An Initiative to Promote Facilitating Approvals and Streamlining Timelines in Baltimore City
View the Full Bmore FAST Report
Summary
Baltimore stands at a historic crossroads. With a groundbreaking $3 billion plan to address vacant properties over the next 15 years, we have an unprecedented opportunity to transform our city. However, securing funding is just part of the solution. To truly revitalize Baltimore, we must modernize our development approval process—the complex system of permits, inspections, and approvals that every construction project must navigate in order to accelerate the work that will ultimately transform investments into equitable change in our communities.
The Challenge
Currently, getting approval to build or renovate in Baltimore can be a time-consuming and often frustrating process. Whether you're a homeowner looking to add a deck, a small business owner hoping to open a new storefront, a major development firm planning an apartment building, or a community developer looking to renovate a block of vacant houses, you must navigate multiple departments, various permits, and sometimes conflicting requirements. This complexity can delay projects, increase costs, and discourage investment in our City.
Our Solution: The Bmore FAST Initiative
The Bmore FAST (Facilitating Approvals and Streamlining Timelines) Initiative represents a comprehensive modernization of how Baltimore handles development approvals. This initiative will aim to make Baltimore one of the most efficient cities in America for development, while maintaining our commitment to safety and community interests, particularly in those neighborhoods that have faced intentional historic disinvestment. This initiative complements the broader restructuring efforts being undertaken by Mayor Scott to accelerate his Administration's government modernization agenda to improve agency operations and deliver higher quality services to Baltimore residents.
Why This Matters
The stakes couldn't be higher. Our city faces both a housing crisis and commercial corridor challenges that require immediate action. By streamlining our development processes, we can help meet this demand while creating jobs and revitalizing neighborhoods. During my first term, we made significant progress, reducing vacant properties by 16.5% and achieving historic reductions in violent crime. We've created and preserved over 9,000 affordable housing units — the largest such investment since the 1970s. The Bmore FAST Initiative builds on this momentum by removing unnecessary barriers to equitable neighborhood development while ensuring our standards for safety and community input remain strong.
Two Cornerstone Initiatives
Creation of Director of Permitting and Development Services Position
To drive this transformation, I am creating a new Director of Permitting and Development Services position within the Mayor's Office. This position will have direct authority to coordinate across agencies, eliminate bottlenecks, and ensure accountability in our development processes. For the first time, Baltimore will have a single point of leadership focused on making our development processes work efficiently while maintaining necessary oversight. This position will help foster a culture of facilitation across city agencies, where staff at all levels understand they are contributing directly to Baltimore's renaissance.
Bmore FAST Advisory Group
To guide implementation, we're establishing the Bmore FAST Advisory Group. This diverse body will bring together developers, contractors, architects, lenders, community development experts, and small business representatives to provide practical insights and monitor progress. Their expertise will help ensure our reforms create real improvements for everyone seeking to invest in Baltimore.
Making Development Work for Everyone
After a comprehensive review of our development processes, we're launching reforms across four key areas:
Public Engagement & Access
- Public Land Use & Liquor License Information Portal: Centralized online resource for tracking development projects, zoning decisions, and public hearings
- Enhanced Customer Service: Expanding our successful permits call center that raised answer rates from 10% to 98%
- Bilingual Access Initiative: Making development services accessible to all communities with dedicated Spanish language resources
- Virtual Office Hours: Direct access to technical staff for guidance on permits and development requirements
- Permit Review Time Transparency: Publishing standard review times and implementing accountability measures
Developer & Builder Support
- E-Permits Implementation: Launching new comprehensive online platform for streamlined application processing
- Self-Certification and Third-Party Review: Allowing qualified professionals to expedite routine approvals while maintaining safety standards
- Developer's Agreement Process Reform: Simplifying requirements for work in the public right-of-way
- Utility Coordination Program: Establishing formal coordination processes with all major utilities
- Major Projects Coordination Committee: Enhanced support for complex development projects with significant economic impact Small Business & Emerging Developer Support
- Small and MWBE Developer Support Programs: Enhanced technical assistance for minority and women-owned businesses
- Pre-approved Plans and Documents: Standard designs for typical renovation projects to reduce costs
- Streamlined Minor Variance Process: Administrative approval pathway for uncontested minor variance requests
- Trade Licensure Reform Initiative: Creating appropriately scaled licensing pathways for residential rehabilitation work
- Business License Coordination: Better alignment of city and state processes to reduce duplication
City Operations & Capacity
- Centralized Development Leadership: Creating the Director of Permitting and Development Services role
- Comprehensive Staffing Assessment: Ensuring adequate resources across all development agencies
- PermitStat Implementation: Data-driven performance management system for development services
- Lien Release Process Reform: Proactive clearing of liens on city-acquired properties
- Zoning Administrator Reorganization: Embedding the Office of Zoning Administrator within the Department of Planning for better alignment
Impact for Baltimore
These reforms will help us:
- Transform 37,500 vacant houses and lots
- Make it easier for local entrepreneurs to invest in their communities
- Create more housing options at all price points
- Revitalize neighborhood commercial corridors
- Generate construction and small business jobs
- Build community wealth through expanded development opportunities
- Direct more resources toward actual construction rather than administrative processes
Application
If you would like to get involved with the Bmore FAST Advisory Group, please click here to fill out an application.
Looking Forward
While some proposed changes require time for implementation, legislative action, or technology upgrades, many are already underway and our direction is clear.
Baltimore stands at a pivotal moment. Through improved processes, updated regulations, and strategic partnerships, we're creating the conditions for lasting renaissance that benefits everyone. We're committed to making Baltimore a city that works for all residents, and we're ready for growth. Together, we're building a better Baltimore.
— Mayor Brandon M. Scott