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County Zoning Code and BRCA Zoning Policy

Bay Ridge is a unique community. Its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, eclectic architecture and delightful features are prime attractions for those who have chosen to make their home here.

Realizing that property is modified over time, BRCA wants to give you some basic guidelines on county regulations and the Civic Association policy on zoning. You can get specific information by calling the Anne Arundel Planning and Code Enforcement (PACE) at 410-222-7446, or by reviewing the County Zoning Ordinance (Article 28, Subtitle 4) at a local library.

Many rules change if the property is waterfront, a corner lot, or "grandfathered" - if it has some aspect that does not meet current code but did when it was constructed or modified, and so is allowed to continue. All new construction or modifications must conform to current zoning code.

SETBACKS: To find out if you need a building permit, call 410-222-7700. If you want to add a shed or detached dwelling (garage), the general rule for accessory structures says it must be located in the rear yard and rear and side setbacks must be at least 10 feet.

If you plan to modify your house, you must have setbacks from lot lines: each side has to be at least 7 feet, front setback must be at least 30 feet and the rear 25 feet. Waterfront, corner lots and piers are different.

TREE REMOVAL: Almost all of Bay Ridge is within a Critical Area - 1,000 feet from tidal water (lake, river, bay or inlet) - so if you cut a tree down, you have to replace it with a native species 6+ feet high, planted somewhere on your property.

BUFFER ZONE: If you have property within 100 feet of water (the Buffer Zone), you can maintain existing landscaping (cut grass, prune hedges) but you can’t cut or radically prune trees (even dead ones) or clear thickets that have been there for years without a County approved Buffer Management plan. This even applies if there’s a road between you and the water. This applies to the Bay Ridge Commons for which we are working on obtaining an overall buffer management plan.

IMPERVIOUS AREA: This refers to how much of your land you can cover with material that will not allow the rain to seep through, like a house, driveway, or patio. The general rule is that only 25% can be covered, but this rule has so many qualifications that you should check with PACE before you do any modifications.

BRCA Zoning Policy

The Bay Ridge Civic Association has a long tradition of land use advocacy within the community. BRCA has been important: in obtaining low density, R-2 single family residential zoning; in maintaining our rights to use the beaches and other areas known as Bay Ridge Commons; in avoiding overbuilding of the small lots that make up the community; and in controlling the impact of construction on the wetlands and woodlands and water of Bay Ridge. In the past, we have done all this in a piecemeal fashion but now we have a specific policy. In this way, there will be an impartial and objective standard for us to use in evaluating land issues and for others to know what the Association’s position will be.

The Civic Association adopted the following policy that is administered by the Board and Zoning Committee:

The Bay Ridge Civic Association will encourage all property owners to construct and improve their property in a manner consistent with the County’s rules and will generally oppose:

1) Variance applications except those necessitated by proven disability,

2) Applications for special exceptions,

3) Development of the Big Woods.

This policy will be administered through the BRCA Board and/or Zoning Committee. All property owners are encouraged to contact the Committee with any questions they have regarding land use.

This position on land use is directed at the long-term preservation of the physical character, quality, and residential use of Bay Ridge and is not addressed to any individual. Through this policy, we seek to achieve the following: