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Baltimore Zoning Overhaul Stalls in Committee After Heated Hearing

City leaders plan to rework the proposal that would allow up to four units by right in larger single-family houses.

Overview

  • The Land Use & Transportation Committee took no vote after a tense session, leaving Bill 25-0066 in committee with only Ryan Dorsey and Zac Blanchard ready to advance it.
  • The proposal would allow by-right conversions of larger single-family properties into up to four units, tied to size thresholds that reach four units for houses exceeding roughly 3,000 square feet.
  • Many residents from historically Black middle-class neighborhoods opposed the change, citing risks of displacement, outside speculation and uneven protections compared with HOA-governed areas.
  • Hearing rules limited in-person testimony to two minutes and excluded virtual speakers, and the chair closed public comment with a work session expected for further review.
  • This measure is the final piece of a five-bill housing package, with four related laws already enacted to ease building rules, shift zoning administration, reduce bulk and yard standards and drop off-street parking requirements.