Welcome to Board of Municipal & Zoning Appeals

BMZA is a quasi-judicial Board that hears appeals from City agencies including the following:

• land use and zoning appeals
• alleyway/footway assessments
• public right-of-way closures
• False Alarm Reduction Program appeals
• miscellaneous administrative agency appeals

In its capacity as a land use regulatory agency and quasi-judicial board, BMZA hears and determines all zoning appeals under the authority granted by the Baltimore City Charter and the Land Use Article of the MD Annotated Code, as well as Maryland common law.

BMZA decisions are based upon local and state law with the overall purpose of promoting the health, security, and general welfare of the community. The Board has these general goals with respect to land use and zoning appeals:

• Prevents the overcrowding of land
• Avoid undue concentration of population
• Provide adequate light and air
• Secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers
• Reduce congestion in the streets
• Help for adequate transportation, water, sewers, schools, parks, and other public services

Public Information Act Requests

BMZA records are public documents subject to open review and inspection during regular business hours. MPIA requests are not required for inspection and review. The agency head or executive director is the custodian of the records for this entity. You may contact Derek Baumgardner, 417 E Fayette St., #922, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-396-4301 or [email protected] about requesting records from this entity.