Descriptions

Base Maps

Cadastral (Parcel)
Planimetric/Topographic
Orthophotography
Facilities( Address Points and Street Center Lines)
Economic Development

Grids & Indexes

200 Scale
600 Scale
Key Sheet
Position Sheet
CD Images
VARGIS Grid
ADC Index

Grids & Indexes     

200 Scale  - The 200 scale grid is derived from the tiling schema of the Maryland Department of Planning Cadastral Map.  Each cadastral map is subdivided into nine grids, 6,000 feet by 4,000 feet.  The publication scale of products produced using this grid is typically 1"= 200'.

600 Scale - The 600 scale grid is based on the Maryland Department of Planning Cadastral Map.  Each tile in the grid is 18,000 feet by 12,000 feet.  The publication scale of products produced using this grid is typically 1" = 600'.

Key Sheet - The key sheet grid is used by the Department of Public Works to produce schematic drawings of utility information.  This grid is based on the Baltimore County Metropolitan District Grid System with 15,000 feet by 10,000 feet tiles.  The publication scale of products produced using this grid is typically 1"= 500'.

Position Sheet  - The position sheet grid is used by the Department of Public Works to produce survey derived drawings of utility information obtained during the design and engineering processes.  This grid is based on the Baltimore County Metropolitan District Grid System with 1,500 feet by 1,000 feet tiles.  The publication scale of products produced using this grid is typically 1"= 50'.

CD Images  The CD images grid is based upon the delivery CD's of the VARGIS orthophotos.  The original .tif images were compressed by CD using MrSID software.

VARGIS Grid - The VARGIS grid is the tiling schema based on the Maryland Coordinate System for the orthophotos tiles.  Each tile is 3,000 feet by 2,000 feet with an additional 120 feet of overlap.

ADC Index - The ADC index is the arbitrary grid overlay found in the Baltimore, MD & Baltimore County, MD Street Map Book published by ADC the Map People, 24th Edition.

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Thematic Maps  

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area

The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area data set contains polygons and lines representing the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.  The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area is defined as the area within 1000 feet of the mean high tide line as defined by 1972 aerial photography acquired by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  The critical area has three designations: resource conservation area (RCA), the intensely developed area (IDA) and the limited development area (LDA).  The IDA and LDA definitions were given to land that was already developed prior to the critical area being defined in 1984.  Properties that are developed within the critical area are subject to special regulations that are detailed in the Baltimore County Code sections 14-256 to 14-266 and 26-436 to 26-464.

Commercial Revitalization Districts

The Commercial Revitalization District data set contains the legal boundaries based on parcel and zoning boundaries that define the limits of two County programs: Architect-On-Call and Commercial Revitalization Tax Credit.  The Baltimore County Council has designated 12 Commercial Revitalization Districts: Arbutus, Catonsville-Paradise, Dundalk, Essex, Liberty Road, Loch Raven, Overlea-Fullerton, Parkville, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Towson and Woodlawn.

Congressional Districts

The congressional district data set contains the Baltimore County Congressional Districts and is a graphical representation of the authoritative enrolled bill, Senate Bill 805.  The appropriate district number identifies each congressional district in the attribute information.  The Baltimore County Board of Elections validated the data set.

Councilmanic Districts

The councilmanic district data set contains the Baltimore County Councilmanic Districts and is a graphical representation of the authoritative enrolled bill, Baltimore County Bill 47-01.  The appropriate district number identifies each councilmanic district in the attribute information.  The Baltimore County Board of Elections validated the dataset.

Geology

The geology data set contains a representation of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Geological Survey's Geology Map of Baltimore County, Maryland published in 1976.  The geology map depicts major geologic formations.  Point features normally on the geology map are not included in this data set.

Greenways

The greenways data set contains the county greenway system adopted in the Baltimore County Master Plan 2010.  Greenways are classified as either a "recreational greenway" or an "environmental greenway."

Land Preservation

The land preservation data set contains the boundaries of properties that have had a permanent or temporary conservation easement placed on the property.  An easement is an agreement between a landowner and a government body or land trust that prevents development of the property.  The data set also contains properties that have shown interest in participating in a preservation program at some time.  Conservation programs include the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, the Baltimore County Land Preservation Program, the Rural Legacy Program and the Maryland Environmental Trust.

Legislative Districts

The legislative district data set contains the Baltimore County Legislative Districts and is a graphical representation of the authoritative ruling by the Court of Appeals of Maryland on June 21, 2002, documented as the 2002 Redistricting Court of Appeals Plan.  The appropriate district number identifies each legislative district in the attribute information.  The Baltimore County Board of Elections validated the data set.

The regional planning district data set contains geographical areas used to produce geo-statistical analysis based on census and other statistical data.  The 31 regional planning districts were created in the 1970' s and are derived from census blocks.  The regional planning district areas are kept constant to insure some consistency between each census.

School Service Boundaries - Elementary

The elementary school service boundary data set contains polygons defining elementary school service boundaries for the 2001-2002 school year. The boundaries represent the home school area for a given school.  Home school areas define the school that students who reside inside this area would normally attend.

School Service Boundaries - Middle

The middle school service boundary data set contains polygons defining elementary school service boundaries for the 2001-2002 school year. The boundaries represent the home school area for a given school.  Home school areas define the school that students who reside inside this area would normally attend.

School Service Boundaries - High

The high school service boundary data set contains polygons defining elementary school service boundaries for the 2001-2002 school year. The boundaries represent the home school area for a given school.  Home school areas define the school that students who reside inside this area would normally attend.

Soils

The soils data set contains a representation of the Baltimore County Soil Survey published by the Natural Resources Soil Conservation Service in 1976.  The soil polygons are coded with the soil type.  Point features normally found in the soil survey are not included in this data set.  This data set was not developed in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Transportation Zones

The transportation analysis zone data set contains geographical areas that are delineated for land use and travel analysis purposes.  The Baltimore Metropolitan Council and Baltimore County developed the initial transportation analysis zones in 1998.  Baltimore County is divided into 340 transportation analysis zones.  Transportation analysis zones are derived from census block groups.

Urban/Rural Demarcation Line - URDL

The urban/rural demarcation line (URDL) data set contains a representation of the URDL line.  The line feature was combined with a county boundary (shoreline) to create a polygon feature(s). The URDL is the primary administrative boundary used for setting regulations on the types of development allowed in Baltimore County's urban and rural areas.  The URDL is used in growth management decisions and is included in growth management plans, community plans, master plans and the zoning maps.

Voter Precincts

The voter precinct data set contains the Baltimore County Voter Precincts and is a graphical representation of the authoritative Baltimore County Board of Elections written precinct descriptions.  The appropriate voter precinct number identifies each voter precinct in the attribute information.  The Baltimore County Board of Elections validated the data set. 

Watersheds - Major

The watershed data set contains areas of land that contribute runoff and groundwater into a specific stream system.  This data set shows the Baltimore County portion of the State-defined Maryland "8-digit" watersheds.  There are 14 major watersheds in Baltimore County.  The data was interpreted from Baltimore County's 1954 topographic maps and was delineated at 1:2400 scale.

Watersheds - Sub

The sub-watershed data set contains areas of land that contribute runoff and groundwater to a specific stream.  A collection of sub-watersheds makes up a watershed.  This data set shows the Baltimore County portion of the State-defined Maryland "12-digit" watersheds.  There are 191 sub-watersheds in Baltimore County.  The data was interpreted from Baltimore County's 1954 topographic maps and was delineated at 1:2400 scale.

Wetlands (NWI)

The wetlands data set originated from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service as part of their National Wetlands Inventory (NWI).  The NWI data was tiled based on the U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle boundaries.  The tiles where combined to create a seamless data set for the county.  The attribute classification is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication, Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, Cowardin, Lewis S. et. al. 1979.

Zoning

The Baltimore County zoning data set is a graphical representation of the official 200 scale zoning maps. The official zoning maps are maintained on mylar by the Office of Planning and stored in the Department of Permits and Management.  The data set includes zoning districts and special overlay districts where the same zoning regulations apply throughout.  The zoning data set contains polygons, representing the boundaries for specific zoning codes as defined by the Baltimore County Zoning Code, and annotation indicating the zoning designation.  All decisions involving zoning designations should be verified with the Zoning office.
 
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Revised December 14, 2009