Baltimore County began its master planning in the 1960s and since has adopted five master plans. The purpose of the master plan is to guide the development of the County.

The 1967 URDL Concept
In 1967, the county developed the concept of delineating two distinct land management areas — the urban area and the rural area – to maximize the efficiency of county revenues on infrastructure in urban areas and preserve important natural and agricultural resources in rural areas. An urban-rural demarcation line (URDL) was established reflecting development of this concept.

The 1972 Plan
Developed in 1972, the 1980 Guide Plan for Baltimore County, Maryland was the first formal master plan adopted by the County. Responding to the phenomenal growth in population between 1960 and 1970, it addressed the growth needs projected for 1980. The plan’s philosophy was to accommodate growth and development in an orderly, environmentally sensitive manner with adequate open space.

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Plan 2010

The 1975 and 1979 Plans
The Baltimore County Comprehensive Plan 1975 and the Baltimore County Master Plan 1979-1990 reorganized land use and development planning into a comprehensive growth management program. The 1975 Plan instituted urban and rural zoning. In the 1979 Plan, the County designated two growth areas, Owings Mills and Perry Hall-White Marsh, for future development.

The 1989 Plan
The Baltimore County Master Plan 1989-2000 created specific management areas and policies that included growth areas, urban centers, community conservation areas, employment centers, and various rural management areas. Balancing growth areas and community conservation areas, enhancing the quality of development, and preserving farmland and resources were emphasized in the 1989 plan.

The Current Plan
The current plan, Master Plan 2010, carries on principles of previous plans and integrates land use issues with social and economic factors. The plan endorses planning policies that are consistent with Maryland’s Smart Growth and Priority Places initiatives.

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Revised October 7, 2009