Baltimore County, MD Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Baltimore County Code § 32-7-302 sets the substantive test: before any structure can go on the preliminary county landmarks list, the Commission must specifically find that it qualifies by contributing substantially to the architectural or historical heritage of the county, state or nation because it is associated with a historically important person, group or event; is a distinctive example of an architectural style or period; is a good example of the work of a noted architect or master builder; is a work of notable artistic merit; or has yielded or may yield information important to prehistory or history.

The Commission must hold a public hearing on each nominated structure, posting a sign at the property, and act within 30 days after the hearing; it then forwards an approved preliminary list to the County Executive, whose review may not exceed 30 days, before County Council introduction. Once a structure sits on the preliminary or final landmarks list or within a designated county historic district, § 32-7-403 requires a permit from the Building Engineer before any excavation, construction, alteration, reconstruction, moving, demolition or removal of the structure, or before altering an exterior architectural feature.

Under § 32-7-405, the Building Engineer cannot issue that permit until the Commission issues a certificate of appropriateness or a notice to proceed, and § 32-7-406 lets the Commission weigh the structure's historic or architectural value, style, design, arrangement, texture and materials against the surrounding neighborhood. Ordinary maintenance that does not change design, material or outward appearance is exempted under § 32-7-103.