How to file an appeal with the BMZA

BMZA APPEAL APPLICATION

TIPS FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

Application for Review:

  • All applicants must complete the required Application for Review form, in its entirety.
  • Applications are accepted in hard copy only: either by hand delivery to or mailed to Zoning Administrator, Baltimore City, 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 147, Baltimore MD 21202. 

Attachments:

  • Statement of Justification: under the section titled "Appeal Information" - "Describe Reason for Appeal," or on a separate attached sheet, all applicants MUST include a statement of justification for each request, using the standards in the Zoning Code. 
    • Template for Statement of Justification:
  • Site Plan and Floor Plan: please attach both a site plan and a floor plan, showing existing improvements, proposed improvements and distances from lot lines, height, lot coverage, etc. 
  • Feesmust be paid by check made payable to the Director of Finance at the time the application is submitted. An appeal will not be processed if it has not been paid for. 

Completeness: BMZA staff uses the following checklist to ensure that all applications are complete before they are scheduled for a hearing - Application Completeness Checklist 

Zoning Appeal Approval Standards - the Board refers to the following approval standards, found in the Zoning Code, as they consider each appeal:

 BMZA APPEAL FEES 

Appeal Type

Fee

Variance - simple*

$100

Variance - complex**

$200

Sign

$200

Conditional Use

$300

Nonconforming Use

$300

Negative or other miscellaneous appeals

$100

Combination ***

$500

*Simple variance - up to 2 variances requested per property

**Complex variance - 3 or more variances requested per property

***Combination - two or more appeal types requested per property