Baltimore Considers Zoning Reform to Improve Clinic Access — What Providers Need to Know

Baltimore City is considering a significant change in its zoning code aimed at improving access to health care clinics, including behavioral health and substance use treatment. Councilmember Phylicia Porter introduced Bill 25-0097, which, if adopted, would modify Article 32 of the Baltimore City Code to better align zoning with equitable community planning. CBS News

Here’s what the proposal would do, why it’s important, and what providers & legal counsel should be watching.

What the Proposed Bill Seeks to Do

• Rebalancing Clinic Distribution: The ordinance aims to address the fact that clinics are heavily concentrated in certain neighborhoods. Under current zoning, some areas have relatively few or no clinics despite high need. CBS News

• Zoning Code Amendments: Changes include revising where clinics may be located, making it easier in areas that have had restrictive zoning or little clinic presence. The goal is more evenly distributed access across communities. CBS News

• Quality & Oversight: It’s not just about quantity; the bill includes provisions aimed at improving oversight and regulation of clinic operations. Ensuring that clinics are not only located in underserved areas, but that they meet standards and provide consistent, quality care. CBS News

Why This Matters — Public Health & Legal Implications

• Baltimore has faced a worsening opioid crisis, with hundreds of overdose deaths per year. Geographic and transportation barriers have made it difficult for many residents to access treatment consistently. CBS News

• Zoning often functions as a gatekeeper for treatment access. Restrictions on where clinics can locate can unintentionally (or intentionally) limit access to care—especially for people without reliable transportation. CBS News

Key Legal & Compliance Angles

Behavioral health providers, real estate & facility managers, and legal counsel should pay attention to these areas:

Issue	What to Watch / Do
Zoning Laws & Permits	Review current zoning restrictions in your area. If this bill passes, check whether your clinic location would become more or less permissible under new standards.
Regulatory Compliance	Requirements around oversight, licensing, and clinic operations may be strengthened. Providers should ensure that their clinic facilities meet all regulatory standards in advance.
Accessibility & ADA Considerations	With an emphasis on equitable access, there may be increased scrutiny of clinic locations vis-à-vis transit access, ADA compliance, and community reach.
Community Engagement & Local Opposition	Zoning changes often trigger local input, hearings, and sometimes resistance from neighborhoods. Clinics may need to be proactive in community education and local stakeholder outreach.
Contractual & Real Estate Due Diligence	If acquiring property or moving clinics, include zoning risk assessments in due diligence. Real estate contracts might need contingencies for zoning changes.

Opportunities & Strategic Considerations

• Positive Shift For Providers: If passed, the bill could open up new locations for clinics in underserved neighborhoods. Areas that previously could not host clinics due to restrictive zoning may become viable.

• Grant & Funding Prospects: Equitable access initiatives often align with state/federal funding programs. Providers aligned with this policy shift may have stronger grant applications or public support.

• Legal Risk Minimization: Early compliance, transparency, and facility readiness can reduce risk during transition periods as regulations change.

What Providers Should Do Now

• Monitor the bill’s progress in the Baltimore City Council. See what amendments may be proposed that affect clinic requirements.

• Inventory your current clinic locations, zoning classifications, and any restrictions. Map where your services are and where gaps exist.

• Ensure your clinic operations (staffing, licensing, safety, recordkeeping) are solid so that if standards increase, you’re ready to meet them.

• Engage with local community leaders and planning departments early. Being part of the conversation can help shape how zoning reform is implemented.

• Work with counsel to assess risks (zoning, real estate, regulatory) and build flexibility into contracts, leases, and expansion plans.

Lynne Legal’s Viewpoint

This proposed bill in Baltimore is an example of what many cities are doing: using zoning as a lever to improve public health, particularly in behavioral health and substance use treatment. For providers, it represents both opportunity and risk. Opportunity in increased clinic location flexibility, access, and potential funding; risk in shifting regulatory expectations and enhanced scrutiny.

At Lynne Legal, we help behavioral health organizations navigate these changing landscapes: reviewing real estate moves, advising on zoning and regulatory compliance, and ensuring that clinic quality and operations are resilient in the face of policy change.