Planning in Baltimore County

Working closely with citizens, elected officials, and other government agencies, the Baltimore County Office of Planning formulates policies, plans and regulations to guide future growth and to preserve and enhance existing communities.

The Baltimore County Charter gives the Office of Planning broad responsibility for the County’s master plan and zoning regulations. Other major duties of the office are related to its role as staff to the Planning Board, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Design Review Panel.

The links listed below offer more information on the wide variety of the office’s activities. You can also find out more about specific planning activities that may affect your community by checking Projects in Process, or by contacting your community planner.

The Office of Planning encourages all citizens to become involved in shaping the future of Baltimore County.

Major Activities of the Office of Planning

The planning office provides staffing for three volunteer citizen advisory boards/commissions.

Planning Board —recommends, reviews and approves planning proposals.
Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) —reviews development plans involving historic properties, and approves sites for placement on the County’s Preliminary Landmarks List.
Design Review Panel —reviews development plans for designated areas.

Master Plan: The Office of Planning prepares a Master Plan every 10 years, monitors its implementation, and prepares progress reports.
Community Planning: A community planner is assigned to each of the seven council districts. Among other duties, the planners prepare local community plans to be adopted by the County Council as amendments to the Master Plan.
Development Review: Community planners and development review staff review development proposals.
Historic Preservation: Staff conducts research and administers County policy and regulations.
Zoning: The office administers the Comprehensive and Cycle Zoning Map Processes that revise the zoning designation of properties in the County.
Legislation: In response to County Council Resolutions, Planning Board initiatives, County Executive requests, or Master Plan recommendations, staff revise planning-related regulations.
Capital Programming: Once a year, staff reviews and makes recommendations on the County’s capital budget and program, which is a 6-year plan for expenditures to design and construct county buildings, parks, roads, utilities and other capital facilities.

Revised February 22, 2010