Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has introduced a new legislative package aimed at reshaping the city’s housing landscape by expanding access to affordable multi-family homes and addressing outdated zoning regulations. The centerpiece of the package, the Housing Options and Opportunity Act (City Council Bill 25-0066), seeks to legalize a new category of “low-density, multi-family housing” in neighborhoods where current zoning laws have long limited such developments.
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According to city officials, the bill is designed to counter the lingering effects of exclusionary zoning laws that have historically restricted access to housing for many Baltimore residents. By allowing greater flexibility in residential development, the legislation is expected to support a broader range of housing needs, from young renters to retirees. The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to make housing more affordable and equitable across the city.
Accompanying the main bill are four additional proposals aimed at reducing construction costs and modernizing zoning practices. City Council Bill 25-0062 proposes allowing residential buildings up to six stories to be constructed with one staircase, provided safety standards are maintained, thereby cutting costs for developers. Bill 25-0063 would shift the Zoning Administrator role from the Department of Housing and Community Development to the Department of Planning to streamline decision-making and align zoning enforcement with planning goals.
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Bill 25-0064 introduces changes to bulk and yard standards in residential districts, granting property owners more freedom to expand or modify their homes. Meanwhile, Bill 25-0065 eliminates outdated parking requirements that currently mandate a minimum number of off-street spaces in new buildings—rules officials say unnecessarily raise construction costs and stifle new housing development.
The legislative package reflects a coordinated effort between the Mayor’s Office and the City Council to modernize Baltimore’s housing framework and address long-standing structural barriers. The bills are expected to be formally introduced during the next City Council meeting.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a press release issued by the Office of Mayor Brandon M. Scott
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