Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and the City Council introduced a package of bills to increase the supply of affordable housing in the city.
Yesterday, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the introduction of the Housing Options and Opportunity Act, a bill that will lower the cost of housing in Baltimore by expanding access to multi-family homes. City Council Bill 25-0066 establishes a new category of “low-density, multi-family housing” that will expand access to affordable housing. Mayor Scott announced at a City Hall press conference, joined by Council President Zeke Cohen, Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton, Councilman Ryan Dorsey, Councilman Paris Gray, Councilman Zac Blanchard, and developer Rian Hargrave.
According to the press release,
“Today, I am proud to announce the introduction of City Council Bill 25-0066 – The Housing Options and Opportunity Act,” said Mayor Scott. “This bill creates a new category of ‘low-density, multi-family housing,’ which will make it possible to build the types of housing that exclusionary zoning has long prohibited, expanding housing options in neighborhoods where racist zoning laws dictate who can live there, and how.”
“Baltimore is writing the greatest comeback story in American history. To make that true we need to address outdated requirements that keep our communities from building new housing and creating new options and opportunities for Baltimoreans,” said Council President Zeke Cohen. “Our City Council is excited to partner with Mayor Brandon Scott and his administration to unlock new opportunities and options for every community.”
“The transition of the Zoning Administrator from the Department of Housing to the Department of Planning is beneficial for Baltimore City because it streamlines the decision-making process and aligns zoning regulations more closely with urban development goals,” said Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton. “By placing the Zoning Administrator within the Department of Planning, the city can ensure a more cohesive approach to land use, allowing for more strategic growth for legacy homeowners, community trust, and development. “
The introduction of the Housing Options and Opportunity Act comes alongside a common-sense package of five bills that will make housing more abundant and affordable in Baltimore. The other four bills are:
- City Council Bill 25-0062 will update outdated building code requirements that mandate two staircases in all residential buildings over three stories. By allowing buildings up to six stories to be safely constructed with a single staircase, while maintaining strong fire safety standards, this bill will reduce construction costs and make it easier to build affordable apartments.
- City Council Bill 25-0063 will move the Zoning Administrator from the Department of Housing and Community Development to the Department of Planning. Since Planning is responsible for writing the City’s zoning code, it only makes sense they also be the ones to administer it. This change will ensure greater consistency and efficiency in how our zoning laws are applied.
- City Council Bill 25-0064 will make modest but meaningful updates to our bulk and yard standards in residential zoning districts. This will give homeowners and builders more flexibility to improve and adapt their properties.
- City Council Bill 25-0065 will eliminate outdated parking minimums that require new buildings to include a certain number of off-street parking spaces, even when it doesn’t make sense. These mandates drive up construction costs, limit what can be built, and often stand in the way of the development our communities need.
