Expert: Stephen Major (Owner--Major Design Group) - 5/8/2007

Question
I would like to remove the concrete porch on the side of my house and replaces it with a larger screened in deck.  The porch is 6ft wide and 8ft from the edge of the property.  What would the required setback be (Balitmore County, MD) for the new screened in deck.  Would I have to keep it down to the current 8ft setback the porch has, or can I get closer to the property line (side of house). I tried sending an email to the form on the county's site and noone ever responded.  Thanks.

Answer
Tom,

The county zoning regulations are online at:

http://www.co.ba.md.us/Agencies/law/countycode.html#regs

Click on the Zoning Regulations link.  It has a search function at the bottom.  I searched for "residential setback" and it looks like it is 10' for side yards.

If you want to legally (i.e. with a building permit) build this structure closer than 10', you will probably need to get a variance.   You should talk to the people in the zoning/permitting office.  Try 410-887-3900.   

Hope this helps.  I live in New York, but all this stuff is readily available on the Internet these days.  If you want quick action then telephoning or going in person always seems to work best.

--Steve Major