(a) (1) It is the policy of this State that:
(i) The orderly development and use of land and structures requires
comprehensive regulation through the implementation of planning and
zoning controls; and
(ii) Planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local government.
(2) To achieve the public purposes of this regulatory scheme, the General
Assembly recognizes that local government action will limit free
business enterprise and competition by owners and users of property
through the planning and zoning controls set forth in this article and
elsewhere in the public local and public general laws.
(b) To promote the health, security, general welfare, and morals of the
community, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore may regulate and
restrict, for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes:
(1) The height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other
structures;
(2) The percentage of a lot that may be occupied;
(3) Off-street parking;
(4) The size of yards, courts, and other open spaces;
(5) The density of population; and
(6) The location and use of buildings, signs, structures, and land.
(c) The powers granted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore under
this subtitle do not:
(1) Grant to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore powers in any
substantive area not otherwise granted to the Mayor and City Council of
Baltimore by any other public general or public local law;
(2) Restrict the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore from exercising any
power granted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore by any other
public general or public local law, or otherwise;
(3) Authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore or the officers of
the City to engage in any activity that is beyond their power under any
other public general law, public local law, or otherwise; or
(4) Preempt or supersede the regulatory authority of any State department
or agency under any public general law.
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