Every four years, as required by the Baltimore County Code, The County Council reviews and revises the County's zoning maps.
Filing Periods
September 4, 2007 – November 30, 2007
The Baltimore County Code provides that, during the Open Filing Period (September 4-October 15), any person, association, corporation, county agency or other entity may, upon payment of the specified fee, file a petition for a zoning reclassification on any property in the county. Certain information must be filed with the petition, all of, which becomes a matter of public record identified by an Issue Number. Between October 1 and October 31, additional Issues can be raised, but only by members of the Baltimore County Planning Board. Between November 1 and November 30, Issues can be raised only by members of the Baltimore County Council.
Log of Issues - Preliminary Recommendations
December 1, 2007 – February 29, 2008
The Planning Staff analyzes each of the Issues raised during the filing periods. Summary data about each Issue, along with the preliminary staff recommendations, are published in the “Log of Issues.” The Log and accompanying maps comprise a report to the Planning Board for the purpose of conducting public hearings in March 2007. Also during this period, notices are mailed to the owners of those properties, which are listed in the Log and to adjacent property owners. Signs are posted to announce the Issue number and Planning Board public hearing.
Planning Board Public Hearings
March 1, 2008 – March 31, 2008
The Baltimore County Planning Board schedules a public hearing in each Councilmanic District during the month of March. Testimony is limited to those Issues within the district for which the meeting is held.
Planning Board Review and Recommendations
April 1, 2008 – May 15, 2008
At a series of work sessions, open to the public, the Planning Board reviews and discusses the various Issues. The Planning Board must formally adopt a recommendation on each Issue before May 16, 2008.
Transmittal Period
May 16, 2008 – June 2, 2008
The Planning Board recommendations on each Issue must be transmitted to the Baltimore County Council within 20 days after the Board’s vote. A revised edition of the Log of Issues is published to serve as the basis for the Council’s public hearings in June.
County Council Public Hearings
June 2, 2008 – June 30, 2008
The County Council schedules a public hearing in each councilmanic district during the month of June. Testimony is limited to those Issues within the district for which the meeting is held.
County Council Review
July 1, 2008 – September 15, 2008
The County Council has the sole authority to determine the final zoning on each property. The Council may accept, reject, or modify the recommendations of the Planning Board. These options include retaining the existing zoning or applying to a property any zoning or combination of zones.
County Council Decisions
September 2008
The County Council vote on each Issue must occur before September 16, 2008. As adopted by legislative action of the County Council, the revised Comprehensive Zoning Maps take effect 45 days after being signed into law by the County Executive.
Final Log and Maps
November 2008
After the Council’s vote, the Office of Planning prepares the final official amended Zoning Maps and published the final edition of the Log of Issues containing all of the decisions of the County Council.
The final log of issues reflects the County Council's action on each of the Map Issues. Information provided include ownership, location, existing zoning, requested zoning and proposed zoning.
Revised May 9, 2007
Courthouse 