii) only minimal truck traffic is required for daily operations.
(2) Inclusions.
“Industrial: Light” includes incidental storage, sales, and distribution of products manufactured or stored on site.
(3) Exclusions.
“Industrial: Light” does not include or authorize any use prohibited by § 1-209 {“Uses prohibited citywide”} of this title.
(c) Industrial: Maritime-dependent.
(1) In general.
“Industrial: Maritime-dependent” means industrial uses with maritime-dependent facilities.
(2) Inclusions.
“Industrial: Maritime-dependent” includes:
(i) facilities associated with marine terminals for the storage or intermodal transfer of goods transported in waterborne commerce;
(ii) manufacturing facilities relying on the bulk receipt or shipments of goods by waterborne commerce;
(iii) wharves, piers, docks, and storage facilities for the commercial fishing industry;
(iv) dry docks and other facilities related to the construction, servicing, storage, maintenance, or repair of vessels and other marine structures;
(v) facilities for tow boats, barges, dredges, ferries, commuter boats, water buses, water taxis, or other vessels engaged in waterborne commerce, port operations, or marine construction; and
(vi) facilities that:
(A) are educational in nature, including visitors centers, museums, and interpretive areas, indoor or outdoor; and
(B) are substantially related to an existing industrial maritime-dependent use, whether on the same parcel or an adjacent parcel to that use.
(d) Interior lot.
See “Lot: Interior.”
(e) Interior-side lot line.
See “Lot line: Interior-side.”
(f) Junk or scrap storage and yards.
(1) “Processed metal” defined.
(i) In general.
“Processed metal” means scrap metal that has been manually or physically altered either to separate it into distinct materials to enhance economic value or to improve the handling of materials.
(ii) Inclusions.
“Processed metal” includes:
(A) scrap metal that has been baled, shredded, sheared, chopped, crushed, flattened, cut, melted, or separated; and
(B) fines, drosses, and related materials that have been agglomerated.
(2) “Junk or scrap storage and yards” defined.
“Junk or scrap storage and yards” means any premises used for any 1 or more of the following:
(i) the commercial or industrial storage, temporary or otherwise, of unprocessed metal, processed metal, wastepaper, rags, or other junk;
(ii) the purchase or sale, by weight across an on-site scale, of unprocessed metal, processed metal, wastepaper, rags, or other junk; or
(iii) the sorting, baling, separating, shearing, shredding, or torch preparation of metal or any other form of scrap-metal processing, including automobile flattening and crushing.
(g) Kennel.
(1) In general.
“Kennel” means a business or other entity where 3 or more dogs or cats over 6 months old are boarded or maintained by a person other than their owner, and boarding is the primary or principal function of the use.
(2) Exclusions.
“Kennel” does not include:
(i) the premises of a feral cat caregiver, as defined in City Health Code § 10-101 {“Animal Control...: Definitons”}, unless 3 or more dogs or non-feral cats over six 6 months old are boarded or maintained on the premises; or
(ii) an animal clinic, unless it engages in the boarding of healthy animals not then being treated or convalescing from treatment in the animal clinic.
(h) Landfill: Industrial.
(1) In general.
“Landfill: Industrial” means a facility for the disposal of inert, non-hazardous industrial materials that are not biodegradable and are not economically and beneficially reusable at the time of their disposal.
(2) Exclusions.
“Landfill: Industrial” does not include a facility for the disposal of:
(i) household, commercial, or municipal solid waste;
(ii) rubble; or
(iii) land-clearing debris.
(i) Landfill: Solid waste sanitary.
“ Landfill: Solid waste sanitary” means a facility for the disposal of primarily household, commercial, and municipal solid waste.
(j) Light food processing.
See “Food processing: Light”.
(k) Light industrial.
See “Industrial: Light”.
(l) Live entertainment.
See “Entertainment: Live”.
(m) Lighting: Shielded.
“Lighting: Shielded” means a fixture that is shielded in a manner so that light rays emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture or a reflector, are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted.
(n) Lighting: Unshielded.
“Lighting: Unshielded” means a fixture that allows light, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture or a reflector, to be emitted above the horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted.
(o) Live-work dwelling.
See “Dwelling: Live-Work”.
(p) Loading berth.
“Loading berth” means a space within a loading facility that:
(1) is exclusively for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading goods or materials; and
(2) adjoins a street, alley, or other appropriate means of access.
(q) Lodge or social club.
(1) In general.
“Lodge or social club” means a lodge or social club that:
(i) has a limited membership, with members elected pursuant to its charter or bylaws;
(ii) excludes the general public from its premises or place of meeting;
(iii) is organized with officers and directors elected pursuant to its charter or bylaws; and
(iv) holds all property for the common benefit of its members.
(2) Inclusions.
“Lodge or social club” includes:
(i) a union hall; and
(ii) a non-residential post-baccalaureate fraternity and sorority center.
(3) Exclusions.
“Lodge or social club” does not include an establishment that permits non-members to pay a temporary membership fee at the door in order to enter and use the premises.
(r) Lot.
“Lot” means a portion of land that:
(1) is a lot of record; or
(2) has been established as a lot by an approved subdivision plat.
(s) Lot area.
“Lot area” means the area of a horizontal plane bounded by lot lines at grade.
(t) Lot: Corner.
“Lot: Corner” means a lot that is situated at the junction of and adjoins 2 or more intersecting streets.
(u) Lot coverage.
“Lot coverage” means the portion of a lot that is occupied by buildings or other structures, including accessory structures, expressed as a percentage of total lot area.
(v) Lot: Interior.
“Lot: Interior” means a lot that is neither a corner lot nor a through lot.
(Ord. 26-128 Section 1; Ord. 22-181; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-309 “Lot line” to “Motel”.
§ 1-309. “Lot line” to “Motel”.
(a) Lot line; Property line.
“Lot line” or “property line” means the line bounding a lot.
(b) Lot line: Corner-side.
“Lot line: Corner-side” means the lot line that:
(1) is not a front lot line; and
(2) coincides with:
(i) the right-of-way line of an existing or dedicated public street; or
(ii) where no public street exists, the right-of-way line of a public or private way.
(c) Lot line: Front.
“Lot line: Front” means the lot line that coincides with:
(1) the right-of-way line of an existing or dedicated public street from which the property derives its address; or
(2) where no public street exists, the right-of-way line of a public or private way from which the property derives its address.
(d) Lot line: Interior-side.
“Lot line: Interior-side” means a lot line that does not adjoin a street and is not a rear lot line.
(e) Lot line: Rear.
“Lot line: Rear” means the lot line that is most distant from and opposite the front lot line.
(f) Lot line: Side.
(1) In general.
“Lot line: Side” means a lot line that is neither a front lot line nor a rear lot line.
(2) Inclusions.
“Lot line: Side” includes an interior-side lot line and a corner-side lot line.
(g) Lot: Through.
“Lot: Through” means a lot that extends between 2 streets (but not alleys) with vehicular access on both streets.
(h) Lot width.
“Lot width” means the horizontal distance between side lot lines, as measured along the front lot line.
(h-1) Lounge.
(1) In general.
“Lounge” means a business establishment that:
(i) is open to the general public;
(ii) is designed or operated primarily to accommodate social gatherings; and
(iii) does not serve or permit the on-site consumption of alcohol.
(2) Exclusions.
“Lounge” does not include any of the following uses:
(i) adult use;
(ii) banquet hall;
(iii) carry-out food shop;
(iv) entertainment: indoor;
(v) entertainment: live;
(vi) lodge or social club; or
(vii) restaurant.
(i) Luminaire.
“Luminaire” means a complete lighting unit that extends from a support structure, parallel to the ground, and consists of a light source and all necessary mechanical, electrical, and decorative parts.
(j) Marina.
“Marina” means any facility designed to moor, berth, launch, or store 5 or more watercraft, whether as a principal use or an accessory use.
(k) Marina: Accessory.
“Marina: Accessory” means a marina that is used exclusively for the benefit of the occupants of properties within 300 feet of a marina entrance.
(l) Marina: Dry storage.
“Marina: Dry storage” means a marina that provides for the long-term dry storage of recreational watercraft in racks or other storage systems.
(m) Marina: Recreational.
“Marina: Recreational” means a facility that provides for the lease or purchase of 5 or more in-water moorings, wet slips, or dry docking for recreational watercraft.
(n) Marina entrance.
“Marina entrance” means the point at which pedestrian access is provided from land to marina docks.
(o) Marine terminal.
“Marine terminal” means that part of a port or harbor with facilities for docking, cargo-handling, and storage.
(p) Maritime-dependent industrial.
See “Industrial: Maritime-dependent”.
(q) Master Plan.
See “Comprehensive Master Plan”.
(r) Materials recovery facility.
(1) In general.
“Materials recovery facility” means, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a facility that:
(i) collects, sorts, grades, or processes solid waste to remove recyclable and reusable materials such as paper, cans, aluminum scrap, metal, glass, and plastics; or
(ii) processes solid waste to alter its volume or its chemical or physical characteristics to produce a marketable product.
(2) Exclusions.
“Materials recovery facility” does not include:
(i) any facility that is licensed by the State or City as a junk dealer, scrap-metal processor, or scrap-metal dealer; or
(ii) any junk or scrap storage and yard.
(s) Medical clinic.
See “Health-care clinic”.
(t) {Reserved}
(u) Mini-warehouse.
(1) In general.
“Mini-warehouse” means a facility in which:
(i) renters store and control personal property in individual storage spaces; and
(ii) no commercial transactions are conducted, other than the rental of storage units.
(2) Inclusions.
“Mini-warehouse” includes accessory outdoor storage and retail sales of packing, moving, and storage supplies.
(v) Motel.
See “Hotel; motel”.
(Ord. 18-216; Ord. 17-056; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-310 “Motor vehicle” to “Owner”.
§ 1-310. “Motor vehicle” to “Owner”.
(a) Motor vehicle.
“Motor vehicle” means:
(1) a motor vehicle, as defined in §11-135 {“Motor vehicle”} of the Maryland Vehicle Law;
(2) a moped, as defined in §11-134.1 {“Moped”} of the Maryland Vehicle Law; and
(3) a motor scooter, as defined in §11-134.5 {“Motor scooter”} of the Maryland Vehicle Law.
(b) Motor vehicle dealership.
(1) In general.
“Motor vehicle dealership” means an establishment that sells or leases new or used motor vehicles.
(2) Inclusions.
“Motor vehicle dealership” includes:
(i) the maintenance, either on-site or at a nearby location, of an inventory of motor vehicles held for sale or lease; and
(ii) on-site facilities for the repair and service of vehicles sold or leased by the dealership.
(c) Motor vehicle operations facility.
(1) In general.
“Motor vehicle operations facility” means a privately-owned facility for the dispatch, storage, fueling, and maintenance of emergency medical care vehicles, public utility vehicles, taxicabs, and other livery vehicles.
(2) Exclusions.
“Motor vehicle operations facility” does not include a facility in which vehicles for fire, police, or other municipal agencies are stored or maintained or from which these vehicles are dispatched.
(d) Motor vehicle rental establishment.
(1) In general.
“Motor vehicle rental establishment” means an establishment that rents motor vehicles.
(2) Inclusions.
“Motor vehicle rental establishment” includes facilities for servicing rental vehicles.
(e) Motor vehicle service and repair: Major.
(1) In general.
“Motor vehicle service and repair: Major” means an establishment that is engaged in major repairs to motor vehicles, such as:
(i) engine rebuilding;
(ii) major reconditioning of worn or damaged motor vehicles or trailers;
(iii) towing services;
(iv) collision services, including body, frame, or fender repair or straightening; or
(v) painting.
(2) Inclusions.
“Motor vehicle service and repair: Major” includes an accessory car wash.
(f) Motor vehicle service and repair: Minor.
(1) In general.
“Motor vehicle service and repair: Minor” means an establishment that is engaged in minor repairs to motor vehicles, such as:
(i) repair or replacement of cooling, electrical, fuel, and exhaust systems;
(ii) brake adjustments, relining, and repairs;
(iii) wheel alignment, balancing, and servicing;
(iv) repair and replacement of shock absorbers; and
(v) replacement or adjustment of mufflers, tail pipes, hoses, belts, light bulbs, fuses, windshield wipers, grease retainers, and wheel bearings.
(2) Inclusions.
“Motor vehicle service and repair: Minor” includes an accessory car wash.
(3) Exclusions.
“Motor vehicle service and repair: Minor” does not include the servicing or repair of commercial vehicles.
(g) Movie studio.
(1) In general.
“Movie studio” means facilities for the production of motion pictures.
(2) Inclusions.
“Movie studio” includes stages, exterior sets, film laboratories, sound recording facilities, construction, repair, and storage facilities, caretaker’s and other temporary dwellings, related commercial vehicles, and accessory fabrication activities.
(h) Multi-family dwelling.
See “Dwelling: Multi-family”.
(i) Multi-family dwelling (Age-restricted).
See “Age-restricted multi-family dwelling”.
(j) Neighborhood commercial establishment.
“Neighborhood commercial establishment” means a non-residential use that is within a residential or office-residential zoning district, but in a structure that:
(1) is non-residential in its construction and original use; or
(2) has received prior zoning approval for a non-residential use, as evidenced by permits, construction, or historical evidence of lawful non-residential use.
(k) Nonconforming lot.
“Nonconforming lot” has the meaning stated in § 18-201 {“Nonconformities: Definitions”} of this Code.
(l) Nonconforming structure.
“Nonconforming structure” has the meaning stated in § 18-201 {“Nonconformities: Definitions”} of this Code.
(m) Nonconforming use.
“Nonconforming use” has the meaning stated in § 18-201 {“Nonconformities: Definitions”} of this Code.
(n) Nursery.
(1) In general.
“Nursery” means a business whose principal activity is the sale of plants grown on site.
(2) Inclusions.
“Nursery” includes:
(i) outside storage, growing, or display; and
(ii) a greenhouse.
(o) Office.
(1) In general.
“Office” means an establishment that engages in the processing, manipulation, or application of business information or professional expertise, whether or not it offers services to the public.
(2) Exclusions.
“Office” does not include:
(i) a facility for fabricating, assembling, repairing, or warehousing physical products for the retail or wholesale market; or
(ii) a data center.
(p) Off-street parking.
See “Parking: Off-street”.
(q) On-street parking.
See “Parking: On-street”.
(r) Outdoor dining.
“Outdoor dining” means an outdoor seating area that adjoins a restaurant or carry-out food shop and is used by patrons to consume food or drinks.
(s) Outdoor sales and display.
“Outdoor sales and display” means the outdoor sale or display of goods on part of a lot as an accessory to the principal use of the lot.
(t) Outdoor recreation.
See “Recreation: Outdoor”.
(u) Outdoor storage.
(1) In general.
“Outdoor storage” means any storage of goods, material, merchandise, or equipment other than within an enclosed building.
(2) Inclusions.
“Outdoor storage” includes incidental maintenance and repair of that which is being stored.
(v) Outdoor storage yard.
(1) In general.
“Outdoor storage yard” means a lot the principal or accessory use of which is the storage, other than within an enclosed building, of any material for longer than 24 hours.
(2) Inclusions.
“Outdoor storage yard” includes all storage, whether for sale, lease, processing, or repair.
(w) Owner.
(1) In general.
“Owner” means any person that:
(i) has a legal or equitable interest in the property;
(ii) is recorded in the land records as holding title to the property; or
(iii) otherwise has control of the property, with or without accompanying possession of the property.
(2) Inclusions.
“Owner” includes:
(i) a guardian of the person or property of an owner;
(ii) a trustee of an owner’s property, including a trustee in bankruptcy; or
(iii) a personal representative of an owner’s estate.
(Ord. 26-128 Section 1; Ord. 18-171; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-311 “Parapet” to “Processed metal”.
§ 1-311. “Parapet” to “Processed metal”.
(a) Parapet.
“Parapet” means the extension of a false front or wall above a roof-line.
(b) Parking.
“Parking” means the parking, storage, housing, or keeping of a motor vehicle, whether self-service or valet-service, long-term or short-term, ticketed or metered, for special events only, or otherwise.
(c) Parking garage (principal use).
“Parking garage (principal use)” means a structure the principal use of which is to provide off-street parking for motor vehicles, whether for compensation or not.
(d) Parking garage (residential, detached).
“Parking garage (residential, detached)” means a structure, adjacent to but detached from a dwelling, for the off-street parking of motor vehicles, with no commercial operations.
(e) Parking lot.
“Parking lot” means an open area the principal use of which is to provide off-street parking for operable motor vehicles, whether for compensation or not.
(f) Parking: Off-street.
“Parking: Off-street” means parking spaces for motor vehicles on premises other than a street or other right-of way.
(g) Parking: On-street.
“Parking: On-street” means parking spaces for motor vehicles located on a street or other right-of-way.
(h) Parking space.
“Parking space” means a designated area, whether open or enclosed, that is used for the parking of a motor vehicle.
(i) Park; Playground.
(1) In general.
“Park” or “playground” means a non-commercial facility that serves the reflective and recreational needs of residents and visitors.
(2) Inclusions.
“Park” or “playground” includes:
(i) ball fields and basketball courts;
(ii) exercise stations;
(iii) skateboarding areas;
(iv) pet areas;
(v) hiking and biking trails;
(vi) stream and lake areas;
(vii) forest and meadowland areas;
(viii) reflective, historical, cultural, and educational areas; and
(ix) structures that have indoor recreation facilities.
(j) Party wall.
“Party wall” means a wall that:
(1) extends from the foundation continuously through all stories to or above the roof;
(2) separates 1 building from another; and
(3) is in joint use by each building.
(k) Passenger terminal.
(1) In general.
“Passenger terminal” means a facility or location the principal use of which is handling, receiving, and transferring passenger traffic.
(2) Inclusions.
“Passenger terminal” includes terminals for aircraft, train, bus, and watercraft passengers.
(l) Pawn shop.
“Pawn shop” means a business that:
(1) lends money on the deposit or pledge of personal property or other items of value, other than securities or printed evidences of indebtedness; or
(2) purchases personal property or other items of value, subject to the seller’s option to buy them back at a stipulated price.
(m) Permitted use.
See “Use: Permitted”
(n) Person.
(1) In general.
“Person” has the meaning stated in § 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”} of the City Code’s General Provisions Article.
(2) Qualified inclusion of governmental entities.
Notwithstanding § 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”} of the General Provisions Article, in this subtitle “person”also includes, except as used in Title 19, Subtitle 2 {“Enforcement”} of this Code for the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.
(o) Personal services establishment.
(1) In general.
“Personal services establishment” means an establishment that provides recurrent needed services of a personal nature.
(2) Illustrations.
Typical examples of a “personal services establishment” include:
(i) beauty shops, including micro-blading services, and barbershops;
(ii) tanning salons;
(iii) animal grooming establishments;
(iv) electronics repair shops;
(v) laundromats, dry cleaners, and tailors; and
(vi) certified massage therapists or similar licensed professionals.
(p) Place of worship.
(1) In general.
“Place of worship” means a building, together with its accessory buildings and uses, where individuals regularly assemble for religious purposes and related social events.
(2) Inclusions.
“Place of worship” includes:
(i) group housing for individuals under religious vows or in religious orders; and
(ii) accessory programs that provide care for children or for elderly or functionally impaired adults.
(q) Planning Director; Director of Planning.
“Planning Director” or “Director of Planning” means the Director of the Department of Planning, as appointed under City Charter Article VII, § 73, or the Director’s designee.
(r) Playground.
See “Park; Playground”.
(s) Porch.
“Porch” means a structure that projects from the exterior wall of a building, has direct access to the street level of the building, and may be covered by a roof or eaves.
(t) Principal building.
See “Building: Principal”.
(u) Principal use.
See “Use: Principal”.
(v) Printing establishment.
(1) In general.
“Printing establishment” means a facility for the reproduction of written or graphic materials on a custom-order basis for individuals or businesses.
(2) Illustrations.
Typical examples of a “printing establishment” include:
(i) photocopying;
(ii) blueprinting;
(iii) offset printing; and
(iv) facsimile sending and receiving.
(w) Private detention center.
(1) In general.
“Private detention center” means any building, facility, or structure that:
(i) is owned or operated by a private, nongovernmental entity pursuant to an agreement with a federal, state, or local government entity; and
(ii) is used, in whole or in part, to house or detain an individual, at the direction of a government agency:
(A) prior to trial sentencing;
(B) during the term of the individual’s sentence;
(C) for a federal immigration violation; or
(D) for another judicial or administrative process or proceeding.
(2) Exclusions.
“Private detention center” does not include a residential-care facility.
(x) Private pier.
“Private pier” means facilities with 4 or fewer slips, used exclusively for private, recreational purposes by the owner and the owner’s guests.
(y) Processed metal.
See “Junk or scrap storage and yards”.
(Ord. 26-127 Section 1; 22-181; Ord. 22-125; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-312 “Property line” to “Roof deck”.
§ 1-312. “Property line” to “Roof deck”.
(a) Property line.
See “Lot line”.
(b) Public use area (off-street parking requirements).
(1) In general.
“Public use area”, as it applies to the calculation of off-street parking requirements, means areas within a structure that are accessible to the public.
(2) Illustrations.
“Public use area” includes areas such as display areas, restrooms, dining rooms, and bar seating.
(c) Racetrack.
(1) In general.
“Racetrack” means a measured course where animals or automobiles are entered in competition against one another or against time.
(2) Inclusions.
“Racetrack” includes:
(i) tracks used only for training purposes; and
(ii) the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(A) a gift or souvenir shop; and
(B) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(d) Rear lot line.
See “Lot line: Rear”.
(e) Recreation: Indoor.
(1) In general.
“Recreation: Indoor” means predominantly participant recreational activities or games of skill that are conducted within a wholly enclosed building.
(2) Inclusions.
“Recreation: Indoor” includes:
(i) bowling alleys, pool halls, indoor miniature golf courses, indoor child’s play facilities, amusement arcades, indoor tennis courts, indoor swimming pools, and other similar facilities; and
(ii) the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(A) a gift or souvenir shop; and
(B) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(3) Exclusions.
“Recreation: Indoor” does not include indoor entertainment.
(f) Recreation: Outdoor.
(1) In general.
“Recreation: Outdoor” means predominantly participant recreational activities or games of skill that are not conducted within a wholly enclosed building.
(2) Inclusions.
“Recreation: Outdoor” includes:
(i) miniature golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, ball fields, skateboard parks, and other similar facilities; and
(ii) the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(A) a gift or souvenir shop; and
(B) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(3) Exclusions.
“Recreation: Outdoor” does not include:
(i) parks or playgrounds;
(ii) golf courses or driving ranges; or
(iii) outdoor entertainment.
(g) Recreational boat launch.
“Recreational boat launch” means a designated area at which:
(1) recreational watercraft may be launched; or
(2) transient watercraft may tie up, be launched, or have repairs made for less than 1 week at a time.
(h) Recreational marina.
See “Marina: Recreational”.
(i) Recreational vehicle.
(1) In general.
“Recreational vehicle” means a vehicle that:
(i) is designed or intended as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational, or vacation use; and
(ii) is self-propelled or mounted on or pulled by another vehicle.
(2) Inclusions.
“Recreational vehicle” includes a travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, motor home, fifth-wheel trailer, boat, or van.
(j) Recreational vehicle dealership.
(1) In general.
“Recreational vehicle dealership” means an establishment that sells or leases new or used recreational vehicles.
(2) Inclusions.
“Recreational vehicle dealership” includes:
(i) the maintenance, either on-site or at a nearby location, of an inventory of vehicles held for sale or lease; and
(ii) on-site facilities for the repair and service of vehicles sold or leased by the dealership.
(k) Recyclable materials.
(1) In general.
“Recyclable materials” means materials that can be collected, separated, or processed and returned to the marketplace in the form of raw materials or products.
(2) Inclusions.
“Recyclable materials” includes paper, cans, aluminum, metal, glass, and plastics.
(l) Recyclable materials recovery facility.
(1) In general.
(i) “Recyclable materials recovery facility” means, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a facility that collects, sorts, grades, or processes recyclable, source-separated material.
(ii) Processing at these facilities is limited to pressing, crushing, cutting, baling, and other preparations of materials for shipping.
(2) Exclusions.
“Recyclable materials recovery facility” does not include:
(i) any facility that is licensed by the State or City as a junk dealer, scrap metal processor, or scrap metal dealer; or
(ii) any junk or scrap storage and yard.
(m) Recycling.
(1) In general.
“Recycling” mean any process by which materials that would otherwise become solid waste are collected, separated, or processed and returned to the marketplace in the form of raw materials or products.
(2) Inclusions.
“Recycling” includes composting.
(n) Recycling and refuse collection facility.
(1) In general.
“Recycling and refuse collection facility” means a facility the primary purpose of which is:
(i) the collection, storage, and transference of solid waste and yard waste; and
(ii) the collection, storage, processing, and transference of recyclables.
(2) Exclusions.
“Recycling and refuse collection facility” does not include any:
(i) incinerator;
(ii) junk or scrap storage and yard;
(iii) sewage treatment facility;
(iv) solid waste sanitary landfill; or
(v) vehicle dismantling facility.
(o) Research and development facility.
(1) In general.
“Research and development facility” means an establishment where research and development activities are conducted in various disciplines, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical instrumentation or supplies, communication and information technology, electronics and instrumentation, and computer hardware and software.
(2) Inclusions.
“Research and development facility” includes, as an accessory use, the manufacture, fabrication, processing, or sale of products developed on the same lot as the establishment.
(3) Exclusions.
“Research and development facility” does not include:
(i) the manufacture, fabrication, processing, or sale of products as a primary use; or
(ii) a data center.
(p) Residential-care facility.
“Residential-care facility” means a group care or similar facility for the 24-hour medical or non-medical care of individuals in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential to sustain activities of daily living, or to protect the individual.
(q) Residential-care facility (Age-restricted).
See “Age-restricted residential-care facility”.
(r) Resource recovery facility.
(1) In general.
“Resource recovery facility” means, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a facility that:
(i) processes solid waste to produce valuable resources, such as steam, electricity, or refuse-derived fuel; and
(ii) achieves a volume reduction of at least 50% of the waste that is being processed.
(2) Exclusions.
“Resource recovery facility” does not include:
(i) any facility that processes hazardous materials;
(ii) any facility that is licensed by the State or City as a junk dealer, scrap metal processor, or scrap metal dealer; or
(iii) any junk or scrap storage and yard.
(s) Restaurant.
(1) In general.
“Restaurant” means an establishment at which:
(i) food and drinks are provided to the public, primarily for on-premises consumption by seated patrons; and
(ii) if the establishment also serves alcoholic beverages:
(A) a full menu of food and drinks is prepared primarily on premises; and
(B) annually, the average daily receipts from the sale of food exceeds 50% of the establishment’s total average daily receipts, not including sales of novelty items, income from vending machines, cover charges, or other receipts not derived from the sale of food or beverages.
(2) Exclusions.
“Restaurant” does not include a carry-out food shop.
(t) Retail: Big Box Establishment.
“Retail: Big Box Establishment” means any single-use commercial building, whether stand-alone or within a multi-building development, which single-use building occupies at least 75,000 square feet of gross floor area.
(u) Retail goods establishment.
(1) In general.
“Retail goods establishment” means an establishment that sells goods, wares, or other merchandise directly to consumers.
(2) Inclusions.
“Retail goods establishment”, as applied to a delicatessen, bakery, grocery, or similar establishment that sells ready-to-eat food products, includes incidental seating areas for consumption of food on the premises.
(3) Exclusions.
“Retail goods establishment” does not include any heavy sales, rental, or service establishment.
(v) Retail: Small Box Establisment.
(1) In general.
“Retail: Small Box Establisment” means a retail store that:
(i) has a floor area of more than 5,000 square feet and less than 12,000 square feet; and
(ii) offers for sale assorted convenience and consumer shopping goods, the majority of which do not exceed $5.00 per item or its equivalent, as adjusted for inflation since the year 2025.
(2) Exclusions.
“Retail: Small Box Establisment” does not include:
(i) a grocery store, whose primary business is selling food at retail to the general public for off-premises consumption, of which at least 20% of the gross receipts must be derived from the retail sale of fresh produce, meats, and dairy products;
(ii) a store that contains a pharmacy where prescription drugs are compounded, dispensed, or distributed;
(iii) a fuel station, as otherwise permitted in this Code;
(iv) a retail store where the majority of the products sold are personal hygiene products or cosmetics;
(v) a store that primarily engages in the resale of used consumer goods.
(w) Right-of-way.
(1) In general.
“Right-of-way” means land dedicated for use as a public way.
(2) Inclusions.
“Right-of-way” includes the roadway and, generally, the curbs, parkways, sidewalks, lighting facilities, and drainage facilities.
(x) Roof deck.
“Roof deck” means a roofless outdoor platform that is constructed on the roof of a structure and connected to the roof by structural supports.
(Ord. 26-128 Section 1; Ord. 25-065 Section 2; Ord. 23-280 Section 1; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-313 “Roofline” to “Substantial construction”.
§ 1-313. “Roofline” to “Substantial construction”.
(a) Roofline.
“Roofline” means the top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is higher, excluding any cupolas, pylons, chimneys, or minor projections.
(b) Rooming house.
(1) “Rooming unit” defined.
In this section, “rooming unit” means any room or group of rooms that forms a single habitable unit occupied or designed or intended to be occupied for sleeping or living purposes, but not for cooking purposes.
(2) In general.
“Rooming house” means a building that:
(i) is not a dwelling;
(ii) contains 3 or more rooming units occupied or designed or intended to be occupied as a primary residence by individuals who, even though they do share common areas and facilities, do not form a single housekeeping unit and do not provide compensation under a single lease for occupancy of the facility; and
(iii) provides shared facilities such as a kitchen and bath.
(c) Rowhouse.
See “Dwelling: Rowhouse”.
(d) Satellite dish antenna.
“Satellite dish antenna” means a dish antenna for transmitting signals to a receiver or receiving station or for receiving television, radio, data, communication, or other signals from satellites or from other antennas or services.
(e) Seasonal or holiday sales lot.
“Seasonal or holiday sales lot” means a temporary retail sales operation, generally conducted outdoors, that offers for sale seasonal or holiday related items, such as Christmas trees and pumpkins.
(f) Semi-detached dwelling.
See “Dwelling: Semi-detached”.
(g) Shared-use path.
“Shared-use path” means a dedicated way that:
(i) has a paved or hard surface;
(ii) is designed for individual travel or recreational use;
(iii) accommodates walking, running, biking, use of a mobility device, scooter, or other recreational vehicle; and
(iv) is not for vehicular traffic
(h) Shielded lighting.
See “Lighting: Shielded”.
(i) Shipyard.
“Shipyard” means any facility or area that is designed or used for the manufacture, assembly, or repair of ships, barges, or boats.
(j) Side lot line.
See “Lot line: Side”.
(k) Sign.
(1) In general.
“Sign” means any writing (including letter, word, or numeral), pictorial representation (including illustration or graphic), emblem (including logo, symbol, or trademark), device, or any other figure of similar character that:
(i) is attached to, painted on, projected on, or in any other way represented on a structure, in or on a window (including anything affixed to the interior and displayed within 12 inches of a window), or on the ground;
(ii) is used to announce, direct attention, or advertise; and
(iii) is visible from outside a structure.
(2) Types of signs.
Specific types of signs are as described in § 17-102 {“Signs: Definitions”} of this Code.
(l) Significant development.
“Significant development”, as it applies to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, has the meaning stated in § 7-402 {“CBCA Overlay: Definitions”} of this Code.
(m) Smoke shop.
(1) “Smoke shop” means a retail goods establishment that:
(i) is engaged in the retail sale or on-site consumption of tobacco products, tobacco smoking accessories, any device or paraphernalia that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances to the individual inhaling from the device, or any cartridge, component, or accessory of the device; and
(ii) operates under 1 or more of the following licenses established by the State Business Regulation Article:
(A) other tobacco products (OTP) retailer, as established by § 16.5-201 {“Licenses Required Relating to Tobacco Products”};
(B) electronic smoking devices retailer, as established by § 16.7-201 {“License Required”};
(C) vape shop vendor, as established by § 16.7-201 {“License Required”};
(D) a cigarette retailer, as established by Subtitle 2 of Title 16 {“Cigarette Business Licenses”}; or
(E) a tobacconist license, as established by § 16.5-201 {“Licenses Required Relating to Tobacco Products”} of the State Business Regulation Article; and
(iii) devotes more than 10 linear feet of display area, measured by shelf space, counter space, and wall-mounted displays, whether vertical or horizontal, to:
(A) other tobacco products, as defined by § 16.5-101(j) of the State Business Regulation Article;
(B) electronic smoking devices, as defined by § 16.7-101(c) of the State Business Regulation Article; or
(C) a combination of both tobacco products and electronic smoking devices.
(2) Exclusions.
“Smoke shop” does not include a retail goods establishment:
(i) that primarily derives its revenue from the sale of premium cigars, pipe tobacco, membership fees, or locker rentals; or
(ii) where the sale of tobacco products is secondary to the establishment’s primary retail function and less than 25% of the establishment’s revenue is derived from the sale of tobacco products.
(n) Social club.
See “Lodge or social club”.
(o) Solid waste sanitary landfill.
See “Landfill: Solid waste sanitary”.
(p) Special exception.
See “Use: Conditional”.
(q) Stadium.
(1) In general.
“Stadium” means a structure with tiers of seats rising around a field or court, intended to be used:
(i) primarily for the viewing of athletic events; and
(ii) secondarily, for entertainment and other public gathering purposes, such as conventions, circuses, or concerts.
(2) Inclusions.
“Stadium” includes the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(i) a gift or souvenir shop; and
(ii) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(r) Stacking space.
“Stacking space” means a space specifically designated as a waiting area for vehicles patronizing a drive-through establishment.
(s) Stormwater.
“Stormwater” means the water running off the surface of a drainage area during and immediately following rain or as a result of other precipitation.
(t) Story.
“Story” means that portion of a building, other than a basement, that is:
(1) included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it; or
(2) if there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it.
(u) Structural alteration.
“Structural alteration” means:
(1) a change in the permanent physical members of a structure, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders; or
(2) any substantial change in the roof or in the exterior walls.
(v) Structure.
(1) In general.
“Structure” means all or any part of anything erected that:
(i) has a fixed location on the ground; or
(ii) is attached to something having a fixed location on the ground.
(2) Inclusions.
“Structure” includes any building, fence, wall, sign, or tower.
(w) Structure: Accessory.
See “Accessory structure”.
(x) Substantial construction.
“Substantial construction” means:
(1) for new construction, that construction materials have been placed in permanent positions or fastened in a permanent manner; or
(2) in preparation for rebuilding, that excavation, demolition, or removal of an existing structure has been substantially begun and is carried on diligently.
(Ord. 26-116 Section 1; Ord. 25-015 Section 1; Ord. 22-125; Ord. 18-216; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-314 “Tavern” to “Wholesale Goods”.
§ 1-314. “Tavern” to “Wholesale Goods”.
(a) Tavern.
“Tavern” means a business establishment that:
(1) is devoted primarily to serving alcoholic beverages to the public for on-premises consumption; and
(2) might or might not also:
(i) serve food; and
(ii) sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption.
(b) Through lot.
See “Lot: Through”.
(c) Transparency (of facade).
“Transparency”, when used in reference to a building’s facade, means the percentage of the facade that consists of glass.
(d) Truck repair.
(1) In general.
“Truck repair” means an establishment that is engaged in the repair and servicing of trucks.
(2) “Truck” defined.
In this subsection, “truck” means a commercial vehicle of more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
(e) Truck stop.
(1) In general.
“Truck stop” means a facility primarily for the retail sale of fuel for commercial vehicles.
(2) Inclusions.
“Truck stop” includes:
(i) incidental repair or servicing of commercial vehicles; and
(ii) facilities for parking and for drivers to eat and rest.
(f) Truck terminal.
“Truck terminal” means a facility primarily:
(1) to accommodate the transfer of goods to trucks, truck trailers, or other vehicles; or
(2) to accommodate the parking or storage of commercial vehicles or trailers.
(g) Unshielded lighting.
See “Lighting: Unshielded”.
(h) Urban agriculture.
(1) In general.
“Urban agriculture” means the cultivation, processing, and marketing of food, with a primary emphasis on operating as a business enterprise.
(2) Inclusions.
(i) “Urban agriculture” includes:
(A) animal husbandry;
(B) aquaculture;
(C) agro-forestry;
(D) vineyards and wineries; and
(E) horticulture.
(ii) “Urban agriculture” might involve the use of:
(A) intensive production methods;
(B) structures for extended growing seasons;
(C) on-site sale of produce; and
(D) composting.
(i) Use.
“Use” means:
(1) any purpose for which land or a structure is used, occupied, or intended to be used or occupied; and
(2) any activity, occupation, business, or operation that is carried out on land or in a structure.
(j) Use: Accessory.
See “Accessory use”.
(k) Use: Conditional.
“Use: Conditional” means a use that:
(1) may be authorized by the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals or, if required by this Code, by Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council as a special exception under the State Land Use Article; and
(2) is subject to review and approval by the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals or by the Mayor and City Council, as the case may be, and the imposition of conditions or restrictions under this Code.
(k-1) Single-family dwelling.
See “Dwelling: Single-family”.
(l) Use: Permitted.
“Use: Permitted” means a use allowed in a zoning district without the need for special administrative review and approval, as long as it conforms to all the applicable requirements and standards of this Code.
(m) Use: Principal.
“Use: Principal” means the main use of land or a structure, as distinguished from an accessory use.
(n) Utilities.
“Utilities” includes:
(1) natural gas lines, power lines, alternative energy systems, steamlines, telephone lines, cable television lines, fiber optic lines, and other communication lines;
(2) above ground private utility structures, such as pedestals for cable wire access or other access points for underground infrastructure (communications wiring or fiber optic);
(3) appurtenances and components of these; and
(4) the operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of these.
(o) Vehicle dismantling facility.
(1) In general.
“Vehicle dismantling facility” means an establishment for the buying, selling, trading, storing, or otherwise dealing in vehicles for the purpose of dismantling the vehicles and buying, selling, storing, or trading their integral parts or component materials.
(2) Inclusions.
“Vehicle dismantling facility” includes pull-or-pick-apart facilities, salvage pools, salvage auctions, and businesses and individuals that handle salvage vehicles.
(p) Video lottery facility.
(1) In general.
“Video lottery facility” means a facility that has been awarded a Video Lottery Operation License by the Maryland Video Lottery Location Commission under State Government Article, Title 9, Subtitle 1A.
(2) Inclusions.
“Video lottery facility” includes:
(i) the permitted number of video lottery terminals;
(ii) associated food and beverage operations;
(iii) associated live entertainment and dancing; and
(iv) associated parking facilities located on adjacent lots.
(q) Vocational school.
See “Educational facility: Commercial-vocational”.
(r) Warehouse.
“Warehouse” means a facility for the storage and distribution of products, supplies, and equipment.
(s) Water-dependent facilities.
“Water-dependent facilities”, as it applies to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, has the meaning stated in § 7-402 {“CBCA Overlay: Definitions”} of this Code.
(t) Waterfreight terminal.
(1) In general.
“Waterfreight terminal” means a facility used for waterborne commodities.
(2) Inclusions.
“Waterfreight terminal” includes docks, piers, wharves, storage sheds, and rail and truck facilities that service or relate to, a waterfreight terminal.
(u) Wholesale goods establishment.
(1) In general.
“Wholesale goods establishment” means a facility primarily engaged in:
(i) selling or distributing merchandise to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional, or professional business users, or to other wholesalers; or
(ii) acting as an agent or broker and buying merchandise for, or selling merchandise to, businesses of the sort listed.
(2) Inclusions.
“Wholesale goods establishment” includes the following accessory uses:
(i) a showroom for the display of items stored on-site; and
(ii) retail sales to the public.
(Ord. 20-350; Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
Baltimore City Code, Article 32, § 1-315 “Yard” to “Zoo”.
§ 1-315. “Yard” to “Zoo”.
(a) Yard (Required).
“Yard”, when used with respect to required yards, means the space between a building and the adjoining lot lines that, except as otherwise permitted by this Code, is unoccupied, open, and unobstructed by any part of a structure from the ground to the sky.
(b) Yard: Corner-side (Required).
“Yard: Corner-side”, when used with respect to required yards, means the yard that extends along the corner-side lot line between the front yard and the rear lot line for the required minimum depth, as specified for the district in which the lot is located, measured perpendicular to the corner-side lot line.
(c) Yard: Front (Required).
“Yard: Front”, when used with respect to required yards, means the yard that extends the full width of the lot between side lot lines for the required minimum depth, as specified by the zoning district in which the lot is located, measured perpendicular to the front lot line.
(d) Yard: Interior-side (Required).
“Yard: Interior-side”, when used with respect to required yards, means the yard that extends along an interior-side lot line, between the front and rear yards, for the required minimum depth, as specified for the district in which the lot is located, measured perpendicular to the interior-side lot line.
(e) Yard: Rear (Required).
“Yard: Rear”, when used with respect to required yards, means the yard that extends between the side lot lines for the required minimum depth, as specified by the zoning district in which the lot is located, measured perpendicular to the rear lot line.
(f) Zoning Administrator; Administrator.
“Zoning Administrator” or “Administrator” means the executive head of the Office of Zoning Administrator, as established under § 3-201 {“Zoning Administrator”} of this Code, or the Administrator’s designee.
(g) Zoning Board; BMZA.
“Zoning Board” or “BMZA” means the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, as established in City Charter Article VII, § 82.
(h) Zoo.
(1) In general.
“Zoo” means a facility in which animals are exhibited or displayed to the public.
(2) Inclusions.
“Zoo” includes the following accessory uses designed and intended primarily for patrons of the facility:
(i) a gift or souvenir shop; and
(ii) a restaurant or refreshment stands.
(Ord. 17-015; Ord. 16-581.)
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/32/1/3Fetched: 10/25/2026