Development Review and Land Use Planning

School Impact Analysis

The following links are PDFs that open in a new window.

The Baltimore County Code as of March 1, 2000 requires that the Department of Planning create regulations to assess development impact on schools. Adopted School Impact Regulations outline requirements developers need to submit to the Department of Planning in order to determine the impact of projects with a residential component on public school facilities.

The information for filling out School Impact Analysis Forms includes:

• Public School Enrollment, 2021 to 2022
• Committed Seats
• 2017 Pupil Yield Factors
• Map of Election Districts
• Approved Development by Elementary School
• Approved Development by Middle School
• Approved Development by High School

Public School Report and Maps

Section 32-6-103(c), (f) and (g) of the Baltimore County Code requires that the Department of Planning furnish the School Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance Report and Maps using September 30, 2021 school enrollment data, indicating overcrowded school districts in accordance with parameters in the referenced County Code.

The countywide maps display the overcrowded school districts, using the September 30, 2021 enrollment data:

• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School

More Information

For more information contact Jennifer Meacham, by phone at 410-887-3521 or email jmeacham@baltimorecountymd.gov.

A six-year plan authorizing the funding for capital improvements such as roads, sewers, parks and schools. View details for the Capital Improvement Program. 

The Comprehensive Manual of Development Policies (CMDP) is enabled by Section 504.2 of the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations, which states that the Department and Zoning shall compile and codify, in an appropriate and practical form, a comprehensive manual of the Planning Board's land-use and development policies and zoning resolutions.

In its entirety, the CMDP is a robust document with many useful standards, guidelines and regulations that the County uses to help steer commercial and residential development within the goals of the Master Plan. Currently, the Department of Planning is in process of updating the manual to provide desirable design approaches and meet the needs of (re)development within the County.

Existing Manual

The manual (PDF format) has been divided into Divisions and Sections to make it easier to read.

Table of Contents

Division I. - Focus on Community

Division II. - Residential Development within the Urban/Rural Demarcation Line

• Section A. - Residential Standards
• Section B. - Residential Guidelines
• Section C. - Residential Compatibility

Division III. - Commercial Development within the Urban - Rural Demarcation Line

• Section A. - Commercial Corridors
• Section B. - Office Guidelines
• Section C. - Mixed Use Development
• Section D. - Office Compatibility

Division IV. - Special Areas and Procedures

The updated Division IV was introduced to the Planning Board on April 15, 2021. The Planning Board held a public hearing on May 6, 2021 and voted to approve its updates and changes. The updated Division IV was sent to the Council Office on May 11, 2021 and was adopted on June 26, 2021.

• Section A. Scenic Views
• Section B. Complete Streets
• Section C. Pikesville Design Guidelines
• Section D. Honeygo Overlay District Design Guideline
• Section E. Hunt Valley Timonium Design Guidelines
• Section F.  Downtown Towson District Guidelines and Standards
• Section G. Design Review Panel
• Section H. Planned Unit Development
• Section I.  Assisted Living Facilities
• Section J. Microwave Path Protection

The Planning Department coordinates the review of residential and commercial development in Baltimore County with respect to planning concepts. The purpose of development review is to ensure quality development and redevelopment of land in accordance with adopted planning principles.

Specifically, the department makes recommendations based on the following standards and guidelines:

• Baltimore County Zoning Regulations
• Baltimore County Code (Development Article 32)
• Comprehensive Manual of Development Policies (CMDP)
• Manual of Regulations, Section 260
• Complete Streets Guidelines
• Landscape Manual
• Local Open Space Manual
• Community Plans
• Master Plan

Pattern Books

The Department of Planning requires the submission of a pattern book for the review of development plans for major residential subdivisions and general development Planned Unit Developments. A pattern book may also be requested for the development plan review of commercial projects. The information to be provided in the pattern book is provided below:

• Pattern Book Checklist

The Growth Tiers identify where major and minor residential subdivisions may develop and the type of sewage disposal system that will serve them. A parcel divided into four or more lots is considered a major subdivision in Baltimore County. Our Growth Tiers were developed in response to Maryland’s Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 (SB 236). Existing geographic data such as existing and planned sewer areas, zoning, URDL and a variety of conservation or preservation layers were analyzed and used to classify County land into one of four Growth Tiers:

Tier I: Major or minor subdivisions served by public sewers are allowed.
Tier II: Major or minor subdivisions served by public sewers are allowed. Minor Subdivisions on individual on-site disposal systems shall be viewed as interim.
Tier III: Major subdivisions on individual on-site disposal systems are allowed, with the recommendation of approval by an approving authority. Minor subdivisions on individual on-site disposal systems are allowed.
Tier IV: Only minor subdivisions on individual on-site disposal systems are allowed.

A poster of the adopted map as amended on June 5, 2017 is available and citizens may also view the Growth Tiers in the "Land Development" tab of Baltimore County's My Neighborhood interactive map.

The Baltimore County Charter requires that a master plan be updated at least every 10 years. The master plan provides policies and guidelines for sustaining livable communities and achieving balanced development in Baltimore County.

• Master Plan 2030
• History of Master Planning and Past Plans