CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

In accordance with its authority (Ordinance #939), the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) has adopted architectural guidelines to assist the property owner in formulating preservation plans.  These advisory guidelines also serve to assist the Commission in determining the appropriateness of such plans. Chap realizes that it must also consider economic hardsip and particular factors.

Ordinance No. 229 approved the the Mayor and City May 21, 1964 created CHAP, authorized the Commission or adopt rules and regulations necessary to transact the business of the Commission, and establish procedures for designating historic districts.  Ordinance No. 939, approved March 2, 1967, expanded the duties of CHAP and created the Landmark List.

An historic district is “an area in Baltimore City wherein, there are located buildings and structures which have historic, cultural, educational and/or architectural value, the preservation of which is deemed to be for the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the inhabitants of Baltimore City."

A Landmark is a structure, public or private, of special historic and architectural significance.

Structure is defined as "any creation of man or nature."

For any property located within the boundaries of an historic district or for any landmark, CHAP must approve the following: "any excavation, construction or erection of any building, fence, wall, or other structure of any kind; or for any removal of any external architectural feature, or for any reconstruction, alteration, change to exterior color by painting or other means, or for any demolition of any structure." CHAP's approval is based upon the appropriateness of the proposed work, taking into consideration "the historic or architectural value and color of the exterior architectural features of other structures in the immediate neighborhood."

The following guidelines are in addition to all prevailing laws and are in no way to be construed to diminish the force of existing requirements of urban renewal plans and standards {where applicable), building .codes, zoning codes, etc. It is the property owner's responsibility to contact all the appropriate City agencies and to comply with all existing laws and codes.

Where special techniques or materials are required the CHAP office can provide a bibliography of reference and source information.