Development Review Committee

The Development Review Committee (DRC) functions under the authority of the Director of the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). The DRC is composed of representatives designated by the directors of each of those departments involved in the review and approval of development projects within the County. The DRC is chaired by PAI.

MEETINGS

The DRC meets bi-weekly to consider development proposals and make recommendations on the process by which development plans are reviewed, approved or amended within the regulations established under Baltimore County Code Sections 32-4-105, general exemptions, and 32-4-106, limited exemptions. All requests to amend prior approved development plans are subject to application to the DRC for consideration to include whether the amendment is material or non-material.

The Director sets the DRC agenda in correlation with available department resources. Notice of the DRC meetings are posted 19 calendar days prior to the event within the Office of Development Management, PAI, County Office Building and on the online calendar. 

Find information about how to participate in upcoming virtual DRC meetings. 

RECOMMENDATION AND DECISION LETTERS

Formal letters confirming the recommendations of the DRC and the decision of the Director are available through the Citizen Access Portal.

These letters may also be reviewed in the Office of Development Management during normal business hours. Decisions of the Director are subject to the appeal provisions of the Baltimore County Code Section 32-3-401.

SEARCH DRC ACTIONS

Search development applications by street address or project name to view the actions of the DRC or to obtain DRC meeting information. On the record detail page, expand or collapse sections to more easily view the desired information.

DRC ACTION CATEGORIES

The recommendations of the DRC may be categorized as follows:

The DRC does not have the authority to grant the applicant's request or the applicant's request does not require DRC approval.

A decision by the DRC is withheld pending further information. The applicant will need to bring the request back to the DRC on the "old business" agenda once outstanding issues are resolved.

"A" exemptions are exempt from the development review and approval process as provided for in the Baltimore County Code, Article 32, Title 4, Subtitle 4. A project meeting these requirements does not require a concept plan, community input meeting, development plan and an Administrative Law Judge hearing. 

Applicants who meet one or more of the criteria for an "A" exemption, described below, may apply directly for a building permit or recording in the land records.

CRITERIA:

  • A-1-i-1
    The building or preparation of land for building a dwelling for one or two families on a single lot or tract that is not part of a recorded plat.
  • A-1-i-2
    The building or preparation of land for building a dwelling for one or two families on a lot or lots exempt from the lapse provisions of Section 32-4-273 of this title.
  • A-1-ii
    The building or preparation of land for building on a lot of record lawfully in effect at the time of the building or preparation of the land for building, provided the lot of record did not result from a subdivision of land exempt under Section 32-4-105 of this subtitle.
  • A-1-iii
    The construction of one tenant house or the location of one trailer on a farm tract.
  • A-1-iv
    The subdivision of property in accordance with a court order, a will, or the laws of intestate succession.
  • A-1-v
    The resubdivision or lot line adjustment of industrially zoned or commercially zoned parcels of land that have been the subject of a previously approved Development Plan and recorded plat.
  • A-1-vi
    The construction of residential accessory structures or minor commercial structures.
  • A-1-vii-1
    The construction of a building owned and operated by a county volunteer fire, ambulance, or rescue company that is used primarily for storage or training purposes.
  • A-1-vii-2
    The construction of a building owned and operated by a county volunteer fire, ambulance, or rescue company that is used primarily for fundraising activities.
  • A-1-vii-3
    The construction of a building owned and operated by a county volunteer fire, ambulance, or rescue company that is used primarily for other purposes related to rescue or fire-suppression activities.
  • A-1-viii
    Lot line adjustments in residential zones that are not part of an approved Development Plan or zoning plan.
  • A-1-ix
    Subdivision of land that was recorded before January 26, 1990, into three or fewer lots.
  • A-1-x
    Except as provided in paragraph (2of this subsection, subdivision of land into three or fewer lots for residential single-family dwellings provided that the lots are not served by a panhandle driveway.
  • A-2-i
    If a lot is served by a panhandle driveway, the subdivision of land into three or fewer lots for residential single-family dwellings is only exempt from the concept plan requirements under Sections 32-4-211 through 32-4-217 of the Baltimore County Code.
  • A-2-ii
    If a lot is served by a panhandle driveway, the subdivision of land into three or fewer lots for residential single-family dwellings is only exempt from the county review requirements under Sections 32-4-226 and 32-4-227 of the Baltimore County Code.

"B" exemptions are specifically exempted from the community input meeting and hearing officer's hearing only. 

Applicants receiving a "B" exemption, described below, are required to have a development plan approved prior to building permit submittal.

Criteria:

  • B-1
    Lot line adjustments, including the combination of lots or parcels.
  • B-2
    Amendments to an approved Development Plan or plat that do not materially alter the proposed development.
  • B-3
    The subdivision of land that is in an approved state agricultural land preservation district or county agricultural easement for the purpose of the conveyance of the lots to the owner or the children of the owner under Title 2, Subtitle 5 of the Agriculture Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and Article 24 of the Code.
  • B-4
    The subdivision of a farm tract into two lots. 
  • B-5
    The subdivision of land into three or fewer lots for residential single-family dwellings.
  • B-6
    The construction of accessory structures.
  • B-7
    The subdivision of land or buildings in a planned office or industrial park for which a Development Plan has been approved in accordance with this title.
  • B-8
    A minor development that does not exceed a total of three lots.