Residential Subdivision Development Process

MAJOR RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS

The Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) Office of Development Management (DM) is responsible for the development processing of Major Residential Subdivisions, including Planned Unit Developments (PUD).

CHECK STATUS

Search development applications to obtain project status and documentation, such as Concept and Development plans, comments from reviewing County and state agencies, and Community Input Meeting minutes.

PROCESS

The Major Residential Subdivision Development process is summarized below and is managed in accordance with the Baltimore County Code (BCC) Sections 32-4-211 to 32-4-217, 32-4-221 to 32-4-232, and 32-4-241 to 32-4-245.

  1. Concept Plan Conference (CPC)
    • The development team submits hardcopy and digital versions of the Concept Plan to DM.
    • The Concept Plan provides the general site layout, location, proposed building types and uses, number of units or square footage and so forth.
    • DM coordinates and conducts the CPC.
    • DM transmits copies of the Concept Plan to County and state agencies.
    • The Concept Plan is posted on the County website.
    • Within 10 working days following the CPC, DM directs the posting on the property of the date, time and location of the Community Input Meeting (CIM).
  2. Community Input Meeting (CIM)

    The CIM provides a forum for discussion and resolution of community concerns and developer constraints.

    • The CIM is held between 21 and 30 days after posting.
    • The development team conducts the meeting and presents the Concept Plan for comments and discussion.
    • DM records minutes of the meeting, provides copies to attendees and posts the minutes on the County website.
  3. Development Plan Conference (DPC)

    Within 12 months after the CIM:

    • The development team must file hardcopy and digital versions of the Development Plan.
    • DM distributes the Development Plan to county and state agencies.
    • DM coordinates and conducts the DPC.
    • DM posts the Development Plan and notice of the date, time and location of the DPC and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings on the County website.
    • The development team provides copies of the Development Plan to CIM attendees.
  4. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing

    At least 20 working days prior to the hearing Development Management schedules the hearing and directs the posting of the hearing time, date and location. The ALJ conducts the hearing which is attended by the public, County agencies and the development team.

    Once the hearing is concluded, the ALJ issues an order within 15 working days.

  5. Appeal

    As set forth in BCC Section 32-4-281, the following steps may be taken:

    • Within 30 days of the issuance of the ALJ final order, a Notice of Appeal may be filed with the Board of Appeals, DM and ALJ's office.
    • Within 10 days after the filing of the Notice of Appeal, a petition must be filed setting forth the reasons for the appeal, the relief sought and the reasons why the final action should be affirmed, reversed, modified or remanded.
    • The Board of Appeals schedules a hearing and notifies ALJ hearing attendees.
    • The Board of Appeals renders a decision.

    The petitioner may appeal the decision of the Board of Appeals with the Circuit Court.

MINOR RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS

Residential Minor Subdivision projects that have been submitted to Baltimore County for review are listed by Council District in reports, which summarize all new subdivision plans (beginning with the most recent). Baltimore County Code Section 32-4-106(b)(5) provides an exemption from portions of the Development Regulations for the subdivision of land into three or fewer lots for residential single-family dwellings.

Minor subdivisions are:

  • Limited exemptions which are exempt from Community Input Meetings and hearings before the Administrative Law Judge.
  • Are required to have a County-approved Development Plan.