Baltimore County Question A — Charter Amendment: Baltimore County Farmland Preservation Act (URDL)

What it does

Currently, the Planning Board changes the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL), which separates urban areas from rural areas in Baltimore County, largely in response to zoning changes or water/sewer designation changes enacted by the County Council. The Baltimore County Charter requires a simple majority of the County Council to approve changes by the Planning Board to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL). This amendment to the Baltimore County Charter would require a vote of six (6) of the nine (9) members of the County Council rather than a simple majority of five (5) votes to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) recommended by the Planning Board. All other planning and zoning matters would continue to be approved by a simple majority vote of the County Council. This would amend Section 522.1 of the Baltimore County Charter and add Section 1015 to the Baltimore County Charter. A vote FOR the amendment requires six (6) of the nine (9) members of the County Council to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL). A vote AGAINST the amendment keeps the current simple majority vote of 5 members of the County Council on changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) .

A YES vote means

Changes to Baltimore County's Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) would need 6 of the 9 County Council votes instead of a simple majority of 5.

A NO vote means

URDL changes would still need a simple majority of 5 County Council votes.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) divides Baltimore County into areas where development is directed and more rural areas where it is restricted. Bill 19-25, introduced March 3, 2025 by Councilmembers Marks, Kach, Ertel, Patoka and Crandell, would add a Charter requirement that changes to the URDL be approved by six of the nine Council members rather than a simple majority.

According to the Council's legislation record, the Council first adopted amendments 7–0 and then, on a motion by Councilman Patoka, adopted a second amendment 4–3 (Councilmen Kach, Marks and Crandell opposed); WYPR reported that this amendment removed a provision that would have let a councilmember block URDL changes in their own district, which Councilman Kach objected to.

The Council passed the bill as amended 5–2, with Councilmen Pat Young and Julian Jones voting no; WYPR reported the vote on April 7, 2025, quoting Jones that 'the tax base of Baltimore County is generated from inside the URDL' and Council Chair Mike Ertel that the change would help protect the water supply and farmland.

Put on the ballot by Baltimore County Council, 5–2 (Councilmen Young and Jones opposed), April 2025 (Bill 19-25).

From official source.

In the news

• Baltimore County voters to decide on strengthening rural area protections in 2026 · WYPR, 2025-04-07

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Also on Baltimore County ballots

• Baltimore County Question B — Charter Amendment: Department of Agriculture – Establishment of Department
• Baltimore County Question C — Charter Amendment: Inspector General Appointment Board
• Baltimore County Question D — Charter Amendment: Charter Review Commission – Membership
• Baltimore County Question E — Charter Amendment: Board of Recreation and Parks – Membership and Duties
• Baltimore County Question F — Bond Issue: Refuse Disposal Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question G — Bond Issue: Community College Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question H — Bond Issue: Public Works Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question I — Bond Issue: Parks, Preservation and Greenways Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question J — Bond Issue: School Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question K — Bond Issue: Agricultural and Rural Land Preservation Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question L — Bond Issue: Community Improvement Project Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question M — Bond Issue: Waterway Improvement Program Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question N — Bond Issue: Operational Buildings Borrowing

All Baltimore County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Baltimore County Question A mean?

Changes to Baltimore County's Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) would need 6 of the 9 County Council votes instead of a simple majority of 5.

What does a NO vote on Baltimore County Question A mean?

URDL changes would still need a simple majority of 5 County Council votes.

How many votes does Baltimore County Question A need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Baltimore County Question A?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.