Scott's Zoning Deregulation Bills

In May, Mayor Brandon Scott, City Council President Zeke Cohen, Councilman Ryan Dorsey and other council members unveiled City Council Bill 25-0066. It removes single-family zoning in Baltimore residential districts with the aim of promoting density and population growth. It would permit up to four dwelling units on a single lot. Other measures in the package have already been approved and enacted, including a bill to eliminate the requirement for new apartment projects to have off-street parking and another to eliminate the requirement that new residential buildings taller than three stories have two internal staircases and a passageway connecting them. Another bill (also now signed into law) increases maximum allowable lot coverage and reduces minimum yard requirements in certain residential districts. Supporters said the bills will provide needed affordable housing and strengthen the city. Critics have argued they will decrease home ownership, encourage speculators and destabilize neighborhoods.

Oct 31, 20250

Acknowledging it’s a leap into the unknown, Planning Commission signs off on Scott’s sweeping re-zoning bill

“We need to grow . . . the solution is to try more stuff, to do more things, to listen to people from other places and see what happens,” Planning Commission chair says.

Oct 27, 20250

With little change from last week’s vote, Council gives final approval to two of Scott’s zoning bills

Audience members waved “Democracy over Developers” and “Neighborhoods Matter” signs. But as expected, the mayor’s rule-relaxing, density-promoting legislation passed.

Oct 26, 20250

Lobbying intensifies ahead of vote on controversial Baltimore zoning bills

Opponents of two key bills in the mayor’s housing package – narrowly approved in a preliminary vote by the City Council – seek to flip votes at tomorrow’s meeting.

Oct 21, 20250

Councilman Torrence blasts Scott’s zoning bills “on behalf of my residents in Sandtown-Winchester”

By a close margin, the City Council last night advanced sweeping changes supporters said would help Baltimore grow and opponents said would drive Black residents out.

Oct 20, 20250

The false promise of zoning bills being pitched as a path to affordable housing

Councilman Ryan Dorsey and Mayor Brandon Scott are instituting a sweeping overhaul of Baltimore zoning rules that will hurt residents of this “city of neighborhoods.” [OP-ED]

Oct 17, 20250

Some Council members push back as Mayor Scott’s zoning bills move steadily forward

A measure ending the requirement for apartment projects to include parking and another allowing rowhouses to be built closer to the property line are coming before the Council for a vote Monday.

Sep 29, 20250

Controversial Baltimore zoning bills are sent back to committee for a re-vote

EXCLUSIVE: Three bills are being withdrawn from the agenda. A fourth bill, eliminating the two-staircase requirement in certain buildings, is still scheduled for a vote tonight.

Sep 25, 20250

Amid initial safety concerns from firefighters and the public, Dorsey’s single-staircase bill moves forward

Approved by a committee vote today, legislation removing the two-staircase requirement for certain multi-family buildings, the councilman says, will spur development without endangering public safety.

Sep 12, 20250

At a fiery hearing, bill to end parking space requirement for developers gets community pushback

Black female community leaders were among the loudest voices protesting one of the measures the Scott administration has framed as a way to undo the damage of structural racism in Baltimore.

Sep 11, 20250

Bill called “irresponsible” by a planning commissioner would allow Baltimore rowhouses to be expanded back to the alley

Along with ending parking minimums, it’s one of two bills – with heavy Scott administration backing – before a City Council committee today.

Aug 11, 20250

Ditching the two-staircase requirement for Baltimore apartment buildings: Overdue or unsafe?

Major zoning changes are being pushed by the mayor and building density advocates without adequate community input, some critics say.