Programs
Created as outlined in the Baltimore City Charter, the Department of Real Estate works closely with the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Baltimore Development Corporation, and the Mayor's Office, in accomplishing its goals in the following areas:
Leasing
The following types of leasing are performed by the Department of Real Estate:
City-owned Property
City-owned property, which includes land, buildings, wharfage, marinas, and docks is leased to city agencies and various private users. The Department of Real Estate concentrates its efforts in the following areas:
- Reviews all properties to increase revenue potential.
- Physically inspects properties to determine compliance with existing leases and the condition of the property.
- Reviews current leases for compliance with insurance requirements, general lease terms, and ability to collect.
- Reviews space needs of City Agencies to determine the ability to fill requests with City-owned space.
Privately-owned Property
Privately-owned property is leased to accommodate space requirements for City agencies that cannot be filled with City-owned space. The Department of Real Estate is requested by various City agencies to find adequate space for new and existing programs. The Department of Real Estate will utilize its network of contacts to search for space or may enlist a broker/brokers to assist in the search.
Acquisitions
Acquisition activity is generally initiated through urban renewal projects undertaken by the City through the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and overseen by the Comptroller. Requests for the acquisition of other properties for the development of the City are also handled by the Office of the Comptroller.
- Based upon appraisal of the property, the Department of Real Estate “negotiates” an option with the owner to acquire the property.
- The acceptance of the offer results in a signed option agreement. The option agreement is presented to the Board of Estimates for approval. Upon approval, the option agreement is processed for settlement and the deed is recorded. If the offer is rejected, the property is placed into condemnation. In most cases, the City places the property in “Quick Take” wherein, the appraised value is deposited in a court-established escrow account.
Dispositions
Legacy Lots
The Department of Real Estate is responsible for approximately 1300 City-owned parcels. These “legacy lots” were purchased by the City of Baltimore through the tax sale process in the 1980s and 1990s. In the past, it was City policy to purchase en masse buy tax sale properties that did not get sold at the annual tax sale auction.
Most of these properties are vacant lots, but some are buildings. They are available to purchase via the adopt-a-lot program or on a case-by-case basis. Available legacy lots can be found by clicking here or by visiting CoDeMap. Purchase inquiries can be made by contacting the Department at (410) 396-4768.
Development
The Department of Real Estate performs a review or an analysis of all real estate-related transactions and development proposals. This determines the cost, benefit, and/or risks to the City in furtherance of the goal of the Comptroller to protect the interests of the City and its citizens in transactions that involve real property and or loans. [Transactions include Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), and Tax Credits]. Assistance and direction are provided to Community Development Corporations, and to profit-making and non-profit developers regarding ownership information and potential acquisition strategy for their proposed development projects.
Cell Towers / Antennas
Wireless Tower Construction and Co-location¹
For matters relating to wireless towers and antennas, follow these instructions to co-locate or construct on public or private property in Baltimore City.
Co-locate/Replace/Modify a city-owned structure.
Confirm that the property is City-owned. Check for space availability on the property by performing a site visit and inspection after you obtain a "Right-of-Entry" from the Department of Real Estate.
Once notice is received that the City-owned property is available, submit the Baltimore City Antenna Site Application (PDF) by clicking here.
Department of Real Estate
ATTN: Cell Tower Application
304 City Hall
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Upon receipt and preliminary review of your technical application, you will be contacted by the Department of Real Estate within 30 days and provided with a status update.
After your completed application is reviewed and approved, completion of the appropriate license agreement is the next step. For further information, please review the Baltimore City Communications License Agreement. Once you have a license agreement, obtain building permits, and other approvals as needed.
Important Note: Applicants are responsible for providing complete application packages. Incomplete applications will be rejected and shall lose their priority in terms of the order in which the requests are reviewed and concluded. Notification of rejected applications will be provided by the Department of Real Estate.
New/Temporary Construction on City-owned Property
- Confirm that the property is owned by the City.
- Check for space availability on the City-owned property. After you submit your inquiry, the Department of Real Estate will contact you within 10 business days regarding property availability.
The City of Baltimore is willing to accept offers to place telecommunications facilities on its properties. Adequate compensation is required in the form of an annual license fee which will increase by 4% each year. The City of Baltimore has telecommunications facilities on its towers which house the city’s communication equipment and on buildings such as firehouses and public works facilities. Anyone interested in placing antennas or other equipment on city-owned sites should contact the Department of Real Estate at 410-396-4768, send an email to Monique Simpson, or complete and submit the Baltimore City Antenna Site Application (PDF) by clicking here.
Zoning Requirements
Please contact the City of Baltimore Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals office regarding zoning requirements at 410-396-4301. Zoning approval will be required before a License Agreement will be submitted to the Board of Estimates.
Completing a License Agreement
Upon execution of the Licensee Agreement by the Licensee and the submission of six originals to the City of Baltimore, the Department of Real Estate shall submit the License Agreement for approval by the Space Utilization Committee. The Space Utilization Committee is a body established by the City Board of Estimates to review and act upon a request for the use of the city-owned property. Upon approval by the Space Utilization Committee, the Department of Real Estate will submit the License Agreement for approval by the City Board of Estimates. No License Agreement shall be binding until approved by the City Board of Estimates. The Board of Estimates consists of the Mayor, City Council President, Comptroller, City Solicitor, and Director of Public Works.
Compliance with All Laws and Regulations
Licensee shall, at its expense, comply with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and all present and future federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations (including laws and ordinances relating to health, safety, radio frequency emissions, and radiation) in connection with the use, operation, maintenance, construction and/or installation of Licensee’s Equipment on the Licensed Premises.
Licensing Requirements for Wireless Tower Construction and Co-Location on City-owned Property
The Department of Real Estate requires that you provide all of the necessary documentation for new cell tower licensing agreements as well as modifications and additions to existing equipment and frequencies on City property, including the following:
- The physical address of the site includes the zip code. (For new leases/licenses, please note that title inquiries are the responsibility of the Licensee.)
- A stamped structural analysis from a certified Maryland Civil Engineer regarding any changes. (Provide this with your completed submission.)
- Requests must be submitted in the full legal name of the wireless communications company for whom the request applies.
- A written list of the equipment specifications is attached to any request for modifications or additions to any existing lease with the City. (This also applies to initial requests for new leases with the City.)
- A written list and a photograph of existing equipment on site must be provided with all requests for modifications and additions to existing leases.
- If you have a current lease/license agreement, proof that your agreement is not in default must be provided with the request.
- No requests for lease/license modifications or additions will be received if you are currently in default. Lease inquiries or license status should be directed to Monique Simpson by email by clicking here.
- Provide the lease/license end date and/or explanation of default. Licensee or Lessee in default shall have 30 days to cure such default.
- All requests for modifications, renewals, addendums, or additions must have a current lease or license agreement or a copy of the executed existing lease with Baltimore City.
- If you have a current lease or license agreement with the City, a copy of the executed memorandum of lease must be provided if the lease is for or has been extended for a term of over seven years with the request. If a memorandum of the lease has not been executed with the City, a memorandum of lease must be executed and state taxes and City recordation taxes may be due and will be required to be paid prior to the approval of any additions or changes.
- A current copy of your entity’s organizational structure must be initially submitted with the proposal for review by the City of Baltimore. If you have previously provided these documents then submit an explanation with a reference to the lease or license agreement to which the documents were attached. If the requesting entity has changed names or merged since the signing of the original lease or license agreement, up-to-date articles of incorporation, bylaws, and/or articles of the merger will be required with your request for the review.
- Proof of up-to-date insurance. A copy of the insurance certificate with the amounts and ending date of insurance coverage with submission. For rate requests, insurance may not be required until an agreement has been established between the City and the Lessee or Licensee.
- The name of any contractor who will be performing any and all modifications or additions on site. Baltimore City must be indemnified against any loss arising out of the contractor's performance per the lease agreement. Note that the City shall not accept debarred or suspended contractors under Title 16 of the State Finance and Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland who provides, directly or indirectly, supplies, services, architectural services, construction-related services, leases of real property, or construction related to the site.
- An acting agent or contractor for the Lessee or Licensee must provide the name, title, and contracting company with each proposal. Please note that Baltimore City will require documentation of your authority to act on behalf of the Lessee or Licensee in conjunction with this Lease Agreement.
- Documentation must be signed and dated by Lessee’s or Licensee’s authorized representative or legal counsel indicating your authority to modify the existing lease/license agreement(s) and/or other existing lease/license agreement(s) between Lessee and Baltimore City agencies or departments. This should be provided in PDF format or as a hard copy of the proposal. The documentation must include the proper authorization(s).
- Proof that the requesting Lessee is in good standing with the State of Maryland.
- Foreign or out-of-state entities must register with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation to enter into a lease agreement with Baltimore City.
Tax Sale Certificates
To browse certificates click here: https://buyintobmore.baltimorecity.gov/
In May of each year, the Director of Finance holds an annual tax sale, offering the public the opportunity to purchase tax sale certificates on properties that have delinquent liens that can include taxes, water and sewer charges, cleaning, boarding, and environmental. Six months after the sale, the public can purchase unsold certificates through the Department of Real Estate.
The unsold tax sale certificates can be purchased under one of two programs through the Department of Real Estate:
Under the Regular Tax Sale, the certificate is sold for the total lien amount plus 18 percent interest.
To browse certificates click here: https://buyintobmore.baltimorecity.gov/
Under the Vendor Lien Program (VLP) purchasers can buy the certificate for vacant properties with liens that exceed the assessed value for an amount that is less than the total liens. Under both programs, the purchaser can pursue ownership through legal action if the property owner does not redeem the certificate.
Properties in VLP must be vacant and have liens that exceed the assessed value of the property. Under the VLP, certificate purchasers must fill out an application describing their intent to renovate the vacant property for rental or homeownership. If the application is approved by the Department of Real Estate, the purchaser is eligible for a reduction in liens approved by the Board of Estimates. The purchase price for the Vendor Lien Tax Sale Certificate is calculated as the higher of the assessed value or the total of flat taxes and water as determined by a Lien Release Worksheet ordered from the Department of Finance for $55. It can take three to four months to complete this process.
Individuals can only purchase three (3) tax sale certificates. For example, either all Regular Tax Sales, all Vendors Liens or a combination.
To browse certificates click here: https://buyintobmore.baltimorecity.gov/
NOTE: Tax sale purchasers are not purchasing title to a property. They are purchasing the right, under certain conditions, to take title through a legal
Supplemental Information
Please note that the information contained herein does not constitute legal advice. It is the responsibility of each constituent to verify the accuracy of the following information.
- You can reach the Department of Real Estate, at (410) 396-4768.
- The tax assignment cost is calculated by adding interest on the lien at the rate of 1-½ % per month or any portion thereof from the date of the public auction in May to the date payment is to be made. In addition, any assignments after July 1st of each year require the payment of taxes for that fiscal year.
- Upon receiving the certificate, the holder should employ an attorney to institute the required legal proceedings in an effort to place the title in the holder’s name.
- The papers are then filed in the court system. The court will set a date at which time the owner of the property must redeem the property and reimburse the purchaser for costs incurred. If at expiration the property has not been redeemed, the court will issue a final decree to foreclose the owner’s right of redemption.
- The property may be redeemed by anyone with a current title interest until the foreclosure case is completed. The person redeeming the certificate must refund the holder liens paid, taxes advanced, interest on the lien at 1-½ % per month from the date of the tax sale to the date of redemption, and legal expenses, if incurred, for closing the right of redemption.
- The holder of the certificate has no property rights until the foreclosure process is completed and the title is transferred.
- The holder of the certificate is responsible for any City liens placed against the property subsequent to the date of the tax sale in May. The tax sale certificate holder is fully responsible for such costs or repairs provided the title is obtained.
- If the property was cited as vacant by the Department of Housing as of the tax sale date in May, special attention must be given to the foreclosure case. Be sure to read the important notice on the reverse side of the tax sale certificate which clearly states that the certificate will be void and all monies paid forfeited if the foreclosure proceedings are not filed within one (1) year from the date of said tax sale certificate. If the property was cited as occupied, proceedings must be filed within two (2) years from the date of said certificate.