Baltimore's 2023 Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (23-0237) requires affordable units in larger residential projects and offers density and floor-area bonuses for compliance. Bonuses scale with the share of units set aside at deeper affordability levels, supporting integration in growth areas.
Council Bill 23-0237 (signed 2023, effective in phases) requires residential projects of 20 or more units in qualifying zones to set aside 5% to 15% of units as affordable, with deeper set-asides at lower income tiers. Compliance unlocks density and floor-area bonuses, height adjustments, and parking reductions under TransForm Baltimore (Art. 32). The Department of Housing and Community Development administers eligibility, monitoring, and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund that captures fee-in-lieu payments. Bonuses interact with TOD overlays and historic district standards.
Failure to deliver promised affordable units or accept qualified renters: civil penalties, recordation of liens, and potential revocation of certificate of occupancy. Misuse of bonus square footage triggers zoning enforcement.
Baltimore, MD
TransForm Baltimore (Code Art. 32, effective 2017) created Transit-Oriented Development overlays around Light Rail, Metro Subway, and MARC stations. These zo...
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore requires all rental properties to be registered and licensed through the Department of Housing and Community Development, with mandatory inspection...
See how Baltimore's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
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