This Bill Isn't Just About Helping Families. It's Primarily About Giving Developers More Power.

Background:  The introduction of City Council Bill 26-0195 concerning Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) has sparked significant concern among Baltimore residents, and rightfully so. This bill, if passed, will drastically alter our neighborhood landscapes by allowing developers to add dwelling units to lots of all sizes in all residential zoning districts, regardless of current limits on the number of dwelling units, and without any notice to the existing community or opportunity for residents to voice their objections. 

Supporters say this bill will help families create housing for elderly parents.

If that's really the goal, why does the bill also empower landlords and developers?

Why isn't it limited to owner-occupied properties?

Instead, this legislation will allow additional dwelling units on properties throughout Baltimore City—even when the property is owned by a landlord or developer.

That means the large backyard next door could become a development opportunity.

It means neighborhoods that developers previously could not exploit, suddenly become targets. 

It means longtime homeowners—including elderly residents who may not understand the true development value of their property—could find themselves living in a target for developers.

And developers do not even have to provide off-street parking for the additional units.

More units. More people. More cars. More trash. Less parking. And who pays for the consequences?

Baltimore residents do.

Will the city enforce landlords providing adequate trash service for four-, five-, or six-unit properties? Or will overflowing trash cans, rats, and filthy alleys become someone else's problem?  You know the story, overflowing trashcans, rats in the alleys and city inspectors overwhelmed by the problems the city council is creating.

We've seen this before: developers enjoy the profits while residents inherit the costs.

This isn't about opposing housing.

It's about demanding responsible housing policy that puts Baltimore residents ahead of developer profits.

Don't let them use the sympathetic image of an elderly parent to sell legislation that goes far beyond helping families.

If this bill is truly about helping families, limit it to adding one unit to an owner-occupied property with a detached single-family dwelling, consistent with State law. 

Don't hand developers another tool to extract wealth from Baltimore neighborhoods while residents are left holding the bill.

SIGN THE PETITION. Tell City Hall: Our neighborhoods are not blank checks for developers.

Tell them to Vote NO on CCB 26-0195!